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North Carolina Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 13, 2014) |
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TITLE 15A. ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES |
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CHAPTER 10. WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND WATER SAFETY |
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SUBCHAPTER D. GAME LANDS REGULATIONS |
15A NCAC 10D .0103. HUNTING ON GAME LANDS
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(a) Safety Requirements. No person while hunting on any designated game land shall be under the influence of alcohol or any narcotic drug, or fail to comply with restrictions enacted by the National Park Service regarding the use of the Blue Ridge Parkway where it adjoins game lands listed in this Rule.
(b) Traffic Requirements. No person shall park a vehicle on game lands in such a manner as to block traffic or gates, or otherwise prevent vehicles from using any roadway.
(c) Tree Stands. It is unlawful to erect or to occupy, for the purpose of hunting, any tree stand or platform attached by nails, screws, bolts, or wire to a tree on any game land designated herein. 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.
(d) Time and Manner of Taking. Hunting is allowed on game lands only during the open season for game animals and game birds, unless hunting is allowed by permit. Individual game lands or parts thereof may be closed to hunting or limited to specific dates by this Chapter. Persons shall hunt only with weapons lawful for the open game animal or game bird seasons. 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 such hunting dates;
(3) not set decoys out prior to 4:00 a.m.;
(4) remove decoys by 3:00 p.m. each day; and
(5) not operate any vessel or vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.
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." No person shall attempt to obscure the sex or age of any bird or animal taken by severing the head or any other part thereof, or possess any bird or animal that has been so mutilated. No person shall place, or cause to be placed on any game land, salt, grain, fruit, or other foods without prior written authorization of the Commission or its agent. A decision to grant or deny authorization shall be made based on the best management practices for the wildlife species in question. No person shall take or attempt to take any game birds or game animals attracted to such foods.
(e) Definitions:
(1) For purposes of this Section, "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 Section, "Three Days per Week Area" refers to a Game Land on which any game may be taken during the open seasons and hunting is limited to Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Days, except for game lands in this Rule that specifically allow hunting on Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays. Falconry may also be practiced on Sundays. These "open days" also apply to either-sex deer hunting seasons listed under 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 Section, "Six Days per Week Area" refers to a Game Land on which any game may be taken during the open seasons.
(f) Hunting with Dogs on Game Lands. 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.
(g) Bear Sanctuaries. On Three Days per Week Areas and Six Days per Week Areas, bears shall not be taken on lands designated and posted as bear sanctuaries except when authorized by permit only elsewhere in this Chapter. Feral Swine shall not be taken with the use of dogs on bear sanctuaries. Dogs shall not be trained or allowed to run unleashed between March 1 and the Monday on or nearest October 15 on bear sanctuaries in and west of the counties and parts of counties described in 15A NCAC 10B .0109.
(h) The listed seasons and restrictions apply in the following game lands:
(1) Alcoa Game Land in Davidson, Davie, Montgomery, Rowan, and Stanly counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season in that portion in Montgomery county and deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season in those portions in Davie, Davidson, Rowan and Stanly counties.
(C) On the Lick Creek Tract, deer and bear hunting is archery only.
(2) Alligator River Game Land in Tyrrell County
(A) Six Day per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Bear may only be taken the first three hunting days during the November Bear Season and the first three hunting days during the second week of the December Bear Season.
(3) Angola Bay Game Land in Duplin and Pender counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(4) Bachelor Bay Game Land in Bertie, Martin, and Washington counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(5) Bertie County Game Land in Bertie County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(6) Bladen Lakes State Forest Game Land in Bladen County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Except for muzzle-loaders, rifles larger than .22 caliber rimfire shall not be used.
(D) On the Singletary Lake Tract the use of dogs for hunting deer and bear is prohibited.
(E) Wild turkey hunting on the Singletary Lake Tract is by permit only.
(F) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(7) Brinkleyville Game Land in Halifax County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(8) Brunswick County Game Land in Brunswick County
(A) Hunting is by permit only.
(B) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(9) Buckhorn Game Land in Orange County
(A) Hunting is by permit only.
(B) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(10) Buckridge Game Land in Tyrrell County.
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Bear may only be taken the first three hunting days during the November Bear Season and the first three hunting days of the second week of the December Bear Season. If any of these days falls on a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday, bear hunting is allowed on those days.
