Trapping Regulations AND INFORMATION
General Information During the regulated trapping season, it is legal in North Carolina to trap: • armadillo
• raccoon • skunk • weasel
• mink • muskrat • nutria • opossum • otter
TRAPPING SEASONS SEASON APPLICABLE AREA
• beaver • bobcat • coyote • groundhog
Statewide. In addition to this statewide trapping season, coyotes may be taken in counties, areas, and times where fox trapping is allowed by statute. Landowners whose property is or has been damaged or destroyed by beaver may take beaver on their property anytime by any law- ful method without obtaining a permit from the Wildlife Resources Commission. The landowner may obtain assistance from other persons in taking the depredating beaver by giving those persons permission to take beaver on the landowner’s property. Fox trapping is allowed in Clay, Graham, Henderson, Macon and Tyrrell counties with a daily bag limit of two and a season bag limit of 10. Trappers must have fox tags prior to taking foxes, and the sale of live foxes under this season is prohibited. Visit ncwildlife.org to see if there is a local fox trapping season in your county.
Gray and red foxes may only be trapped where provided by state or local law. For more in- formation about fox trapping seasons, visit ncwildlife.org . Coyotes may be trapped during the statewide regular trapping season and dur- ing any fox trapping season established by stat- ute or by local law using methods described in statute, even when those seasons open prior to and extend after the regular trapping seasons. Statewide Trapping Restrictions It is unlawful to: • Sell or otherwise transfer ownership of the carcass or pelt of a fox*, bobcat or otter with- out first tagging it with the appropriate tag available from the Wildlife Resources Com- mission. Bobcat and otter tags are free of charge and $2.25 for fox*. Up to 50 bobcat tags and 150 otter tags may be issued per re- quest. You may purchase these tags by tele phone, 833-950-0575, using a Visa or Mas- terCard, or you can mail your request along with the fee to: NCWRC, Bobcat/Otter/Fox Tags, 1707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1700. Include your name, address, date of birth and WRC number. *except where local laws do not require fox tagging. • Open or damage a beaver lodge without a per- mit from the Wildlife Resources Commission. • Sell, keep or transfer ownership of any live animals, except foxes or coyotes, which can be sold live by licensed trappers to licensed fox preserves during the applicable trapping season for that species. Live-trapped foxes and coyotes shall not be held for more than 30 days after capture and shall be provided drinking water, food of a type and quantity appropriate for the species, and shelter that protects the foxes and coyotes from direct sunlight and precipitation. Licensed trap- pers and any individual(s) transporting live foxes and coyotes for live sale shall have a current and valid transportation permit prior to taking possession of the live foxes and coyotes, including removing the ani- mal from the trap. Licensed trappers shall keep accurate written records on a form provided by the Commission for each fox or coyote sold or transferred to a licensed fox preserve • Take red and gray fox except where provided by state or local law. For more information on fox trapping seasons, visit ncwildlife.org .
Oct. 1 – Feb. 28
Jan. 4 – Jan. 25
There is no closed season and no bag limit for trapping nutria east of I-77. Outside of the regulated trapping season shown above, animals can only be trapped under a Depreda- tion Permit. This is a free permit obtained from a Wildlife Enforcement Officer, District Biologist, or Wildlife Control Agent issued when an animal is causing property damage. When trapping under a Depredation Permit, the permit holder must follow all trapping regulations and state laws.
SKULLS AND CARCASSES WANTED
Help monitor populations, improve knowledge of North Carolina furbearers, and ultimately, maintain regulated trapping for future generations by becoming a furbearer cooperator!
Donate any of the following and receive an age report and patch:
- Bobcat and otter skulls or jaws.
- Bobcat, coyote, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, racoon, spotted and striped skunk and weasel carcasses (can be skinned).
ncwildlife.org
52 2024–2025
Please note: Major regulation changes appear in RED
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