Fall Line Outdoors stands ready to support you!
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has announced the 2026 Special Early Antlered Deer Season, taking place August 22–23 across all Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Areas statewide. In the Sandhills region, this early season applies specifically to Cumberland and Sampson counties, giving hunters a brief, targeted opportunity to harvest antlered deer in velvet while supporting essential CWD surveillance.
Purpose of the Early Season
This two‑day, antlered‑only season—using any legal weapon—is designed to increase both harvest and CWD sample collection in counties where CWD has been detected or where enhanced monitoring is required. All standard licensing, tagging, and reporting rules remain in effect.
Fall Line Outdoors – Harnett Area Deer Donation Site – open 7 days a week by appointment
📞 (919) 250‑8441 📍 4503 Ross Road, Lillington, NC 27546
The donation site will be open by appointment to collect CWD samples. Hunters may bring their deer and have samples taken while they wait—simply call before you arrive. Sample collection is free of charge.
For 2026, deer may be donated August 22–23 and again October 3 through January 1, 2027.
The site will also accept deer for meat donation, supporting hands‑on training programs for new hunters. Donation is optional and not required for testing.
2026 NCWRC Transport Regulations
Updated NCWRC rules now allow hunters to transport deer out of any CWD Management Area, provided statewide carcass‑disposal requirements are followed:
- Dispose of non‑edible carcass parts using one of the following approved methods:
- Delivery to a lined landfill
- Burial at least 3 feet deep and 300 feet from any waterbody
- Leaving the carcass at the harvest site (with landowner permission)
These rules help limit the spread of CWD while giving hunters more flexibility.
Hunter Guidelines for Testing & Donation
To streamline testing and protect meat quality:
- Field dress deer at the site of kill before transport.
- Hunters planning to have their deer mounted must cape the deer themselves.
- Caping may be done at the donation site if preferred.
- European mounts do not require caping; deer may be brought in field‑dressed only.
- Deer may be donated for training purposes, supporting new‑hunter education.
- Deer donation is not required.
Supporting New Hunters
Thanks to strong hunter participation last year, Fall Line Outdoors provided deer‑processing training to more than 100 adults new to hunting. Deer donations by local hunters directly support these programs, helping new hunters learn safe, ethical, and confident processing skills.
A Season That Supports Conservation
The August 22–23 early season is an important part of North Carolina’s CWD response. Hunters in Cumberland, Sampson, and all CWD Management Area counties play a vital role in protecting the state’s deer herd and strengthening the next generation of conservation‑minded sportsmen and women.
Thank you for hunting to preserve North Carolina’s hunting heritage.