As publishedBarrier Islands (Carteret, Dare, Hyde Counties): Nov 21, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 (male only); Remainder of State: Sept 5, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 (either sex)
Two distinct regimes.Barrier Islands of Carteret, Dare, and Hyde Counties: male pheasants only. Remainder of state: either sex. NC pheasant is a non-native, historically stocked population; secondary sources indicate the Outer Banks/Barrier Islands remnant population continues to decline from historic highs. Bag limit confirmed 2026-08-18 from the published 2026-27 NC Inland Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Regulations Digest; the digest lists the same daily/possession/season limit for both regimes.
Confirmed absence -- NC's pheasant population is a narrow, historically-stocked non-native population confined mainly to the Barrier Islands/Outer Banks (Carteret, Dare, Hyde counties), not actively managed or surveyed by NCWRC.