2005-2006 to June 30, 2006 to June tions Digest tions Effective July 1, 2005 1, July Effective

TH CAROLINA Regula

Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping and Inland Fishing, Hunting NOR This publication is furnished free through the courtesy of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Resources of the N.C. Wildlife the courtesy through This publication is furnished free It is available online at www.ncwildlife.org. WILDLIFE ENDOWMENT FUND—THE BUY OF A LIFETIME MLIFE4

This application may be used to purchase a lifetime subscription to Wildlife in North Carolina magazine, to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Wildlife Endowment Fund, or to purchase a lifetime inland fishing and hunting license. To charge magazine subscriptions and adult lifetime licenses by phone (VISA or MasterCard only), call 1-888-248-6834. All proceeds for items sold or contributed on this application will be deposited in the Wildlife Endowment Fund.

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS ■ Lifetime Magazine Subscription to Wildlife in North Carolina (Please allow 4-6 weeks for your subscription to begin.) ...... $150 ■ I wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Wildlife Endowment Fund. Enclosed is my check for $ ______. Make checks payable to Wildlife Endowment Fund. Credit card payments cannot be accepted for tax-deductible contributions. Name ______Daytime Phone ______Mailing Address______City ______State ______Zip ______Method of Payment: ■ Check ■ VISA ■ MasterCard Acct. # ______Expires ______Cardholder’s Signature ______Date ______

LIFETIME LICENSES Infant and Youth: ■ Sportsman Infant (under 1 year old) (Application must be received before applicant has attained 1 year of age.) ...... $200 ■ Personalized Sportsman Infant (under 1 year old) (Application must be received before applicant has attained 1 year of age.) ...... $205 ■ Sportsman Youth (ages 1 through 11) (Application must be received before applicant has attained 12 years of age.) ...... $350 ■ Personalized Sportsman Youth (ages 1 through 11) (Application must be received before applicant has attained 12 years of age.) ...... $355 A copy of a certified birth certificate (or the mother’s copy) must accompany applications for infant and youth sportsman’s licenses. Hospital copies will not be accepted. Birth certificates cannot be returned. Note: Pending satisfactory completion of the hunter safety course, persons who possess infant or youth licenses may exercise the privileges thereof when accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age, who is properly licensed to hunt in North Carolina. “Accompanied” is defined as being able to take immediate control of the hunting device.

Adult (age 12 or older): ■ Comprehensive Inland Fishing (N.C. residents only—includes basic inland fishing, trout & trout waters on game lands) ...... $250 ■ Comprehensive Hunting (N.C. residents only—includes basic hunting, big game, game lands, primitive weapons & N.C. waterfowl) ...... $250 ■ Sportsman (N.C. residents only age 12 or older—includes basic hunting & inland fishing, big game, game lands, primitive weapons, trout & N.C. waterfowl) . .$500 ■ Personalized Sportsman (N.C. residents only—includes same privileges as the Sportsman) ...... $505 ■ Nonresident Sportsman (age 12 or older—includes basic hunting & inland fishing, big game, game lands, primitive weapons, trout & N.C. waterfowl) . .$1000 A federal waterfowl stamp must be purchased separately for all N.C. licenses. Note: On or after July 1, 1991, a person, regardless of age, may not procure a hunting license or hunt in North Carolina without producing a certificate of competency for completing the hunter safety course or a hunting license effective prior to July 1, 1991, or by signing the statement below that he or she had such a license. ☛Check appropriate block and attach required copy: ■ Copy of Prior Year Hunting License ■ Copy of Hunter Safety Certificate of Competence ■ In lieu of copy, I am signing the statement below: Statement: I certify that I was a licensed hunter prior to July 1, 1991. Signature ______Date ______

☛Complete the following information if applying for a lifetime license (please print legibly): Name of Applicant ______Daytime Phone______Mailing Address______City ______State _____ Zip ______County ______Date of Birth ______Driver’s License #______License Donor’s Name (if applicable) ______Donor’s Telephone # ______Donor’s Address ______City ______State ______Zip______☛Complete the following information if ordering a Personalized Lifetime Sportsman License and you wish to add a personalized message: Indicate your selection of letters, numbers, dashes, periods, commas and/or blanks up to 6 spaces: ______Indicate your personal message including letters, numbers, dashes, periods, commas and/or blanks up to 21 spaces: ______Signature of Applicant or Donor ______Date ______Method of Payment: ■ Check ■ VISA ■ MasterCard Acct. # ______Expires ______Cardholder’s Signature ______Date ______

☛ Make checks payable to Wildlife Endowment Fund (a service charge of up to $25 will be charged on any returned check [NCGS §25-3-506]). ☛ Mail completed application and payment to NCWRC, License Section, 1707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1707 ☛ Office location: Please call 1-888-248-6834 for directions.

THIS SPACE FOR COMMISSION USE ONLY.______Lifetime License $ ______Lifetime Magazine $ ______Total Charge $ ______Authorization Code # ______TELEPHONE NUMBERS CONTENTS Big Game Harvest Reporting ...... 1-800-I-GOT-ONE License Information ...... 2 ...... (1-800-446-8663) General Information ...... 2 Boating Access Areas ...... (919) 707-0150 License Requirements and Exceptions ...... 2 Conservation Education Division...... (919) 707-0170 License Type Descriptions ...... 3 Enforcement Operations Office ...... (919) 707-0030 License Type Charts...... 9 Engineering Division ...... (919) 707-0150 Disabled Sportsman Information ...... 11 Hunter Safety Course Information ...... (919) 707-0031 Inland Fisheries Division ...... (919) 707-0220 The Wildlife Endowment Fund ...... 11 License Information ...... 1-888-248-6834 Lifetime Hunting and Inland Fishing Licenses ...... 11 License Purchases by Credit Card...... 1-888-2HUNTFISH Lifetime Magazine Subscriptions ...... 11 ...... (1-888-248-6834) Inland Fishing Regulations and Information...... 12 Marine Fisheries ...... (252) 726-7021 12 Migratory Bird Hunting Dates & Shooting Hours ....1-800-675-0263 General Information ...... 12 Personnel Officer ...... (919) 707-0101 Inland Game Fish ...... 13 Regulation Information ...... (919) 707-0030 Fish Consumption Advisories ...... 14 Wildlife Calendar ...... 1-866-945-3746 Warmwater Game Fish ...... 16 Wildlife in North Carolina Magazine/N.C. Wild Store Products Mountain Trout ...... 16 ...... 1-866-WILDSHOP Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters ...... 22 ...... (1-866-945-3746) Nongame Fish ...... 26 Vessel Registration and Titling ...... 1-800-NC-VESSEL Miscellaneous Prohibitions ...... 26 ...... (1-800-628-3773) General Fishing Information ...... Violations Reporting ...... 1-800-662-7137 Trapping Regulations and Information ...... 29 ...... (919) 662-4381 in the Raleigh area) ...... 1-800-662-7137vTTY* Hunting Regulations and Information...... 30 *(TTY machine available for people with hearing disabilities) Manner of Taking ...... 30 Wildlife Management Division ...... (919) 707-0050 Hunting on Federal Lands ...... 31 Big Game ...... 32 Bear ...... 32 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Deer...... 33 Michael F. Easley, Governor Wild Boar...... 33 William G. Ross, Secretary, N.C. Department of Wild Turkey...... 33 Environment and Natural Resources Season Maps ...... 34 N.C. WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION Big Game Harvest and Reporting...... 40 John E. Pechmann, Chairman ...... Fayetteville Small Game and Other Species ...... 40 Wes Seegars, Vice-Chairman...... Goldsboro Migratory Birds ...... 41 Gary Allen ...... Charlotte Federal Regulations...... 42 Joe C. Barker III...... New Bern Charles W. Bennett...... Matthews Game Lands ...... 44 John T. Coley IV...... Holly Springs Game Lands License ...... 44 Nathaniel Harris Jr...... Whitsett Game Lands Restrictions ...... 44 David W. Hoyle Jr...... Dallas Disabled Access and Disabled Sportsman Programs ...... 45 Maughan Hull...... Elizabeth City Either-Sex Seasons and Other Rules...... 46 John F. Lentz ...... Ellerbe Local Laws ...... 51 Michael G. Mosley ...... Rocky Mount Hunting and Trapping ...... 51 W. Douglas Parsons...... Clinton Local Fox Laws ...... 57 Eugene Price ...... Goldsboro Dalton Ruffin ...... Winston-Salem Big Game Harvest Reports ...... 58 Bobby N. Setzer ...... Cullowhee Sunrise-Sunset Table ...... Back cover Berkley C. Skinner III...... Rocky Mount W. Ray White ...... Manteo Stephen Windham...... Winnabow VISIT US ONLINE AT www.ncwildlife.org EQUAL OPPORTUNITY wildlife information ● regulations The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is an Equal Opportunity season dates ● maps ● purchase licenses Employer. All wildlife programs are administered for the benefit renew vessel registration ● WILD Store of all North Carolina citizens without prejudice towards age, sex, Wildlife in North Carolina ● and more... race, religion or national origin. Violations of this pledge may be reported to the Equal Employment Officer, 1703 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1703, Tel. (919) 707-0101. Cover photo: Ken Taylor 450,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $69,667.16 or $.1548 per copy. Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 1 General Information The services that the North Caro- License Information For more information on licenses, lina Wildlife Resources Commission provides to the public are obtaining license applications or obtaining a list of wildlife ser- financed primarily through the sale of licenses, which include vice agents nearest you, visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org, call hunting, fishing, trapping and other licenses. The various types us at 1-888-248-6834, or write to this address: NCWRC, 1707 of licenses sold by the commission differ with respect to the Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1707. activities they authorize, where and when the activities occur, and where the license-holder resides. This section provides some general information about these licenses, followed by LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS detailed summaries of the various licenses available, the License Identification Requirements To show entitlement privileges they authorize and the associated fees. All licenses to a license issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission, any- are nontransferable. one exercising the privileges conveyed by the license shall carry a picture identification card and show it to any wildlife enforce- Replacement Licenses If your license becomes worn, lost or ment officer upon request . The picture identification card destroyed, you can submit a written request for a replacement. should include the license-holder’s correct name, address and A $2 fee is charged to defray the cost of processing. Include in date of birth. (A North Carolina Driver License or Dept. of

LICENSE INFORMATION the request your name, address, telephone number, N.C. driver Motor Vehicles identification card is acceptable.) license number (if applicable), WRC customer number, and date of birth. Enclose a check or money order for $2 (made pay- Residency Definitions and Requirements able to “NCWRC”). Mail your request to NCWRC, Replacement Resident—You are considered a resident if you have resided in Licenses, 1707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1707. the state for six months or have been domiciled (established a permanent residence) for 60 days. When residency is used to Reciprocal License Agreements A reciprocal license agree- establish eligibility, the applicant must complete a Certificate of ment is in effect between North Carolina and each of the states Residency, available from a wildlife service agent or the Wildlife listed below. The agreement provides for the following: All state- Resources Commission, certifying that he has maintained his wide hook-and-line fishing licenses obtainable from either North residence in a county of the state for at least 60 days with the Carolina or the respective state are honored on certain boundary intent to reside there permanently or indefinitely. waters as noted: Students—Nonresident students may purchase a resident license Georgia—The agreement with Georgia covers fishing from boats while attending school full-time in North Carolina. When pur- on Chatuge Reservoir including all tributaries that are accessible chasing your license from a wildlife service agent, you must by boat from the main body of the reservoir. show your valid student identification. Tennessee—The agreement with Tennessee covers the state-line por- Military—Nonresident members of the armed forces (including tion of Slick Rock Creek and boat fishing on Calderwood Reservoir. their spouses and children under 18) who are stationed in the Virginia—The agreement with Virginia covers the Dan River east state are deemed residents of the state and of the counties in which of the Brantly Steam Plant Dam, the Staunton River east of the they reside for the purpose of purchasing resident licenses. Rt. 360 bridge, and Kerr and Gaston reservoirs and their tribu- County—Resident county licenses are limited to the county in taries that are accessible by boat. The Rt. 360 bridge is the first which the person resides. bridge crossing the Staunton River upstream of Kerr Reservoir. Nonresident—Nonresident status applies to anyone who does not The agreement also covers that portion of the New River between live in the state of North Carolina, with the exceptions noted the confluence of the North and South forks of the New River in above (full-time students and members of the armed forces). North Carolina (Alleghany County) and the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Virginia (Grayson County). Hunter Safety Course Requirement No person, regardless No reciprocal agreements exist between North Carolina and South of age, may procure a hunting license or hunt in this state with- Carolina that provide for honoring the other state’s fishing out first producing a certificate of competency showing comple- licenses on any boundary waters. tion of a hunter safety course or a hunting license issued prior to July 1, 1991, or a signed statement (shown on the license) that PurchasingLicenses You can purchase a license in any of four ways: he or she had such a license. The hunter safety course is a min- ● Visit a wildlife service agent—Most licenses, including lifetime imum of 10 contact hours. Each student must score a minimum licenses, can be obtained from your local wildlife service agent. of 70 on the written exam and must also meet the “hands-on” Be prepared to present your valid driver license or state minimum requirements. For more information pertaining to identification card. hunter safety courses, visit us online at www. ncwildlife.org, or ● Visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org—Most licenses are avail- write to the Division of Wildlife Enforcement, 1718 Mail Service able for purchase online. Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1718. ● Phone 1-888-2HUNTFISH (1-888-248-6834)—Have a pen, paper, VISA or MasterCard, your driver license number and Big Game Harvest Report Card Requirement Big game WRC customer number handy. harvest report cards always expire on June 30 of each year. If ● All licenses may be obtained directly from the Wildlife Com- your hunting license and big game hunting privilege license is mission in person or by mail. still valid after the big game harvest report card expires, you may Please note: Sportsmen purchasing licenses online or by telephone obtain a replenishment card at no charge from either the Wild- will be eligible to exercise the privileges of the license immediately life Resources Commission or any wildlife service agent. Lifetime after completing the transaction or telephone call. license-holders also may obtain the big game harvest report card through the mail by completing the postcard mailed to each license- holder in early summer. Persons exempt by law from the big game 2 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. hunting license must obtain a “License Exempt Big Game Harvest ● A youth under age 16 who possesses the appropriate license or LICENSE INFORMATION Report Card” for license-exempt hunters at no charge from a wild- licenses of a parent or guardian may exercise all privileges life service agent. For more information on license exceptions, conveyed by the license(s) held. refer to the “Exceptions to License Requirements” section. ● A landowner or person leasing land primarily for cultivation, their spouse, and dependents under 18 residing with them, HIP Certification Requirement All licensed hunters hunting may hunt, trap and fish on such land without a license. migratory game birds (doves, rails, woodcocks, snipes or water- Individuals exempt from the requirements of a hunting license fowl) in North Carolina are required to have a certificate of par- must possess on his person a certificate of completion of a ticipation in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). This hunter safety course if hunting and must obtain a “Big Game certification can be obtained free of charge from any wildlife ser- Harvest Report Card” from the Wildlife Resources Commission vice agent when you purchase a hunting license. Lifetime license- or a wildlife service agent, at no charge, when exercising the holders may also obtain HIP certification through the mail by privileges of big game hunting. completing the postcard/HIP survey mailed to license-holders in early summer. Persons exempt by law from the hunting license Inland Fishing requirement are not required to obtain the HIP certification. ● Persons under age 16 are exempt from the requirement of a basic inland fishing license. Federal Duck Stamp In addition to the North Carolina ● The game lands license is not required to fish in any waters waterfowl privilege, waterfowl hunters are required to carry on game lands or Wildlife Conservation Areas. in their possession the federal duck stamp, signed in ink across ● An inland fishing license is not required to fish in a private pond. the face. Federal duck stamps can be obtained at most U.S. A pond or lake located on land owned by a public body such as a post offices or from selected wildlife service agents. Visit state-supported university or a governmental entity is not a www.duckstamp.com to order the duck stamp online or to private pond. find the duck stamp retailer nearest you. The federal duck ● A resident may inland fish with natural bait in his county of stamp expires on June 30 of each year. residence without a basic inland fishing license. “Natural bait” is any bait that can be beneficially digested by fish. An individual Exceptions to License Requirements must carry a form of identification that shows his or her photo- General graph, name and current address. This exemption does not ● A youth under age 16 accompanied by a properly licensed adult apply to the special trout license. (21 years or older) may enjoy those privileges conveyed by the ● July 4th is declared “FREE FISHING DAY,” and an inland fishing licenses held by the accompanying adult. license is not required in any public waters on this date. LICENSE TYPE DESCRIPTIONS Hunting, inland fishing, and trapping licenses are now available online. Visit us at www.ncwildlife.org to purchase your license. HUNTING AND INLAND FISHING COMBINATION LICENSES The following is a list of annual and lifetime combination hunting and inland fishing licenses and the privilege license(s) and certification associated with each. Privilege licenses and certifications authorize a particular hunting or inland fishing activity not included with a basic license type. Privileges may be purchased separately if the purchaser holds a valid basic license. If a privilege license is not listed, the license type includes the special hunting or inland fishing activity. HIP Certification is required for all those planning to hunt migratory game birds, including lifetime license-holders. See page 7 for a complete list of privileges and certifications. Resident Nonresident ANNUAL LICENSES Annual licenses, privileges and certifications are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. •Combination Hunting and Inland Fishing (basic): Statewide hunting and inland $20.00 N/A fishing for residents during a license term. Additional Privilege Licenses and Certification Available: Big Game Hunting: Needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar, and wild turkey. Also allows $10.00 N/A Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. $15.00 N/A Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. $10.00 N/A HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock). Special Trout Fishing: Needed to fish in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. $10.00 N/A Covers trout fishing on game lands.

•Sportsman: Statewide hunting and inland fishing for residents during a license term. Also $40.00 N/A includes the privileges of hunting for big game; hunting on game lands; hunting for water- fowl (does not include federal duck stamp); fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; and fishing in trout waters on game lands (included with any special trout license). Additional Certification Available: HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock). Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 3 Resident Nonresident LIFETIME LICENSES Lifetime licenses are valid for the lifetime of the license-holder. The privilege license and HIP Certification are valid for 12 months from date of purchase. •Sportsman (ages 12 & older): Statewide hunting and inland fishing, hunting for big $500.00 $1,000.00 game, hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp) and fishing for mountain trout. Additional Privilege License and Certification Available: Bear/Wild Boar Hunting: Needed by nonresidents, in addition to the lifetime N/A $125.00 sportsman license, to hunt bear or wild boar. HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE FREE (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

•Sportsman (ages 1–11): Statewide hunting and inland fishing, hunting for big game, $350.00 $350.00 hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp) and fishing for mountain trout. LICENSE INFORMATION •Sportsman (under age 1): Statewide hunting and inland fishing, hunting for big $200.00 $200.00 game, hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp) and fishing for mountain trout.

•Special Sportsman (age 70 or older): Statewide hunting and inland fishing for $10.00 N/A residents, hunting for big game, hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp), and fishing for mountain trout. Additional Certification Available: HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

•Disabled Veteran (basic): Statewide hunting and inland fishing for residents who are $10.00 N/A 50% or more disabled veterans, as determined by the Veterans Administration. Includes fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters and fishing in trout waters on game lands. Refer to page 11 for application instructions. Additional Privilege Licenses and Certification Available: Big Game Hunting: Needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar and wild turkey. Also allows $10.00 N/A Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. $15.00 N/A Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. $10.00 N/A HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

•Totally Disabled (basic): Statewide hunting and inland fishing for residents who are $10.00 N/A totally disabled. Includes fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters and fishing in trout waters on game lands. Refer to page 11 for application instructions. Additional Privilege Licenses and Certification Available: Big Game Hunting: Needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar and wild turkey. Also allows $10.00 N/A Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. $15.00 N/A Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. $10.00 N/A HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

•Disabled Sportsman: Statewide hunting and inland fishing, hunting for big game, $100.00 N/A hunting on game lands, hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp), and fishing for mountain trout for residents who are 50% or more disabled veterans, as determined by the Veterans Administration, or an individual resident who is totally disabled. Refer to page 11 for application instructions. Additional Certification Available: HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

4 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. HUNTING LICENSES LICENSE INFORMATION The following is a list of short-term, annual and lifetime hunting licenses and the privilege license(s) and certification associated with each. Privilege licenses and certifications authorize a particular hunting activity not included with a basic license type. Privileges may be purchased separately if the purchaser holds a valid basic license. If a privilege license is not listed, the license type includes the special hunting activity. HIP Certification is required for all those planning to hunt migratory game birds, including lifetime license- holders. See page 7 for a complete list of privileges and certifications. Resident Nonresident SHORT-TERM LICENSES Short-term licenses are valid for the period specified on the license. Privileges and certifications are valid 12 months from the date of purchase unless otherwise noted. •State Hunting—Six-Day (basic): Statewide hunting for nonresidents during the six- N/A $40.00* day period specified on the license. Additional Privilege Licenses and Certification Available: Big Game Hunting—Six-Day: Hunting of deer, bear, wild boar, and wild turkey N/A $40.00* during the six-day period specified on the license. Includes Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. This license privilege is needed in addition to the basic state hunting license. Does not include the nonresident bear/wild boar hunting privilege. Bear/Wild Boar Hunting: Needed by nonresidents, in addition to the short-term state N/A $125.00 hunting license and the big game hunting privilege, to hunt bear or wild boar. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. N/A $15.00 Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. N/A $10.00 HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds N/A FREE (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

ANNUAL LICENSES Annual licenses, privileges, and certifications are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. •State Hunting (basic): Statewide hunting during a license term. $15.00 $60.00* Additional Privilege Licenses and Certification Available: Big Game Hunting: Needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar and wild turkey. Also allows $10.00 $60.00* Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. Bear/Wild Boar Hunting: Needed by nonresidents, in addition to the annual state N/A $125.00 hunting license and the big game hunting privilege, to hunt bear or wild boar. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. $15.00 $15.00 Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. $10.00 $10.00 HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE FREE (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

•County Hunting (basic): Hunting within the county of residence during a license term. $10.00 N/A Additional Privilege Licenses and Certification Available: Big Game Hunting: Needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar and wild turkey. Also allows $10.00 N/A Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. $15.00 N/A Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. $10.00 N/A HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

•Comprehensive Hunting: Statewide hunting for residents during a license term. Also $30.00 N/A includes the privileges of hunting for big game, hunting on game lands and hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp). Additional Certification Available: HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock).

LIFETIME LICENSE Lifetime licenses are valid for the lifetime of the license holder. The HIP Certification is valid for 12 months from date of purchase. •State Comprehensive Hunting: Statewide hunting, hunting for big game, hunting $250.00 N/A on game lands and hunting for waterfowl (does not include federal duck stamp). Additional Certification Available: HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE N/A (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock). * Reciprocal license fees apply to GA, SC, TN, and VA residents. Contact WRC at 1-888-248-6834 or visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org to obtain the appropriate license fee. Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 5 LICENSE INFORMATION activity. Seepage7foracompletelistofprivilegesandcertifications. separately ifpurchaserholdsavalidbasiclicense.Ifprivilegelicenseisnotlisted,thetypeincludesspecia privilege licenseauthorizesaparticularinlandfishingactivitynotincludedwiththebasictype.Privilegesmaybe The followingisalistofshort-term,annual,andlifetimeinlandfishinglicensestheprivilegelicenseassociatedwithe CmrhnieInlandFishing: •Comprehensive (basic): InlandFishing •County (basic): InlandFishing •State date ofpurchase. ANNUAL LICENSES (basic): InlandFishing–Three-Day •State (basic): InlandFishing–One-Day •State Privileges are valid12monthsfrom thedateofpurchase. SHORT-TERM LICENSES •Totally DisabledInland Fishing(basic): •Disabled VeteranInland Fishing(basic): •Comprehensive InlandFishing(Age70orolder): Blind: Legally for License InlandFishing •Special InlandFishing: Comprehensive •State LIFETIME LICENSE (basic/commercial): Devices InlandFishing •Special (basic/noncommercial): Devices InlandFishing •Special 6 during alicenseterm. during thethree-day periodspecifiedonthelicense. day periodspecifiedonthelicense. and fishingintrout watersongame lands. Refertopage11forapplication instructions. who are totallydisabled.Includesfishingindesignated PublicMountainTrout Waters on gamelands.Refertopage11 forapplicationinstructions. Includes fishingindesignated PublicMountainTrout Waters andfishingintrout waters who are 50%ormore disabledveterans,asdeterminedbythe Veterans Administration. trout watersongamelands. for residents. IncludesfishingindesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters andfishingin instructions. by theDept.ofHumanResources asbeinglegallyblind.Refertopage11forapplication fishing indesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters forresidents whohavebeencertified waters includingdesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters. This licenseisvalidwhenfourormore specialfishingdevices are used. authorized underanyofthelicensesproviding basichuntingorinlandfishingprivileges. Includes thesaleofthesenongamefish.Taking ofnongamefisheswithbowandarrow is spear guns,baskets,bowandarrow, andany otherauthorizedspecialfishingdevice. nongame fishfrom inlandwatersduringdesignatedseasonswithnets,traps,gigs,reels, privileges. Thislicenseisvalidwhennomore thanthree specialfishingdevicesare used. arrow isauthorizedunderanyof thelicensesproviding basichuntingorinlandfishing device. Includesthesaleofthesenongamefish.Taking ofnongamefisheswithbowand r of nongamefishfrom inlandwatersduringdesignatedseasonswithnets,traps,gigs, W license term.AlsoincludestheprivilegesoffishingindesignatedPublicMountainTrout eels, spearguns,baskets,bowandarrow, andanyotherauthorizedspecialfishing aters andfishingintrout watersongamelands. Additional PrivilegeLicenseAvailable: Additional PrivilegeLicenseAvailable: Additional PrivilegeLicenseAvailable: Additional PrivilegeLicenseAvailable: Special Trout Fishing: Special Trout Fishing: Special Trout Fishing: Special Trout Fishing: Covers trout fishingongamelands. Covers trout fishingongamelands. Covers trout fishingongamelands. Covers trout fishingongamelands. Lifetime licensesare valid forthelifetimeoflicenseholder. Annual licensesandprivilegesare validfor12monthsfrom the Short-term licensesareShort-term validfortheperiodspecifiedonlicense. Needed tofishindesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters. Needed tofishindesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters. Needed tofishindesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters. Needed tofishindesignatedPublicMountainTrout Waters. Statewide inlandfishingduringalicenseterm. Inland fishingwithinthecountyofresidence Statewide inlandfishingforresidents duringa Statewide inlandfishinginallpublic Statewide inlandfishingduringtheone Statewide inlandfishingfornonresidents Statewide inlandfishingforresidents NADFSIGLICENSES INLAND FISHING Statewide inlandfishingforresidents Please note:For the convenienceofreader, majorregulation changesappearinRED. Statewide inlandfishingand Authorizes thetakingof Statewide inlandfishing Authorizes thetaking Resident 200 N/A $250.00 $200.00 $100.00 1.0$10.00 $10.00 1.0$50.00 N/A $10.00 N/A $20.00 N/A $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $30.00 $10.00 $15.00 1.0N/A $10.00 N/A N/A $10.00 $10.00 50 $10.00 $5.00 REN/A FREE / $10.00 $15.00 N/A N/A Nonresident l inlandfishing purchased ach. The TRAPPING LICENSES LICENSE INFORMATION

Resident Nonresident ANNUAL LICENSES Annual licenses are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. •State Trapping (basic): Statewide trapping during a license term. $25.00 $100.00

•County Trapping (basic): Trapping within the county of residence during a license term. $10.00 N/A

PRIVILEGE LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS For your convenience, we have separately listed the privilege licenses and certifications below. Annual privilege licenses and certifications authorize particular hunting or inland fishing activities and must be obtained in addition to the appropriate basic license. Privileges may be purchased separately if the purchaser holds a valid license. Privilege licenses and certifications are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. HIP Certification is required for all those planning to hunt migratory game birds, including lifetime license-holders.

