15A NCAC 10B .0114      DOG TRAINING AND FIELD TRIALS

(a)  For purposes of 15A NCAC 10B and 10D, the following definitions apply:

(1)           "Commission-sanctioned field trial" means a field trial that, pursuant to a written request from the sponsoring organization, has been authorized in writing and scheduled for occurrence by an authorized representative of the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(2)           "Active participant" means a person participating in a field trial who handles dogs or uses a firearm.

(b)  Each person using wildlife to train or run dogs shall possess a North Carolina hunting license. 

(c)  A person serving as judge of a commission-sanctioned field trial is exempted from any license requirements.  Judges of non-sanctioned field trials using wildlife shall possess a North Carolina hunting license.

(d)  Except as exempted in Paragraph (e) of this Rule, the following applies to active participants in field trials:

(1)           North Carolina residents participating in any field trial that uses wildlife shall have a N.C. hunting license;

(2)           non-residents participating in a commission- sanctioned field trial that uses wildlife shall possess a N.C. hunting license or a hunting license from his or her state of residence; and

(3)           non-residents participating in other types of field trials that use wildlife shall possess a N.C. hunting license

(e)  Persons without a license may participate in commission-sanctioned field trials for beagles conducted without firearms on private field trial areas that are fenced in accordance with G.S. 113-276(k).

(f)  Except as allowed by rules pertaining to authorized field trials, it is unlawful to carry axes, saws or climbing irons while training or running dogs during closed season on game animals.

(g)  On a commission-sanctioned field trial for retrievers or bird dogs, shotguns containing live ammunition or firearms using only blank ammunition may be used only when the application for and the authorization of the field trial so provide. No wild waterfowl, quail or pheasant shall be used in field trials when shotguns with live ammunition are permitted.  All waterfowl, quail and pheasants so used shall be obtained from a licensed game bird propagator.  Each specimen of waterfowl so obtained shall be marked by one of the methods provided by 50 C.F.R. 21.13.  Each pheasant or quail so obtained shall be banded by the propagator prior to delivery with a leg band that is imprinted with the number of his or her propagation license.  The purchaser of the birds shall obtain a copy of the receipt from the propagator showing the date and the number and species of birds purchased.  The copy of the receipt shall be available for inspection by any authorized agent of the Wildlife Resources Commission during the time and at the place where the trial is being held.

(h)  Applications for authorization of a field trial shall be submitted in writing to a Wildlife Enforcement Officer at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event.

(i)  Pursuant to G.S. 113-291.1(d), hunters may train dogs using shotguns with shot of number 4 size or smaller during the closed season using domestically raised waterfowl and domestically raised game birds.  Only nontoxic shot shall be used when training dogs using domestically raised waterfowl.  All domestically raised waterfowl shall be individually tagged on one leg with a seamless band stamped with the number of the propagation license for the facility from which the domestically raised waterfowl originated.  All other domestically raised game birds shall be individually tagged on one leg with a band indicating the propagation license number for the facility from which the birds originated.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; 113-276; 113-291.1; 113-291.5; 50 C.F.R. 21.13;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2015; January 1, 2013; January 1, 2012; May 1, 2006; July 1, 1995; July 1, 1994; July 1, 1991; May 1, 1990.