bear season area · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Mountain Bear Management Unit
North Carolina, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Mountain Bear Management Unit
Mountain Bear Management Unit is a bear season area in North Carolina, United States, set by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. It covers about 27,783 km² (10,727 mi²). Towns inside it include Asheville, Shelby, Boone, Lenoir, Morganton and Hendersonville.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for American black bear.
- Unit code
- Mountain
- Area
- 27,783 km²
- Area (miles)
- 10,727 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 7,094 km² of public or protected land inside it, 26% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Service Region 08 Southern | 4,229 | 15% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 1,511 | 5% |
| National Park Service | 1,346 | 5% |
| The Nature Conservancy | 41 | under 1% |
| NC Department of Agriculture, Forest Service | 20 | under 1% |
| The Conservation Fund | 8.2 | under 1% |
| Mitchell County: multiple municipal | 7.7 | under 1% |
| Wilkes County: multiple municipal | 7.2 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 38 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American black bear | Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 21, 2026 | source |
| American black bear | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for Mountain Bear Management Unit
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Mountain Bear Management Unit (bear season area)?
About 27,783 km² (10,727 mi²), as HuntGrid maps North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Mountain Bear Management Unit?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 7,094 km² of public or protected land, 26% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Forest Service Region 08 Southern. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Mountain Bear Management Unit?
This page lists 2 seasons a person has checked against North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to Mountain Bear Management Unit?
In the same unit system: Piedmont Bear Management Unit (northwestern counties).
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (area definitions); U.S. Census Bureau (county boundaries). Licence: Areas defined in 15A NCAC 10B .0202 and the 2026-27 bear season table; county boundaries public domain (U.S. Census Bureau). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The official regulations and maps have the final word.