Resident Nonresident Big Game Hunting: Needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar, and wild turkey. Also allows $10.00 $60.00* Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. Big Game Hunting–Six-Day: Hunting of deer, bear, wild boar, and wild turkey during N/A $40.00* the six-day period specified on the license. Includes Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons. This license privilege is needed in addition to the basic state hunting license. Does not include the nonresident bear/wild boar hunting privilege. Bear/Wild Boar Hunting: Needed by nonresidents to hunt bear or wild boar. N/A $125.00 NOTE: For those with a nonresident lifetime sportsman license: • purchased prior to May 24, 1994, you do not have to purchase this additional privilege license to hunt bear or wild boar. • purchased between May 24, 1994 and May 18, 2001, you will have to purchase the nonresident Bear/Wild Boar Hunting privilege license if you are hunting bear. If hunting wild boar only, you do not need to purchase this privilege license. • purchased after May 18, 2001, you will have to purchase the nonresident Bear/Wild Boar Hunting privilege license if you are hunting bear or wild boar. Game Lands: Needed to hunt or trap on game lands. $15.00 $15.00

Waterfowl Hunting: Needed to hunt waterfowl. $10.00 $10.00

HIP Certification (Federal requirement): Needed to hunt migratory game birds FREE FREE (waterfowl, doves, rails, gallinule, snipe and woodcock). Special Trout Fishing: Needed to fish in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. $10.00 $10.00 Covers trout fishing on game lands. *Reciprocal license fees apply to GA, SC, TN, and VA residents. Contact WRC at 1-888- 248-6834 or visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org to obtain the appropriate license fee. HUNTERS AND ANGLERS Thank you for helping conserve our valuable wildlife resources. ■ This logo identifies the wide variety of projects supported by the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. ■ These programs and projects are funded by excise taxes collected when sportsmen purchase firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing tackle, boats and outboard motors. ■ More than 60 years ago, hunters, anglers and outdoor manufacturers requested these taxes to provide a consistent funding source for wildlife conservation projects. These truly are user-pay, user-benefit programs. ■ North Carolina receives around $6 million each year for fish and wildlife restoration projects. North Carolina Wildlife Restoration Projects include the following: ■ Restoration of white-tailed deer, wild turkey and river otter. ■ Managing 1.8 million acres for wildlife on game lands statewide. ■ Training more than 15,000 youngsters annually in hunter education. ■ Management of wildlife habitat and populations of deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game and other wildlife. ■ Investigation of the impacts of modern farming practices on small game and other species. ■ Development of a Statewide Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. North Carolina Sport Fish Restoration Projects include: ■ Protection and enhancement of aquatic habitats ■ Management of 1,100-plus miles of trout streams ■ Restoration of striped bass in the Roanoke River-Albemarle Sound ■ Management of fish populations statewide in North Carolina lakes, rivers and streams For more information, visit ■ Development and management of over 85 Public Fishing Access areas and Community Fishing Program sites www.ncwildlife.org ■ Construction, renovation and management of over 195 Boating Access Areas Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 7 OTHER LICENSES AND PERMITS The Wildlife Commission offers a wide range of special licenses and permits to serve the public. For information on the licenses or permits listed below or to obtain an application, you may visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org, call us at 1-888-248-6834 or write to NCWRC, 1707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1707. Resident Nonresident Bobcat/Otter Tags: Needed to sell or otherwise transfer ownership of bobcat or otter car- $2.20 ea. $2.20 ea. casses or pelts. Must have valid trapping license to purchase. All bobcat and otter car- casses or pelts shall be properly tagged within 10 days following the close of the appli- cable hunting or trapping season. Controlled Hunting Preserve: Needed to hunt fox or pen-raised game birds on a licensed $15.00 $15.00 commercial hunting preserve. This license may be used without a basic hunting license. This license is not required if you possess a basic hunting, comprehensive hunting, or sportsman’s license.

Crossbow Permit: Authorizes persons with permanent or long-term disabilities that render FREE FREE LICENSE INFORMATION them incapable of sufficient arm movement to draw other legal bows. Permit is valid as long as the qualifying disability persists. For more information, refer to the “Disabled Sportsman” section on page 11. Disabled Access Permit: Authorizes persons with limited physical mobility to operate vehi- FREE FREE cles on open-gated or ungated roads otherwise closed to vehicular traffic on certain game lands and to have access to special disabled waterfowl hunting blinds. One able-bodied companion may accompany the disabled person provided they possess the “companion card” issued to the disabled hunter. The disabled hunter will also be issued a “vehicle access card.” Permit is valid as long as the qualifying disability persists. For more infor- mation, refer to the “Disabled Sportsman” section on page 11. Disabled Sportsman Program License: Provides special either-sex deer hunts to persons $10.00 $10.00 with specific disabilities. Participants will be issued an identification card and vehicle access permit for use during the special hunts. One able-bodied companion may accompany the disabled person provided they possess the “companion card” issued to the disabled hunter. Permit expires June 30 of each year. For more information, refer to the “Disabled Sportsman” section on page 11. Falconry: Needed to hunt by the use of any raptor. License expires June 30 of each year. $10.00 $10.00 Call (919) 661-4872 for an application. Inland Fishing: Adult Care Home Residents: Authorizes basic inland fishing statewide for FREE N/A North Carolina residents of an adult care home. License valid during time of residency at adult care facility. Fox Tags: Needed to sell or otherwise transfer ownership of a fox carcass or pelt. Must have $2.25 ea. $2.25 ea. valid trapping license to purchase. All fox carcasses or pelts shall be properly tagged within 10 days following the close of the applicable hunting or trapping season. Fur Dealer: Authorizes buying and selling furs anywhere in North Carolina. License expires $60.00 $300.00 June 30 each year. Fur Dealer Station: Authorizes the license-holder and his or her employee(s) to buy or sell $120.00 N/A furs at an established location in North Carolina and under the supervision of the license- holder. License expires June 30 each year.

Hunting/Inland Fishing Guide: Needed to guide others for a fee. $10.00 $100.00 Special Guest Inland Fishing: May be purchased by the owner or lessee of private property $50.00 $50.00 in North Carolina bordering inland or joint fishing waters, including Public Mountain Trout Waters. Allows persons to fish from such property, including any pier or dock originating on such property, without any additional inland fishing license. May not be used for commercial purposes. License valid 12 months from date of purchase. Taxidermy: Authorizes persons to practice taxidermy involving wildlife for any compensa- $10.00 N/A tion. License expires December 31 each year.

8 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. RESIDENT LICENSE TYPES LICENSE INFORMATION and Associated Privilege Licenses Refer to License Type Section for a complete description of license types and privileges.

L I C E N S E S P R I V I L E G E S HUNTING Big Game Basic Hunting OTHER Bear Boar urkey Deer Crow Quail Rabbit Beaver rapping Bobcat T Coyote Grouse Squirrel Squirrel Raccoon Pheasant T out Fishing Preserves Opossum Groundhog aterfowl (3) (9) Tr Bow & Arrow Non-game Fish

“X” indicates the privileges authorized for W Public Trout Waters Public Trout Basic Inland Fishing Controlled Shooting Controlled Special Device Fishing Game Lands (hunting) Hunt \ Inland Fish Guide

each license type. (9) Migratory Game Birds Game Lands (trapping) (8) Price Hunting & Inland Fishing $20 Annual Combo Hunt & Inland Fish (basic) XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X $40 Annual Sportsman X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X $200 Lifetime Sportsman (under age 1) X XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXX X XX XX X X $350 Lifetime Sportsman (ages 1-11) X XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXX X XX XX X X $500 Lifetime Sportsman (ages 12 & older) X XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXX X XX XX X X $10 Special Sportsman (ages 70 & over) X XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXX X XX XX X X $10 Disabled Veteran (basic) XXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXX X $10 Totally Disabled (basic) XXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXX X $100 Disabled Sportsman X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Hunting $15 Annual State Hunting (basic) XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X $10 Annual County Hunting (basic) (1) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X $30 Annual Comprehensive Hunting X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X $250 Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Additional Hunting Privileges $10 Big Game (2) X X X X $15 Game Lands (2) (8) XX $10 NC Waterfowl (2) (3) X Free HIP Certification (6) (7) X X Inland Fishing $5 1 Day Inland Fishing (basic) XX $15 Annual State Inland Fishing (basic) XX $10 Annual County Inland Fishing (basic) (1) X X $20 Annual Comprehensive Inland Fishing X X X X $250 Lifetime Comprehensive Inland Fishing X X X X Additional Inland Fishing Privilege $10 Trout Fishing (4) XX Trapping $25 Annual State Trapping (basic) (8) X $10 Annual County Trapping (basic) (1)(8) X Other Licenses $10 Annual Hunt/Inland Fish Guide X $15 Controlled Shooting Preserve (5) X $10 Noncommercial Special Inland Fishing Device X $100 Commercial Special Inland Fishing Device X

Additional Information (1) Valid for use only in the license holders county of residence. (7) Must also possess either a basic hunting, comprehensive (2) Must also possess the appropriate basic hunting license. hunting, or sportsman’s license. (3) Must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp. (8) Trapping on Game Lands requires a Game Lands License and a (4) Must also possess a valid inland fishing license. Trapping License. (5) This license may be used without a hunting license. (9) Must have the HIP Certification. (6) Required to hunt Federal Migratory & Waterfowl birds.

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 9 NONRESIDENT LICENSE TYPES and Associated Privilege Licenses Refer to License Type Section for a complete description of license types and privileges.

L I C E N S E S P R I V I L E G E S HUNTING Big Game Basic Hunting OTHER Bear Boar urkey Deer Crow Quail Rabbit Beaver rapping Bobcat T Coyote Grouse Squirrel Squirrel Raccoon Pheasant T out Fishing Preserves Opossum Groundhog aterfowl (3) (9) Tr Bow & Arrow Non-game Fish

“X” indicates the privileges authorized for W Public Trout Waters Public Trout Basic Inland Fishing Controlled Shooting Controlled Special Device Fishing Game Lands (hunting) Hunt \ Inland Fish Guide

each license type. (9) Migratory Game Birds Game Lands (trapping) (8) LICENSE INFORMATION Price Hunting & Inland Fishing $200 Lifetime Sportsman (under age 1) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XX XXX X $350 Lifetime Sportsman (ages 1-11) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XX XXX X $1,000 Lifetime Sportsman (ages 12 & older) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XX XXX X Hunting $40 6 Day State Hunting (basic) (10) XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X $60 Annual State Hunting (basic) (10) XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X Additional Hunting Privileges $40 6 Day Big Game (2) (10) XX $60 Big Game (season) (2) (10) XX $125 Bear/Wild Boar (1) X X $15 Game Lands (2) (8) XX $10 NC Waterfowl (2) (3) X Free HIP Certification (6) (7) X X Inland Fishing $10 1 Day Inland Fishing (basic) XX $15 3 Day Inland Fishing (basic) XX $30 Annual State Inland Fishing (basic) X X Additional Inland Fishing Privilege $10 Trout Fishing (4) XX Trapping $100 Annual State Trapping (basic) (8) X Other Licenses $100 Annual Hunt/Inland Fish Guide X $15 Controlled Shooting Preserve (5) X $50 Noncommercial Special Inland Fishing Device X $200 Commercial Special Inland Fishing Device X

Additional Information (1) Must also possess either a basic hunting or sportsman’s (7) Must also possess either a basic hunting or sportsman’s license. license and a big game license. (8) Trapping on Game Lands requires a Game Lands License and a (2) Must also possess the appropriate basic hunting license. Trapping License. (3) Must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp. (9) Must have the HIP Certification. (4) Must also possess a valid inland fishing license. (10) Reciprocal license fees apply to Georgia, South Carolina, Ten- (5) This license may be used without a hunting license. nessee, and Virginia residents. Call WRC at 1-888-248-6834 or (6) Required to hunt Federal Migratory & Waterfowl birds. visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org to obtain the appropriate license fee.

10 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. General Information The N. C. Wildlife Resources Commi- normal utilization of the game lands is not possible without DISABLED SPORTSMAN INFORMATION ssion does not honor disabled licenses or permits from other vehicular assistance. states. Disabled licenses and permits must be obtained directly The Disabled Sportsman Special Hunt Program provides special from the Wildlife Resources Commission and must contain a either-sex deer hunts to persons with specific disabilities, consis- medical certification of the disability. To obtain a disabled license tent with legislation ratified by the 1993 North Carolina General or permit application, visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org, Assembly. There is a $10 annual fee for processing and adminis- call us at 1-888-248-6834, or write to NCWRC, 1707 Mail tering the hunts. (See page 46 for a list of areas with special access.) Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1707. Qualifications: To participate in this program, an applicant must have medical certification in one of the following disabilities: Special Disabled Program Information The Wildlife ● amputation of one or more limbs; Resources Commission has established several programs to ● paralysis of one or more limbs; increase access and opportunities for persons with disabilities to ● dysfunction of one or more limbs rendering the person unable to hunt on agency game lands, and, under certain circumstances, perform the task of grasping and lifting with the hands and arms to permit the use of a crossbow. Each of these programs has a or unable to walk without mechanical assistance, other than a cane; different set of qualifications. A brief description of each pro- ● disease, injury, or defect confining the person to a wheelchair, gram is provided below. To obtain an application for these pro- walker, or crutches; grams, you may visit us online at www.ncwildlife.org, call us ● legal deafness. at 1-888-248-6834, or write to NCWRC, Disabled Sportsman The Crossbow Program allows persons to use a crossbow if they Programs, 1707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1707. have permanent or long-term disabilities that render them For specific information on the Disabled Access and Disabled incapable of sufficient arm movement to draw other legal bows. Sportsman Special Hunt Programs, refer to the “Game Lands” There is no fee associated with this permit. Qualifications: section of this digest. Competent medical evidence must be submitted indicating that The Disabled Access Program is designed to generally improve the disability restricting the use of bows is from an injury or access for persons with disabilities on game lands where land- deformity that cannot be overcome with exercise and physical owners agree. It allows persons with limited physical mobility therapy. The disability must be long-term (greater than one to operate vehicles on open-gated or ungated roads otherwise year), and it must prevent the person from drawing a bow with closed to vehicular traffic on certain game lands and to have 45 pounds of pull 15 inches and holding at a reduced pull of 16 access to special waterfowl hunting blinds designed for hunters pounds for 5 seconds. with disabilities. There is no fee associated with this permit. (See Within the national forests in North Carolina, off highway vehicles page 45 for a list of areas with special access.) Qualifications: (OHVs) are permitted only on designated routes. Further Competent medical evidence must be submitted indicating that information about areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service, a disability exists that limits physical mobility to the extent that including the Nantahala, Pisgah, Croatan and Uwharrie National Forests, may be obtained online http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsmc/. Lifetime Hunting and Inland Fishing Licenses Lifetime hunting and inland fishing licenses are a great deal for sportsmen. Purchasing a lifetime license saves you money over the years, may be charged to a VISA or MasterCard, and supports North Carolina’s rich wildlife heritage. Funds from lifetime license sales are deposited directly into the Wildlife Endowment Fund, which THE WILDLIFE ENDOWMENT FUND supports wildlife conservation programs. Several types of lifetime licenses are available as noted under the gift to honor a deceased friend or family member. The fund “License Information” section of this digest, which begins on can also be named as a beneficiary to a life insurance policy. page 2. Lifetime sportsman and lifetime comprehensive hunt- When making a memorial donation, include the name and ing licenses include the state waterfowl privilege. Lifetime address of the donor or donors as well as the name of the person comprehensive hunting licenses and lifetime comprehensive or persons who are being remembered by the donation. A card inland fishing licenses are sold only to residents of North will be sent to the donor acknowledging the contribution. Refer Carolina. Nonresidents may purchase the nonresident lifetime to inside cover for an application. sportsman license. Lifetime sportsman’s licenses may also be personalized for an additional $5 fee. There are no residency Lifetime Magazine Subscriptions Lifetime subscriptions restrictions for the infant and youth lifetime licenses. You may to Wildlife in North Carolina magazine can be purchased for $150. also give a lifetime license as a gift. All of these licenses are good The magazine is the official educational publication of the Wildlife for the life of the license-holder. Even if you move out of North Resources Commission; it is dedicated to the sound conservation Carolina, you can use the license anytime you return to the state. of the state’s wildlife and the interrelated natural resources we Lifetime licenses can be purchased at your local wildlife service share with them. Monthly issues contain articles on wildlife, agent, by telephone (1-888-248-6834) or by mail from the natural history, hunting and fishing, boating, and the environment. Wildlife Resources Commission. Refer to inside cover for an The magazine has won many awards for writing, design, photog- application. Please note that infant and youth lifetime licenses raphy and illustration. It is also widely used in schools. require a copy of a certified birth certificate (or the mother’s To purchase a magazine subscription or to make a direct contribu- copy); these two licenses cannot be purchased by telephone. tion to the Wildlife Endowment Fund, use the application on the inside cover of this digest. For additional information, visit Tax Deductible Contributions to the Wildlife Endow- us online at www.ncwildlife.org, call 1-866-945-3746, or ment Fund Donations to the Wildlife Endowment Fund are write to NCWRC, Wildlife Endowment Fund, 1710 Mail deductible from your taxable income. Donations can be made Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1710. directly to the fund or as a bequest from a will or as a memorial Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 11 General Information Inland, Joint and Coastal Fishing INLAND GAME FISH Waters. Both the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Div- The following fishes are designated as inland game fish: ision of Marine Fisheries have licensing, management and ● Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) regulatory authority in certain waters along the coast of ● Crappie (white and black) North Carolina. These waters are designated as inland, joint ● Sunfish and coastal waters. The Wildlife Resources Commission has ● Bluegill jurisdiction in inland waters, and the Division of Marine ● Redbreast sunfish (robin) Fisheries has jurisdiction (except that pertaining to inland ● Redear sunfish (shellcracker) game fishes) in coastal waters. Both agencies have licensing ● Pumpkinseed and regulatory authority in joint waters. ● Warmouth ● Green sunfish The boundaries between inland, joint and coastal fishing waters are ● Roanoke bass prominently marked with metal signs posted adjacent to the ● Rock bass affected waters. Lists of these waters, with their boundaries ● Flier indicated, are available from the Wildlife Resources Commis- ● All other species of the family Centrarchidae sion, 1721 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1721, or ● Mountain trout (including but not limited to brook, brown from the Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead and rainbow trout) City, NC 28557. ● Kokanee salmon Specific regulations enforced by both agencies in joint waters ● Walleye include the following: ● Sauger ● Net fishing for striped bass or their hybrids is prohibited except as ● Pickerel, chain (jack) and redfin authorized by regulations of the Marine Fisheries Commission. ● Muskellunge ● Use of seines, gill nets and trawl nets is prohibited in the Lake ● White bass Mattamuskeet canals. ● Bodie bass (striped bass x white bass) ● Use of any net or net stakes is prohibited within 800 feet of the ● Striped bass, in inland waters dam at Lock No. 1 on the Cape Fear River. ● Shad, American and hickory, in inland waters ● Possession of striped bass or striped bass hybrids less than 18 ● White perch, in inland waters

FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION ● inches in length is prohibited. Yellow perch, in inland waters ● Possession of more than one daily creel limit of striped bass or ● All other species of perch and pickerel ●

ND striped bass hybrids, in aggregate, per person per day, regardless Spotted sea trout, in inland waters of the number of management areas fished, is prohibited. ● Flounder, in inland waters

LA ● In the joint waters of the Albemarle Sound Striped Bass Manage- ● Red drum (channel bass, red fish and puppy drum), in inland waters ment Area, which includes Currituck, Roanoke, and Croatan IN sounds and their tributaries, the exclusive authority to open and GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR INLAND GAME FISH close seasons and areas, and establish size and creel limits is Purchase and Sale established by the Marine Fisheries Commission. ● The purchase and sale of inland game fish are unlawful, except Otherwise, in joint fishing waters, commercial fishing and licensing, from and by licensed commercial trout ponds and fish propagators. including commercial trotlines, are subject to the coastal fish- ing laws and regulations; inland game fish and hook-and-line Spawning Areas licensing, exclusive of commercial trotlines, are subject to the ● Fishing is prohibited from Feb. 15 through April 15 in the Linville inland fishing laws and regulations. River from the mouth as marked at Lake James upstream to the N.C. 126 bridge. How to Measure a Fish The harvest of several game fishes is regulated by length limits. Fish length is determined by Manner of Taking measuring along a straight line (in other words, not along the ● Inland game fish may be taken only with a hook and line. curvature of the body) the distance from the tip of the closed ● Landing nets may be used to land fishes caught on a hook and line. mouth to the tip of the compressed caudal (tail) fin. ● It is unlawful to snag fish by pulling or jerking a device equipped with one or more hooks through the water for the purpose of impaling fish. ● American and hickory shad may be taken with dip or bow nets from March 1 through April 30. ● In the inland waters of the Roanoke River upstream of the U.S. 258 bridge, only a single barbless hook or a lure with a single barbless hook may be used from April 1 to June 30. “Barbless” means that the hook either does not have a barb or that the barb is bent down. Using Trotlines and Set-hooks ● It is unlawful to use live bait with trotlines, set-hooks or jug-hooks. ● Trotlines must be set parallel to the nearest shore in all public waters where their use is authorized. ● Each trotline and set-hook (except jug-hooks) shall have attached the name and address of the user legibly inscribed. 12 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. ● Each trotline shall be conspicuously marked at each end, and 2. In undesignated waters where it is unlawful to possess trout IN

each set-hook shall be conspicuously marked at one end with caught during the closed season (March 1–April 1). LA a prominent flag or floating object. 3. On the Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, where

● Metal cans and glass containers cannot be used as markers. federal regulations apply. ND ● Trotlines (including throw-lines) must be fished daily, and all 4. On the MacKay Island National Wildlife Refuge, where federal

fish must be removed daily. regulations apply and specified waters are closed to access FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION ● Untended trotlines and set-hooks, as evidenced by the between Oct. 15 and March 15. absence of bait, may be removed from the water by wildlife 5. On the Roanoke River, where the striped bass season, except if enforcement officers. changed by proclamation by the Director, Wildlife Resources Commission, extends from March 1 through April 15 from the Exceptions U.S. 258 bridge at Scotland Neck downstream to the mouth; ● No trotlines or set-hooks may be used in the impounded and from March 15 through April 30 from the Roanoke Rapids waters of Sandhills Game Land or in designated Public dam downstream to the U.S. 258 bridge at Scotland Neck. Mountain Trout Waters. 6. In Sutton Lake, where possession of largemouth bass is ● In Lake Waccamaw it is unlawful to use trotlines or set-hooks prohibited from Dec. 1 through March 31. from May 1 to Sept. 30. Possession of Game Fish State Fish Hatcheries ● It is unlawful to take in any one day more than the daily creel ● It is unlawful to fish at any time in the waters or on the property limit of any inland game fish having a specified creel limit. of any state fish hatchery, including Bones Creek from the Lake ● It is unlawful, while fishing, to remove the head and/or tail from Rim Dam to the US 401 Bypass (Raeford Road) with the inland game fish that are regulated by a size limit. following exception: ● It is unlawful to possess fish outside of the size and daily creel - McKinney Lake Reservoir at McKinney Lake State Fish limits that are in effect on the waters being fished. Hatchery. ● It is unlawful to possess more than the daily creel limit while Seasons There are no closed seasons on inland game fishes fishing, boating or afield; or to possess at any place more than with the following exceptions: three days’ creel limit. 1. In designated Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, where the ● It is unlawful to destroy unnecessarily any inland game fish season for all fishes is closed and fishing is prohibited from taken from public fishing waters. March 1 through March 31, 2006. FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES Elevated levels of some pollutants may be found in certain fish caught by the public or sold commercially in the United States. For more information, see www.epi.state.nc.us and click on “Fish Consumption Advisories.” The following table lists the current fish consumption advisories for North Carolina inland fishing waters:

Body of Water Advisory Pollutant Albemarle Sound from Bull Bay to Harvey Carp and Catfish. No consumption by women of childbearing Dioxins Point west to the mouths of the Roanoke age or children. No more than one meal per person per month and Chowan rivers (Perquimans, Chowan, for the general population. Bertie, Washington and Tyrrell counties) Roanoke River from U.S. Hwy. 17 bridge Carp and Catfish. No consumption by women of childbearing Dioxins near Williamston to the mouth of Albemarle age or children. No more than one meal per person per month Sound (Martin, Bertie and Washington for the general population. counties) Welch Creek (Martin, Beaufort, and Carp and Catfish. No consumption by women of childbearing Dioxins Washington counties) age or children. No more than one meal per person per month for the general population. Walters Lake/Waterville Reservoir Carp. No consumption by women of childbearing age or children. Dioxins (Haywood County) No more than one meal per month for the general population. STATEWIDE All North Carolina waters Largemouth bass, bowfin (blackfish) and chain pickerel (jack). Mercury south and east of Interstate 85 No consumption by women of childbearing age, pregnant or nursing women, or children under 15. No more than one meal per week for the general population.