(11) Buffalo Cove Game Land in Caldwell and Wilkes Counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) The Deer With Visible Antlers season for deer consists of the open hunting days from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the third Saturday after Thanksgiving. Deer may be taken with bow and arrow on open days beginning the Monday on or nearest September 10 to the third Saturday thereafter, and Monday on or nearest October 15 to the Saturday before Thanksgiving and during the Deer With Visible Antlers Season. Deer may be taken with muzzle-loading firearms on open days beginning the Monday on or nearest October 1 through the Saturday of the second week thereafter, and during the Deer With Visible Antlers season.
(C) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(D) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(12) Bullard and Branch Hunting Preserve Game Lands in Robeson County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(13) Butner - Falls of Neuse Game Land in Durham, Granville and Wake counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl shall be taken only on:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
On the posted waterfowl impoundments a special permit is required for all waterfowl hunting after November 1.
(D) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(E) Target shooting is prohibited.
(F) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only, except on those areas posted as an archery zone.
(G) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited on that portion west of NC 50 and south of Falls Lake.
(H) The use of bicycles is restricted to designated areas, except that this restriction does not apply to hunters engaged in the act of hunting during the open days of the applicable seasons for game birds and game animals.
(I) Camping and the presence of campers and tents in designated Hunter Camping Areas are limited to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14.
(J) Camping is allowed at any time in the designated Mountains-to-Sea Trail Camping Area and shall not exceed a maximum stay of two consecutive nights. Campfires are prohibited in this camping area.
(14) Buxton Woods Game Land in Dare County:
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(15) Cape Fear River Wetlands Game Land in Pender County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Turkey Hunting is by permit only on that portion known as the Roan Island Tract.
(D) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited on the portion of the game land that is west of the Black River, north of Roan Island, east of Lyon Swamp Canal to Canetuck Road, and south of NC 210 to the Black River.
(16) Carteret County Game Land in Carteret County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(17) R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Game Land in Caswell County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is allowed only during June, July, and August, and on Sundays during the remainder of the year except during open turkey and deer seasons. Horseback riding is allowed only on roads opened to vehicular traffic. Participants must obtain a game lands license as set forth in 15A NCAC 10G prior to engaging in such activity.
(D) The area encompassed by the following roads is permit-only for all quail and woodcock hunting and all bird dog training: From Yanceyville south on NC 62 to the intersection of SR 1746, west on SR 1746 to the intersection of SR 1156, south on SR 1156 to the intersection of SR 1783, east on SR 1783 to the intersection of NC 62, north on NC 62 to the intersection of SR 1736, east on SR 1736 to the intersection of SR 1730, east on SR 1730 to NC 86, north on NC 86 to NC 62.
(E) On the posted waterfowl impoundment, waterfowl hunting is by permit only after November 1.
(F) Camping and the presence of campers and tents in designated Hunter Camping Areas are limited to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14.
(18) Catawba Game Land in Catawba County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Deer may be taken with bow and arrow only from the tract known as Molly's Backbone.
(19) Chatham Game Land in Chatham County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(D) Horseback riding is allowed only during June, July, and August; and on Sundays during the remainder of the year except during open turkey and deer seasons.
(E) Target shooting is prohibited.
(20) Cherokee Game Land in Ashe County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(21) Chowan Game Land in Chowan County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(22) Chowan Swamp Game Land in Bertie, Gates and Hertford counties.
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Bear hunting is restricted to the first three hunting days during the November bear season and the first three hunting days during the second week of the December bear season except that portion of Chowan Swamp Game Land in Gates County that is east of Highway 158/13, south of Highway 158, west of Highway 32, and north of Catherine Creek and the Chowan River where the bear season is the same as the season dates for the Gates County bear season.
(D) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(23) Cold Mountain Game Land in Haywood County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(C) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(24) Columbus County Game Land in Columbus County.
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(25) Croatan Game Land in Carteret, Craven and Jones counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl shall be taken only on the following days:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) Beginning on the first open waterfowl day in October through the end of the waterfowl season, waterfowl hunting from designated Disabled Sportsmen blinds on the Catfish Lake Waterfowl Impoundment is by permit only.
(E) Dove hunting is by permit only for the first two open days of dove season on posted areas. During the rest of dove season, no permit is required to hunt doves.
(26) Currituck Banks Game Land in Currituck County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Permanent waterfowl blinds in Currituck Sound on these game lands shall be hunted by permit only from November 1 through the end of the waterfowl season.
