Hunting Regulations AND INFORMATION
Training Dogs • It is unlawful to run or chase deer during closed season, except when under the con- trol of the owner. This applies only to coun- ties where hunting deer with dogs is allowed. In counties or parts thereof and game lands where hunting deer with dogs is prohibited, running or chasing deer is prohibited at all times. This does not apply to the use of a single dog on a leash to assist the hunter in retrieving a wounded deer (see “Retrieval”). • 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 season, 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. LANDOWNER PROTECTION ACT To hunt, fish, 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
• 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 permit may be obtained online at ncwildlife.gov . 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 motion from such propulsion, except for crippled waterfowl (see page 74); or » airplanes » drones • 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 Days. 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. » 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 wild- life with the use of artificial light, except for big game retrieval, many counties have lo-
cal regulations 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 66. • The flashing or display of any artificial light between 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. Other Restrictions Local Laws There are many local laws affecting hunting and trapping in North Carolina. An abstract of local laws that are more restrictive than general regulations is included in this Digest. See the “Local Laws” section. Exotic Species It is unlawful to place exotic species of wild animals or wild birds not indigenous to that area or feral swine in an area for the purpose of stocking the area for hunting or trapping. (There are certain limited exceptions for li- censed-controlled hunting preserves.) Transfer of Wildlife An individual may accept the gift of wildlife lawfully taken within North Carolina if tak- ing possession does not cause the individual to exceed the applicable possession limit and the individual possesses and preserves in writ- ing the name and address of the donor and under what license requirements the wildlife was taken. It is unlawful to accept the gift of wildlife lawfully taken unless you possess in writing the donor’s name, address and what license or license exemptions under which the wildlife was taken. Additionally, individuals tak- ing possession of a big game animal (deer, bear, or wild turkey) must retain the authorization number of that animal. Trespass The establishment of open seasons does not obligate the private landowner to allow hunting on his or her property, nor does it eliminate the ethical requirement for obtaining permission from
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Please note: Major regulation changes appear in RED
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