Little Brier Creek (downstream of Brier All fish. No consumption PCBs Creek Parkway), tributaries to Little Brier Creek and Brier Creek Reservoir. (Forsyth County) Lake Crabtree (Wake County) Carp and Catfish. No consumption. No more than one meal per PCBs month for all other fish

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 13 REGULATIONS FOR WARMWATER GAME FISH ● In and west of Madison, Buncombe and Rutherford counties, in Size And Creel Regulations The following minimum size Lake James and in Buckhorn Reservoir (Wilson and Nash limits and daily creel limits apply to warmwater game fishes counties), the daily creel limit is 20 fish. except for the exceptions noted for certain species: Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) ● (See the identification chart on page 15.) Species Minimum Size Limit Daily Creel Limit ● Only five black bass in aggregate may be retained in the daily creel. Crappie* None None ● The minimum size limit for bass is 14 inches, with no exception, Largemouth bass* 14 inches, except 2 fish 5 in the following waters: in the creel may be less - in the entire Lumber River from the Camp MacKall Bridge than 14 inches (S.R. 1225 at the point where Richmond, Moore, Scotland Smallmouth and 12 inches, except 2 fish 5 and Hoke Counties join) to the South Carolina state line spotted bass* in the creel may be less - in all public fishing waters east of I-95, except the Tar River than 12 inches Reservoir (Nash County) Striped bass and 16 inches, except 2 fish 8 - Lake Luke Marion (Moore County) Bodie bass* in the creel may be less - Reedy Creek Park Lakes (Mecklenburg County) (impounded waters) than 16 inches - the Yadkin-Pee Dee River from Idols Dam to the South Striped bass and 18 inches 3 Carolina state line including: Bodie bass* - High Rock Lake (coastal rivers) - Tuckertown Reservoir White bass None 25 - Badin Lake Walleye* None 8 - Falls Lake (Stanly and Montgomery counties) Muskellunge* 30 inches 2 - Lake Tillery Sauger 15 inches 8 - Blewett Falls Lake Kokanee salmon None 7 - Lake Rim (Cumberland County) Spotted sea trout 12 inches 10 ● In and west of Madison, Buncombe, Henderson and Polk coun- Flounder 13 inches None ties, and in all designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, the Red drum 18 inches 1 minimum size limit for black bass is 12 inches, except two bass FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION

(maximum size 27 inches) less than 12 inches in length may be retained in the daily creel. American and None 10 ● In Lake Thom-A-Lex (Davidson County) and Cane Creek Lake

ND hickory shad* (Union County), the minimum size limit for bass is 18 inches. All other warm- None None ● In B. Everett Jordan Reservoir, Falls of the Neuse Reservoir east

LA water game fishes* of S.R. 1004 and Buckhorn Reservoir (Wilson and Nash *The following exceptions apply: counties), the minimum size limit for black bass is 16 inches. IN Sunfish ● In Lake Lure the minimum size limit for largemouth bass is 16 ● In the entire Lumber River from the Camp MacKall bridge (S.R. inches and the minimum size limit for smallmouth bass is 14 1225 at the point where Richmond, Moore, Scotland and Hoke inches, with no exceptions. counties join) to the South Carolina state line and in all inland ● In Lake Phelps the minimum size limit for black bass is 14 inches public fishing waters east of I-95, except the Tar River Reservoir and no fish between 16 and 20 inches may be possessed. (Nash County), the daily creel limit for sunfish is 30 fish in ● In Shearon Harris Reservoir no black bass between 16 and 20 aggregate, no more than 12 of which may be redbreast sunfish. inches may be possessed. Crappie (black and white) ● Small city- or county-owned lakes under management contract ● In B. Everett Jordan Reservoir, the minimum size limit is 10 with the Wildlife Resources Commission may have different inches and the daily creel limit is 20 fish. black bass regulations that are posted at the lakes. ● In the following waters the minimum size limit is 8 inches and Shad the daily creel limit is 20 fish: ● The daily creel limit applies to American and hickory shad The Yadkin-Pee Dee River from Idols Dam to the South Carolina in aggregate. state line including: Striped Bass and Bodie Bass - High Rock Lake ● (See the identification chart on page 15.) - Lake Tillery, ● The daily creel limit applies to striped bass and Bodie bass - Falls Lake (Stanly and Montgomery counties.) in aggregate. - Badin Lake Impounded Waters - Blewett Falls Lake ● In the Dan River between the Bannister River and the Brantly - Tuckertown Reservoir Steam Plant Dam, the Cape Fear River upstream of Buckhorn - Lake Norman Dam and the Deep and Haw rivers to the first impoundment, and - Lake Hyco in John H. Kerr, Gaston, Roanoke Rapids and B. Everett Jordan - Lake Ramseur reservoirs and in Lake Norman, the daily creel limit on striped - Cane Creek Lake bass and Bodie bass is four in the aggregate and the minimum These waters and all their tributaries: Roanoke Sound, Croatan size limit is 20 inches, except that in Lake Norman there is no Sound, Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound, Alligator River, size limit for striped bass from June 1 through September 30. Scuppernong River, Chowan River, Cashie River, Roanoke River ● In all impounded waters and their tributaries, except those downstream of the U.S. 258 bridge, Lake Mattamuskeet, Lake waters listed above, the daily creel limit on striped bass and Phelps, Pungo Lake, Alligator Lake and New Lake. Bodie bass is eight in the aggregate; and two fish less than 16 14 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. inches may be retained in the daily creel. and the daily creel limit is three fish in the following waters: IN

Coastal Rivers - Pee Dee River below Blewett Falls Dam LA ● In the following waters the minimum size limit on striped bass - Inland waters of the Cape Fear River below Buck Horn Dam

and Bodie bass is 18 inches; the daily creel limit is three fish; - Inland waters of the Pungo River ND and from April 1 through May 31, no fish between 22 and 27 - Lake Mattamuskeet. ● inches may be retained: In the inland and joint fishing waters of the Roanoke River - The Tar-Pamlico River and its tributaries upstream of the Striped Bass Management Area, which includes the Roanoke, FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Grimesland bridge (S.R. 1565, Pitt County) Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers and their tributaries, the - The Neuse River and its tributaries upstream of the N.C. 55 seasons, minimum size and daily creel limits for striped bass bridge in Lenoir County and their hybrids are as follows: ● The minimum size limit for striped bass and Bodie bass is 18 inches, - The season extends from March 1 through April 15 in that

BASS IDENTIFICATION CHART M0RONE IDENTIFICATION CHART

Longest spine over twice as long as shortest spine Deep notch between fins Stripes often faint

Upper jaw extends No scales at beyond eye base of fin

No scales at Horizontal band base of fin One patch of teeth on tongue Largemouth Bass Found statewide White Bass

Longest spine less than twice the length of shortest spine Stripes distinct and Upper jaw Shallow notch between fins usually continuous extends to back of eye Scales at base of fin

Scales at One patch of base of fin teeth on tongue Horizontal streaks Horizontal band Two patches of teeth on tongue

Spotted Bass Striped Bass Found in the Mountains, Foothills, and Little River in Harnett County

Longest spine less than twice the length Stripes distinct and of shortest spine usually broken Upper jaw doesn’t Shallow notch between fins extend beyond Scales at back of eye base of fin

Scales at Two patches of Vertical bars base of fin teeth on tongue Smallmouth Bass Bodie Bass Found in the Mountains and Foothills (striped bass hybrid)

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 15 portion of the management area from the U.S. 258 bridge at Scot- downstream of the mouth of Armstrong Creek, are designated land Neck downstream to the mouth of the Albemarle Sound and Public Mountain Trout Waters and are classified as Wild Trout from March 15 through April 30 in that portion of the manage- Waters unless classified and posted otherwise. ment area from the Roanoke Rapids dam downstream to the ● Three Top Mountain Game Land in Ashe County U.S. 258 bridge at Scotland Neck. These seasons may be altered ● Nantahala National Forest Game Land in Cherokee, Clay, by proclamation by the Director, Wildlife Resources Commission. Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties. - The minimum size limit for striped bass and Bodie bass is 18 ● Pisgah National Forest Game Land in Avery, Buncombe, inches. No fish between 22 and 27 inches may be retained in Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, the daily creel, and only 1 fish larger than 27 inches may be Mitchell, Transylvania and Yancey counties. included in the daily limit. ● Dupont State Forest Game Lands in Henderson and - The daily creel limit for striped bass and Bodie bass is 2 fish Transylvania counties in the aggregate. ● Thurmond Chatham Game Land in Wilkes County ● In the inland waters of the Albemarle Sound Striped Bass Man- ● Toxaway Game Land in Transylvania County agement Area, which includes the Roanoke Sound, Croatan ● South Mountains Game Land in Cleveland and Rutherford counties Sound, Albemarle Sound, Currituck Sound, Chowan River, ● Cold Mountain Game Land in Haywood County Alligator River, Scuppernong River and their tributaries (excluding the Roanoke River and its tributaries), striped bass TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS FOR HATCHERY fishing seasons, size limits and creel limits shall be the same as SUPPORTED AND WILD TROUT WATERS those established by the Marine Fisheries Commission for Hatchery Supported and Wild Trout striped bass in adjacent joint or coastal fishing waters. Undesignated Waters Waters Walleye Season July 1, 2005-Feb. 28, 2006 Year-round ● The minimum size limit on walleye in Lake James and its 6 a.m. April 1, 2006 tributaries is 15 inches; and in Linville River upstream from to June 30, 2006 the N.C. 126 bridge, the daily creel limit is four fish. Daily Creel 7 4 Muskellunge Limit ● On the French Broad River and tributaries upstream of the U.S. Minimum None 7 inches 64 bridge at Etowah, no muskellunge may be possessed. Size Limit FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION

Lure None Artificial lures REGULATIONS FOR MOUNTAIN TROUT Restriction having a single hook Brook, brown and rainbow trout are the dominant species of fresh- ND Exceptions water trout in North Carolina. These trout require cold, clean ● There is no closed season for trout in Nantahala River and all

LA water and are therefore generally restricted to mountain streams tributaries (excluding impoundments) upstream from Nan- and lakes. Those mountain waters that support trout and are tahala Lake, Linville River from Linville Falls to the NC 126 IN open to public fishing are designated as “Public Mountain Trout bridge, Catawba River from Muddy Creek to the City of Waters” by the Wildlife Resources Commission and are man- Morganton water intake dam, power supply lakes and aged for public trout fishing. municipal water supply lakes. ● Undesignated waters not listed above may be fished during the Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters Designated closed season for Hatchery Supported waters, however, trout Public Mountain Trout Waters are classified for management may not be possessed or retained in the creel. purposes as either “Hatchery Supported Trout Waters” or “Wild ● In Lake Lure the daily creel limit for trout is five fish in the Trout Waters.” Hatchery Supported Trout Waters must be aggregate, and the minimum size limit for trout is 15 inches. stocked periodically with trout to sustain angling. Wild Trout Waters are high-quality waters that sustain trout populations by Hatchery Supported Trout Waters There are approxi- natural reproduction. Some Designated Public Trout Waters are mately 1,100 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters in specially regulated to meet specific management objectives. North Carolina. In hatchery supported waters there is no size These are further classified as follows: limit or bait restriction, and the creel limit is seven trout per day. ● “Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only,” Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are marked with green-and- ● “Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only,” white signs that are posted conspicuously along the watercourses. ● “Wild Trout/Natural Bait,” The following waters are classified as Hatchery Supported Trout ● “Delayed Harvest Trout Waters,” Waters (streams that are underlined are stocked with ● or “Special Regulation Trout Waters.” catchable-size trout at frequent intervals during the All designated Public Mountain Trout Waters are classified as Wild months of March through August): Trout Waters unless otherwise classified. Alleghany County All waters on the game lands listed below, except Cherokee Lake, Little River (Whitehead to McCann dam) Grogan Creek, Big Laurel Creek downstream from the U.S. 25-70 Crab Creek bridge to the French Broad River, Pigeon River downstream of Brush Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Waterville Reservoir to the Tennessee state line, Nolichucky Big Pine Creek River, Mill Ridge Pond, Cheoah River downstream of Santeetlah Laurel Branch Reservoir, Little River from Hooker Falls downstream to the Big Glade Creek Dupont State Forest boundary, Lake Imaging, Lake Dense, Lake Bledsoe Creek Alfred, Lake Julia, Fawn Lake and the portion of West Fork Piney Fork Pigeon River below Lake Logan and North Fork Catawba River Meadow Fork 16 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Ashe County Shuler Creek (except where posted against trespassing) IN

North Fork New River (Watauga County line to Sharp dam) Persimmon Creek LA Big Horse Creek (Mud Creek at S.R. 1363 to Tuckerdale) Davis Creek (confluence of Bald and Dockery creeks to Hanging

Buffalo Creek (headwaters to junction of N.C. 194-88 and Dog Creek) ND S.R. 1131) Beaver Dam Creek (headwaters to S.R. 1326 bridge)

Big Laurel Creek Valley River FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Three Top Creek (except game land portion) Hyatt Creek Hoskins Fork (Watauga County line to North Fork New River) Webb Creek Cranberry Creek (Alleghany County line to South Fork New River) Junaluska Creek (Ashturn Creek to Valley River) Nathans Creek Clay County Peak Creek (headwaters to Trout Lake, except Blue Ridge Fires Creek (first bridge above the lower game-land line on U.S. Parkway waters) Forest Service Road 442 to S.R. 1300) Roan Creek Big Tuni Creek North Beaver Creek Tusquitee Creek (headwaters to lower S.R. 1300 bridge) Pine Swamp Creek (all forks) Shooting Creek (S.R. 1349 bridge to U.S. 64 bridge at S.R. 1338) Old Fields Creek Hothouse Branch (including portions of tributaries on game lands) Mill Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Vineyard Creek Avery County Graham County North Toe River (headwaters to Mitchell County line (except Calderwood Reservoir (Cheoah Dam to Tennessee state line) where posted against trespassing) Yellow Creek Squirrel Creek Santeetlah Creek (Johns Branch to mouth, including portions of Elk River (S.R. 1305 crossing immediately upstream of Big Falls tributaries on game lands, excluding Johns Branch and Little to the Tennessee state line) Santeetlah Creek) Boyde Coffey Lake West Buffalo Creek Archie Coffey Lake Little Buffalo Creek Linville River (Land Harbor line [below dam] to the Blue Ridge Mountain Creek (game lands boundary to S.R. 1138 bridge) Parkway boundary line, except where posted against Sawyer Creek trespassing) Big Snowbird Creek (old railroad junction to mouth) Milltimber Creek Long Creek (portion not on game lands) Buncombe County Tulula Creek (headwaters to lower bridge on S.R. 1275) Ivy Creek (Ivy River) (Dillingham Creek to U.S. 19-23 bridge) Franks Creek Dillingham Creek (Corner Rock Creek to Ivy Creek) Cheoah Reservoir Stony Creek Stecoah Creek Mineral Creek Panther Creek Corner Rock Creek Haywood County Reems Creek (Sugar Camp Fork to U.S. 19-23 bridge, except Pigeon River (Stamey Cove Branch to U.S. 19-23 bridge) where posted against trespassing) Cold Springs Creek Swannanoa River (S.R. 2702 bridge near Ridgecrest to Wood Jonathans Creek—lower (S.R. 1394 bridge to Pigeon River) Avenue bridge [intersection of N.C. 81 and U.S. 74A in Asheville], Jonathans Creek—upper (S.R. 1302 bridge [west] to S.R. 1307 except where posted against trespassing) bridge) Bent Creek (headwaters to N.C. Arboretum boundary line) Hemphill Creek Cane Creek (headwaters to S.R. 3138 bridge) West Fork Pigeon River (the triple-arch bridge on N.C. 215 to Lake Powhatan Queen Creek, except Middle Prong) Burke County Richland Creek (Russ Avenue bridge to U.S. 19A-23 bridge) Catawba River (Muddy Creek to the City of Morganton water Henderson County intake dam) (Rocky) Broad River (1/2 mile north of Bat Cave to Rutherford Henry Fork (lower South Mountains State Park line downstream County line) to S.R. 1919 at Ivy Creek) Green River—upper (mouth of Rock Creek to mouth of Bobs Carroll Creek (game lands above S.R. 1405) Creek) Linville River (game lands portion below the Blue Ridge Green River—lower (Lake Summit dam to I-26 bridge) Parkway and from first bridge on S.R. 1223 below Lake James Camp Creek (S.R. 1919 to the Polk County line) powerhouse to Muddy Creek) (Big) Hungry River Caldwell County Little Hungry River Wilson Creek (Phillips Branch to Brown Mountain Beach dam, Cane Creek (S.R. 1551 bridge to US 25 bridge) except where posted against trespassing) Clear Creek (S.R. 1591 bridge at Jack Mountain Lane to S.R. 1572) Thorps Creek (falls to N.C. 90 bridge) Boone Fork Pond Jackson County Buffalo Creek (mouth of Joe’s Creek to McCloud Branch) Tuckasegee River—upper (confluence with West Fork Joes Creek (first falls upstream of S.R. 1574 to confluence with Tuckasegee River to N.C. 107 bridge at Love Field) Buffalo Creek) Tuckasegee River—lower (Dillsboro dam to S.R. 1534 bridge Cherokee County at Wilmot) North Shoal Creek (Cane Creek) (headwaters to S.R. 1325) Scott Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 17 Dark Ridge Creek (Jones Creek to Scott Creek) Polk County Savannah Creek (headwaters to Bradley’s packing house on N.C.116) North Pacolet River (Pacolet Falls to N.C. 108 bridge) Buff Creek (uppermost crossing on S.R. 1457 to Scott Creek) Fork Creek (Fork Creek Church on S.R. 1100 to North Green’s Creek (Green’s Creek Baptist Church on S.R. 1730 to Pacolet River) Savannah Creek) Big Fall Creek—upper (portion above water supply reservoir) Cullowhee Creek (Tilley Creek to Tuckasegee River) Big Fall Creek—lower (portion below water supply reservoir) Balsam Lake Green River (Mouth of Cove Creek to mouth of Brights Creek) Bear Creek Lake Little Cove Creek Wolf Creek Lake Cove Creek Tanasee Creek Lake Camp Creek (Henderson Co. line to Green River) West Fork Tuckasegee River (Shoal Creek to existing water level Rutherford County of Little Glenville Lake) (Rocky) Broad River (Henderson County line to U.S. 64/74 bridge, Shoal Creek (Glenville Reservoir Pipeline to mouth) except where posted against trespassing) Macon County Stokes County Nantahala River (Nantahala Dam to Whiteoak Creek) Dan River (Virginia state line downstream to a point 200 yards Queens Creek Lake below the end of S.R. 1421) Burningtown Creek Surry County Cullasaja River (Sequoyah Dam to U.S. 64 bridge near junction Pauls Creek (Virginia state line to 0.3 mile below S.R. 1625 bridge) of S.R. 1672, excluding the game land portions of Buck Creek Fisher River (Cooper Creek) (Virginia state line to S.R. 1331 and Turtle Pond Creek) bridge) Ellijay Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Little Fisher River (Virginia state line to N.C. 89 bridge) Cliffside Lake Ararat River (S.R. 1727 bridge downstream to the N.C. 103 bridge) Cartoogechaye Creek (U.S. 64 bridge to Little Tennessee River) Swain County Tessentee Creek (Nichols Branch to Little Tennessee River, Calderwood Reservoir (Cheoah dam to Tennessee state line) except where posted against trespassing) Cheoah Reservoir Big Creek (base of falls to Georgia state line) Deep Creek (Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary Madison County line to Tuckasegee River) FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION

Shut-in Creek Connelly Creek Spring Creek (junction of N.C. 209 and N.C. 63 to lower Alarka Creek (game lands boundary to mouth)

ND U.S. Forest Service boundary line) Nantahala River (Macon Co. line to existing Fontana Lake Little Creek water level)

LA Meadow Fork Creek (except Little Creek) Transylvania County Roaring Fork French Broad River (junction of west and north forks to U.S. IN Max Patch Pond 276 bridge) Big Laurel Creek (Mars Hill watershed boundary to the S.R. Davidson River (Avery Creek to Ecusta intake) 1318 [Big Laurel Road] bridge downstream of Bearpen Branch) Middle Fork French Broad River Spillcorn Creek (entire stream, excluding tributaries) West Fork French Broad River (S.R. 1312 and S.R. 1309 Shelton Laurel Creek (confluence of Big Creek and Mill Creek intersection to junction of west and north forks) to N.C. 208 bridge at Belva) Watauga County Mill Creek (headwaters to confluence with Big Creek) North Fork New River (from confluence with Maine and Mine Big Pine Creek (S.R. 1151 bridge to French Broad River) branches to Ashe County line) Puncheon Fork (Hampton Creek to Big Laurel Creek) Maine Branch (headwaters to North Fork New River) McDowell County Meat Camp Creek Catawba River (Catawba Falls Campground to Old Fort Norris Fork Creek Recreation Park) Howards Creek (downstream from lower falls) Little Buck Creek (game land portion) Middle Fork New River (Lake Chetola dam to South North Fork Catawba River (headwaters to North Cove School Fork New River) at S.R. 1569 bridge) Stony Fork (headwaters to Wilkes County line) Armstrong Creek (Cato Holler lower line downstream to Elk Creek (headwaters to gravel pit on S.R. 1508, except where Greenlee upper line) posted against trespassing) Mill Creek (upper railroad bridge to U.S. 70 bridge, except Beech Creek where posted against trespassing) Buckeye Creek Reservoir Mitchell County Coffee Lake Big Rock Creek (headwaters to N.C. 226 bridge at S.R. 1307 Laurel Creek intersection) Cove Creek (S.R. 1233 bridge at Zionville to S.R. 1233 bridge Little Rock Creek (Green Creek bridge to Big Rock Creek, except at Amantha) where posted against trespassing) Dutch Creek (second bridge on S.R. 1134 to mouth) Cane Creek (S.R. 1219 to N.C. 226 bridge) Beaverdam Creek (confluence of Beaverdam Creek and Little Grassy Creek (East Fork Grassy Creek to mouth) Beaverdam Creek to an unnamed tributary adjacent to the East Fork Grassy Creek intersection of S.R. 1201 and S.R. 1203) North Toe River (Avery Co. line to S.R. 1121 bridge) Wilkes County East Prong Roaring River (lower state park boundary to Brewer’s 18 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Mill on S.R. 1943) Graham County IN

Middle Prong Roaring River (headwaters to second bridge on South Fork Squally Creek LA S.R. 1736) Squally Creek

Pike Creek Pond Henderson County ND Bell Branch Pond Green River (I-26 bridge to Henderson/Polk County line)

Boundary Line Pond Jackson County FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Pike Creek Gage Creek Middle Fork Reddies River (Clear Prong)(headwaters to bridge North Fork Scott Creek on S.R. 1580) Tanasee Creek South Fork Reddies River (headwaters to confluence with Whitewater River (downstream from Silver Run Creek to South Middle Fork Reddies River) Carolina state line) North Fork Reddies River (Vannoy Creek) (headwaters to Union Wolf Creek (except Balsam Lake) School bridge on S.R. 1559) Mitchell County Darnell Creek (North Prong Reddies River) (downstream ford on Green Creek (headwaters to Green Creek bridge, except where S.R. 1569 to confluence with North Fork Reddies River) posted against trespassing) South Prong Lewis Fork (headwaters to Lewis Fork Baptist Church) Little Rock Creek (above Green Creek, including all tributaries, Fall Creek (except where posted against trespassing) except where posted against trespassing) Yancey County Wiles Creek (game land boundary to mouth) Cane River (Bee Branch [S.R. 1110] to Bowlens Creek) Polk County Bald Mountain Creek (except where posted against trespassing) Green River (Henderson/Polk County line to Fishtop Falls Price Creek (junction of S.R. 1120 and S.R. 1121 to Indian Creek) Access Area) South Toe River (Clear Creek to lower boundary line of Yancey Transylvania County County recreation park, except where posted against trespassing) All waters located on Gorges State Park Whitewater River (downstream from Silver Run Creek to South Wild Trout Waters In all Wild Trout Waters the minimum Carolina state line) length limit is 7 inches and the creel limit is four trout per day. Watauga County Only artificial lures with one single hook may be used. All Dutch Creek (headwaters to second bridge on S.R. 1134) designated trout waters located on game lands are Wild Trout Howards Creek (headwaters to lower falls) Waters unless classified and posted otherwise. The following Watauga River (Avery Co. line to steel bridge at Riverside streams are also classified as Wild Trout Waters and are marked Farm Road) with blue-and-gold signs, which are posted conspicuously Wilkes County along the watercourses: Big Sandy Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Alleghany County Garden Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Ramey Creek Widow Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Big Sandy Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Yancey County Stone Mountain Creek (portion on Stone Mountain Cattail Creek (bridge at Mountain Farm Community Road to State Park) N.C. 197 bridge) Avery County Lickskillet Creek Birchfield Creek Middle Creek (game land boundary to mouth) Cow Camp Creek Rock Creek (game land boundary to mouth) Cranberry Creek (headwaters to U.S. 19E/N.C. 194 bridge) South Toe River (game land boundary downstream to Clear Creek) Gragg Prong Horse Creek Jones Creek Kentucky Creek North Harper Creek Plumtree Creek Roaring Creek $12 forfor 12 issuesissues Rockhouse Creek SAVESAVEwith a South Harper Creek 3-year-year subscriptionsubscription Webb Prong 36 issuesissues forfor $30 Burke County All waters located on South Mountains State Park except the ORDER TODAY main stream of Jacob Fork between the mouth of Shinny Creek VISA or MasterCard: and the lower park boundary and Henry Fork and its tributaries. www.ncwildlife.org 1-866-945-3746 Nettle Branch (game land portion) toll-freetoll-free 1-866-945-3746 Caldwell County by check or money order: Buffalo Creek (Watauga County line to Long Ridge Branch) Wildlifeildlife SubscriptionsSubscriptions Joes Creek (Watauga County line to first falls upstream of the 1710 Mail Service Center end of S.R. 1574) Raleigh, NC 27699-1710 Rockhouse Creek includeinclude namename andand mailingmailing addressaddress

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 19 OTHER REGULATED TROUT WATERS Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Waters The Certain designated Public Mountain Trout Waters are managed following trout waters and their tributaries, except as noted, under very restrictive regulations to meet specific management may be fished only with artificial flies having one single hook. objectives. These waters are marked with signs that are posted No fish may be harvested or possessed while fishing these conspicuously along the watercourses. streams. These streams are marked with red-and-gold signs. Avery County TROUT FISHING REGULATIONS FOR Elk River (portion on Lees-McRae College property, excluding OTHER REGULATED TROUT WATERS the millpond) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Lost Cove Creek (game land portion, excluding Gragg Prong Season: Year-round and Rockhouse Creek) Daily Creel Limit: No trout may be harvested or possessed. Transylvania County Lure Restriction: Artificial lures having one single hook Davidson River (headwaters to Avery Creek, excluding Avery Catch and Release/Artificial Flies Only Creek, Looking Glass Creek and Grogan Creek) Season: Year-round Yancey County Daily Creel Limit: No trout may be harvested or possessed. South Toe River (portion from the concrete bridge above Black Lure Restriction: Artificial flies having one single hook Mountain Campground downstream to game land boundary, Delayed Harvest excluding Camp Creek and Big Lost Cove Creek) From Oct. 1, 2005 to June 2, 2006: ● No trout may be harvested or possessed. Delayed Harvest Trout Waters The following trout ● Fishing restricted to artificial lures having one single hook waters, excluding tributaries except as noted, may be fished From July 1, 2005 to Sept. 30, 2005 and from June 3, 2006 only with artificial lures with one single hook. No natural bait to June 30, 2006: may be possessed, and no fish may be harvested or possessed ● 7 trout daily creel limit while fishing these waters between Oct. 1, 2005 and 1/2 hour ● No size limit after sunset on June 2, 2006. These waters are closed to fishing ● No bait restrictions between 30 minutes after sunset on June 2 and 6 a.m. on June 3. Wild Trout/Natural Bait At 6 a.m. on June 3 these waters open to fishing under Hatchery Season: Year-round Supported regulations—no bait restriction, no minimum length FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION

Daily Creel Limit: 4 limit and seven-trout-per-day creel limit. These waters are Minimum Size Limit: 7 inches marked with black-and-white signs.

