Keith Lusher 07.28.26
For the first time since elk disappeared from North Carolina more than two centuries ago, hunters will have the chance to legally pursue the species as the state prepares for its inaugural modern elk season in 2027.
Signed by Governor Josh Stein house bill 747 On July 7, legislation authorized the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) to issue only two elk hunting permits for the 2027 season. This limited hunt marks 25 years since elk were reintroduced into the mountains of western North Carolina, and wildlife officials say it is a major conservation milestone.
“Our goal for elk management in the state is to create a sustainable huntable population, and at this point we have reached that goal,” said Justin McVey, NCWRC district wildlife biologist.
However, landing one of the state’s first elk tags won’t be easy. One permit will be sold through an auction organized by a nonprofit conservation organization that helped reestablish elk in North Carolina. The second permit will be awarded through a statewide raffle. Raffle tickets will cost $20 each, with hunters allowed to purchase up to 30 tickets for $500. Participants must have a valid North Carolina hunting license or qualify for an exemption.
Most of the proceeds from both the auction and raffle will be deposited into the state’s Wildlife Resources Fund, where the money will be used for elk conservation and management. The selected nonprofit may retain up to 25% of the auction proceeds, while the Commission may recoup up to $25,000 in raffle administration costs.
Permits are expected to become available in July 2027, with elk season starting in late October. Hunters will be allowed to pursue elk in designated elk areas on private property with both landowner permission and public game lands. Any harvested elk must be reported to the NCWRC.
Despite the biological success behind the decision, the announcement has divided residents in communities such as Maggie Valley, where elk have become a popular attraction for tourists.
Some locals support strictly controlled hunting, saying that the growing herd has reached the point where limited harvest is justified. Others argue that the population is too low and should continue to grow before hunting can begin.
Legislation is also needed Wildlife Resources Commission To submit annual reports starting in 2028 detailing how much money was generated from auctions and raffles, how effectively the permit system works, and whether additional elk permits should be issued in future years.
Elk, once abundant in much of the eastern United States, were extirpated from North Carolina around 1800 due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss. Wildlife officials say the return of a carefully managed hunting season represents another step in one of the region’s most successful wildlife restoration efforts.
keith lusher
Keith Lusher is an award-winning outdoor journalist who lives in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthShoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outdoors column for the Slidell Independent Newspaper. He also writes for the St. Tammany Parish Tourism Commission’s VisitTheNorthshree.com. He is the former host of The Northshore Fishing Report radio show and is on the board of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. Keith contributes to numerous publications both online and in print and is proud to promote the unique fisheries of South Louisiana. To contact Keith email: keithlusherjr@gmail.com