(C) Licensed hunting guides may accompany the permitted individual or party provided the guides do not use a firearm.
(D) The boundary of the game land shall extend 5 yards from the edge of the marsh or shoreline.
(E) Dogs are allowed only for waterfowl hunting by permitted waterfowl hunters on the day of their hunt.
(F) No screws, nails, or other objects penetrating the bark shall be used to attach a tree stand or blind to a tree.
(G) Deer of either sex may be taken all the days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers season.
(27) Dare Game Land in Dare County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) No hunting is allowed on posted parts of bombing range.
(D) The use and training of dogs is prohibited from March 1 through June 30.
(28) Dover Bay Game Land in Craven County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers season.
(29) Dupont State Forest Game Lands in Henderson and Transylvania counties
(A) Hunting is by Permit only.
(B) The training and use of dogs for hunting is prohibited except by special hunt permit holders during scheduled permit hunts.
(30) Elk Knob Game Land in Watauga County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(31) Embro Game Land in Halifax and Warren counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(32) Goose Creek Game Land in Beaufort and Pamlico counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Except as provided in Part (D) of this Subparagraph, waterfowl in posted waterfowl impoundments shall be taken only on the following days:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) Beginning on the first open waterfowl season day in October and through the end of the waterfowl season, waterfowl hunting is by permit only on the following waterfowl impoundments: Pamlico Point, Campbell Creek, Hunting Creek, Spring Creek, Smith Creek, and Hobucken.
(E) On Pamlico Point and Campbell Creek Waterfowl Impoundments all activities, except waterfowl hunting on designated waterfowl hunting days and trapping during the trapping season, are restricted to the posted Scouting-only Zone during the period November 1 through March 15.
(F) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(G) Hunting and vehicular access on the Parker Farm Tract is restricted from September 1 through January 1 and April 1 through May 15 to individuals that possess a valid hunting opportunity permit.
(33) Green River Game Land in Henderson, and Polk counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(34) Green Swamp Game Land in Brunswick County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(35) Gull Rock Game Land in Hyde County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl on posted waterfowl impoundments shall be taken only on the following days:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons; and
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl season.
(D) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(E) Bear may only be taken the first three hunting days during the November Bear Season and the first three hunting days during the second week of the December Bear Season, except for that portion designated as bear sanctuary.
(36) Harris Game Land in Chatham, Harnett, and Wake counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl shall be taken only on:
(i) Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days; and
(iii) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) The use or construction of permanent hunting blinds shall be prohibited.
(E) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(F) Target shooting is prohibited.
(37) Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl may be taken only on the following days:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(E) On that portion north of the Bear Garden Road, west of Shaw Road to Baby Branch, east of the Northeast Cape Fear River, south of NC 53 and west of NC 50, deer hunting and bear hunting are permit only.
(F) The use of dogs for hunting deer and bear is prohibited on that portion of the game land that is south of Baby Branch extending west to Stag Park Road, west of Shaw Road, north of Meeks Road extending west to Stag Park Road and east of Stag Park Road.
(G) Hunting and vehicular access on the Pender 4 Tract is restricted from September 1 to the last day of February and April 1 to May 15 to individuals that possess valid hunting opportunity permits, unless otherwise authorized by the Wildlife Resources Commission.
(H) Hunters who possess a Disabled Access Permit may operate an All Terrain Vehicle on and within 100 yards of trails designated for Disabled Sportsman Access.
(38) Hyco Game land in Person County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Target shooting is prohibited.
(39) J. Morgan Futch Game Land in Tyrrell County, Permit Only Area.
(40) Johns River Game Land in Burke County
(A) Hunting is by permit only.
(B) During permitted deer hunts, deer of either sex may be taken by permit holders.
(C) Entry on posted waterfowl impoundments is prohibited October 1 through March 31, except by lawful waterfowl hunting permit holders and only on those days written on the permits.
(D) The use or construction of permanent hunting blinds is prohibited.
(41) Jordan Game Land in Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl may be taken only on:
(i) Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days; and
(iii) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) Horseback riding is prohibited except on those areas posted as American Tobacco Trail and other areas posted for equestrian use. Unless otherwise posted, horseback riding is permitted on posted portions of the American Tobacco Trail anytime the trail is open for use. On all other trails posted for equestrian use, horseback riding is allowed only during June, July, and August, and on Sundays the remainder of the year except during open turkey and deer seasons.