ND Lure Restriction: Artificial lures having one single hook Ashe County or natural baits with one single hook. Trout Lake

LA No live fish as bait. Helton Creek (Virginia state line to New River) Special Regulation Trout Waters Burke County IN Season, creel limit, size limit and lure restrictions vary by water body. Jacob Fork (Shinny Creek to lower South Mountains State Park boundary) Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Waters The Haywood County following trout waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may West Fork Pigeon River (Queen Creek to the first game land be fished only with artificial lures having one single hook, and boundary upstream of Lake Logan) all fish must be released. No fish may be harvested or possessed Henderson County while fishing these streams. These streams are marked with North Fork Mills River (game land portion below the purple-and-gold signs. Hendersonville watershed dam) Ashe County Jackson County Big Horse Creek (Virginia state line to Mud Creek at S.R. 1363, Tuckasegee River (N.C. 107 bridge at Love Field to the excluding tributaries) Dillsboro dam) Unnamed tributary of Three Top Creek (game land portion) Macon County Avery County Nantahala River (Whiteoak Creek to NP&L powerhouse Wilson Creek (game land portion) discharge canal) Buncombe County Madison County Carter Creek (game land portion) Big Laurel Creek (N.C. 208 bridge to the U.S. 25-70 bridge) Burke County Shelton Laurel Creek (N.C. 208 bridge at Belva to the Henry Fork (portion on South Mountains State Park) confluence with Big Laurel Creek) Jackson County McDowell County Tuckasegee River (above the Clark property) Curtis Creek (game land portion downstream of the U.S. Forest Flat Creek Service boundary at Deep Branch) McDowell County Mitchell County Newberry Creek (game land portion) Cane Creek (N.C. 226 bridge to N.C. 80 bridge) Wilkes County Polk County Harris Creek (portion on Stone Mountain State Park) Green River (Fishtop Falls access area to the confluence with Yancey County Cove Creek) Upper Creek Surry County Lower Creek Mitchell River (0.6 mile upstream of the end of S.R. 1333 to the S.R. 1330 bridge below Kapps Mill Dam) 20 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Transylvania County ● It is unlawful to fish with more than one line per person in any IN

East Fork French Broad River (Glady Fork to French Broad River) designated trout water except power reservoirs and city water LA Little River (confluence of Lake Dense outflow to Hooker Falls) supply reservoirs.

Watauga County ● It is unlawful to possess natural bait while fishing Wild Trout ND Watauga River (S.R. 1557 bridge to N.C. 105 bridge and S.R. and Catch-and-Release waters unless those waters are also

1114 bridge to N.C. 194 bridge at Valle Crucis) specifically classified for use of natural bait. FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Wilkes County ● Fishing hours in any trout water located on game lands or in any East Prong Roaring River (mouth of Bullhead Creek downstream Wild Trout Water are from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes to Stone Mountain State Park boundary line) after sunset, except in the Nantahala River downstream from the Stone Mountain Creek (from falls at Alleghany County line to Swain County line and in the sections of Green River in Polk confluence with East Prong Roaring River and Bullhead Creek) County located on Green River Game Lands from the mouth of Cove Creek downstream to Brights Creek where night fishing is allowed. Wild Trout: Natural Bait Waters The following portions ● Trout season in Hatchery Supported Trout Waters opens at of Wild Trout Waters and their tributaries, except as noted, may 6 a.m. on April 1, 2006. be fished with artificial lures or natural bait, except live fish. ● It is unlawful to take fish bait or bait fish from designated Public Lures and natural baits are restricted to one single hook. The Mountain Trout Waters. minimum length limit is 7 inches, and the daily creel limit is four ● In designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, the fishing season trout. These streams are marked with brown-and-gold signs. for all fishes shall be the same as the trout fishing season. Cherokee County ● Dropper flies may be used when fishing any designated Public Tellico River (Fain Ford to Tennessee state line, excluding tributaries) Mountain Trout Waters. Bald Creek (game land portions) ● It is unlawful to place hatchery-reared fish into a Wild Trout Dockery Creek (game land portions) Water or move wild fish from one stream to another on game Clay County lands without prior written authorization. Buck Creek (game land portion downstream of U.S. 64 bridge) Graham County Blue Ridge Parkway The National Park Service establishes Deep Creek fishing regulations for parkway waters. Several ponds and Long Creek (game land portion) streams on the Blue Ridge Parkway offer trout, smallmouth bass Haywood County or bream fishing opportunities. Unless posted otherwise, trout Hurricane Creek (including portions of tributaries on game lands) waters are designated as “Wild Trout Waters.” Trout season and Jackson County size and creel limits are the same as for similarly designated Chattooga River (S.R. 1100 bridge to South Carolina state line) waters regulated by the Wildlife Resources Commission. The Lower Fowler Creek (game land portion) exception is Basin Creek where lures are restricted to artificial Scotsman Creek (game land portion) flies having one single hook. Macon County A valid North Carolina or Virginia fishing license is required for all Chattooga River (S.R. 1100 bridge to South Carolina state line) persons age 16 or older fishing on parkway waters. Either state’s Jarrett Creek (game land portion) license is valid on all parkway waters. Special trout licenses are Kimsey Creek not required. Overflow Creek (game land portion) For specific fishing information in Blue Ridge Parkway waters, Park Creek contact: Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Tellico Creek (game land portion) Asheville, NC 28803. Telephone: (828) 271-4779, Ext. 245. Turtle Pond Creek (game land portion) Madison County Dupont State Forest Night fishing is prohibited from 30 Big Creek (headwaters to the lower game land boundary, minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise in all waters including tributaries) on the Dupont State Forest Game Lands. Transylvania County North Fork French Broad River (game land portions North Carolina State Parks South Mountains State Park in downstream of S.R. 1326) Burke County, Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes and Alleghany Thompson River (S.R. 1152 to South Carolina state line, except counties and Gorges State Park in Transylvania County offer many where posted against trespassing) miles of trout fishing waters. As established by the Wildlife Resources Commission for other trout streams, a valid trout license Special Regulation Trout Waters The following portions and a valid North Carolina inland fishing license are require- of designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, excluding tributaries ments in state park inland streams. A game lands license is not except as noted, are subject to the following special regulations. required. A special catch-and-release stream is located in Stone These streams are marked with white and red signs. Mountain State Park with additional regulations. The possession Burke County of any type of firearms, explosives, bows and arrows, or alcoholic Catawba River (Muddy Creek to City of Morganton water intake beverages within state parks is unlawful. Park entrance gates are dam). The creel limit is 7 trout per day; only one of which may opened and closed daily according to the following schedule: be greater than 14 inches. No bait restrictions. No closed season. November, December, January, February ...... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. March, October ...... 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fishing in Trout Waters April, May, September ...... 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ● Fishing in designated Public Mountain Trout Waters is limited to June, July, August...... 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. hook and line only. Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 21 Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Lake Michael Park Road Pond following park offices: Harris Lake County Park Ponds Etheridge Pond* South Mountains State Park (828) 433-4772 Newbold Pond* Anderson Community Park Pond Stone Mountain State Park (336) 957-8185 Hornet’s Nest Pond Hagan Stone Park Ponds Gorges State Park (828) 966-9099 Hamlet City Lake Bond Park Lake Reedy Creek Park Ponds Salisbury Community Lake NONGAME FISH Bass Lake (Wake Co.) Lake Julian Any fish not classified as a game fish is considered a nongame fish Squirrel Park Pond Rabbit Shuffle Pond when found in inland fishing waters. Indian Camp Pond * Use of gasoline engines to power boats is prohibited. Sale of Nongame Fish ● There is no open season for sturgeon. Any sturgeon caught must ● Nongame fish caught on hook and line or by grabbling may be be immediately released. sold without restriction. ● The minimum size limit for American eel is 6 inches and the ● When nongame fish are taken for the purpose of sale by means possession limit is 50 fish. other than hook and line or by grabbling, a special fishing ● Blue crabs taken by hook and line (other than set-hooks) from device license is required. inland fishing waters or in designated waterfowl impoundments ● Bowfin taken by any method in inland waters may not be sold. located on game lands must have a minimum carapace width of ● Blueback herring and alewife taken by any method in inland waters 5 inches (point to point). may not be sold, except for those fish less than 6 inches in length ● No person shall take or possess more than 25 herring (alewife that are taken from Kerr Reservoirs. and blueback in aggregate) greater than 6 inches in length during one day from the inland fishing waters of coastal rivers Manner of Taking Nongame Fish and their tributaries up to the first impoundment of the main ● Nongame fish may be taken by hook and line or by grabbling; no course on the river. First impoundment dams are as follows: fish may be taken by snagging. Special devices defined herein may - Roanoke River – Roanoke Rapids Dam be used to take nongame fish with proper licenses (see “Collect- - Tar River – Rocky Mount Mill Dam ing Nongame Fish for Bait” and “Special Devices”). Nongame - Neuse River – Milburnie Dam fish may be taken year-round with bow and arrow in waterfowl - Cape Fear River – Buckhorn Dam FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION impoundments located entirely on game lands and in all inland - Waccamaw River – Lake Waccamaw Dam fishing waters other than the impounded waters on the Sand- - Pee-Dee River – Blewett Falls Dam ● ND hills Game Land and designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Grass carp may not be possessed on Lake James, Lake Norman, ● Nongame fishes may be taken with bow and arrow under any Mountain Island, Gaston and Roanoke Rapids reservoirs, except LA license that authorizes basic hunting or inland fishing privileges that 2 fish per day may be taken by bow and arrow. subject to Miscellaneous Prohibitions (see page 26). ● In designated Public Mountain Trout Waters, the season shall be IN ● It is unlawful to fish with a crossbow, except for disabled persons the same as the trout fishing season. possessing a valid crossbow hunting permit. ● For special rules governing trotlines, see “Using Trotlines and Collecting Nongame Fish for Bait Set-hooks” (page 12). ● Nongame fish may be taken for bait only with the equipment ● Crab pots are a special fishing device that may not be used in listed below, and an appropriate inland fishing license is required. inland fishing waters or in designated waterfowl impoundments 1. A dip net not greater than 6 feet across. located on game lands. Exception: Persons owning property 2. A seine not greater than 12 feet in length with a bar mesh adjacent to the inland fishing waters of coastal rivers and their measure of not more than 1/4 inch. tributaries may set two crab pots attached to their property and 3. A cast net. a special device license is not required. 4. Minnow traps under immediate control and attendance of the operator and not exceeding 12 inches in diameter, with Hook-And-Line Regulations funnel openings not exceeding 1 inch in diameter. *Season: Year-round ● Fishes or aquatic animals taken under the provisions for collect- *Minimum size limit: None ing fish for bait may not be sold. *Daily creel limit: None ● The daily creel limit is 200 nongame fish in aggregate, subject to The following exceptions apply: the following restrictions ● The daily creel limit on channel, white and blue catfish (forked- 1. No more than 50 eels, none of which may be less than 6 tail catfish) is six fish in the following waters: inches in length Oka T. Hester Pond CG Hill Memorial Park Pond 2. No more than 25 herring (alewife and blueback in aggregate) Lake Luke Marion Winston Pond greater than 6 inches in length from the inland fishing waters Shelley Lake San-Lee Park Ponds of coastal rivers up to the first impoundment dam on the Freedom Park Pond* Lake Toisnot main course of the river. First impoundment dams are Lake Rim Bur-Mill Park Ponds identified under the Hook-And-Line Regulations above. Cedarock Pond Kernersville Lake ● Any fish taken for bait purposes are included in the daily posses- Indian Lake Apex Community Lake sion limit for that species (where such a limit is specified). Frank Liske Park Pond McAlpine Lake ● Nongame fish may not be taken for bait from Bear Creek and Kinston Neuseway Park Pond Big Elkin Creek Rocky River, Chatham County; Fork Creek, Randolph County; River Park North Pond Lake Tomahawk Deep River below Coleridge Dam, Randolph County; and those Simpkins Pond Ellerbe Community Lake portions of Deep River in Moore, Chatham and Lee counties. 22 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. ● Game fish incidentally taken with nets or traps while capturing shall be of solid foam or other solid buoyant material and no less IN

bait must not be harmed and must be released immediately. than 5 inches in diameter and no less than 5 inches in length. LA Exception: In Lake Waccamaw any length seine may be used to Buoys may be of any color except yellow. The owner shall

collect bait fishes. always be identified on the attached buoy by using engraved ND buoys or by engraved metal or plastic tags attached to the buoy.

Collecting Freshwater Mussels Such identification shall include one of the following: owner’s FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION ● Freshwater mussels, including the Asiatic clam (Corbicula N.C. vessel registration number, owner’s U.S. vessel documenta- fluminea), may only be taken from impounded waters, except tion name, or owner’s last name and initials. mussels shall not be taken in Lake Waccamaw and in University Exception: An angler with a valid inland fishing license may use Lake (Orange County). up to two eel pots to take eels for bait without a special fishing ● The daily possession limit for freshwater mussels, including the device license. Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea), is 200. Seasons And Waters Special Fishing Devices ● There is no open season for sturgeon. Any sturgeon caught must ● Special fishing devices, which may be licensed for the taking of be immediately released. nongame fishes, include the following: bow and arrow (except ● No special fishing devices, including crab pots, may be used in crossbows), seines, cast nets, gill nets, dip nets, bow nets, reels, designated waterfowl impoundments located on game lands. gigs, spear guns, baskets, fish pots, eel pots and traps (including Exception: Nongame fish may be taken year-round with bow and automobile tires). arrow from waterfowl impoundments located entirely on game ● A noncommercial special device license is valid when no more lands and in all inland fishing waters other than the impounded than three special devices are used. waters on the Sandhills Game Land, designated Public Mountain ● A commercial special device license is required when four or Trout Waters, or waters subject to Miscellaneous Prohibitions more special devices are used. (see page 26). ● Seasons and waters in which use of special devices other than bow Term and Use of Special Device Licenses and arrow is authorized are indicated by the following counties: ● The license is valid during a license year (12 months from date Alamance: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Alamance Creek below of purchase). N.C. 49 bridge and Haw River. July 1-June 30 with gigs in all ● Each user of a special device must have his own license in public waters. possession, except that a bow net or dip net may be used by Alexander: July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters; another person who has the owner’s license in his possession. and with spear guns in Lake Hickory and Lookout Shoals Reservoir. ● Only the principal owner or operator must be licensed when Alleghany: July 1-June 30 with gigs in New River, except desig- drag seines are used at inland beaches to take herring or mullet. nated Public Mountain Trout Waters. ● Nongame fishes may be taken with bow and arrow under any Anson: July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. license that authorizes basic hunting or fishing privileges. March 1-April 30 with dip and bow nets in Pee Dee River below Blewett Falls Dam. July-Aug. 31 with seines in all running Netting Restrictions public waters, except Pee Dee River from Blewett Falls Dam ● Except as specified below, stationary nets must not exceed 100 downstream to the Seaboard Coastline Railroad trestle. yards in length and must be spaced at least 50 yards apart. Ashe: July 1-June 30 with gigs in New River (both forks), except ● “Attendance” requires that a fisherman be within 100 yards of designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. his net at all times. Beaufort: July 1-June 30 with traps in the Pungo River and in the ● In Town Creek (Brunswick County) only one attended net, not Tar-Pamlico River above Norfolk and Southern Railroad bridge; to exceed 50 yards in length, is allowed per person. and with gigs in all inland public waters. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip ● Stationary nets must run parallel to the nearest shoreline. and bow nets in all inland public waters. ● Anchored, fixed or drift gill nets must be marked at each end with Bertie: July 1-June 30 with traps in Broad Creek (tributary of two separate yellow buoys which shall be of solid foam or other Roanoke River). Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all solid buoyant material no less than 5 inches in their smallest dimen- inland public waters, excluding public lakes, ponds and other sion. Buoys on each of the nets shall be marked (by engraving impounded waters. buoys or attaching engraved metal or plastic tags) with one of the Bladen: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Black River. following: owner’s N.C. vessel registration number, owner’s U.S. Brunswick: Dec. 1-May 1 with dip and bow nets in Alligator vessel documentation name or owner’s last name and initials. Creek, Hoods Creek, Indian Creek, Orton Creek below Orton ● No wires or ropes associated with a special fishing device may Pond, Rices Creek, Sturgeon Creek and Town Creek. March 15 extend across any navigable watercourse. to April 15 (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only) with attended gill nets in Town Creek. Fish-Trap Restrictions Buncombe: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters, except ● A fish trap may be no more than 60 inches in length and no designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. more than 30 inches in depth or width. Burke: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters, ● No lead nets, wing nets or other devices may be attached to the except Johns River and designated Public Mountain Trout trap nor used within 25 feet of the trap. Waters. July 1-June 30 with traps, gigs and spear guns in all ● Such devices when set and left unattended shall be affixed with a public waters, except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters card or tag furnished by the license-holder and upon which his and Lake James. Fishing by use of an unattended float is name and address shall be legibly inscribed. prohibited on Lake James (local law). ● Each pot must be marked by attaching a floating buoy, which Cabarrus: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 23 July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. Moore’s and Perry’s ponds, and in the Franklinton city ponds. Caldwell: July 1-June 30 with traps, gigs and spear guns in all Gaston: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. public waters, except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. July 1-June 30 with gigs, traps and spear guns in all public waters. Camden: July 1-June 30 with traps in all inland public waters. Gates: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public waters, waters, excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. Graham: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Carteret: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. public waters, except South River and the tributaries of the Granville: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Kerr White Oak River. Reservoir. July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in the Neuse River and the Caswell: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters. July 1-Aug. Tar River below U.S. 158 bridge. July 1-June 30 with dip nets in 31 with seines in all running public waters, except Moons Creek. Kerr Reservoir. July 1-June 30 with cast nets in all public waters. Catawba: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters, Greene: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets and reels in except Catawba River below Lookout Dam. July 1-June 30 with Contentnea Creek. traps, spear guns and gigs in all public waters. Guilford: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Haw River, Deep River Chatham: Dec. 1-April 15 with dip and gill nets in the Cape Fear below Jamestown Dam and Reedy Fork Creek below U.S. 29 River, Haw River, Deep River and Rocky River (local law). July 1- bridge. July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters. Aug. 31 with seines in the Cape Fear River and Haw River. July 1- Halifax: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Beech Swamp, June 30 with traps in Deep River; and with gigs in all public waters. Clarks Canal, Conoconnara Swamp, Fishing Creek below the Cherokee: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Fishing Creek Mill Dam, Kehukee Swamp, Looking Glass Gut, designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Quankey Creek and White’s Mill Pond Run. April 1-June 15 in Chowan: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public Fishing Creek on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, shad and waters, excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded herring may be taken with skim or gill nets having a bar mesh of waters. July 1-June 30 with traps in all inland public waters, not less than 1.5 inch (local law). excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. Harnett: Jan. 1-May 31 with gigs in Cape Fear River and tributaries. Clay: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Cape Fear River. designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Haywood: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Lake Cleveland: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. Junaluska and designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION

July 1- June 30 with gigs, traps and spear guns in all public waters. Henderson: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Columbus: Dec. 1-March 1 with gigs in all inland public waters designated Public Mountain Trout Waters.

ND except Lake Waccamaw and its tributaries. Dec. 1-June 5 with Hertford: July 1-June 30 with traps in Wiccacon Creek. Dec. 1- dip and bow nets in Livingston Creek. June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public waters,

LA Craven: July 1-June 30 with traps in the main run of the Trent and excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. Neuse rivers. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland Hyde: July 1-June 30 with traps in all inland waters. Dec. 1-June 5 IN public waters, except Pitch Kettle, Grindle, Slocum (downstream with dip and bow nets in all inland public waters, excluding from the U.S. 70 bridge), Spring and Hancock creeks and their public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. tributaries; and with seines in the Neuse River. Iredell: July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters; and Currituck: July 1-June 30 with traps in Tulls Creek and Northwest with spear guns in Lookout Shoals Reservoir and Lake Norman. River. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public Jackson: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except waters, excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Dare: July 1-June 30 with traps in Mashoes Creek, Milltail Creek, Johnston: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Black Creek, Little East Lake and South Lake. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets River, Middle Creek, Mill Creek, Neuse River and Swift Creek. in all inland public waters, excluding public lakes, ponds and Jones: July 1-June 30 with traps in the Trent River below U.S. 17 other impounded waters. bridge and White Oak River below U.S. 17 bridge. Dec. 1-June Davidson: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public waters except the July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters; and with traps in tributaries to White Oak River. all public waters except Leonard’s Creek, Abbott’s Creek below Lee: Dec. 1-April 15 with dip and gill nets in Cape Fear River and Lake Thom-A-Lex dam and the Abbott’s Creek arm of High Deep River (local law); and with gill nets in Morris Pond. July 1- Rock Lake upstream from the N.C. 8 bridge. Aug. 31 with seines in Cape Fear River. July 1-June 30 with Davie: July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. July traps in Deep River; and with gigs in all public waters. 1-Aug. 31 for taking only carp and suckers with seines in Lenoir: July 1-June 30 with traps in Neuse River below U.S. 70 Dutchman’s Creek from U.S. 601 to Yadkin River and in bridge at Kinston. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Hunting Creek from S.R. 1338 to South Yadkin River. Neuse River and Contentnea Creek upstream from N.C. 118 Duplin: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets and seines in the bridge at Grifton; and with seines in Neuse River. main run of the Northeast Cape Fear River downstream from a Lincoln: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. point one mile above Serecta Bridge. July 1-June 30 with traps, gigs and spear guns in all public waters. Durham: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Neuse River. July 1-June 30 McDowell: July 1- Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters with gigs in all public waters. except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. July 1-June Edgecombe: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all public waters. 30 with traps, gigs and spear guns in all public waters except Forsyth: July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters, designated Public Mountain Trout Waters and Lake James. except traps may not be used in Belews Creek Reservoir. Fishing by use of an unattended float is prohibited on Lake Franklin: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Tar River. July 1-June 30 with James (local law). gigs in all public waters, except Parrish, Laurel Mill, Jackson, Clifton, Macon: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except 24 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Richmond: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters, IN

Madison: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except except Pee Dee River from Blewett Falls Dam downstream to the LA designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Seaboard Coastline Railroad trestle. July 1-June 30 with traps

Martin: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public waters, and gigs in all public waters, except lakes located on the Sand- ND excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. hills Game Land. March 1-April 30 with dip and bow nets in Pee

