Anson County deer harvest: North Carolina, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 4,254 deer in Anson County in the 2025-26 season: 1,948 antlered bucks and 2,077 does (NCWRC). That is 8 deer per square mile of land; by total the county ranked 2nd of North Carolina's 100. The count was 2% below 2024-25 (4,338). NCWRC's records go back to 1976-77; the most in one season was 4,508 in 2023-24.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: NCWRC reported deer harvest to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: NCWRC's 2026-27 dates.
Anson CountyGame landsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 4,254 (1,948 antlered bucks, 229 antlerless males, 2,077 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 8, 4th of 100 |
| Antlered bucks per square mile | 4.27 (NCWRC) |
| Average, 10 seasons | 4,022 deer a season |
| Most in one season since 1976 | 4,508 in 2023-24 |
| Deer season zone | Central (gun opens Nov. 14) |
| NCWRC district | District 6, Piedmont; S. Piedmont unit |
| On game lands, 2025-26 | 68 deer |
| Land area | 531.5 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 1 game land, 3,001 acres; 7,772 acres of national wildlife refuge |
| Towns | Wadesboro, Polkton, Ansonville, Morven and Peachland |
How many deer are killed in Anson County each season?
The average over the last 10 seasons was 4,022; the most was 4,508 in 2023-24 and the fewest 3,448 in 2016-17. 2025-26 was 23% above 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 4,254 | 8 |
| 2024-25 | 4,338 | 8.2 |
| 2023-24 | 4,508 | 8.5 |
| 2022-23 | 4,181 | 7.9 |
| 2021-22 | 4,104 | 7.7 |
| 2020-21 | 4,037 | 7.6 |
| 2019-20 | 4,166 | 7.8 |
| 2018-19 | 3,487 | 6.6 |
| 2017-18 | 3,692 | 6.9 |
| 2016-17 | 3,448 | 6.5 |
How the last 2 seasons' deer were taken, and where:
| Season | Antlered bucks | Antlerless males | Does | Gun | Blackpowder | Bow | Crossbow | Game lands | Other land |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1,948 | 229 | 2,077 | 3,382 | 542 | 163 | 167 | 68 | 4,186 |
| 2024-25 | 2,079 | 199 | 2,060 | 3,535 | 481 | 165 | 157 | 79 | 4,259 |
Sources: NCWRC reported deer harvest by county, 1976-2024; NCWRC 2024-25 reported deer harvest by county; NCWRC 2025-26 reported deer harvest by county. Per square mile uses the county's 531.5 square miles of land (Census).
When is deer season in Anson County in 2026-27?
Anson County is in NCWRC's Central deer zone. Its 2026-27 dates:
| Method | Antlered deer | Antlerless deer |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept. 12 to Oct. 30, 2026 | Same as antlered |
| Blackpowder | Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2026 | Same as antlered |
| Gun | Nov. 14, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027 | Same as antlered |
Source: NCWRC hunting and trapping season dates, 2026-27. On game lands, the game land's hunting days also apply.
Where is the public hunting land in Anson County?
| Game land | Acres in Anson County | Deer on the whole game land, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee River Game Land | 3,001 | 142 |
7,772 acres of national wildlife refuge lie in the county, measured on the federal maps. National forest land in North Carolina is managed as game land under NCWRC's rules.
Acres measured by FilledTag on NCWRC game land boundaries, U.S. Forest Service national forest ownership and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries.
How does Anson County compare with its neighbors?
| County | Zone | Deer, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anson County | Central | 4,254 | 8 | 23% |
| Montgomery County | Central | 2,984 | 6.1 | 32% |
| Richmond County | Southeastern | 2,270 | 4.8 | 21% |
| Stanly County | Central | 3,371 | 8.5 | 47% |
| Union County | Central | 3,783 | 6 | 43% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Anson County, NC last season?
NCWRC reports 4,254 deer taken in Anson County in the 2025-26 season: 1,948 antlered bucks, 229 antlerless males and 2,077 does. 3,382 were taken with a gun, 542 with blackpowder, 163 with a bow and 167 with a crossbow.
When is deer season in Anson County in 2026-27?
Anson County is in the Central deer zone: archery Sept. 12 to Oct. 30, 2026; blackpowder Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2026; gun Nov. 14, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027 (NCWRC 2026-27 season dates).
Is there public hunting land in Anson County?
Yes. NCWRC's map puts Pee Dee River Game Land (3,001 acres in the county) in Anson County.
Has the deer harvest in Anson County gone up or down?
From 3,448 in 2016-17 to 4,254 in 2025-26, 23% higher. The most since NCWRC's records began was 4,508 in 2023-24.
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Where these numbers come from
- Deer harvest: NCWRC reported deer harvest by county, 1976-2024; NCWRC 2024-25 reported deer harvest by county; NCWRC 2025-26 reported deer harvest by county.
- Deer zones and dates: NCWRC hunting and trapping season dates, 2026-27.
- Public land: NCWRC game land boundaries; U.S. Forest Service national forest ownership; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuge boundaries. County land area: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 county boundaries. Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer.
FilledTag is not part of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Numbers are copied from NCWRC and the Census Bureau or measured from public maps; nothing here is estimated by FilledTag.
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