15A NCAC 10J .0103       HUNTING ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREAS

(a)  No person shall be under the influence of an impairing substance, as defined by G.S. 20-4.01(48b), while hunting on a designated Wildlife Conservation Area.

(b)  Erecting or occupying a tree stand or platform attached by nails, screws, bolts, or wire to a tree for the purpose of hunting on a designated Wildlife Conservation Area is prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to lag‑screw steps or portable stands that are removed after use with no metal left remaining in or attached to the tree.

(c)  Hunting on designated Wildlife Conservation Areas during the open season for game or furbearing species is permitted, except where the area is closed to hunting or limited to specific dates by the rules of this Chapter.

(1)           waterfowl hunters shall not enter Wildlife Conservation Areas earlier than 4:00 a.m. on the permitted hunting dates, and hunting is prohibited after 1:00 p.m. on such hunting dates; decoys may not be set out prior to 4:00 a.m. and must be removed by 3:00 p.m. on each date.

(2)           game may be taken during the open seasons and hunting is limited to Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

(3)           deer may be taken with archery equipment, as specified in 15A NCAC 10B .0116, on the opening day of the archery season.

(d)  The following shall be prohibited while hunting on Wildlife Conservation Areas:

(1)           operating a vessel or vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine;

(2)           attempting to obscure the sex or age of a game bird or game animal taken by severing the head or other part thereof, or possess a bird or animal that has been mutilated;

(3)           placing salt, grain, fruit, or other foods without prior written authorization of the Commission or its agent; or attempting to take game birds or game animals attracted to such foods;

(4)           using an electronic calling device for the purpose of attracting wild birds or wild animals; and

(5)           removing live wild animals or wild birds, except with the written permission of the landowner.

(e)  The Nona Pitt Hinson Cohen Wildlife Conservation Area - Richmond County is closed to hunting.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑136; 113‑264; 113‑291.2; 113‑305;

Eff. February 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2021; October 1, 1994.

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2025.