Mecklenburg: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. Dee River below Blewett Falls FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION July 1-June 30 with traps, gigs and spear guns in all public waters Robeson: Dec. 1-March 1 with gigs in all inland public waters. except Freedom Park Pond and Hornet’s Nest pond. Rockingham: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Dan River and Haw Montgomery: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public River. July 1-June 30 with traps in Dan River; and with gigs waters, except in Pee Dee River between Tillery Dam and Rocky in all public waters. River. July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. Rowan: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. Moore: Dec. 1-April 15 with gill nets in Deep River and all July 1 - June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. tributaries. July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public Rutherford: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters except Deep River. July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. July 1- waters except lakes located on the Sandhills Game Land; and June 30 with traps, gigs and spear guns in all public waters with traps in Deep River and its tributaries. except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Nash: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Tar River. Sampson: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Big Coharrie Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in the Tar River below Harris’ Creek, Black River and Six Runs Creek. Landing and Fishing Creek below the Fishing Creek Mill Dam. Stanly: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters, New Hanover: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland except Pee Dee River between Tillery Dam and Rocky River. public waters except Sutton (Catfish) Lake. July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. Northampton: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Stokes: July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters Gaston and Roanoke Rapids reservoirs and the Roanoke River except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters; and traps above the U.S. 301 bridge. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets may not be used in Belews Creek Reservoir. in Occoneechee Creek, Old River Landing Gut and Vaughns Surry: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except desig- Creek below Watsons Mill. nated Public Mountain Trout Waters; and with traps in the Onslow: July 1-June 30 with traps in White Oak River below U.S. main stem of Yadkin River. 17 bridge. Aug. 1-March 31 with eel pots in the main run of Swain: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except desig- New River between U.S. 17 bridge and the mouth of Hawkins nated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Creek. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in the main run of Transylvania: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except New River and White Oak River. March 1-April 30 with dip and designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. bow nets in Grant’s Creek. Tyrrell: July 1-June 30 with traps in Scuppernong River and Orange: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Haw River. July 1-June 30 Alligator Creek. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all with gigs in all public waters. inland public waters, excluding impounded public waters. Pamlico: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public Union: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in all running public waters. waters, except Dawson Creek. July 1-June 30 with traps and gigs in all public waters. Pasquotank: July 1-June 30 with traps in all inland waters, except Vance: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in the Tar River. July 1-June 30 Dawson Creek. Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all with gigs in all public waters except Rolands, Faulkners, Souther- inland public waters, excluding public lakes, ponds and other lands and Weldon ponds, City Lake, and Kerr Reservoir. July 1- impounded waters. June 30 with dip nets in Kerr Reservoir. July 1-June 30 with cast Pender: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in the Northeast Cape nets in all public waters. Fear River, Long Creek, Black River; and with seines in the main Wake: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Sunset, run of Northeast Cape Fear River. Dec. 1-May 1 with dip and Benson, Wheeler, Raleigh and Johnson lakes. Dec. 1-June 5 with bow nets in Black River; and with dip, bow and attended gill dip and bow nets in the Neuse River below Milburnie Dam, and nets in Moore’s Creek to a point approximately one mile up- Swift Creek below Lake Benson Dam. stream to New Moon Fishing Camp. Warren: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Fishing Creek, Shocco Creek Perquimans: July 1-June 30 with traps in all inland waters. Dec. 1- and Walker Creek, excluding Duck and Hammes Mill ponds. June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland public waters, July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except Duck and excluding public lakes, ponds and other impounded waters. Hammes Mill ponds, Kerr Reservoir and Gaston Reservoir. July Person: July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Hyco Creek and Mayo Creek. 1-June 30 with dip and cast nets in Kerr Reservoir. July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters. Washington: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in all inland Pitt: July 1-June 30 with traps in Neuse River and in Tar River below public waters, excluding impounded public waters. the mouth of Hardee Creek east of Greenville. Dec. 1-June 5 with Wayne: Dec. 1-June 5 with dip and bow nets in Little River, Mill dip and bow nets in all inland public waters, except Grindle Creek, Creek and Neuse River, except from Quaker Neck Dam down- and Contentnea Creek between N.C. 118 bridge at Grifton and stream to S.R. 1008 (Tolar) bridge. the Neuse River. Dec. 1-June 5 with seines in Tar River. Wilkes: July 1-June 30 with traps in Yadkin River below W. Kerr Polk: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters except desig- Scott Reservoir; and with gigs and spear guns in all public nated Public Mountain Trout Waters. waters except designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Randolph: Dec. 1 - March 1 with gill nets in Deep River and Wilson: July 1-June 30 with gigs in Contentnea Creek (except Uwharrie River. July 1-Aug. 31 with seines in Deep River above Buckhorn Reservoir), including unnamed tributaries between the Coleridge Dam and in Uwharrie River. July 1-June 30 with Flowers Mill and S.R. 1163 (Deans) bridge. Dec. 1-June 5 with gigs in all public waters. dip and bow nets in Contentnea Creek below U.S. 301 bridge Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 25 and in Toisnot Swamp downstream from the Lake Toisnot Dam. FISHING ACCESS AREA REGULATIONS Yadkin: July 1-June 30 with gigs in all public waters, and with traps It is unlawful to: in the main stem of Yadkin River. ● Use any public fishing area for purposes other than fishing, except where facilities are provided and approved uses are MISCELLANEOUS PROHIBITIONS posted. All other uses—including swimming, sunbathing on Possession of Certain Fishes piers or decks, possessing loaded firearms, launching or ● It is unlawful to transport, purchase, possess or sell any live indi- mooring jet skis or boats, skiing, building fires, operating viduals of piranha, “walking catfish” (Clarias batrachus), snake- concessions or other activities not directly associated with head fish (from the Family Channidae, formerly Ophiocephalidae), fishing—are prohibited. white amur or “grass carp” (Ctenopharyngodon idella), black carp ● Use gasoline motors on Lake Rim in Cumberland County, and (Mylopharyngodon piceus), swamp eel (Monopterus albus), red on Newbold and Etheridge ponds in Edgecombe County. shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) rudd (Scardinius erythropthalomus), round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), tubenose goby (Protero- BOATING ACCESS AREA REGULATIONS rhinus marmoratus), ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus), Japanese It is unlawful to: mystery snail (Cipangopaludina japonica), Chinese mystery snail ● Leave any vehicle, trailer, boat or other obstruction where it will (Cipantopaludina chinensis malleata), red-rim melania (Melanoides impede the use of the ramp by others. tuberculatus), virile crayfish (Orconectes (Gremicambarus) virilis), ● Park any vehicles, trailer or boat anywhere on the area when the or rusty crayfish (Orconectes (Procericambarus) rusticus), or to parking zone is fully occupied. This does not prohibit legal use stock any of them in the public or private waters of North of the ramp. Carolina, except that certified triploid grass carp and black carp ● Use the area for swimming, camping, operating concessions or may be bought, possessed and stocked according to procedures for any use other than the launching and recovery of boats and established by the Wildlife Resources Commission. parking of vehicles and boat trailers, except where facilities for a ● It is unlawful to take or possess any state or federally designated particular use are provided. endangered, threatened, or species of special concern, including ● Operate any vessel within 50 yards of the ramp at a speed sturgeon from the inland waters of North Carolina. greater than “No Wake” speed. ● It is unlawful to possess eels less than 6 inches in length. ● Possess loaded firearms on the access area. ● It is unlawful to possess, transport or release live alewife or ● Operate a vehicle on any boat access area in a manner so as to

FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION blueback herring in the Little Tennessee River and the Catawba endanger life or property.

River, upstream of Lookout Shoals Dam, and their tributaries ● Deposit any debris or refuse anywhere on the grounds of the area. and impoundments. ● Fail to obey any instruction or signs regulating use of the ND ● It is unlawful to stock fish into public fishing waters without a access area. ●

LA permit from the Wildlife Resources Commission. Conduct a fishing tournament weigh-in without first obtaining ● Grass carp may not be possessed on Lake James, Lake Norman, a letter of authorization from the Division of Engineering Ser- IN Mountain Island, Gaston and Roanoke Rapids reservoirs, except vices by calling (919) 715-3155, Ext. 2. This permit must be that 2 fish per day may be taken by bow and arrow. available for inspection by wildlife enforcement officers during the tournament. Large Landing Nets The possession of large landing nets ● Park in a handicapped space without displaying a handicapped (greater than 60 inches circumference) is prohibited in the plate or sign. North Carolina portion of Dan River downstream from Danville and in the Roanoke River between the U.S. 258 bridge and the GENERAL FISHING INFORMATION dam at Roanoke Rapids Lake. For fishing information relating to land administered by other agencies, contact the appropriate agency: ● Blue Ridge Parkway Fishing On Game Lands 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803 ● In all game lands ponds, forked-tail catfish may be taken only by Telephone: (828) 271-4779, Ext. 200 hook and line, and the daily creel limit is six fish in aggregate. ● Cherokee Indian Reservation ● The use of special fishing devices, including crab pots, is prohib- P.O. Box 302, Cherokee, NC 28719 ited in designated waterfowl impoundments located on game Telephone: (828) 497-5201 lands. Exception: Nongame fish may be taken year-round with ● Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge bow and arrow (except crossbows) from waterfowl impound- 38 Mattamuskeet Rd., Swanquarter, NC 27885 ments located entirely on game lands other than the impounded Telephone: (252) 926-4021 waters on the Sandhills Game Land and designated Public ● Great Smoky Mountains National Park 107 Park Headquarters Rd. Mountain Trout Waters. Gatlinburg, TN 37738 ● All game lands are open to public fishing with the following Telephone: (865) 436-1200 exceptions: ● U.S. Forest Service Wilderness Areas - Restocked ponds when posted against fishing. National Forests in North Carolina - Grogan Creek in Transylvania County, which serves as a fish P.O. Box 2750, Asheville, NC 28802 hatchery and water supply. Telephone: (828) 257-4200 - Hunting Creek Swamp Waterfowl Refuge in Davie County. ● Division of Marine Fisheries - Private ponds where fishing may be prohibited by property P. O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557 Telephone: 1-800-682-2632 owners. ● MacKay Island National Wildlife Refuge For additional information on game lands see pages 44-50. P.O. Box 31 Knotts Island, NC 27950 Telephone: (252) 429-3100 26 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. NORTH CAROLINA FRESH WATER FISHING RECORDS IN

Weight LA Species Lbs/Oz Location Date Angler’s Name Lure Or Bait

BASS ND Bodie (SBxWB) 17/7 Lake Chatuge 3/15/96 Michael R.Hogsed Rebel jointed plug

Roanoke 2/10.75 Nash County Fishing Creek 4/27/94 Richard Elijah Evans Spinner bait FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Largemouth 15/14 Farm Pond/Union County 3/29/91 William H.Wofford Crankbait Rock (Redeye) 1/14 Deep River 4/29/98 Robert W. Lytton Crappie jig Smallmouth 10/2 Hiwassee Reservoir 6/1/51 Archie Lampkin Unknown Spotted 6/5 Lake Norman 12/26/03 Eric M. Weir Zoom Finesse Worm Striped 54/2 Hiwassee Reservoir 6/7/91 Larry Kleith Verner Minnow White 5/14 Kerr Reservoir 3/15/86 Jim King Bucktail

CATFISH Blue 85/0 Lake Norman 6/19/04 Joel Lineberger White perch Flathead 69/0 Cape Fear River 7/26/94 Edward C. Davis Perch White 13/0 Lake James 5/21/90 Jerry Wayne Bentley Nightcrawler Brown bullhead 3/12 Buck Hall Creek 4/26/97 Gregory Dale Hughes Nightcrawler

PERCH White 2/15 Falls of the Neuse Reservoir 12/16/01 Bob G. Williams Jr. Strata Spoon Yellow 2/9 Indiantown Creek 2/8/90 Evelyn G. Ethridge Minnow

PICKEREL Chain 8/0 Gaston Reservoir 2/13/68 John H. Leonard Minnow Redfin 2/4 Gallberry Swamp 6/23/97 Edward C. Davis Minnow

SHAD American 7/15.5 Tar River 4/10/74 R.S. Proctor Shad dart Hickory 4/1 Pitchkettle Creek 2/22/04 Trey Maroules Spoon

SUNFISH Redear (Shellcracker) 4/6* Lookout Shoals Lake 6/12/88 Rondal Sweet Orange rooster-tail Bluegill 4/5 Henderson County 7/27/67 Danny Case Catawba worm Flier 1/5 Private Pond 3/17/90 Douglas N. McCall Cricket Green 0/8 Farm Pond, Guilford Co. 9/16/98 Craig Wyrick Plastic worm Redbreast 1/12 Bladen Co. Big Swamp 5/29/83 Ronald Stanley Beetle spin Warmouth 1/13 Richmond Co. McLeods Pond 5/7/76 Emma Sears Minnow Pumpkinseed 1/6 Trent River 5/21/03 John Koonce Eel

TROUT Brook 7/7 Raven Fork River 5/15/80 G.L. Marshall, Jr. Rooster tail Brown 24/10 Nantahala River 4/17/98 Robert Lee Dyer Rapala Rainbow 16/5 Jackson County 12/20/89 Terry L. Gregory Nightcrawler

OTHER Bowfin 17/15 Black River 6/21/97 Gregory A. Demery S.r.. Cut bait, sunfish Carp 48/0 Mecklenburg Co. Pond 3/11/86 William Houston Jr. Unknown Crappie 4/15 Asheboro City Lake #4 4/27/80 Dean Dixon Minnow Freshwater Drum 17/8 Kerr Lake 12/27/03 Paul J. Riggs, Jr. Jig Grass Carp 68/12 Summerlius Pond, Leland 6/8/98 David W. Stowell Rebel Pop R Longnose Gar 19/4 North East Cape Fear River 5/15/02 Joseph M. Mobley Rapala Broken Back Minnow Muskellunge 41/8 Lake Adger 1/23/01 Richard W. Dodd Big Mack Muskellunge, tiger** 33/8 Lake James 4/3/88 Gary Dean Nanney Buz bait Pike, northern** 11/13 Lake James 8/26/78 Keith Gilliam Storm wiggle wart Sauger 5/15 Lake Norman 7/25/71 David Shook Top water Rapala Smallmouth buffalo 88/0 Lake Wylie 11/14/93 Tony Crawford Pack bait Walleye 13/8 Lake Chatuge (Shooting Cr.) 8/16/86 Lamar L. Cofer Old faithful spoon *This record was tied by SCOTT MILLER in Union Farm Pond on June 12, 1994. **These fishes are no longer present in North Carolina waters.

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 27 NORTH CAROLINA ANGLER RECOGNITION PROGRAM Effective July 1, 1997, any angler who catches a fish meeting specific size requirements can apply to have the catch recognized as a “trophy” fish through the North Carolina Angler Recognition Program, or NCARP. This program provides recognition to all anglers who catch trophy-size fish that are not large enough to qualify as state record fish.

North Carolina Angler Recognition Program minimum trophy fish weight or length requirements Weight Length Weight Length Species (Lbs.) (Inches) Species (Lbs.) (Inches) Largemouth Bass 8 24 Hickory Shad 2 13 Smallmouth Bass 3 19 Sunfish Spotted Bass 2 15 Redbreast (Robin) 1 11 Striped Bass 10 27 Redear (Shellcracker) 1 11 Bodie Bass 8 24 Green 1 9 White Bass 2 17 Flier 0.4 8 Bowfin 10 22 Bluegill 1 11 Carp 20 34 Warmouth 1 11 Catfish Rock Bass 1 11 Blue 30 41 Roanoke Bass 1 11 Channel 10 30 Mountain Trout: Hatchery Raised Flathead 30 41 Brook (speckled) 2 16 White 4 21 Brown 2.5 18 Crappie (Black or White) 2 16 Rainbow 2.5 18 Longnose Gar 10 48 Mountain Trout: Wild Trout Muskellunge 20 41 Brook (speckled) 0.5 10 White Perch 1 12 Brown 2 15 Yellow Perch 1 14 Rainbow 0.75 12 Chain Pickerel 4 26 Walleye 6 23 FISHING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION

American Shad 3 16 ND NCARP APPLICATION FORM LA Form must be printed out, filled out completely and mailed to the address below. Please print. IN Angler Information

Name ______Social Security Number ______

Street Address ______

City ______State______Zip______

Phone Number (____)______

Fish Information

Kind of Fish ______Date Caught______

Weight ______lbs.______oz. OR Length______inches______

Body of Water Where Caught ______County______

Bait: ❑ Natural ❑ Artificial

Type of Water: ❑ Pond ❑ Reservoir/Lake ❑ River/Stream ❑ Sound/Bay

Enclose a check or money order for $5 payable to NCWRC-NCARP and mail to: N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission - NCARP, Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1721

28 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. It is legal in this state to trap beaver, coyote, groundhog, TRAPPING SEASONS TRAPPING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunk, weasel Season Applicable Area and bobcat during the trapping seasons listed below unless Nov. 7 - Feb. 12 In and west of Surry, Wilkes, Alexander, otherwise noted. It is legal to trap coyotes during any fox Catawba, Burke, and Cleveland counties. trapping season established by statute. Dec. 15 - Feb. 28 In and east of Hertford, Bertie, Martin, Pitt, Greene, Lenoir, Duplin, Pender and New Hanover counties, General Trapping Restrictions except in the marshes adjoining Currituck Sound. It is unlawful to: Dec. 15-Mar. 12 Currituck County ● Trap a raccoon in and west of Surry, Yadkin, Wilkes, Alexander, Dec. 1- Feb. 20 In all other counties. Catawba, Lincoln and Gaston counties. The following season bag limits apply in the ● Trap or take an otter on Roanoke Island north of U.S. 64/264 in counties noted: Dare County. 30 Raccoons: In and east of Rockingham, Guilford, ● Set a steel trap for a mink or a muskrat in or west of Surry, Randolph, Montgomery, and Anson counties Wilkes, Alexander, Catawba, Burke and Cleveland counties, 20 Raccoons: In Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie, except in or adjacent to lakes, streams or ponds. Forsyth, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, ● Sell or otherwise transfer ownership of the carcass or pelt of a Stokes and Union counties bobcat or otter without first tagging it with the appropriate tag Five Otters: In and west of Stokes, Forsyth, Davie, available from the Wildlife Commission. The fee is $2.20 for Iredell and Mecklenburg counties each bobcat or otter tag. You may purchase these tags by tele- NOTE: In addition to the regular trapping seasons phone, 1-888-248-6834, using a VISA or MasterCard credit listed above, coyotes may be taken in counties, card, or you can mail your request along with the fee to: areas and times where fox trapping is allowed NCWRC, Bobcat/Otter Tags, 1707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, by statute. NC 27699-1707. Include your name, address and hunting or Nov. 1- Mar. 31 Statewide for beaver only. trapping license number. NOTE: All fur must be tagged within NOTE: Landowners whose property is or has 10 days of the close of the applicable season. been damaged or destroyed by beaver may take ● Open or damage a beaver lodge without a permit from the beaver on their property anytime by any lawful Wildlife Resources Commission. method without obtaining a permit from the ● Set snares of any type, except for capturing beavers. Wildlife Resources Commission. The landowner may obtain assistance from other persons in You should also read the “Game Lands” section of this digest for taking the depredating beaver by giving those trapping restrictions on certain game lands. persons permission to take beaver on the landowner’s property. Statewide Trapping Laws It is unlawful to: Attendance Every trap must be visited daily and any animal ● Take wild animals by trapping upon the land of another with- caught therein removed, except for completely submerged out having in possession written permission issued and dated Conibear-type traps, which must be visited at least once within the previous year by the landowner or his agent. every 72 hours and any animal caught therein removed. ● Take wild animals by trapping with any steel-jaw, leg-hold or Conibear-type trap unless the trap: UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT OF PERSONS a. has a jaw spread of not more than 7 1/2 inches. TAKING WILDLIFE RESOURCES b. is horizontally offset with a closed jaw offset of at least 3/16 of In North Carolina, it is unlawful for a person to interfere intentionally an inch for a trap with a jaw spread of more than 5 1/2 inches. with the lawful taking of wildlife resources or to drive, harass, or This provision does not apply if the trap is set in the water with intentionally disturb any wildlife resources for the purpose of dis- a quick-drown type set. rupting the lawful taking of wildlife resources on public or private c. is smooth edged and without teeth or spikes. property. NOTE: This law does not apply to activity by a person d. has a weather-resistant permanent tag attached legibly giving on land he or she owns or leases or to a person who incidentally the trapper’s name and address. interferes with the taking of wildlife resources while using the land ● Set a steel-jaw or leghold trap on dry land with solid anchor for other lawful activity such as agriculture, mining, or recreation. with a trap chain longer than 8 inches from trap to anchor Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable for a first unless fitted with a shock-absorbing device approved by the conviction by a fine not to exceed $1,000, by imprisonment not Wildlife Resources Commission. to exceed 30 days, or by both and punishable for a second or ● Set a trap of the number 330 Conibear-type or size unless subsequent conviction by a fine left to the discretion of the court at least one-half of the trap is covered by water. (N.C. General Statute 295). ● Remove or disturb any lawfully set trap or remove any furbear- ing animal from a trap without permission of the trap owner. What Should I Do? If you experience unlawful harassment, ● Set or use a trap so that animals or birds will be suspended immediately notify your nearest wildlife enforcement officer, when caught. county sheriff’s office or local police department. Advise the ● Set or use a hook of any sort or type to take wild animals authorities of this law and that you wish to hunt peacefully. or wild birds. What Not to Do Do not provoke a fight, threaten reprisals or use profanity. Remember that some anti-hunting activists seek confrontation and may be accompanied by the news media.

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 29 MANNER OF TAKING animals and birds, including, but not limited to, rabbits, squirrels, Definition of Take To take is defined as all operations quail, grouse and pheasants. Poisonous, drugged, barbed or during, immediately preparatory and immediately subsequent explosive arrowheads may not be used for taking any game. to an attempt, whether successful or not, to capture, kill, ● It is unlawful to hunt with a crossbow, except for disabled pursue, hunt or otherwise harm or reduce to possession any hunters with a crossbow permit. fisheries resources or wildlife resources. Crossbows Season Dates Crossbows are legal only for disabled persons with a permit from For most species, hunting seasons are set to open on the same day the Wildlife Resources Commission. Refer to the “Disabled of the week every year and at the same general time. For example, Sportsman” section on page 9 for qualification and application the season for red and gray squirrels opens on the Monday on or information. Crossbows used under this permit must have a nearest to October 15 and continues through January 31 every minimum draw weight of 150 pounds. Bolts must use heads as year. For some individual species, changes in a season appear in described for arrows in the preceding section. red ink. However, most seasonal dates that are different from last year are the result of the annual shift of days in each year’s calendar. Shotguns ● Shotguns must be no larger than 10-gauge. General Restrictions ● When hunting migratory game birds, shotguns must be plugged ● Lawful seasons and bag limits for each species apply beginning so as to limit their maximum capacity to three shells. with the first day of the listed season and continue through the last day of the listed season, with all dates being included except Pistols Sundays. Hunting seasons are closed on Sundays, except on ● During the open hunting season for rabbits, squirrels, opossums, some military installations under the exclusive jurisdiction of raccoons, furbearing animals and legal nongame animals and the federal government. birds, these species may be taken with a pistol of .22-caliber ● Game birds and animals, other than raccoon and opossum, and with a barrel not less than 5.5 inches in length. other animals for which a season has been set, may be taken only ● A hunter or trapper lawfully taking wildlife by another method between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset may use a pistol to dispatch the animal or bird taken, except as with rifle, pistol, shotgun, bow and arrow, dogs or by means of fal- noted below. conry. Call 1-800-675-0263 for shooting hours for migratory birds. ● Pistols may not be carried during the bow-and-arrow and HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION ● It is unlawful to use any of the following in taking wild birds muzzleloader deer hunting seasons. or animals: ● Deer, bear and wild boar may be taken with a handgun during the -artificial lights (including laser sights), established gun hunting season provided that the handgun is not -electronic or recorded calls (except electronic calls are per- less than .24-caliber. Muzzleloading pistols are not legal for hunting. mitted for crow or coyote hunting), ● It is unlawful to hunt or take wild turkeys with pistols. -motor vehicles (at no time may any wild game or birds be taken with the aid of a motor vehicle while the passenger Rifles area is occupied or while the vehicle engine is running), ● Rifles are prohibited by federal law in hunting migratory game birds. -motorboats, ● Local laws prohibit or restrict rifles in some counties. -sailboats (except as immobilized hunting stands) or ● It is unlawful to hunt or take wild turkeys with rifles. -airplanes ● It is unlawful to use bait in taking wild birds or to take wild boar Field Trials and Dogs Dogs may not be used as follows: or bear with the use or aid of bait, which includes any salt, salt ● To run or chase deer during closed season, except when under lick, grain, fruit, honey, sugar-based material or substance, the control of the owner. animal parts or animal products. ● To hunt deer during primitive weapons seasons. ● No wild turkey may be taken from an area in which bait has ● To hunt, run or chase deer at any time in that portion of Wake been placed until the expiration of 10 days after the bait has County south of N.C. 98 or south of I-85 in Orange County; in been consumed or otherwise removed. Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee and Wayne coun- ● It is unlawful to take deer that are swimming or in water above ties; or in and west of the counties of Rockingham, Guilford, the knees of the deer. Randolph, Montgomery and Anson (west of N.C. 742). ● Migratory game birds may be taken only during the hours and in ● Except as allowed by regulations pertaining to authorized field the manner permitted by federal regulations. trials, it is unlawful to possess firearms, axes, saws or tree-climb- ● It is unlawful to shoot at or into a squirrel’s nest. ing equipment while training or running dogs during closed season. ● Individuals engaged in box trapping rabbits must have an ● Individuals engaged in training dogs and individuals who are active appropriate hunting license. participants in field trials must have an appropriate hunting license. ● Commission sanctioned field trials may allow hunters to conduct Bow and Arrow field trials with dogs in areas and at times authorized with the ● Bow-and-arrow hunting is limited to bows, longbows and recurved use of approved weapons and ammunition and may authorize bows having a minimum pull of 45 pounds and compound bows the use of certain domestically raised birds. with a minimum pull of 35 pounds. Only arrows with a fixed ● Commission sanctioned field trials allow license reciprocity for minimum broadhead width of 7/8 inch or a mechanically participants, dog owners, handlers and judges. opening broadhead with a minimum width of 7/8 inch in the ● Applications for authorization of a Commission sanctioned field open position may be used for taking bear, deer, wild boar or trial must be submitted in writing to a wildlife enforcement wild turkey. Blunt-type arrowheads may be used in taking small officer at least thirty days prior to the scheduled event. 30 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. ● Applications for authorization of a Commission sanctioned field HUNTING ON FEDERAL LANDS HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION trial may be obtained online at www.ncwildlife.org. > Licenses/ State regulations and license requirements apply on federal lands. Permits/Registration/Titling > Other Licenses/Permits > Permit Some of the areas listed below may be closed to hunting. For Guide/Other Permits > Field Trial Permit specific information, contact the appropriate federal entity:

Boats Deer may not be hunted from boats or other floating Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge devices in some counties. P.O. Box 1969, Manteo, NC 27954 Phone (252) 473-1131 Hunter or Blaze Orange Any person hunting bear, deer, wild Camp Lejeune boar, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant and quail with the use of Base Game Warden, Assistant Chief of Staff Installation Security firearms must wear a cap or hat made of hunter-orange material and Safety Dept, Building PT-4, Camp Lejeune, NC 28542 or an outer garment of hunter orange visible from all sides. Phone (910) 451-5226 or 451-2196 Cape Hatteras National Seashore Artificial Lights 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954 ● In addition to the prohibition of taking wildlife with the use Phone (252) 473-2111 of artificial light, many counties have local regulations that Cape Lookout National Seashore prohibit shining lights on deer or searching for deer with lights 131 Charles St., Harkers Island, NC 28531 30 minutes after sunset or after 11 p.m. A color-coded map Phone (252) 728-2250 showing county shining laws is presented on page 38. Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge ● The flashing or display of any artificial light between 30 minutes P.O. Box 349, Suffolk, VA 23439-0349 after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise in any area that is Phone (757) 986-3705 frequented or inhabited by wild deer by any person who has Fort Bragg accessible to him or her a firearm, crossbow or other bow and Wildlife Hunting and Fishing Center, Fort Bragg, NC 28307 arrow constitutes prima-facie evidence of taking deer with the Phone (910) 396-7506 aid of an artificial light. Mackay Island and Currituck National Wildlife Refuges ● Raccoon and opossum may be taken at night, with dogs during P.O. Box 39, Knotts Island, NC 27950 open seasons, with the use of artificial lights commonly used to Phone (252) 429-3100 aid in taking raccoon and opossum. Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point Environmental Affairs Dept. Natural Resources Manager, Road Hunting Local laws prohibit or restrict hunting or PSC Box 8006, Marine Corps Air Station, shooting from public roads or possession of a loaded firearm Cherry Point, NC 28533-0006 on road right-of-ways in some counties. Phone (252) 466-3593 Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge OTHER RESTRICTIONS 38 Mattamuskeet Rd., Swan Quarter, NC 27885 Local Laws There are many local laws affecting hunting and Phone (252) 926-4021 trapping in North Carolina. An abstract of local laws that are Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge more restrictive than general regulations is included in this P.O. Box 1969, Manteo, NC 27954 digest. See the “Local Laws” section on page 51. Phone (252) 473-1131 Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge Exotic Species It is unlawful to place exotic species of wild Rt. 1, Box 92, Wadesboro, NC 28170 animals or wild birds not indigenous to that area in an area for the Phone (704) 694-4424 purpose of stocking the area for hunting or trapping. (There are cer- Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge tain limited exceptions for licensed controlled hunting preserves.) P.O. Box 329, Columbia, NC 27925 Phone (252) 796-3004 Transfer of Wildlife An individual may accept the gift Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge of wildlife lawfully taken within North Carolina if taking P.O. Box 430, Windsor, NC 27983 possession does not cause the individual to exceed applicable Phone (252) 794-3808 possession limits. The individual must note and preserve in Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal writing the name and address of the donor and under what Southport, NC 28461 license requirements the wildlife was taken. Phone (910) 457-8291. Ext. 291 U.S. Forest Service Trespass The establishment of open seasons does not obligate P.O. Box 2750, Asheville, NC 28802 the private landowner to allow hunting on his property, nor does Phone (828) 257-4200 it eliminate the ethical requirement for obtaining permission Blue Ridge Parkway from the landowner before hunting. Hunters are legally required Permits and information about special parkway regulations govern- to obtain written permission to hunt on posted property. ing access to adjoining game lands may be obtained from: The Superintendent, Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service, 400 State Fish Hatcheries It is unlawful to possess a loaded fire- BB&T Bldg., Asheville, NC 28801. Phone (828) 271-4779, Ext. 245. arm within a posted restricted zone on any state-owned fish hatch- ery or to discharge a firearm into or across such a restricted zone.

