Chowan County deer harvest: North Carolina, 2016-17 to 2025-26
Hunters reported 588 deer in Chowan County in the 2025-26 season: 245 antlered bucks and 309 does (NCWRC). That is 3.4 deer per square mile of land; by total the county ranked 92nd of North Carolina's 100. The count was 15% above 2024-25 (510). NCWRC's records go back to 1976-77; the most in one season was 1,101 in 2010-11.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: NCWRC reported deer harvest to the 2025-26 season. Seasons: NCWRC's 2026-27 dates.
Chowan CountyGame landsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 588 (245 antlered bucks, 34 antlerless males, 309 does) |
|---|---|
| Per square mile of land | 3.4, 62nd of 100 |
| Antlered bucks per square mile | 1.71 (NCWRC) |
| Average, 10 seasons | 540 deer a season |
| Most in one season since 1976 | 1,101 in 2010-11 |
| Deer season zone | Northeastern (gun opens Oct. 17) |
| NCWRC district | District 1, Coastal; Albemarle unit |
| On game lands, 2025-26 | 11 deer |
| Land area | 172.7 square miles (Census) |
| Public land mapped here | 1 game land, 36 acres |
| Towns | Edenton |
How many deer are killed in Chowan County each season?
The average over the last 10 seasons was 540; the most was 752 in 2016-17 and the fewest 422 in 2022-23. 2025-26 was 22% below 2016-17.
| Season | Deer reported | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 588 | 3.4 |
| 2024-25 | 510 | 3 |
| 2023-24 | 433 | 2.5 |
| 2022-23 | 422 | 2.4 |
| 2021-22 | 461 | 2.7 |
| 2020-21 | 532 | 3.1 |
| 2019-20 | 500 | 2.9 |
| 2018-19 | 534 | 3.1 |
| 2017-18 | 667 | 3.9 |
| 2016-17 | 752 | 4.4 |
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 | 245 | 34 | 309 | 561 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 577 |
| 2024-25 | 232 | 43 | 235 | 497 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 504 |
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 172.7 square miles of land (Census).
When is deer season in Chowan County in 2026-27?
Chowan County is in NCWRC's Northeastern deer zone. Its 2026-27 dates:
| Method | Antlered deer | Antlerless deer |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sept. 12 to Oct. 2, 2026 | Same as antlered |
| Blackpowder | Oct. 3 to 16, 2026 | Same as antlered |
| Gun | Oct. 17, 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 Chowan County?
| Game land | Acres in Chowan County | Deer on the whole game land, 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chowan Swamp Game Land | 36 | 103 |
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 Chowan County compare with its neighbors?
| County | Zone | Deer, 2025-26 | Per square mile | Change since 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chowan County | Northeastern | 588 | 3.4 | -22% |
| Gates County | Northeastern | 1,325 | 3.9 | -22% |
| Hertford County | Northeastern | 1,597 | 4.5 | -10% |
| Perquimans County | Northeastern | 694 | 2.8 | -21% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer were killed in Chowan County, NC last season?
NCWRC reports 588 deer taken in Chowan County in the 2025-26 season: 245 antlered bucks, 34 antlerless males and 309 does. 561 were taken with a gun, 10 with blackpowder, 10 with a bow and 7 with a crossbow.
When is deer season in Chowan County in 2026-27?
Chowan County is in the Northeastern deer zone: archery Sept. 12 to Oct. 2, 2026; blackpowder Oct. 3 to 16, 2026; gun Oct. 17, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027 (NCWRC 2026-27 season dates).
Is there public hunting land in Chowan County?
Yes. NCWRC's map puts Chowan Swamp Game Land (36 acres in the county) in Chowan County.
Has the deer harvest in Chowan County gone up or down?
From 752 in 2016-17 to 588 in 2025-26, 22% lower. The most since NCWRC's records began was 1,101 in 2010-11.
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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.
North Carolina hunting North Carolina deer harvest by county Gates County Hertford County Perquimans County