(E) Target shooting is prohibited.
(F) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only, except on those areas posted as an Archery Zone.
(G) The use of bicycles is restricted to designated areas, except that this restriction does not apply to hunters engaged in the act of hunting during the open days of the applicable seasons for game birds and game animals.
(42) Juniper Creek Game Land in Brunswick and Columbus counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(43) Kerr Scott Game Land in Wilkes County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Use of centerfire rifles is prohibited.
(C) Use of muzzleloaders, shotguns, or rifles for hunting deer during the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season is prohibited.
(D) Tree stands shall not be left overnight; and no screws, nails, or other objects penetrating the bark shall be used to attach a tree stand or blind to a tree.
(E) Deer of either sex may be taken on all open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers season.
(F) Hunting on posted waterfowl impoundments is by permit only.
(G) The use of firearms for hunting wild turkey is prohibited.
(44) Lantern Acres Game Land in Tyrrell and Washington counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(D) The use of dogs for hunting deer on the Godley Tract is prohibited.
(E) Waterfowl hunting on posted waterfowl impoundments is by permit only.
(45) Lee Game Land in Lee County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Target shooting is prohibited.
(46) Light Ground Pocosin Game Land in Pamlico County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer with Visible Antlers Season.
(47) Linwood Game Land in Davidson County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken on all of the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(48) Lower Fishing Creek Game Land in Edgecombe and Halifax counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(D) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(49) Mayo Game Land in Person County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Waterfowl shall be taken only on:
(i) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Christmas and New Year's Days; and
(iii) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) Target shooting is prohibited.
(50) Mitchell River Game Land in Surry County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six days of the applicable Deer with Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(51) Nantahala Game Land in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain, and Transylvania counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season in that portion located in Transylvania County.
(52) Needmore Game Land in Macon and Swain counties.
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(C) On posted dove fields, dove hunting on the opening day of dove season is by permit only.
(53) Neuse River Game Land in Craven County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(54) New Lake Game Land in Hyde and Tyrrell counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(55) Nicholson Creek Game Land in Hoke County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken with bow and arrow on open hunting days from the Saturday on or nearest September 10 to the fourth Friday before Thanksgiving.
(C) Deer of either sex may be taken with muzzle-loading firearms on open hunting days beginning the fourth Saturday before Thanksgiving through the Wednesday of the second week thereafter.
(D) The Deer With Visible Antlers season consists of the open hunting days from the second Saturday before Thanksgiving through the third Saturday after Thanksgiving.
(E) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(F) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(G) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(H) On Lake Upchurch, the following activities are prohibited:
(i) Operating any vessel or vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine; and
(ii) Swimming.
(56) North River Game Land in Camden and Currituck counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) The boundary of the Game Land shall extend five yards from the edge of the marsh or shoreline.
(D) Hunting on the posted waterfowl impoundment is by permit only.
(57) Northwest River Marsh Game Land in Currituck County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) The boundary of the Game Land shall extend five yards from the edge of the marsh or shoreline.
(58) Pee Dee River Game Land in Anson, Montgomery, Richmond, and Stanly counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Use of centerfire rifles is prohibited in that portion in Anson and Richmond counties North of US-74.
(D) Target shooting is prohibited.
(59) Perkins Game Land in Davie County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited from November 1 through January 1.
(60) Pisgah Game Land in Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited on the Black Bear (McDowell County), Linville River (Burke County), and Little Tablerock Tracts (Avery, McDowell, and Mitchell counties).
(61) Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer with Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(D) Deer and bear hunting is by permit only.
(62) Pungo River Game Land in Hyde County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(63) Rhodes Pond Game Land in Cumberland and Harnett counties
(A) Hunting is by permit only.
(B) Swimming is prohibited on the area.
(64) Roanoke River Wetlands in Bertie, Halifax, Martin, and Northampton counties
(A) Hunting is by Permit only.
(B) Vehicles are prohibited on roads or trails except those operated on Commission business or by permit holders.
(C) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas, provided, however, that camping is allowed at any time within 100 yards of the Roanoke River on the state-owned portion of the game land.
(65) Roanoke Island Marshes Game Land in Dare County-Hunting is by permit only.