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 31 BIG GAME Sanctuary Applicable County or Counties BEAR Bachelor Bay Bear Sanctuary Bertie, Martin, and Washington Non-residents hunting bear must possess a bear/wild boar hunting Bombing Range Bear Sanctuary Dare license (See page 7). (except by permit only) Restrictions It is unlawful to do any of the following: Daniel Boone Bear Sanctuary Avery, Burke and Caldwell ● Hunt bear in any areas not included in the listings below. Columbus County Bear Sanctuary Columbus ● Take a cub (less than 50 pounds) or a female bear with cub(s). Croatan Bear Sanctuary Carteret, Craven and Jones ● Take a bear with the use or aid of bait, which includes any salt, Fires Creek Bear Sanctuary Clay salt lick, grain, fruit, honey, sugar-based material or substance, Flat Top Bear Sanctuary Mitchell and Yancey animal parts or animal products. Green Swamp Bear Sanctuary Brunswick ● Hunt bear on a bear sanctuary. (See the information below on Gull Rock Bear Sanctuary Hyde bear sanctuaries.) Gum Swamp Bear Sanctuary Pamlico and Beaufort Harmon Den Bear Sanctuary Haywood BEAR Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Jackson Bear Sanctuary Statewide Bag Limits Mt Mitchell Bear Sanctuary McDowell and Yancey Daily: 1 North River Bear Sanctuary Camden and Currituck Possession: 1 Pisgah Bear Sanctuary Buncombe, Haywood, Season: 1 Henderson and Transylvania BEAR SEASONS Pungo River Bear Sanctuary Hyde Season Dates Applicable Area Rich Mountain Bear Sanctuary Madison Oct. 17 - Nov. 19 West of the boundary formed by I-77 from the Sherwood Bear Sanctuary Haywood and Dec. 12- Jan. 2 Virginia state line to I-40 and I-40 west to N.C. Standing Indian Bear Sanctuary Macon 18 south to the South Carolina state line Suggs Mill Pond Bear Sanctuary Bladen Nov. 14 - Jan. 2 In the following counties and parts of counties: Thurmond Chatham Bear Sanctuary Wilkes Bladen Wayah Bear Sanctuary Macon Carteret Cumberland (south of N.C. 24 and east of the The following additional restrictions apply to bear sanctuaries:

HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Cape Fear River) ● It is unlawful to take wild boar on bear sanctuaries except during Duplin the deer gun season, with muzzleloaders during the muzzle- New Hanover loading deer season, and with bow and arrow during the deer Onslow bow-and-arrow season. Pender ● Dogs may not be used to take wild boar. Sampson (south of N.C. 24) ● Dogs may not be used to pursue bear. Dec. 5 - Jan. 2 Brunswick ● On those game lands open to deer hunting in and west of Rock- Columbus ingham, Guilford, Randolph, Montgomery and Anson counties, Nov. 14- 19 Beaufort dogs may be used, during the regular gun season for deer, only and Dec. 12 - 24 Bertie for taking game birds. As an exception to the above rule, dogs Camden may be used to take any legal small game during the gun season Chowan (that part north of U.S. 17) for deer in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Craven Polk and Swain counties, except on bear sanctuaries. Currituck (except Knott’s Island and the ● On the Fires Creek Bear Sanctuary, raccoon and opossum may Outer Banks) be hunted only from sunset Friday until sunrise Saturday and Dare from sunset until midnight on Saturday during the established Gates raccoon and opossum season. Hyde (except the Long Shoal tract of Gull ● The Harmon Den Bear Sanctuary and Sherwood Bear Sanctuary Rock Game Lands. See the “Game Lands in Haywood County are closed to raccoon, bobcat and opossum Section” of this digest.) hunting. Jones ● It is unlawful to train dogs or allow dogs to run unleashed on bear Pamlico (Use of dogs for bear hunting is sanctuaries in and west of Madison, Buncombe, Henderson and prohibited here.) Polk counties from March 1 until the Monday on or nearest Oct. 15. Pasquotank Ty rrell (except as noted on certain game lands; Attention Bear Hunters: The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commis- see the “Game Lands” section of this digest.) sion is collecting information from black bears harvested by Washington hunters. We use the upper premolar tooth (located directly Nov. 14-19 Hertford behind the upper canine tooth) from a harvested bear to and Dec. 12-14 Halifax (that part east of U.S. 301) determine the bear’s age. This information helps us monitor Martin the status of our bear population, which is an important Northampton (that part east of U.S. 301) aspect of our bear management program. If you harvest a bear, please contact our wildlife staff in the Bear Sanctuaries Bear may not be taken in those parts of field so that a tooth and other information may be collected. counties included in the following sanctuaries: If you cannot locate wildlife staff, please call the Wildlife 32 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Management division at (919) 733-7291 so that we may send Gun Either-Sex Deer Season HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION information to you on how to collect the tooth. If you provide ● Deer of either sex may only be taken during the gun season a tooth, we will mail the age of the bear you harvested to you during those dates indicated. Most gun either-sex seasons fall prior to the next hunting season. Your cooperation is appreciated. under one of the following four categories in North Carolina: - Maximum: Either-sex harvest is allowed the entire gun season. DEER - Moderate: Either-sex harvest is allowed the first six open days Seasons See the maps on the following pages for season dates for and the last six open days of the regular gun season. deer with visible antlers, primitive weapons seasons and general - Conservative: Either-sex harvest is allowed the last six open season dates for either-sex deer. days of the regular gun season. ● Seasons for deer with visible antlers and primitive weapons - Introductory: Either-sex harvest is allowed the last open day of seasons on game lands follow the season for the county in which the regular gun season. they are located except for Buffalo Cove Game Land, Sandhills Game Land and South Mountains Game Land. See the Game WILD BOAR Lands section for additional restrictions on Buffalo Cove Game Restrictions It is unlawful to: Land, Sandhills Game Land and South Mountains Game Land ● take wild boar with the use or aid of bait, which includes any salt, seasons. Refer to the “Game Lands” section for gun either-sex salt lick, grain, fruit, honey, sugar-based material or substance, deer season dates on game lands. animal parts or animal products. Nonresidents hunting boar must possess a bear/wild boar hunting General Restrictions license. (See page 7 of this digest.) ● Visible antlers are defined as bony structures that protrude Season Bag Limits through the skin. Knobs or buttons covered by skin or velvet Oct. 17 - Nov. 19 Daily: 1 are not considered visible antlers. and Dec. 12 - Jan. 2 Possession: 1 ● It is unlawful to carry any type of firearm while bow-and-arrow Season: 2 hunting during the bow-and-arrow seasons. ● Dogs may not be used for hunting deer during the bow-and- WILD TURKEY arrow or the muzzleloading firearm deer seasons. Restrictions It is unlawful to: ● Pistols may not be carried while hunting deer during the ● Use dogs during the spring wild turkey season. muzzleloading firearm season. ● Use pistols, rifles or muzzleloading rifles to hunt wild turkey. ● During the muzzleloading firearm season, only muzzleloading ● Release or to allow pen-raised wild turkeys to range free. rifles or muzzleloading shotguns may be used. Bow and arrows ● Take wild turkeys from an area in which bait has been placed. are not permitted to be used during the muzzleloading firearm (An area is considered baited until 10 days after the bait has seasons, except on areas designated and posted as “Archery been consumed or otherwise removed.) Zones” on game lands. Bag Limits ● During the gun deer season, bow and arrows, pistols (as Daily: 1 defined under manner of taking) and muzzleloading firearms Possession: 2 are legal weapons. Annual: Two birds, only one of which may be taken during the Bag Limits winter either-sex wild turkey season. ● In the Central region deer season where deer hunting with dogs is allowed and in all of the Eastern region season, the daily limit WINTER EITHER-SEX WILD TURKEY SEASON is two deer and the season limit is six deer, two of which must be Season Dates Applicable Area antlerless. In all other areas the daily limit is two deer and the sea- Jan. 16-21 Alleghany, Ashe, Caswell, Granville, Person, son limit is six deer, four of which must be antlerless. The posses- Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga and sion limit is the same as the season limit in all areas of the state. Wilkes counties except on game lands. ● Antlerless deer harvested under the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) are not included in normal statewide bag SPRING WILD TURKEY SEASON (Bearded turkeys only) limits. Hunters on these areas must follow harvest restrictions Season Dates Applicable Area prescribed in the DMAP Program. April 8 - May 6 Statewide ● Note: Antlerless deer may be taken only in those areas and during those times described elsewhere in this digest. YOUTH TURKEY HUNT DAY Either-Sex Deer Seasons Season Dates Applicable Area Bow-and-Arrow Deer Season April 1 Statewide on private lands ● Deer of either sex may be taken during bow-and-arrow deer Turkey hunting outside of the regular spring season is allowed for season in all areas (includes game lands). youth on the day designated as YOUTH TURKEY HUNT DAY Muzzleloading Firearm Deer Season statewide on private lands. Turkey hunting by youth is allowed on ● Deer of either sex may be taken during the last day of the selected game lands on this day by permit only. Each youth hunting muzzleloading firearm deer season in and west of Henderson, during this season must be accompanied by a properly licensed Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery and Watauga counties adult at least 21 years of age. The adult may accompany only one (includes game lands). youth during any particular hunt and only one weapon is allowed ● Deer of either sex may be taken anytime during the muzzleload- per youth hunter. ing firearm deer season in and east of Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, Caldwell, Polk, Wilkes and Ashe counties (includes game lands).

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 33 HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION WESTERN DEER SEASON

34 HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION NORTHWESTERN DEER SEASON

35 HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION CENTRAL DEER SEASON

36 HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION EASTERN DEER SEASON

37 Dare

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Wilkes A Alleghany A Gaston Catawba Lincoln Ashe Caldwell Cleveland atauga Burke W very A EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR • HUNTING FISHING WILDLIFE OBSERVATION EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES Rutherford

SHINING LIGHTS IN DEER AREAS SHINING LIGHTS IN DEER ell

h McDowell itc M Polk • WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION • INTERPRETATION • PADDLING • INTERPRETATION EDUCATION • WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENTAL ancey Y Endangered red wolves roam free in northeastern North Carolina. Red wolves, especially young wolves, look very similar to coyotes. Please help protect and preserve the red wolf species by exercising caution when in doubt about identification of game. SHINING LIGHTS IN DEER AREAS

VISIT NORTH CAROLINA’S NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES NATIONAL CAROLINA’S VISIT NORTH Henderson

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light in search of a deer at any time. T T No person shall, between the1/2 hours hour of before 11:00 sunrise, p.m. intentionallya and shine a light upon these areas. No person shall, between theand hours 1/2 of hour 1/2 before hour sunrise,a after intentionally sunset shine a lightthese upon areas. Unlawful to shine a lighta intentionally upon a deer or to sweep Haywood Jackson Macon Swain Clay Graham Cherokee

38 HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Dare

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e yrrell d ot Hyde m u T a sq s C a an P m ui rq Pe that portion that is Chowan : ashington W Gates Pamlico that portion north and east Beaufort Carteret Hertford Northeast Hunt Zone Bertie Martin Craven ashington Co. line to US 17 in Includes the counties or partscounties of shown in yellow. Parts of counties are described below: both north of US 158NC and 35. east of Bertie: of a line formed byW NC 45 at the Midway, US 17 in MidwayWindsor to to US the 13 Herford in Co.Northampton line. Jones Pitt Onslow Northampton Greene Edgecombe Halifax Lenoir

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Wilkes A Alleghany A Gaston Catawba Lincoln Includes the counties or partsshown of in counties green. Partsdescribed of below: counties are Halifax: Iredell: Northampton: that is both north ofMontgomery: US 158 and eastRichmond: of NC 35. west of US 220 and north of US 74. CAROLINA GOOSE Ashe Caldwell Cleveland atauga Burke W very A Rutherford ell

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T T Haywood Jackson that portion east of NC 109. Macon Swain all of the county except that Clay that portion west of NC 903 that portion north of I-40. that portion south and west of a line Graham Resident Population Hunt Zone Cherokee to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to portion that is south ofUS NC 220 73 and and north west of of US 74 Includes the counties or partsshown of in counties blue. Partsdescribed of below: counties are Bertie: formed by NC 45 at the Washington Co. Line US 13 in Windsor, USHertford 13 Co. in Line. Windsor toHalifax: the Iredell: Montgomery: Richmond:

39 BIG GAME HARVEST AND REPORTING Hunters” from a wildlife service agent at no cost. Ask for item Upon killing a bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey, and before moving 804 from any wildlife service agent. Upon harvesting a bear, the animal from the site of kill, the successful hunter must vali- deer, wild boar or wild turkey, the exempt person shall validate date the “Big Game Harvest Report Card” furnished with the big the “Big Game Harvest Record Card” and report the big game game hunting license by cutting or punching out the validation kill to a wildlife cooperator agent, by telephone, or by the box that correctly identifies the big game animal harvested. Internet. Registering and Reporting a Kill The hunter must register Reporting for DMAP Hunters Persons killing antlerless any harvested bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey within 24 hours deer under the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) of the kill and before it is skinned, dressed or dismembered. The shall follow the tagging and reporting requirements described hunter may register a harvested bear, deer, or wild boar by trans- in the instructions they have received as a participant in the DMAP. porting it to a wildlife cooperator agent within the immediate area Reporting by Telephone To report by telephone, call where hunting during an open season, by calling in the registration 1-800-I GOT ONE (1-800-446-8663). Persons not having a through the toll-free big game reporting system, or by using the touch-tone telephone or having trouble using the telephone Internet to register the kill online at www. ncwildlife.org. The reporting system must report their kills through a wildlife hunter must register a harvested turkey by calling in the regis- cooperator agent or by the Internet. tration through the toll-free big game reporting system or by using This service is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Hunters the internet to register the kill online at www.ncwildlife.org. Har- should report their kill only once. If you report by telephone, vested turkeys shall not be registered by wildlife cooperator agents. there is no need to register the kill with a cooperator agent or by The hunter may field-dress the animal before registering it with a the Internet. A touch-tone telephone is required. Have a pencil cooperator agent, by telephone, or by the Internet. Field dress- or pen, “Big Game Harvest Report Card,” and hunting license ing includes bleeding and removing the digestive, respiratory number from your “Big Game Report Card” handy when you call. and circulatory organs, but the hunter may not mutilate the car- cass in a manner that obscures its species identity, age or sex. SMALL GAME AND OTHER SPECIES When the kill occurs in a remote area that prevents the animal SQUIRREL from being transported as an entire carcass, the animal may be Species Season Dates Applicable Area Bag Limits skinned and quartered before being reported by telephone or Gray and Oct. 17 - Jan. 31 Statewide Daily: 8 Internet or before being transported to a cooperator agent to be Red Squirrels Possession: 16 HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION registered. When a hunter harvests a big game animal in a remote Season: 75 area and plans to remain in the remote area for longer than a day, Fox Squirrels Oct. 17 - Dec. 31 the 24-hour time limit to register the kill is extended until the Limits may include a maximum of one fox squirrel per day with hunter leaves the area. Upon leaving the remote area, the hunter two in possession and a season limit of 10 in counties that have an shall proceed directly to register the kill as described above. open season for fox squirrels (listed below): Recording the Authorization Number When a success- Anson Greene Lenoir Pitt ful hunter presents a big game kill at a wildlife cooperator agent Bladen Harnett Moore Richmond for registration, the cooperator agent shall issue an authorization Brunswick Hoke New Hanover Sampson number (which includes the date of kill) to the successful big Cumberland Johnston Onslow Scotland game hunter. The hunter shall record the authorization number Duplin Jones Pender Wayne given by the cooperator agent, obtained by telephone, or by the Internet in the space provided immediately adjacent to the vali- RABBIT dation box that has been cut or punched out on the “Big Game Season Bag Limits Harvest Report Card.” The record entered on the “Big Game Har- Nov. 19 - Feb. 28 Daily: 5 vest Report Card” shall thereafter constitute authorization for Box-Trapping Season: Possession: 10 continued possession of the carcass. Possession of a harvested Nov. 19 - Feb. 28 Season: 75 bear, deer, wild boar or wild turkey without a validated “Big Game EXTENDED SEASON FOR TAKE BY FALCONRY Harvest Report Card” including the authorization number Season Bag Limits obtained from a cooperator agent or through the toll-free big Oct. 17 – Feb. 28 Outside of Regular Season Dates: game reporting system, or over the Internet shall be unlawful. Applies only to red Squirrels: Daily limit 4; Possession limit 8 Registering an Unattended Kill Persons killing a big game and gray squirrels Rabbits: Daily limit 3; Possession limit 6 animal and leaving it unattended must identify the carcass with and rabbits Regular species bag limits apply during their name, hunting license number and date of kill. Once an regular seasons. unattended animal is registered, it need only be identified with QUAIL the authorization number. It shall be unlawful for a person to Season Bag Limits possess a “Big Game Harvest Report Card” on which the species Nov. 19 - Feb. 28 Daily: 6 validation box has been cut or punched out, but on which the Possession: 12 authorization number has not been recorded, unless the animal is No season limit. in the person’s possession and being transported for reporting or identified as described in this section. GROUSE Season Bag Limits Reporting for License-Exempt Hunters Persons who are Oct. 17 - Feb. 28 Daily: 3 by law exempt from the big game hunting license requirement Possession: 6 shall obtain a “Big Game Harvest Report Card for License-Exempt Season: 30 40 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. PHEASANT (Non-native) FOX HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION Season Bag Limits Season Restrictions Bag Limits Nov. 19 - Feb. 1 Daily: 3 Nov. 19 - Jan. 2 This season applies as follows: Daily: 2 Male pheasant only Possession: 6 ● In those counties and parts of Season: 10 Season: 30 counties east of I-77 where local laws do not prohibit the taking of BOBCAT foxes or that do not have established Season Bag Limits fox seasons (see the “Local Laws” Oct. 17 - Feb. 28 No restriction section of this digest); and Exceptions ● In Caldwell and Mitchell counties. The bobcat season is closed in Haywood County on the Harmon Foxes may be taken by firearms or bow Den Bear Sanctuary and Sherwood Bear Sanctuary and arrow only. Foxes taken during this RACCOON AND OPOSSUM hunting season shall not be bought or sold. Season Bag Limits Jan. 7 - 28 Foxes may be taken in the counties Daily: 2 Oct. 17 (at sunrise) - Raccoon listed below by traps or weapons Season: 10 Feb. 28 Daily: 3 and may be sold after being properly Possession: 6 tagged: Season: 30 Caswell Exception: In and west of Stokes, Forsyth, Clay Davidson, Stanly and Union counties, the Graham daily limit is one (maximum of two per Macon hunting party), the possession limit is Stokes two, and the season limit is 20. Ty r r ell Opossum There is no open weapons or trapping No restrictions season in any other county except Exceptions where provided by local laws. These portions of the following counties are closed to raccoon Year round Must be taken with dogs only None and opossum hunting: BEAVER Haywood: Harmon Den Bear Sanctuary and Sherwood Bear Sanctuary There is an open season for taking beaver with firearms during any Madison: that part north of the French Broad River and south of open season for the taking of wild animals, provided that permission U.S. 25-70 and west of S.R. 1319. has been obtained from the owner or lessee of the land on which General Restrictions the beaver is being taken. ● Field possession limit while hunting is the same as the daily bag limit. No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit GROUNDHOG while in the field or while returning from the field to one’s There is no closed season or bag limit. vehicle, hunting camp or residence. COYOTE ● Axes and saws may not be carried when raccoon or opossum hunting. There is no closed season or bag limit. Electronic calls are allowed. ● It is unlawful to shoot raccoon during the daytime west of U.S. 1, except in Richmond County. NUTRIA ● It is unlawful to carry firearms or climbing irons when training dogs There is no closed season or bag limit. Exception: In Currituck during closed seasons except under special field trial regulations. County, nutria may not be shot during the open seasons for ● That part of Cherokee County north of U.S. 64 and N.C. 294, migratory waterfowl. east of Persimmon Creek and Hiwassee Lake, south of Hiwassee CONTROLLED HUNTING PRESERVES Lake and west of the Nottely River, and that part of Clay County Season Bag Limits known as the Fires Creek Bear Sanctuary is closed to raccoon Oct. 1 - Mar. 31 Extended season for domestically raised and opossum hunting except from sunset Friday until sunrise on mallard ducks and domestically raised Saturday and from sunset until midnight on Saturday during the upland game birds, other than wild turkey. established raccoon and opossum season. ● It is unlawful to train raccoon or opossum dogs or allow raccoon MIGRATORY BIRDS or opossum dogs to run unleashed in that part of Cherokee County Migratory Birds Protected Federal laws protecting migra- north of U.S. 64 and N.C. 294, east of Persimmon Creek and tory birds (songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors or waterfowl) take Hiwassee Lake, south of Hiwassee Lake and west of the Nottely precedence over state laws. Before any migratory birds may be River from March 1 until the Monday on or nearest Oct. 15. taken or killed during the closed season, a federal permit must ● It is unlawful to train raccoon or opossum dogs or allow raccoon or be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Substantial opossum dogs to run unleashed in that part of Madison County penalties for violations apply. Call (919) 856-4786 in Raleigh for that is located north of the French Broad River and south of U.S. information. Federal seasons and bag limits on migratory game 25-70 and west of S.R. 1319 from March 1 until the Monday on birds are adopted as state regulations. or nearest Oct. 15. Colonial Water Bird Nesting Areas Coastal islands and beach areas posted as “Colonial Water Bird Nesting” areas are being managed for our nesting populations of pelicans, terns, gulls, herons and egrets. Special regulations apply. Access is Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 41 prohibited on these areas from April 1 to Aug. 31, except by than cutting out the proper month and day of kill. special permit. Dogs are not allowed on these areas during this ● The permit must be canceled by cutting out both the month and time period. Access on these areas from Sept. 1 to March 30 day of the kill immediately at the time and place of the kill. will be allowed as authorized by the landowner. ● The permit must be affixed to the harvested swan in accordance with instructions provided with the permit. Youth Waterfowl Day Waterfowl hunting outside of the ● The permit must be carried on one’s person while hunting or, if regular season is allowed on the day officially designated as in possession of a swan, the permit must be affixed to the swan. “Youth Waterfowl Day.” Youths must be 15 years of age or See the Wildlife Commission’s “Special Hunt Opportunities” younger and accompanied by a properly licensed adult at least publication for instructions on obtaining a swan permit. 21 years of age. Legal species include ducks, mergansers and coots. The accompanying adult may not hunt. Call 1-800-675- SPECIAL SEA DUCK AREA 0263 after Sept. 1 for the date. The taking of sea ducks (scoter, eider and oldsquaw) except during the regular duck season shall be limited to the waters of the MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS Atlantic Ocean, and to those coastal waters south of U.S. 64 that Harvest Information Program (HIP) All licensed hunters are separated by a distance of at least 800 yards of open water hunting migratory game birds (dove, rails, woodcock, snipe or from any shore, island or marsh. Special sea duck bag limits and waterfowl) in North Carolina are required to have certification of seasons apply in these areas. During the regular season, this bag participation in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). limit may be in addition to the limits applying to other ducks. In Certification can be obtained free of charge at any North Carolina all other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular wildlife service agent or through the mail if you are a lifetime open season for ducks, and they must be included in the regular license-holder and complete the HIP survey card mailed to you duck season daily bag and possession limits. in early summer. SEPTEMBER TEAL ZONE Season Dates General migratory bird regulations are given That area located east of U.S. 17 is designated as the “September Teal below. Dates, bag limits and shooting hours for doves, other Zone.” Teal seasons occurring prior to Oct. 1 apply to this area only. webless migratory game birds and resident Canada geese will CANADA GOOSE HUNT ZONES be available by Aug. 1. Dates, bag limits and shooting hours for waterfowl will be available by Sept. 1. To obtain information on The state is divided into Canada goose hunt zones. See the map on these dates, bag limits and shooting hours, call the following page 39 for zone descriptions.For the hunt dates that apply in HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION toll-free number: 1-800-675-0263, or see our Web page at each zone, please call 1-800-675-0263. As with other migratory http://www.ncwildlife.org. game birds, it is unlawful to hunt or possess Canada geese Wildlife service agents will receive posters containing this information, without having HIP certification as well as other applicable and the information also will be distributed through local news media. state and federal licenses and stamps in your possession. CROW SEASONS Nontoxic Shot Requirements In North Carolina, no person Season Bag Limits shall take waterfowl while possessing shells loaded with any shot Wednesday, Friday, Saturday of each week from No restriction other than steel or other approved nontoxic materials. On posted June 1 through the last day of February plus Labor waterfowl impoundments on game lands, it is unlawful to hunt Day and Christmas Day. (Crows are listed as with or have in possession any shotgun shell containing lead or nongame migratory birds.) Seasons shown are toxic shot while hunting, except shotgun shells containing lead buck- valid through June 30, 2006. shot may be used while deer hunting. Nontoxic shot is required for the taking of captive-reared mallards on shooting preserves, in field trials and during bona fide dog training activities. PUBLIC WATERFOWL MEETING SCHEDULE Each year the Wildlife Commission holds a series of public meetings to obtain GADDY GOOSE REFUGE input on waterfowl season selections within the broader federal framework provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. It is unlawful to harass or take any Canada goose during established This year’s meetings are scheduled as follows: goose hunting seasons that occur after October 1 each year in the Date District Location Gaddy Goose Refuge in Anson county. The Gaddy Goose Refuge Tuesday 1 N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Manteo Aug. 16, 2005 6 Courthouse, Albemarle is that area in Anson county starting at the NC 109 bridge over 9 Haywood Community College the Pee Dee River and following NC 109 south to SR 1650; west (Wildlife & Forestry, Room 318) on SR 1650 to SR 1649; west on SR 1649 to US 52; south on US Wednesday 2 Courthouse, New Bern Aug. 17, 2005 5 Courthouse, Graham 52 to SR 1652; west on SR 1652 to SR 1641; west on SR 1641 to 8 Courthouse, Morganton NC 742; northwest on NC 742 to Lanes Creek; north along Thursday 3 Courthouse, Nashville Lanes Creek to the Rocky River; downstream on the Rocky River Aug. 18, 2005 4 Courthouse, Elizabethtown 7 Courthouse, Yadkinville to the Pee Dee River; and downstream along the Pee Dee River to the beginning of the NC 109 bridge. TUNDRA SWAN A limited number of permits will be issued to hunt tundra swans. Per- SUMMARY OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS mits will be issued by a random drawing authorizing each permit- In addition to state regulations, the following federal rules apply to holder to harvest one tundra swan. The following regulations apply: the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of ● The permit and tag are not transferable and are valid only for the migratory game birds: person whose name appears on the permit. It is unlawful to possess a swan permit or tag while hunting that was assigned to Restrictions No person shall take migratory game birds: another person or to alter the permit or tag in any way other ● With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger

