Hunting Regulations AND INFORMATION
Motor Vehicles, Boats and Vessels • It is unlawful to use any of the following in taking wild birds or animals: » a motor vehicle while the passenger area is occupied or while the vehicle engine is running; » vessels: under sail, under power, or with the engine running, or while still in the mo- tion from such propulsion, except crippled waterfowl (see page 75); or » airplanes • Deer may not be hunted from boats or other floating devices in some counties (see “Local Laws” section). Hunter or Blaze Orange Any person hunting bear, feral swine, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant or quail with the use of firearms must wear a cap or hat made of hunter orange material or an outer garment of hunter orange visible from all sides. Anyone hunting deer during a deer firearms season, regardless of weapon, must wear hunter orange visible from all sides. This includes archery hunters that hunt on Sunday during the deer firearms season and anyone hunting on Youth Deer Hunting Day. This requirement does not apply to a landholder, his or her spouse and children if they are hunting on the landholder’s property. Artificial Lights and Electronic Calls • It is unlawful to use artificial lights (includ- ing laser sights) and electronic or recorded calls in taking wild birds or animals except as follows: » artificial lights may be used to retrieve harvested big game. » artificial lights may be used for taking feral swine and coyotes at night where legal.
• Except as allowed in authorized field trials and training using domestically raised waterfowl or game birds, it is unlawful to possess axes, saws or tree-climbing equipment while train- ing or running dogs during closed season. • Individuals engaged in training dogs and indi- viduals who are active participants in field tri- als must have an appropriate hunting license. • When training dogs during the closed sea- son, hunters may use domestically raised waterfowl or game birds provided that they use shot shells with shot of number 4 size or smaller and the shot is nontoxic when training with waterfowl. • Further restrictions apply to training dogs on game lands during the closed season. See “Game Lands” section. Field Trials • Commission-sanctioned field trials may allow hunters to conduct field trials with dogs in areas and at times authorized with the use of approved weapons and ammunition and may authorize the use of certain domesti- cally raised birds. • Active participants in field trials are people who handle dogs or firearms. • For Commission-sanctioned field trials, active participants may use a hunting license from their state of residence. For all other types of field trials, active participants must have a N.C. hunting license. • For Commission-sanctioned field trials, judges do not need to have a hunting license. For all other types of field trials, judges must have a N.C. hunting license. • A Commission-sanctioned field trial per- mit may be obtained online at ncwildlife.org for $10.
» artificial lights may be used for taking bull- frogs. » electronic or recorded calls are legal for crows, coyotes and feral swine hunting. Other exceptions for migratory game birds may be found under individual season de- scriptions. » when hunting with dogs during open sea- sons, raccoon and opossum may be taken at night with the use of artificial lights com- monly used to aid in taking raccoon and opossum. • In addition to the prohibition of taking wildlife with the use of artificial light, except for big game retrieval, many counties have local regu- lations that prohibit shining lights on deer or searching for deer with lights 30 minutes after sunset or after 11 p.m. A color-coded map showing county shining laws is on page 65. • The flashing or display of any artificial light be- tween 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise in any area that is frequented or inhabited by wild deer by any person who has access to a firearm, crossbow or other bow and arrow constitutes prima facie evidence of taking deer with the aid of an artificial light. Road Hunting Local laws prohibit or restrict hunting or shoot- ing from public roads or possession of a loaded firearm on road right-of-ways in some counties (see “Local Laws” section). Other Restricted Methods • It is unlawful to use fire in taking wild birds or animals. • It is unlawful to take deer that are swimming or in water above the knees of the deer. • It is unlawful to shoot at or into a squirrel’s nest.
LANDOWNER PROTECTION ACT
NC WILD“TIP”(Turn-In-Poachers) is an anti-poaching program that rewards individuals who provide information. Available 24 hours a day. All tips are anonymous, unless individuals want to identify themselves to claim a reward, which can range from $100–$1,000.
To hunt, sh, or trap on lands posted with signs no more than 200 yards apart or purple paint 100 yards apart individuals need to possess written permission: • Signed by the landowner or lessee • Dated within the past 12 months If a hunting club has leased land, hunters must possess a copy of: • Hunting club membership • Landowner permission
TO REPORT, SCAN: NC WILDTIP
NC WILDTIP turn in poachers
For wildlife violations in progress, or other wildlife questions or concerns call 800-662-7137.
56 2024–2025
Please note: Major regulation changes appear in RED
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