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2025 NCTC Deer Hunt

The 2025 NCTC Deer Hunt information is currently being added online with more coming soon. Please contact [email protected] for any questions.

Summary of Major Changes to the 2025 NCTC Deer Hunt

• The preseason drawing process has been eliminated.

• There will be a random drawing prior to each hunt to fill all hunting locations.
  • Morning Hunt
    • Registration begins at 5:15 am
    • Hunt draw at 5:45 am
    • Hunt begins ½ hour before sunrise
    • Hunt ends at 11:30 am
    • Check out by 12:00 pm
  • Afternoon Hunt
    • Registration begins at 12:30 pm
    • Hunt draw at 1:00 pm
    • Hunt begins at 1:30 pm
    • Hunt ends ½ hour after sunset

    • Check out â€� 7:00 pm for October hunt; 6:00 for November and December hunts

• All prospective hunters will need to complete the online NCTC Deer Hunt Orientation by September 30, 2025. Completion of the orientation will ensure you are on the deer hunt security list for the whole season. (Orientation Coming Soon!)

• The old “Buck Eligibilityâ€� list is no longer valid. Hunters must harvest an antlerless deer each season to be “buck eligibleâ€� for the current season. A hunter can only be eligible for one antlered deer at a time. Harvesting two antlerless deer back-to-back does not earn eligibility for two back-to-back antlered deer.

• Archery hunters may hunt from any stand during the NCTC firearms seasons.

• Muzzleloading firearms of .38 caliber or larger are allowed during all NCTC firearms seasons.

• Archery hunters within designated archery only zones may hunt from a pre-existing ladder stand or blind, or a personal stand or blind erected by the hunter within 50 yards around the pre-existing ladder stand. Only portable climbing equipment and ground blinds are permitted within 50 yards of a pre-existing ladder stand or blind and must be removed at the end of the hunt. Hunter erected free-standing or ladder stands are not permitted. The placing of personal hunting stands the day before a hunt is not permitted.

• The use of scents is permitted. However, scent applicators and all litter must be removed at the end of your hunt. Failure to remove litter will result in being ineligible for future NCTC deer hunts.

• The Saturday closest to Veterans Day will be a Military Preference Hunt. Hunters showing proof of current or former military service will draw for hunt locations first. All other hunters will be drawn for any remaining hunt locations after the Military Preference draw.

• Several tree stands have been removed due to safety concerns. Those stands have been replaced with ground blinds that contain one tripod hunting stool.

NCTC 2025 Deer Hunt Dates and Times  

All Hunters MUST report to the NCTC Deer Hunt Check Station for check-in and check-out.

Contact Information

NCTC Deer Hunt Website:/nctc/visit-us/activities/hunting

NCTC Deer Hunt Email: [email protected]

NCTC Deer Check Station Phone:  304-876-7782; only answered on hunt days

Report Accidents:  NCTC Check Station in person or to Security (304-876-7911) as soon as possible.

Mailing Address:  National Conservation Training Center, 698 Conservation Way Shepherdstown,WV25443

2025 Important Hunting Season Dates 

October 4:  Scouting Day 9:00 am â€� 12:00 pm

October 18:  Special Early Hunt â€� Firearms and Archery Hunt

November 8:  Military Preference Hunt â€� Archery Only Hunt (Hunters showing proof of current or former military service will draw for hunt locations first. All other hunters will be drawn for any remaining hunt locations after the Military Preference draw.)

November 15:  Archery Only Hunt

November 22:  Archery Only Hunt

November 29:  Firearms & Archery Hunt

December 6:  Firearms& Archery Hunt

December 13:  Firearms (Antlerless only)&Archery Hunt

December 20:  Muzzleloader & Archery Hunt

2025 NCTC Deer Hunt Regulations Coming Soon! 

Non-Toxic Ammunition for Deer Hunting

The use of non-toxic ammunition, also known as non-lead or lead-free ammunition, has increased primarily due to the toxicity of lead when ingested by wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires the use of non-lead ammunition for waterfowl hunting throughout the U.S., and it encourages its use in all hunting. One problem that can occur in deer hunting is that lead bullet or slug fragments, even tiny particles, can be ingested by scavenging birds and animals (including bald eagles), which are then poisoned. For this reason, NCTC has required the use of non-toxic ammunition for all firearms hunting since 2013. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this activity for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to email [email protected], or TTY 800-877-8339.