42 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. than a 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully HUNTING REGULATIONS & INFORMATION poison, drug, explosive or stupefying substance. feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while ● With a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory it is plugged with a one-piece fill which is incapable of removal bird preservation facility. without disassembling the gun. Shipment ● From a sink box (a low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter means of concealment beneath the surface No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is of the water). marked on the outside with: ● the name and address of the person sending the birds, ● From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven land conveyance, or any aircraft, except that paraplegics and single or ● the name and address of the person to whom the birds are double amputees of the legs may take from any stationary motor being sent, and vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance. “Paraplegic” ● the number of birds, by species, contained in the package. means an individual afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of Importation For information regarding the importation of the body with involvement of both legs usually due to disease of migratory birds killed in another country, hunters should or injury to the spinal cord. consult the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, parts 20.61 ● From or by means of any motorboat or sailboat unless the motor through 20.66. One fully feathered wing must remain attached has been completely shut off and/or the sail furled, and its pro- to all migratory game birds being transported between the port gress therefrom has ceased. of entry and one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation ● By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame or captive ducks facility. No person shall import migratory game birds killed in and geese shall be removed for a period of 10 consecutive days any foreign country except Canada, unless such birds are dressed prior to hunting and confined within an enclosure that substan- (except as required in part 20.63), drawn, and the head and feet tially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals are removed. No person shall import migratory game birds such tame birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl. belonging to another person. ● Using records or tapes of migratory bird calls or sounds or electronically amplified imitations of bird calls. Nontoxic Shot Regulations No person shall take ducks, geese, brant, swans and coots while possessing shot other than ● By driving, rallying or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sailboat to put them in range of the hunters. steel or other approved shot. ● By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt or Dual Violation A violation of state migratory game bird other feed to constitute a lure or enticement), or on or over regulations is also a violation of federal regulations. any baited areas. Hunters should be aware that a baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait. Reference Federal regulations related to migratory game birds are located in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, part 20. Closed Season No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season. Caution More restrictive regulations may apply to national wild- life refuges open to public hunting. For additional information Shooting Or Hawking (Falconry) Hours No person on federal regulations, contact the Senior Resident Agent, U.S. shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 33096, Raleigh, NC 27636, to shooting and hawking as prescribed. (919) 856-4786. Daily Bag Limit (Falconry) No person shall take in any one Migratory Bird Hunting And Conservation Stamp day more than one daily bag limit. (Federal) The law requires that each waterfowl hunter Field Possession Limit No person shall possess more than 16 years of age and older must carry on his person a valid one daily bag limit while in the field or while returning from the “Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp,” or federal field to one’s vehicle, hunting camp, home or elsewhere. duck stamp, signed in ink across the face. (Hunters under age 16 may voluntarily purchase a duck stamp and help preserve Wanton Waste All migratory game birds shall be retrieved, if wetlands for waterfowl.) possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field. North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege Each waterfowl Tagging No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game hunter 16 years of age and older must carry on his person a license birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the having the North Carolina Waterfowl Privilege. The North Caro- birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: lina Waterfowl Privilege is required in addition to the federal duck ● the hunter’s signature, stamp. Refer to the “License Types” section on page 3 of this digest ● the hunter’s address, for information on which licenses include this privilege license. ● the total number of birds involved, by species, and North Carolina Duck Stamp Hunters are no longer ● the dates such birds were killed. Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another per- required to carry the North Carolina duck stamp while hunt- son for the hunter, or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage ing for waterfowl; however, the current year’s duck stamp will (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services. be available for collecting purposes; call 1-888-248-6834 for more information. Possession Of Live Birds Wounded birds reduced to posses- sion shall be immediately killed and included in the daily bag limit. Dressing No person shall completely field-dress any migratory game bird (except doves and band-tailed pigeons) and then

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 43 Game Lands Some 2,000,000 acres of public and private area posted as a “Restricted Zone.” lands in North Carolina are managed by the Wildlife Resources ● It is unlawful to hunt with any weapon other than bow and Commission for public hunting, trapping and inland fishing. arrow on those areas posted as “Archery Zones.” On such areas, They are designated collectively as “game lands.” Hunting on deer of either sex may be taken on all open days of any applicable the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge is managed by open deer season. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Resources ● It is unlawful to hunt with a centerfire rifle on those areas posted Commission through a joint venture. Additional regulations as “Restricted Firearms Zones.” apply to the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge. A book ● It is unlawful to operate a motorized vehicle on any game lands, of maps showing the locations of these areas may be obtained except on those roads constructed, maintained and open for GAME LANDS from a wildlife service agent or by writing to the following vehicular travel and those trails posted for vehicular use; pro- address: Game Lands Maps, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commis- vided that this provision shall not apply to participants in sion, 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1722. Or scheduled bird dog field trials held on the Sandhills Game Land it may be obtained at www.ncwildlife.org. or to persons holding special vehicular access identification cards issued to qualified handicapped hunters. No person shall GAME LANDS LICENSE The game lands license is required, park a vehicle on game lands in such a manner as to block traffic in addition to the appropriate hunting or trapping license, to or gates or otherwise prevent vehicles from using any roadway. hunt, trap, train dogs or participate in field trials on any game Operation of any motorized land vehicle not licensed for land. (The game lands license is included with some lifetime or highway use is prohibited except by those persons holding a sportsman’s licenses.) A special permit may be required for some Disabled Access Program permit on areas under the Disabled species on these areas. On field trials scheduled on game lands Access Program. This does not apply to those areas specifically by the Wildlife Resources Commission, nonresidents in posses- designated in national forests for unlicensed vehicle use. sion of hunting licenses from their own states and persons ● Except for authorized field trials, dogs may not be trained or serving as judges may participate without the license. allowed to run unleashed between April 1 and Aug. 15 on any game land located west of I-95. Dogs also may not be trained or GAME LANDS RESTRICTIONS allowed to run unleashed during daylight hours on dates when ● Use of game lands for purposes other than hunting, trapping special hunts are scheduled for the Disabled Sportsman Program and fishing is subject to the control of the landowners. hunts on these game lands. Additional restrictions apply to some ● Waterfowl blinds may be constructed on most game lands; bear sanctuaries and game lands. however, they become public property and can be used by ● It is unlawful to litter or dispose of refuse except in receptacles anyone on a first-come, first-serve basis. provided for the purpose. ● Blinds on areas not owned by the state must be removed after ● Live wild birds or animals may not be removed. the hunting season; and on some game lands, the property ● It is unlawful to obscure the sex or age of any bird or animal by owners may prohibit construction of permanent hunting blinds mutilation of the carcass. by posting a sign at the entrances stating such restrictions. ● Placing bait on game lands is prohibited without written authorization. ● It is unlawful to hunt in or within 100 yards of a designated ● Game birds or game animals may not be taken with the aid of bait. “Disabled Sportsman’s Waterfowl Blind” during the waterfowl ● It is unlawful to erect or to occupy for the purpose of hunting, any season except by a disabled access permit-holder and his or her tree stand or platform attached by nails, screws, bolts or wire to a permitted companion. tree on any game land designated herein. This prohibition shall ● On posted waterfowl impoundments, it is unlawful on the legal not apply to lag-screw steps or portable stands that are removed hunting days for hunters to be within the posted impoundment after use with no metal left remaining in or attached to the tree. area before 4 a.m., and hunting is prohibited after 1 p.m.; decoys ● It is unlawful to camp on game lands except on an area desig- may not be set out prior to 4 a.m. and must be removed by nated by the landowner for camping, or to camp on those U.S. 3 p.m. each day. Forest Service lands that have been closed by posted order of ● It is unlawful to release pen-raised or wild birds or animals on the U.S. Forest Service. See the individual game lands listings game lands without written authorization from the Wildlife on page 45 for further restrictions. Resources Commission. ● Hunting on Cowan’s Ford Waterfowl Refuge is by permit only. ● It is unlawful to hunt with or have in possession any shotgun ● Raccoon and opossum hunting may continue until 7 a.m. on shell containing lead or toxic shot while hunting on any posted Tuesdays, until 7 a.m. on Thursdays and until midnight on waterfowl impoundment on any game lands, except shotgun Saturdays on three-day-per-week game lands. shells containing lead buckshot may be used while deer hunting. ● On those game lands open to deer hunting in and west of ● It is unlawful to operate internal combustion engine powered Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph, Montgomery and Anson vessels or vehicles on managed waterfowl impoundments. (west of N.C. 742) counties, dogs may be used for taking game ● It is unlawful to hunt while under the influence of alcohol. birds only during the regular gun season for deer. As an excep- ● It is unlawful to discharge any weapon from a vehicle, or within tion to the above rule, dogs may be used to take any legal small 150 yards of any residence located on or adjacent to game lands, game during the gun season for deer in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, or, unless otherwise posted, within 150 yards of any game lands Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk and Swain counties, except on building or game lands camping area. The 150 yard provision of bear sanctuaries. Additionally, raccoon and opossum may be this rule does not apply to the use of archery equipment on hunted when in season on Uwharrie Game Lands. Butner-Falls of Neuse and Jordan game lands. ● It is unlawful to take wild boar on bear sanctuaries except during ● It is unlawful to hunt or discharge a weapon within, into or the regular deer gun season, with muzzleloaders during the across a posted “Safety Zone.” muzzleloading deer season, and with bow and arrow during ● It is unlawful to enter for any purpose, without a permit, any the deer bow-and-arrow season. 44 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. ● On bear sanctuaries, bear may not be taken and dogs may not be and coots. The accompanying adult may not hunt. Call 1-800- GAME LANDS used to take wild boar. 675-0263 after Sept. 1 for the date. ● It is unlawful to train dogs or allow dogs to run unleashed on bear ● Brunswick County Game Land sanctuaries in and west of Madison, Buncombe, Henderson and ● Butner/Falls Game Land Polk counties from March 1 to the Monday on or nearest Oct. 15. ● Goose Creek Game Land ● It is unlawful to possess a rifle or pistol larger than .22 rimfire or ● J. Morgan Futch Game Land a shotgun shell with larger than no. 4 shot during closed gun ● Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (does not include seasons on big game—except any size steel or nontoxic shot Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge) may be used while waterfowl hunting. ● Suggs Mill Pond Game Land ● During turkey season it is unlawful to possess a rifle on game lands. ● White Oak River Impoundment Game Land ● During closed seasons on game birds and game animals, it is unlawful to possess any firearm or bow and arrow readily avail- Waterfowl Management Areas On those areas established able for use. During that time in which fox season is the only open by the Wildlife Commission for either waterfowl restoration or season for a game animal, it is also unlawful to possess these waterfowl resting and feeding and posted as waterfowl manage- weapons. The following exceptions, however, should be noted: ment areas, it is unlawful to hunt or harass waterfowl. - Possession is allowed on field trial and designated target shooting areas and in camping areas for defense of person or property. Field Trial Facilities Field trials may be scheduled on the - 22-caliber pistols with barrels not greater than 7.5 inches in J. Robert Gordon Sandhills “Field Trial Area” and the Laurinburg length and shooting only short, long or long rifle ammunition “Fox Trial Facility” on application in advance, accompanied by may be carried as side arms on game lands at any time except the appropriate facility use fee. No person or group shall use by hunters during the special bow-and-arrow and muzzle- these facilities without having obtained specific written approval loading firearms deer hunting season. from an authorized agent of the Wildlife Resources Commission. - Individuals training dogs during closed season without field trial authorization are prohibited from carrying any weapon. - A bow and fishing arrows may be possessed when used as a DISABLED ACCESS AND licensed special fishing device in those waters where such use DISABLED SPORTSMAN PROGRAMS is authorized. Refer to the “Disabled Sportsman Information” section on page 11 ● U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Corps of for qualification or application procedures for either of the Engineers regulations prohibit permanent structures (including programs described below. permanent duck blinds and permanent deer stands) on all lands under their management. Disabled Access Program This program allows persons ● Hunting Creek Swamp in Davie County and John’s River Water- with limited physical mobility to operate vehicles on open-gated fowl Refuge in Burke County are closed to hunting. or ungated roads otherwise closed to vehicular traffic on certain game lands and to have access to special waterfowl hunting Trapping on Game Lands Trapping fur-bearing animals blinds for people with disabilities. Participants will be issued is permitted on game lands during the open seasons and in permanent identification cards, companion cards and vehicular- accordance with the trapping regulations, except on posted access permits valid for as long as the disability remains. A “Safety” and “Restricted” zones and the regulated areas listed vehicular-access permit must be obtained and displayed in the below that are closed to trapping: passenger area of the vehicle. One able-bodied companion may ● John’s River Waterfowl Refuge accompany the disabled person provided they possess the com- ● Hunting Creek Swamp Waterfowl Refuge panion card issued to each disabled hunter. The companion ● J. Robert Gordon Sandhills Field Trial Area must remain in visual or verbal contact with the disabled ● Harmon Den Bear Sanctuary hunter at all times. There is no charge for this program. ● Roanoke River Wetlands (by permit only) ● Sherwood Bear Sanctuary Areas Involved Vehicular access under this program is ● Cowan’s Ford Waterfowl Refuge provided on the following game lands: (Additional access may be Traps may not be placed with anchors less than 15 feet apart. provided on some U.S. Forest Service owned game lands. These areas are not listed below, but details may be obtained by contacting the Bait may not be used on the national forestlands bounded by the local ranger station on the district in which you wish to hunt.) Blue Ridge Parkway on the south, U.S. 276 on the north and ● Bladen Lakes east, and N.C. 215 on the west. ● Caswell ● Goose Creek (waterfowl blind for disabled hunters only) Trespassing on Game Lands Entry on game lands for ● Holly Shelter purposes other than hunting, trapping and fishing is subject to ● Roanoke River Wetlands the control of the landowners. Written permission of the owner ● Sandhills is required to remove any plant or other materials. ● Thurmond Chatham See a current game lands map book for details. Youth Waterfowl Day No special permit will be required on Currently there is a waterfowl blind for the disabled on the Spring the following game lands for youth to hunt on the day officially Creek Impoundment of Goose Creek Game Land and on the designated as “Youth Waterfowl Day.” Youths must be 15 years of Beaver Dam Impoundment of Butner-Falls of Neuse Game age or younger and accompanied by a properly licensed adult at Land. A disabled access permit is required. The Spring Creek least 21 years of age. Legal species include ducks, mergansers Impoundment is available on non-permitted days on a first- Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 45 come/first-served basis. On permitted days on Spring Creek and Martin Luther King Jr. days. These areas are closed to and on the Beaver Dam Impoundment, users must apply hunting on other days of the week unless specifically opened through the Special Hunt Opportunities Program. under the individual game lands listings. ● Dove-only areas: Game lands on which doves may be hunted by game lands license-holders on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, DISABLED SPORTSMAN SPECIAL HUNT PROGRAM Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days during open dove Program Description This program provides special either- seasons. On these dove areas, dove hunters must possess a game sex deer hunts to persons with specific disabilities as outlined in lands license. Other hunting activities, regardless of the day of legislation passed by the 1993 General Assembly. Participants the week, are controlled by the landowner or his agent. GAME LANDS will be issued annual identification cards and vehicle access ● Permit-only areas: Game lands on which a special permit is permits for use during the special hunts. One able-bodied required to hunt or trap. To apply for any special permits in the companion may accompany the disabled person provided he listings below, see the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication or she possesses the companion card issued to each disabled to apply. hunter. There will be a $10 annual fee for processing and ● Falconry on Game Lands: Within established hunting seasons administering the hunts. Participants may renew their par- and on open hunting days, falconry is allowed in Archery and ticipation in the program annually as long as the qualifying Safety Zones in game lands. disability exists. A renewal application will appear on the back of the disabled sportsman’s permit; it must be completed and Alcoa Game Land – Davie, Davidson, Montgomery, Rowan and returned with the $10 fee for participation the following year. Stanly counties (8,372 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area Qualifications ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan.2 ● Amputation of one or more limbs. in that portion in Montgomery County (moderate season); ● Paralysis of one or more limbs. Nov. 19 - Dec. 17 in that portion in Davie County and Nov. 12 - ● Dysfunction of one or more limbs rendering the person unable Jan. 2 in that portion in Davidson, Rowan and Stanly counties to perform the task of grasping and lifting with the hands and (maximum season). arms or unable to walk without mechanical assistance, other Alligator River Game Land – Tyrrell County (5,401 acres) than a cane. ● Six-day-per-week area ● Disease, injury or defect confining the person to a wheelchair, ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 – Jan. 2 (maximum season) walker or crutches. ● Bear may only be taken the first three hunting days during the ● Legal deafness. November bear season and the first three hunting days during the second week of the December season. Areas Involved Angola Bay Game Land – Duplin and Pender counties (22,622 acres) Vehicular access under this program is provided on the following ● Six-day-per-week area game lands: ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). Bow-and-Arrow Either-Sex Deer Hunts Bachelor Bay Game Land – Bertie, Martin, and Washington Sept. 3 Bladen Lakes counties (4,470 acres) Holly Shelter ● Six-day-per-week area Thurmond Chatham ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 All-Legal-Weapons Hunts (moderate season). Sept. 10 Dupont State Forest Bertie County Game Land – Bertie County (1,316 acres) Toxaway ● Six-day-per-week area Oct. 7 Bladen Lakes ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). Holly Shelter Bladen Lakes State Forest Game Land – Bladen County Oct. 18-19 Roanoke River Conoho Farms Tract (32,363 acres) Roanoke River Deveraux Tract ● Three-day-per-week area Nov. 3-4 Caswell and Sandhills ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Oct. 15 - 21 and Nov. 1-2 Roanoke River Conoho Farms Tract Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (moderate season). Roanoke River Deveraux Tract ● Handguns shall not be carried and, except for muzzleloaders, rifles larger than .22 caliber rimfire shall not be used or possessed. ● On the Singletary Tract, deer and bear may be taken only by EITHER-SEX SEASONS AND OTHER RULES still hunting. APPLYING TO INDIVIDUAL GAME LANDS ● Turkey hunting on the Singletary tract is by special permit only. Each game land falls into one of four categories and is so designated See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply. in the individual game lands listings. A special permit may be ● Camping is restricted to Sep. 1 - Feb 28 and April 7 - May 14 in required for some species on any of these areas (see page 61). areas both designated and posted as camping areas. The four designations are as follows: Brunswick County Game Land – Brunswick County (1,139 acres) ● Permit-only area (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” ● Six-day-per-week areas: Game lands on which any game may publication to apply.) be taken during the open seasons. Buckridge Game Land – Tyrrell County (18,194 acres) ● Three-day-per-week areas: Game lands on which any game ● Three-day-per-week area may be hunted unless otherwise noted. Open days are Mondays, ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Oct. 15 – Jan. 2 Wednesdays, Saturdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s (maximum season) 46 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. ● Bear may only be taken the first three hunting days during the S.R. 1736, east on S.R. 1736 to the intersection of S.R. 1730, GAME LANDS November bear season and the first three hunting days of the east on S.R. 1730 to N.,C. 86, north on N.C. 86 to N.C. 62. second week of the December bear season. Caswell Farm Game Land – Lenoir County (276 acres) Buffalo Cove Game Land – Caldwell and Wilkes counties (5,630 acres) ● Dove-only area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Dove hunting during the first segment is by permit only from ● Gun deer season: Nov. 21-Dec. 10 in all portions of the game land opening day through either the first Saturday or Labor Day, ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 10 (introductory season) in all which ever comes last. (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” portions of the game land. publication to apply.) ● Muzzleloader season: Oct. 10-15 in all portions of the game land Catawba Game Land – Catawba County (1,189 acres) ● Bow and Arrow Season: Sept. 12 - Oct. 8 and Oct. 17 - Nov. 19 ● Three-day-per-week area in all portions of the game land. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 17 (introductory season). ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May ● Deer may be taken with bow and arrow only from the tract 16 through August 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from known as Molly’s Backbone. September 1 through May 15. This rule includes all equine species. Chatham Game Land – Chatham County (2,794 acres) Bullard and Branch Hunting Preserve – Robeson County (231 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Three-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (moderate season). (conservative season). ● Turkey hunting is by permit only. (See the “Special Hunt Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land – Durham, Granville and Wake Opportunities” publication to apply.) counties (43,959 acres) ● Horseback riding, including all equine species, is allowed only ● Six-day-per-week area during June, July and August and on Sundays during the remain- ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (conservative season). der of the year except during open turkey and deer seasons. ● Waterfowl may be taken only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Cherokee Game Land – Ashe County (327 acres) Saturdays, Christmas and New Year’s days, and on opening and ● Six-day-per-week area closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons. No waterfowl ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 12 - 17 (conservative season). hunting is allowed after 1 p.m. On the posted waterfowl Chowan Game Land – Chowan County (30 acres) impoundments a special permit is required for all waterfowl ● Six-day-per-week area hunting after Nov. 1. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Horseback riding, including all equine species, is prohibited. Chowan Swamp Game Land – Gates County (9,000 acres) ● Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 ● Six-day-per-week area in designated camping areas. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Turkey hunting is by permit only (see the Special Hunt Cold Mountain Game Land – Haywood County (3,295 acres) Opportunities publication to apply), except on those areas ● Six-day-per-week area posted as Archery Zones ● Gun either-sex deer season: None ● Target shooting is prohibited. ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May ● The use of dogs for hunting deer is prohibited on that portion 16 through Aug. 31 and all horseback riding is prohibited from west of NC 50 and south of Falls Lake. Sept. 1 through May 15. This rule includes all equine species. Cape Fear River Wetlands Game Land – Pender County (4,876 acres) Columbus County Game Land – Brunwick and Columbus ● Six-day-per-week area counties (9,377 acres) ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Three-day-per-week area ● Turkey hunting is by permit only on the Roan Island tract (see ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply). Croatan Game Land – Carteret, Jones and Craven counties Caswell Game Land – Caswell County (17,102 acres) (159,886 acres) ● Three-day-per-week area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Dec. 21 - Jan. 2 ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (conservative season). (moderate season). ● Horseback riding is allowed only during June, July and August and ● Waterfowl may be taken only on Tuesdays and Saturdays; on on Sundays during the remainder of the year except during open Thanksgiving, Christmas, NewYear’s and Martin Luther King Jr. turkey and deer seasons. Horseback riding is allowed only on roads days; and on the opening and closing of the applicable opened to vehicular traffic. Participants must obtain a game lands waterfowl seasons. license prior to engaging in horseback riding on this area. Currituck Banks Game Land – Currituck County (228 acres) ● Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 in ● Six-day-per-week area designated camping areas. ● Permanent waterfowl blinds in Currituck Sound adjacent to ● Bearded or beardless turkeys may be taken from the Monday on these game lands shall be hunting by permit only after Nov. 1. or nearest to Jan. 15 through the following Saturday by permit (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply). only. (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply.) ● Licensed hunting guides may accompany the permitted individual ● The area encompassed by the following roads is closed to all or party provided the guides do not possess or use a firearm. quail and woodcock hunting and all bird dog training: From ● The boundary of the game land shall extend 5 yards from the Yanceyville south on N.C. 62 to the intersection of S.R. 1746, edge of the marsh or shoreline. west on S.R. 1746 to the intersection of S.R. 1156, south on S.R. ● Dogs shall be allowed only for waterfowl hunting by permitted 1156 to the intersection of S.R. 1783, east on S.R. 1783 to the hunters on the day of their hunt. intersection of N.C. 62, north on N.C. 62 to the intersection of ● No screws, nails or other objects penetrating the bark shall be Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 47 used to attach a tree stand or blind to a tree. ● Six-day-per-week area Dare Game Land – Dare and Hyde counties (45,149 acres) ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● Six-day-per-week area except that part in Wake County, where the season is Oct. 15 - ● Gun either-sex deer season: Jan. 2 (introductory season). 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (moderate seasons). ● No hunting on posted parts of bombing range. Selected roads ● Waterfowl may be taken only on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; may be closed for military training. on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days; and on the ● The use and training of dogs is prohibited from March 1 opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons. through June 30. ● The use or construction of permanent hunting blinds is prohibited. ● Bear hunting is by permit only (See the “Special Hunt ● Turkey hunting is by permit only (See “Special Hunt Oppor- GAME LANDS Opportunities” publication to apply) on the Bombing tunities” publication to apply). Range Bear Sanctuary. Holly Shelter Game Land – Pender County (64,743 acres) Dupont State Forest Game Land – Henderson and Transylvania ● Three-day-per-week area counties (10,256 acres) ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● Permit-only area (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” (conservative season). publication to apply.) ● Waterfowl hunting on managed waterfowl impoundments is ● Training and the use of dogs is prohibited except during sched- allowed on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Thanksgiving, Christmas, uled small-game permit hunts for squirrel, grouse, rabbit or quail. New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days and on the opening Elk Knob Game Land – Ashe and Watauga counties (995 acres) and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons. ● Six-day-per-week area ● Camping is restricted to Sep. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 in ● Gun either-sex deer Season: Dec. 12 - 17 (conservative season). areas both designated and posted as camping areas. Goose Creek Game Land – Beaufort and Pamlico counties Hyco Game Land – Person County (4,229 acres) (7,902 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). (moderate season). ● On posted waterfowl impoundments waterfowl may be taken J. Morgan Futch Game Land – Tyrrell County (600 acres) only on Tuesdays and Saturdays; on Thanksgiving, Christmas, ● Permit Only Area (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” pub- New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days; and on the opening lication to apply.) and closing days of the applicable duck hunting seasons. After Jordan Game Land – Durham, Chatham, Orange and Wake Nov. 1, on the Pamlico Point, Campbell Creek, Hunting Creek, counties (41,213 acres) and Spring Creek impoundments, a special permit is required ● Six-day-per-week area for hunting on the opening and closing days of duck seasons, ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 the Saturdays of duck seasons, and on Thanksgiving, New Year’s except that part in Wake County where the season is Oct. and Martin Luther King Jr. days. (See the “Special Hunt Oppor- 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (moderate seasons). tunities” publication to apply.) ● Waterfowl may be taken only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sat- ● Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 urdays; on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days; and on in areas both designated and posted as camping areas. the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons. Green River Game Land – Henderson and Polk counties ● Horseback riding, including all equine species, is prohibited (14,477 acres) except those areas posted on the American Tobacco Trail. ● Six-day-per-week area ● Target shooting is prohibited. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 10 (Introductory season) ● Turkey hunting is by permit only. (See the “Special Hunt ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May Opportunities” publication to apply), except on those areas 16 through Aug. 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from posted as Archery Zones. Sept. 1 through May 15. This rule includes all equine species. Kerr Scott Game Land – Wilkes County (574 acres) Green Swamp Game Land – Brunswick County (15,430 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Use of centerfire rifles is prohibited ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Use of firearms for hunting deer is prohibited during the gun Gull Rock Game Land – Hyde County (31,057 acres) deer season. ● Six-day-per-week area ● Tree stands may not be left overnight and no screws, nails, or ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 16 - 22 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 other objects may be used to aid in climbing or to attach a tree (moderate season). stand or blind to a tree. ● On posted waterfowl impoundments hunting of any species of ● Hunting on posted waterfowl impoundments is by permit only. wildlife is limited to Tuesdays and Saturdays; Thanksgiving, Lantern Acres Game Land – Tyrrell and Washington counties Christmas and New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days; and (1,852 acres) opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons. ● Six-day-per-week area ● On the Long Shoal River tract, bear may only be taken the first three ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan.2 (maximum season). hunting days during the November segment of the bear season and ● Turkey hunting is by permit only (See the “Special Hunt the first three hunting days during the second week of the Decem- Opportunities” publication to apply.) ber segment. Lee Game Lands – Lee County (2,421 acres) ● Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 ● Six-day-per-week area in areas both designated and posted as camping areas. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 Harris Game Land (formerly Shearon Harris Game Land) – (moderate season). Chatham, Harnett and Wake counties (13,227 acres) 48 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Linwood Game Land – Davidson County (126 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area GAME LANDS ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). except that part in Richmond County where the season is Mayo Lake Game Land (formerly Person Game Land) – Person Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (moderate seasons). County (6,831 acres) ● Use of center-fire rifles is prohibited in that portion in Anson ● Six-day-per-week area and Richmond counties north of U.S. 74. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 Perkins Game Land – Davie County (960 acres) (moderate season). ● Three-day-per-week area ● Waterfowl may be hunted only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 17 (Introductory season). Saturdays; Christmas and New Year’s days; and on opening and Person Game Land – (See Mayo Game Land.) closing days, of the applicable waterfowl seasons. Pisgah Game Land – Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Mitchell River Game Land – Surry County (1,729 acres) Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania, Watauga ● Three-day-per-week area and Yancey counties (505,217 acres) ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Dec. 12-17 ● Six-day-per-week area (conservative season). ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 10 (Introductory season) ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May except that part in Avery and Yancey counties, and that portion 16 - August 31. All horseback riding is prohibited September 1- in Haywood County encompassed by U.S. 276 on the north, May 15. This rule includes all equine species. U.S. 74 on the west and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the south Nantahala Game Land – Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, and east, where there is no gun either-sex season. Macon, Swain and Transylvania counties (528,782 acres) ● Harmon Den and Sherwood Bear sanctuaries in Haywood ● Six-day-per-week area County are closed to hunting raccoon, opossum and bobcat. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 10 in that portion in Training raccoon and opossum dogs is prohibited from March 1 Transylvania County (Introductory season). to the Monday on or nearest Oct. 15 in that part of Madison ● Raccoon and opossum may be hunted only from sunset Friday County north of the French Broad River, south of U.S. 25/70 until sunrise on Saturday and from sunset until 12 midnight on and west of S.R. 1319. Saturday on Fires Creek Bear Sanctuary in Clay County and in Pungo River Game Land – Hyde County (614 acres) that part of Cherokee County north of U.S. 64 and N.C. 294, ● Six-day-per-week area east of Persimmon Creek and Hiwassee Lake, south of Hiwassee ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 Lake and west of Nottely River; in the same part of Cherokee (moderate season). County dog training is prohibited from March 1 to the Monday Roanoke River Wetlands – Bertie, Halifax, Martin and on or nearest Oct. 15. Northampton counties (26,506 acres) Needmore Game Land – Macon and Swain counties (4,442 acres) ● Permit-only area (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” ● Six-day-per-week area publication to apply.) ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May ● Vehicles are prohibited on roads or trails except those vehicles 16 through August 31. All horseback riding is prohibited from operated on official Wildlife Commission business or by September 1 through May 15. This rule applies to all equine species. permit holders. Neuse River Game Land – Craven County (4,187 acres) ● Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 ● Six-day-per-week area in areas both designated and posted as camping areas. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (Camping is allowed anytime within 100 yards of the river.) (moderate season). Robeson Game Land – Robeson County (42 acres) New Lake Game Land – Hyde and Tyrrell counties (1,394 acres) ● Three-day-per-week area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (conservative season) (moderate season). Sampson Game Land – Sampson County (2,281 acres) North River Game Land – Camden and Currituck counties ● Three-day-per-week area (14,937 acres) ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 ● Six-day-per-week area (maximum season). ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2. (maximum season). Sandhills Game Land – Hoke, Moore, Richmond and Scotland in that portion in Currituck County and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 in that counties (59,498 acres) portion in Camden County (conservative season) ● Three-day-per-week area ● Turkey hunting is by permit only in that portion in Camden County ● Gun deer season: Open days during Nov. 12 - Dec. 10 except on (see the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply). the field trial grounds where the season is the open days during ● The boundary of the game land shall extend 5 yards from the edge Nov. 14 - 26. of the marsh or shoreline in Currituck County. ● Bow-and-Arrow season: Open days during Sept.10 - Nov. 4 Northwest River Marsh Game Land – Currituck County ● Muzzleloader season: Open days during Nov. 5-9 (Deer of either (3,045 acres) sex may be taken on these days.) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: By permit only (see the “Special ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply). ● The boundary of the game land shall extend 5 yards from the ● Opossum and raccoon hunting on the field trial grounds will be edge of the marsh or shoreline. allowed on open days during Nov. 14-26. Pee Dee River Game Land – Anson, Montgomery, Richmond and ● Rabbit hunting on the field trial grounds will be allowed on Stanly counties (6,829 acres) open days during Nov. 19 - 26. Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 49 ● Except for the deer, opossum and raccoon and rabbit seasons Three Top Mountain Game Land – Ashe County (2,808 acres) specifically indicated for the field trial grounds and the special ● Six-day-per-week area hunts for the Disabled Sportsman Program, the field trial grounds ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec 12 - 17 (conservative season). are closed to all hunting during the period of Oct. 22 - March 31. ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May ● Horseback riding is prohibited on the J. Robert Gordon Field 16 through Aug. 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from Trial Area Oct. 22 - March 31 except by participants in field trials. Sept. 1 through May 15. This includes all equine species. ● In addition to the regular open days, waterfowl may be taken on Thurmond Chatham Game Land – Alleghany and Wilkes the opening and closing days of the applicable waterfowl seasons. counties (6,276 acres) ● Turkey hunting is by permit only (see the “Special Hunt ● Six-day-per-week area GAME LANDS Opportunities” publication to apply). ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 19 - 25 and Dec. 12 - 17. ● Dove hunting on the field trial grounds will be prohibited from ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May the second Sunday in September through the remainder of the 16 through Aug. 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from hunting season. Sept. 1 through May 15. This rule includes all equine species. ● Dog training is restricted to Mondays, Wednesdays and Satur- Participants must obtain a game lands license prior to horseback days from Oct. 1 - April 1. riding on this area. ● Swimming in lakes is not permitted. Toxaway Game Land – Jackson and Transylvania counties ● Camping is restricted to Sept. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 in (11,651 acres) designated camping areas. ● Six-day-per-week area ● It is illegal to hunt quail and woodcock and to train dogs on ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 10 (Introductory season). birds on areas posted with signs stating “C-U-R-E Wildlife Game ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May Lands, Special Regulations Apply.” All of these posted areas are 16 through Aug. 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from on that part of the Game Land east of U.S. 1 in Richmond County Sept. 1 through May 15. This rule includes all equine species. or east of S.R. 1001 and west of U.S. 15/501 in Scotland County. Uwharrie Game Land – Davidson, Montgomery and Randolph ● All of Sandhills Game Land in Moore County is located within counties (50,189 acres) the Sandhill Township (see “local laws” for additional restrictions). ● Six-day-per-week area Shearon Harris Game Land – (See Harris Game Land). ● Gun either-sex deer season: Nov. 12 - 18 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 Shocco Creek Game Land – Franklin and Warren counties Vance Game Land – Vance County (841 acres) (1,625 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15- Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - 21 and Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 ● The use of dogs, center-fire rifles and handguns for hunting deer (moderate season). is prohibited on the Nutbush Peninsula tract. South Mountains Game Land – Burke, Cleveland, McDowell and Van Swamp Game Land – Beaufort and Washington counties Rutherford counties (20,665 acres) (5,482 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun deer season: Nov. 21- Dec. 10 in all portions of the game land. ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 10 (introductory season) in all White Oak River Impoundment Game Land – Onslow County portions of the game land. (100 acres) ● Horseback riding is prohibited except on designated trails May ● Three-day-per-week area 16 through Aug. 31, and all horseback riding is prohibited from ● Gun either-sex deer season: Open days during Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 Sept, 1 through May 15. This rule includes all equine species. (maximum season). ● That part of South Mountains Game Land in Cleveland, ● Waterfowl may be taken on Tuesdays and Saturdays, on Thanks- McDowell and Rutherford counties is closed to all grouse, giving, Christmas, New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days; quail and woodcock hunting and all bird dog training. and on the opening and closing days of the statewide waterfowl Stones Creek Game Land – Onslow County (2,508 acres) hunting seasons. After Oct. 1, a special permit is required for ● Six day-per-week area hunting waterfowl on opening and closing days of the duck ● Swimming in all lakes is prohibited seasons, Saturdays of the duck seasons and on Thanksgiving, New ● Gun either-sex deer season Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season) Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days. (See the “Special Hunt Suggs Mill Pond Game Land – Cumberland and Bladen counties Opportunities” publication to apply). (9,280 acres) ● Permit-only area (See the “Special Hunt Opportunities” publication to apply.) ● Camping is restricted to Sep. 1 - Feb. 28 and April 7 - May 14 in areas both designated and posted as camping areas. Sutton Lake Game Land – Brunswick and New Hanover counties (3,322 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Dec. 27 - Jan. 2 (conservative season). Tar River Game Land – Edgecombe County (125 acres) ● Six-day-per-week area ● Gun either-sex deer season: Oct. 15 - Jan. 2 (maximum season). ● Waterfowl may be taken on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Thanks- giving, Christmas, New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. days 50 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. Some local county-by-county legislation also pertains to hunting, the roadway of any public road, street or highway; and it is LOCAL LAWS inland fishing and trapping activities in North Carolina. The unlawful for any person to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow following is a county-by-county listing of acts that might not from, on, across or over the right-of-way of any public road, violate the general laws and regulations, but that are prohib- street or highway unless the person is the owner or lessee of ited by local legislation passed by the General Assembly. the land abutting the right-of-way These laws do not reflect actions taken by the 2004 session ● Possess a firearm or bow and arrow outside the passenger com- of the General Assembly. partment of a vehicle while on the roadway or right-of-way unless the person is the owner or lessee of the land abutting The following is unlawful in the counties indicated: the right-of-way. ● To hunt or possess a firearm or bow and arrow on the land of HUNTING AND TRAPPING another without the permission of the landowner or lessee. Alamance ● To take deer from any vessel in the Roanoke River above the U.S. ● Hunt any wildlife with a firearm from the right-of-way of a 17 bridge, whether the vessel is under power or not. public road. Bladen ● Hunt a deer or fox by use of dogs at any time. ● Hunt deer with the aid of a boat or floating device on the Cape ● NOTE: Entrance to private lands to hunt is regulated by local Fear River or its tributaries. ordinance. ● Possess a firearm aboard a motor-propelled vessel on the Cape ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other Fear River during open deer season. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Hunt any game from a public road adjoining posted land without control of the dog. having in possession written permission of the owner or lessee. Alexander ● Hunt, take or kill any bird or animal or to attempt to hunt, take ● Hunt, take or kill or attempt to hunt, take or kill any animal or or kill any bird or animal on property adjacent to Bladen Lakes bird on or from the right-of-way of any public road. State Forest without written permission of the owner or lessee. Alleghany ● Hunt, take or kill any bird or animal or attempt to hunt, take or ● Discharge a firearm from, on or across a public road without kill any bird or animal on, from or across the right-of-way of any written permission from adjoining landowners. public road adjacent to property adjacent to Bladen Lakes State ● Take any game or nongame animal or bird in Sam Brown Park. Forest without written permission of the owner or lessee. Anson Brunswick ● Hunt without written permission of owner. ● Set or possess a trap or snare on another’s land not under ● Hunt on, from or across any public road. written lease. ● Hunt deer with dogs during the first two weeks of the gun deer ● Set a leghold steel trap between March 1 and Jan. 1 or the last season east of N.C. 742. (Dogs may be used during the last five day of the deer-hunting season, whichever is later. weeks of the gun deer season in this area.) ● Hunt from the right-of-way of a public road except by the owner ● Hunt deer with dogs unless the dog has a collar with owner’s or lessee of the abutting land or by a person with the permission identification. of such owner or lessee. ● Import and release a fox. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain control of the dog. control of the dog. Buncombe Ashe ● Hunt deer on or from the right-of-way of I-26 or I-40. ● Hunt with a loaded gun or other lethal weapon from the right- ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other of-way of a state-maintained road, or discharge a gun or lethal electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain weapon across any such road. control of the dog. Avery Burke ● Take any wildlife, except bobcats, on Grandfather Mountain ● Hunt wild boar with any weapon other than a bow and arrow, a above the Yonahlossee Road (U.S. 221) on one side, or 4,000 rifle larger than .22-caliber or a shotgun loaded with buckshot feet elevation on the other. or rifled slugs. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Hunt from the right-of-way of public roads any bird or animal electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain except bear, without written permission of the owner or lessee control of the dog. of the adjacent land. Beaufort ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Hunt migratory wildfowl north of the Pamlico River channel electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain between Broad Creek and Washington city limits. control of the dog. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other Cabarrus electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Take deer with a center-fire rifle except from a permanent or control of the dog. portable stationary stand at least 9 feet above ground level and Bertie with the written permission of the landowner or lessee in one’s ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird, or attempt to possession. hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird, with the use of a ● Hunt, take or kill with the use of firearms any bird or game animal firearm or bow and arrow from, on, across or over the roadway from, on or across the right-of-way of any numbered highway. or right-of-way of any public road, street or highway. ● Discharge a center-fire rifle on the property of another with- ● Discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from, on, across or over