(66) Robeson Game Land in Robeson County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(67) Rockfish Creek Game Land in Hoke County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken with bow and arrow on open hunting days from the Saturday on or nearest September 10 to the fourth Friday before Thanksgiving.
(C) Deer of either sex may be taken with muzzle-loading firearms on open hunting days beginning the fourth Saturday before Thanksgiving through the Wednesday of the second week thereafter.
(D) The Deer With Visible Antlers season consists of the open hunting days from the second Saturday before Thanksgiving through the third Saturday after Thanksgiving.
(E) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(F) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(G) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(H) Taking fox squirrels is prohibited.
(68) Rocky Run Game Land in Onslow County: Hunting is by permit only.
(69) Sampson Game Land in Sampson County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(70) Sandhills Game Land in Hoke, Moore, Richmond and Scotland counties
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Hunting is prohibited on the J. Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds from October 22 through March 31 except as follows:
(i) deer may be taken with archery equipment on all the open days of the bow-and-arrow season through the fourth Friday before Thanksgiving; with legal muzzleloading firearms and archery equipment all the open days of the muzzeloader season through the second Saturday before Thanksgiving; and with all legal weapons from the second Monday before Thanksgiving through the Saturday following Thanksgiving;
(ii) dove may be taken all open days from the opening day of the dove season through the third Saturday thereafter;
(iii) opossum, raccoon, and squirrel (gray and fox) may be taken all the open days from second Monday before Thanksgiving through the Saturday following Thanksgiving;
(iv) rabbit may be taken all open days from the second Saturday preceding Thanksgiving through the Saturday following Thanksgiving;
(v) waterfowl may be taken on open days during any waterfowl season; and
(vi) wild animals and wild birds may be taken as part of a Disabled Sportsmen Program Permit Hunt.
(C) The Deer With Visible Antlers season is the open hunting days from the second Saturday before Thanksgiving through the third Saturday after Thanksgiving except on the J. Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds.
(D) The bow-and-arrow season is all open days from the Saturday on or nearest to Sept. 10 to the fourth Friday before Thanksgiving and, except on the J. Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds, the third Monday after Thanksgiving through January 1. Deer may be taken with archery equipment on all open hunting days during the bow and arrow season, the Deer with Visible antlers season, and the muzzleloader season as stated in this Subparagraph.
(E) Muzzleloader season is all the open days from the fourth Saturday preceeding Thanksgiving through the Wednesday of the second week thereafter and, except on the J. Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds, the third Monday after Thanksgiving through January 1. Deer may be taken with muzzle-loading firearms on all open hunting days during the muzzleloader season and the Deer With Visible Antlers season.
(F) Either-sex deer hunting during the Deer With Visible Antlers Season is by permit only.
(G) In addition to the regular hunting days, waterfowl may be taken on the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(H) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(I) The following areas are permit-only for all quail and woodcock hunting and dog training on birds:
(i) In Richmond County: that part east of US 1;
(ii) In Scotland County: that part west of SR 1328 and north of Gardner Farm Lane and that part east of SR 1328 and north of Scotland Lake Lane.
(J) Horseback riding on field trial grounds from October 22 through March 31 is prohibited unless riding in authorized field trials.
(K) Camping and the presence of campers and tents in designated Hunter Camping Areas are limited to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14.
(71) Sandy Creek Game Land in Nash and Franklin Counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(D) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(72) Sandy Mush Game Land in Buncombe and Madison counties.
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer with Visible Antlers season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(D) Dogs shall only be trained on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays and only as allowed in 15A NCAC 10D .0102(e).
(E) Dove hunting is by permit only from the opening day through the second Saturday of dove season.
(73) Second Creek Game Land in Rowan County- hunting is by permit only.
(74) Shocco Creek Game Land in Franklin, Halifax, Nash and Warren counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(75) South Mountains Game Land in Burke, Cleveland, McDowell and Rutherford counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) The Deer With Visible Antlers season consists of the open hunting days from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the third Saturday after Thanksgiving. Deer may be taken with bow and arrow on open days beginning the Monday on or nearest September 10 to the third Saturday thereafter, and Monday on or nearest October 15 to the Saturday before Thanksgiving and during the Deer With Visible Antlers season. Deer may be taken with muzzle-loading firearms on open days beginning the Monday on or nearest October 1 through the Saturday of the second week thereafter, and during the Deer With Visible Antlers season.
