Guides · Feral hog laws by state · Checked September 30, 2026
Feral hog laws in North Carolina
In North Carolina, feral swine have no closed season and no bag limit on private land. You need a hunting license, and trapping needs a free permit.
The rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Nongame animal, labeled invasive and undesirable as a free-ranging animal. source
- Season
- No closed hunting season on private lands. source
- License
- A valid hunting license at any time, unless exempt. source
- Bag limit
- None, for hunting or trapping. source
- Trapping
- A valid hunting or trapping license plus a free NCWRC Feral Swine Trapping Permit; landholders and license-exempt people need only the permit. Only box and corral traps are legal, corral traps may not exceed 10,000 square feet, the permit number must be displayed on every trap, and non-target animals must be able to escape. source
- Moving live hogs
- It is illegal to transport or release feral swine, meaning any swine not meeting the NC Department of Agriculture's permitting, tagging and health certificate requirements. source
- Night hunting
- Allowed, with lights; electronic calls may be used. On game lands, a permit is required to take feral swine from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. source
- Eradication or bounty
- The Wildlife Resources Commission is a member of the NC Feral Swine Task Force. source
What makes North Carolina different
Trapped feral swine must be euthanized in the trap and may not be removed alive.
Where to report hogs
Report sightings, damage or kills to the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401, or hwi@ncwildlife.gov.
Every state also has a USDA Wildlife Services office. The federal feral swine program (Squeal on Pigs!) links to yours.
Knowing the rules is half of it
Whether you hunt, trap or call it in, it helps to know what is actually on your land.
HogSight reads the trail-camera photos you already have and maps the sounder: group size, timing, and which individuals keep coming back. See how HogSight reads your camera roll →
Sources
Checked against these official pages on September 30, 2026. Due for a re-check by September 30, 2027.
Rules next door
This guide is informational. Wildlife and animal-health rules change and can vary by county. Always confirm current rules with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission before acting.