15A NCAC 10D .0103      GENERAL REGULATIONS REGARDING HUNTING on game lands

(a)  The following shall be prohibited on game lands:

(1)           hunting on a designated game land while under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic drug;

(2)           failing to comply with restrictions enacted by the National Park Service regarding the use of the Blue Ridge Parkway where it adjoins game lands;

(3)           parking a vehicle on game lands in a manner as to block traffic or gates, or otherwise prevent vehicles from using a roadway; and

(4)           erecting or occupying a tree stand or platform attached by nails, screws, bolts, or to a tree on a game land to hunt. This prohibition does not apply to lag-screw steps or portable stands that are removed after use with no metal remaining in or attached to the tree.

(b)  Unless allowed by permit, hunting on game lands shall only be during the open season for game animals and game birds.

(c)  Individual game lands or parts of game lands may be closed to hunting or limited to specific dates by this Subchapter.

(d)  Persons shall hunt only with weapons lawful for the open game animal or game bird seasons.

(e)  On managed waterfowl impoundments, persons shall:

(1)           not enter the posted impoundment areas earlier than 4:00 a.m. on the permitted hunting dates;

(2)           not hunt after 1:00 p.m. on the permitted hunting dates;

(3)           not set decoys out prior to 4:00 a.m.;

(4)           remove decoys by 3:00 p.m. daily; and

(5)           not operate a vessel or vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.

(f)  On Sundays, the following shall be prohibited:

(1)           hunting with a firearm between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.;

(2)           the use of a firearm to take deer that are run or chased by dogs;

(3)           hunting with a firearm within 500 yards of a place of religious worship, as defined by G.S. 14-54.1(b), or an accessory structure thereof; and

(4)           hunting migratory game birds.

(g)  On designated Youth Waterfowl Days the following shall apply:

(1)           hunting on managed waterfowl impoundments shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset;

(2)           Subparagraphs (e)(1), (e)(3), and (e)(5) of this Rule; and

(3)           youth may hunt on a game land and on an impoundment without a special hunt permit, including permit-only areas, except where prohibited in Paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(h)  On designated Veterans and Military Waterfowl Days veterans, as defined in 38 USC 101, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty other than for training, with valid credentials may hunt on game lands and impoundments not designated as permit-only areas from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Subparagraphs (e)(1), (e)(3), and (e)(5) of this Rule shall apply.

(i)  On waterfowl impoundments that have a posted "Scouting-only Zone," trapping during the trapping season and waterfowl hunting on designated waterfowl hunting days are the only activities allowed on the portion of the impoundment outside of the posted "Scouting-only Zone."

(j)  Definitions:

(1)           For purposes of this Subchapter, "Dove Only Area" refers to a Game Land on which doves may be taken and dove hunting is limited to Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Days within the federally-announced season.

(2)           For purposes of this Subchapter, "Three Days per Week Area" refers to a Game Land on which game may be taken during the open seasons and hunting is limited to Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Day, and New Year's Days, except for game lands in this Rule that specifically allow hunting on Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays. Hunting is not allowed on Christmas Day, Veterans Day, and New Year's Day when these holidays fall on Sunday. Falconry may also be practiced on Sundays. These "open days" also apply to antlerless deer hunting seasons listed for each game land. Raccoon and opossum hunting may continue until 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, until 7:00 a.m. on Thursdays, and until midnight on Saturdays.

(3)           For purposes of this Subchapter, "Six Days per Week Area" refers to a Game Land on which game may be taken on the open days of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the open seasons. Falconry may be practiced on Sundays.

(4)           For purposes of this Subchapter, "Seven Days per Week Area" refers to a Game Land on which game may be taken during the open season on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

(5)           For purposes of this Subchapter, "Four Days per Week Area" refers to a Game Land on which game may be taken during the open seasons and hunting is limited to Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Martin Luther King Day. Raccoon and opossum hunting may continue until 7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, 7:00 a.m. on Fridays, and 7:00 a.m. on Mondays.