(C) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(D) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(E) That part of South Mountains Game Land in Cleveland, McDowell, and Rutherford counties is closed to all grouse, quail and woodcock hunting and all bird dog training.
(76) Stones Creek Game Land in Onslow County
(A) Six-Day per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
(D) Swimming in all lakes is prohibited.
(E) Waterfowl on posted waterfowl impoundments may be taken only on the following days:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(77) Suggs Mill Pond Game Land in Bladen and Cumberland counties
(A) Hunting and trapping is by Permit only.
(B) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(C) Entry is prohibited on scheduled hunt or trapping days except for:
(i) hunters or trappers holding special hunt or trapping permits; and
(ii) persons using Campground Road to access Suggs Mill Pond Lake at the dam.
(78) Sutton Lake Game Land in New Hanover and Brunswick counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Target shooting is prohibited.
(79) Tar River Game Land in Edgecombe County – hunting is by permit only.
(80) Three Top Mountain Game Land in Ashe County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(81) Thurmond Chatham Game Land in Alleghany and Wilkes counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15. Participants must obtain a game lands license prior to horseback riding on this area.
(D) The maximum period of consecutive overnight camping at any designated campground is 14 days within any 30 day period from May 1 through August 31. After 14 consecutive days of camping all personal belongings must be removed from the game land.
(82) Tillery game Land in Halifax County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last six open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited.
(D) The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(E) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(83) Toxaway Game Land in Jackson and Transylvania counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the last open day of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from September 1 through May 15.
(84) Uwharrie Game Land in Davidson, Montgomery, and Randolph counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken the first six open days and the last open six days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(85) Vance Game Land in Vance County
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) The use of dogs, centerfire rifles and handguns for hunting deer is prohibited on the Nutbush Peninsula tract.
(86) Van Swamp Game Land in Beaufort and Washington counties
(A) Six Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Bear may only be taken the first three hunting days during the November Bear Season and the first three hunting days during the second week of the December Bear Season.
(87) White Oak River Game Land in Onslow County
(A) Three Days per Week Area
(B) Deer of either sex may be taken all the open days of the applicable Deer With Visible Antlers Season.
(C) Except as provided in Part (D) of this Subparagraph, waterfowl in posted waterfowl impoundments shall be taken only on the following days:
(i) the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons;
(ii) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Days; and
(iii) Tuesdays and Saturdays of the applicable waterfowl seasons.
(D) Beginning on the first open waterfowl season day in October and through the end of the waterfowl season, a permit is required for hunting posted waterfowl impoundments.
(E) The Huggins Tract and Morton Tracts have the following restrictions:
(i) access on Hargett Avenue and Sloan Farm Road requires a valid Hunting Opportunity Permit;
(ii) hunting is by permit only; and
(iii) the use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited.
(F) Wild turkey hunting is by permit only.
(88) Whitehall Plantation Game Land in Bladen County
(A) Hunting and trapping is by permit only.
(B) Camping is restricted to September 1 through the last day of February and March 31 through May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas.
(i) On permitted type hunts, deer of either sex may be taken on the hunt dates indicated on the permit. Completed applications must 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 must validate the kill and report the kill to a wildlife cooperator agent or by phone.
(j) The following game lands and refuges are closed to all hunting except to those 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) Burke County—John's River Waterfowl Refuge;
(5) Dare County—Dare Game Lands (Those parts of bombing range posted against hunting);
(6) Dare County—Roanoke Sound Marshes Game Lands; and
(7) Henderson and Transylvania counties—Dupont State Forest Game Lands.
(k) Access to Hunting Creek Swamp Waterfowl Refuge in Davie County requires written permission from the Commission. Written permission will be granted only when entry onto the Waterfowl Refuge will 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.
(l) Feral swine may be taken by licensed hunters during the open season for any game animal using any 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 applicable deer or bear season.
(m) Youth Waterfowl Day. On the day declared by the Commission to be Youth Waterfowl Day, youths may hunt on any game land and on any impoundment without a special hunt permit, including permit-only areas, except where prohibited in Paragraph (h) of this Rule. A youth is defined as a person under 16 years of age.
(n) Permit Hunt Opportunities for Disabled Sportsmen. 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 each permit. If the hunt has a limited weapon choice, the allowed weapons shall be stated on each permit.
(o) As used in this Rule, horseback riding includes all equine species.
(p) When waterfowl hunting is specifically permitted in this Rule 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, 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.