Deer Management

How Can You Help?

Please don't feed the deer!

Feeding deer creates problems for both wildlife and neighbors:

• Deer naturally forage alone or in small groups, spreading out across the landscape.
• Artificial feeding sites attract large numbers of deer and other wildlife to one spot.
• Deer fed by humans often have an unbalanced diet and are more prone to disease.
• They may return repeatedly - even after food is gone - creating nuisance issues

Here are some better alternatives:

• Plant native, deer-resistant plants in your yard. Get help from the NC Cooperative Extension Service.
• Use deer-repellent sprays to protect your landscape plants.

Deer Hunting in Chapel Hill

Hunting regulations are set by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and local ordinances.

• Firearms are prohibited within Chapel Hill Town limits.
• No hunting is allowed on public property, including Town-owned or University-owned land.
• Bow hunting is allowed on private property with landowner permission and a valid hunting license. It's regulated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Hunting Seasons

• Regular Bow Season: Early September - January
• Urban Archery Season: January 10 - February 15, 2026
  • Urban archery applies only in participating cities

What Property Owners CAN Do:

• Hunt deer with a bow and arrow on their own property with a valid license and during legal seasons.
• Apply for a Depredation Hunting Permit from NC Wildlife Resources Commission for hunting outside regular seasons.
• Report illegal or unsafe hunting to:
  • NC Wildlife Resources Commission: 1-800-662-7137 or askenforcement@ncwildlife.org
  • Chapel Hill Police Department: Call 9-1-1

What Property Owners CAN'T Do:

• Use firearms within Town limits.
• Hire professional hunters to remove deer.
• Track wounded deer onto neighboring property without permission.

What regular hunters CAN Do:

• Hunt deer with bow and arrow within the Town limits on private property with permission from the land owner.

What regular hunters CAN'T Do:

• Hunt on Town-owned property or park land, or any other publicly-owned or University-owned land.

Bow Hunting Tips

• You must get written permission signed within the last 12 months from the property owner where you're hunting. 
• Review NC Wildlife Resources Commission's "Hunting & Trapping" webpage.
• Avoid hunting on properties smaller than 2 acres.
• Stay at least:
  • 150 ft. from any dwelling or road
  • 300 ft. from schools, daycares, places of worship, or parks
• Always:
  • Be sure of your target and surroundings
  • Wear orange for visibility
  • Hunt inward toward the property center
  • Shoot level or downward
• Consider taking a hunter education course from NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Need to Report or Have Questions?

• Illegal hunting: Call 1-800-662-7137 or 9-1-1
• Injured wildlife: Visit Have a Wildlife Problem?
• Urban Archer Program questions: Email parksrec@townofchapelhill.org or call 919-968-2784