(6)           For purposes of this Subchapter, "Permit" means a written authorization from the Commission required for take or other activities listed on the permit during open seasons, if applicable, in a specified area and subject to annual limitations imposed by the Commission to meet wildlife, hunter, or land management objectives, unless otherwise specified. Individuals may apply for available permits online at ncwildlife.org, by phone, or in person at a wildlife service agent location. The Commission shall issue permits to applicants selected at random by computer in accordance with G.S. 113-264. Permits shall be non-transferrable. The laws and rules regarding the species or activity shall apply.

(7)           For the purposes of this Subchapter, "Either-Sex" means antlered or antlerless.

(k)  Deer shall not be taken with the use of dogs on game lands in counties or parts of counties where taking deer with dogs is prohibited as described in 15A NCAC 10B .0109.

(l)  On permit hunts, deer of either sex may be taken on the hunt dates indicated on the permit. Completed applications shall be received by the Commission not later than the first day of September next preceding the dates of hunt. Permits shall be issued by random computer selection, shall be mailed to the permittees prior to the hunt, and are nontransferable. A hunter making a kill shall validate the kill and report the kill to a wildlife cooperator agent or by phone.

(m)  The following game lands and refuges are closed to hunting except to individuals who have obtained a valid and current permit from the Wildlife Resources Commission:

(1)           Bertie, Halifax and Martin counties—Roanoke River Wetlands;

(2)           Bertie County—Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge;

(3)           Bladen County—Suggs Mill Pond Game Lands;

(4)           Dare County—Dare Game Lands (Those parts of bombing range posted against hunting);

(5)           Dare County—Roanoke Sound Marshes Game Lands; and

(6)           Henderson and Transylvania counties—DuPont State Forest Game Lands.

(n)  Access to Hunting Creek Swamp Waterfowl Refuge in Davie County requires written permission from the Commission. Written permission may be granted only when entry onto the Waterfowl Refuge shall not compromise the primary purpose for establishing the Waterfowl Refuge and the person requesting entry can demonstrate a valid need or the person is a contractor or agent of the Commission conducting official business. "Valid need" includes issues of access to private property, scientific investigations, surveys, or other access to conduct activities in the public interest.

(o)  Feral swine may be taken by licensed hunters during the open season for a game animal or game bird using a legal manner of take allowed during those seasons. Dogs may not be used to hunt feral swine except on game lands that allow the use of dogs for hunting deer or bear, and during the open deer or bear season.

(p)  The Commission may designate special hunts for participants of the disabled sportsman program by permit. The Commission may schedule these permit hunts during the closed season. Hunt dates and species to be taken shall be identified on the permit. If the hunt has a limited weapon choice, the allowed weapons shall be stated on the permit.

(q)  As used in the rules of this Subchapter, horseback riding includes all equine species.

(r)  When waterfowl hunting is authorized on Christmas and New Years' Day and those days fall on Sundays, the open waterfowl hunting day shall be the following day.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-264; 113-291.2; 113-291.5; 113-296; 113-305;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Temporary Amendment Eff. October 3, 1991;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; July 1, 1997; July 1, 1996; September 1, 1995; July 1, 1995; September 1, 1994; July 1, 1994;

Temporary Amendment Eff. October 1, 1999; July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2002; July 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002 (approved by RRC on 06/21/01 and 04/18/02);

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2004 (this replaces the amendment approved by RRC on July 17, 2003);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2018; August 1, 2017; August 1, 2016; May 1, 2015; August 1, 2014; January 1, 2013; August 1, 2012; August 1, 2011; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2009; May 1, 2008; May 1, 2007; October 1, 2006; August 1, 2006; May 1, 2006; February 1, 2006; June 1, 2005; October 1, 2004;

Temporary Amendment Eff. August 1, 2018;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2020; August 1, 2019;

Temporary Amendment Eff. September 25, 2020;

Temporary Amendment Eff. August 1, 2021;

Amended Eff. November 1, 2022; October 1, 2022; August 23, 2022;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2023.