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 51 out having in one’s possession the written permission of the under the supervision of parents or guardian. landowner or lessee. ● Possess a loaded firearm on the land of another while under the Caldwell influence of an impairing substance. ● Take any wildlife, except bobcats, on Grandfather Mountain Cherokee above the Yonahlossee Road (U.S. 221). ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Hunt wild boar with any weapon other than a bow and arrow, a electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain rifle larger than .22-caliber or a shotgun loaded with buckshot control of the dog. or rifled slugs. ● To take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a fire- ● arm or to discharge a firearm from, on, or across the right-of-way

LOCAL LAWS Buy or sell a dead fox, fox pelt or other part thereof. ● Hunt from the right-of-way of public roads any bird or animal of a public road, street, highway, or other public vehicular area. except bear, without written permission of the owner or lessee of Chowan the adjacent land. Bear and boar may be hunted from any ● Hunt waterfowl on N.C. 32 or on any road south thereof between unpaved road. the Albemarle Sound bridge and the Edenton city limits. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Take a bird or animal within Arrowhead Beach subdivision, electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain Cape Colony subdivision or Chowan Beach subdivision. control of the dog. ● Hunt deer, except by still hunting, south of U.S. 17 and U.S. 17 Camden Business and east of a line from the intersection of U.S. 17 ● Hunt deer with a rifle except from a stand 8 feet high located Business and the western city limits of Edenton due south to on land owned or leased by the hunter or on another’s land Albemarle Sound. with the owner’s permission. ● Hunt on the land of another without permission of owner, lessee ● Set a Conibear-type 330 or 220 trap or a No. 2 leghold steel trap or club president. except in water where beaver or otter may be lawfully taken. ● Hunt with or possess a center-fire rifle on the land of another or ● Hunt from the right-of-way of S.R. 1239 or of S.R. 1224 from discharge same on, over or across another’s land without having the county line to S.R. 1239. on one’s person written permission dated within one year. ● Hunt or discharge a firearm from, on or across S.R. 1205. ● Hunt with or discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from, to or ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other across any state-maintained road or right-of-way. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● To hunt with a centerfire rifle unless the barrel of the rifle is at control of the dog. least eight feet above ground level. ● To discharge or cause to be discharged any firearm within one- ● To intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other half mile of any public or private school, toward any public or electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain private school, or to cause any projectile discharged from a control of the dog. firearm to enter any public or private school grounds for any Clay reason, except where a person is transporting a firearm on a ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other State-maintained road or highway within or on any motor electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain vehicle or where a person is actively engage in retrieving dogs control of the dog. on a State-maintained road or highway. ● To take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with the use of a fire- Carteret arm or to discharge a firearm from, on, or across the right-of-way ● Hunt deer from a public road adjoining lands of others without of a public road, street, highway, or other public vehicular area. written permission of the owners or lessees. Cleveland ● Set a steel trap or Conibear-type trap, or take an animal therefrom, ● Hunt from a public road right-of-way. on another’s land without a written lease authorizing trapping. ● Hunt red fox at any time or gray fox between March 1 and Dec. 1. ● Take migratory waterfowl within 500 yards of another’s perma- ● Hunt on land of another without written permission from the nent hunting location without permission of the landholder owner or lessee dated within one year. upon whose land the waterfowl is taken. Columbus Caswell ● Set a steel trap between March 1 and Jan. 1. ● Hunt fox between June 30 and Sept. 1. ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with a firearm on, ● Hunt deer from the surface or right-of-way of a public road. from or across the right-of-way of any public road or highway ● NOTE: Entrance to private lands to hunt is regulated by local without obtaining written permission of the owner or lessee of ordinance. the land abutting the road or the land across which the weapon ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other is being discharged. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other control of the dog. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain Catawba control of the dog. ● Hunt, take or kill or attempt to hunt, take or kill any animal or Craven bird on or from the right-of-way of any public road. ● Unless a person owns or possesses a leasehold, it is unlawful to Chatham hunt, take, kill or to shoot from, on, or across a road right-of- ● Hunt with a firearm from the surface or right-of-way of a way on S.R. 1611, S.R. 1613, S.R. 1614, S.R. 1615, S.R. 1617, public road. S.R. 1619, S.R. 1620 or on S.R. 1401 from Washington Post ● Hunt with a firearm or bow and arrow or possess same except Road to N.C. 55. with express written permission, dated within the previous 12 ● Hunt on or from a public road within an area posted against months, of the landowner or lessee. such by the Wildlife Commission. ● Permit a minor under 16 to possess a firearm unless the child is ● Hunt on land within 100 yards of Trent River between the U.S. 70 52 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. bridge and a straight line from Haywards Creek to Ready Branch. S.R. 1227, S.R. 1229, S.R. 1248, S.R. 1249, S.R. 1250, S.R. 1251, LOCAL LAWS ● Hunt on land within 100 yards of Brices Creek between Trent S.R. 1252, S.R. 1253 or of U.S. 168 north of Moyock Creek. River and the S.R. 1004 bridge. ● For more information on the Currituck Game Commission’s ● Hunt from or shoot across S.R. 1600 (Broad Creek Road) east of laws and rules, please visit http://www.currituckgame N.C. 55 to its terminus near Broad Creek. commission.org, or call (252) 232-1212. ● Hunt on or from N.C. 306, S.R. 1004, U.S. 70 from S.R. 1225 to Dare .6 mile east, or S.R. 1225 from S.R. 1226 to .6 mile south. ● Chase deer with dogs, or permit a dog to chase deer, between ● Take any animal or bird on or from the right-of-way of S.R. 1144. March 1 and June 30 except for the mainland and Durant Island. ● Hunt, take or kill any animal or bird on or from the right-of-way ● Hunt transitory waterfowl from an unlicensed blind, except on of S.R. 1101 from S.R. 1004 to the USFS boundary. or within 5 yards of the shoreline of game lands. ● Hunt, take or kill any bird or animal on, from or across the right- ● Trap any game or furbearing animal between March 1 and Jan. 2 of- way of S.R. 1258 from its intersection with N.C. 55 to the or the last day of the deer-hunting season, whichever is later. intersection of S.R. 1251. ● Hunt waterfowl from an unlicensed, stationary or float blind. ● Hunt, take or kill any bird or animal on, from or across the right- ● Hunt in the blind of another without written permission. of-ways of S.R. 1230, S.R. 1229 and S.R. 1620. ● Hunt in a float blind within 500 yards of a licensed blind, ● Hunt, take or kill any animal or bird on or from the right-of-way occupied or vacant. of S.R. 1633, known as Brown Farm Road, S.R. 1637, known as ● For more information on the Dare County Game and Wildlife Alligator Road, and state roads 1638 and 1639 known as Maul Commission’s laws and rules, call (252) 475-5631. Swamp Road. Davidson ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird on, from or ● Hunt, fish or trap on land of another without permission. across the right-of-way of S.R. 1477. ● NOTE: Discharge of firearms or pellet guns from right-of-way of ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other public roads is regulated by local ordinance. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Hunt, take or kill a wild bird or wild animal with a firearm or control of the dog. discharge a firearm from, on or across the right-of-way of any ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or bird on or from the right- numbered state-maintained road without written permission of of-way of S.R. 1459 from Riverside Church north to S.R. 1460. the adjoining landowner. ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or bird on or from the right- ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other of-way of S.R. 1460 from its intersection with S.R. 1459 west to electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain the Pitt County line. control of the dog. Cumberland Davie ● Set a steel-jaw leghold trap on another person’s land except for ● Import and release a fox. beaver or muskrat on lands of one with whom the trapper has a Duplin contract for trapping. ● Hunt deer from a public road without permission of owners or ● Hunt with a firearm from or on a public road or the right-of-way lessees of lands on both sides. thereof. ● Hunt fox with dogs between March 15 and Aug. 2. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Discharge a firearm in taking game animals from the right-of- electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain way of a public road adjoining posted land without permission control of the dog. of the owner or person in charge of such land. Currituck Durham ● Hunt waterfowl within 500 yards of another’s licensed blind. ● Discharge a firearm in taking game animals from the right-of- NOTE: A Currituck Game Commission License is not required way of a public road adjoining posted land without permission for temporary waterfowl blinds on game lands. However, of the owner or person in charge of such land. unlicensed temporary blinds on game lands in this county shall ● Discharge a center-fire rifle on another’s land, or on or across not be hunted if a licensed float blind is established within 500 such land from a public road, without having in possession yards of the unlicensed blind before game land hunters have written permission of the owner or lessee. occupied the blind. Likewise, licensed float-blind hunters shall ● Take deer with dogs. not establish a float-blind position within 500 yards of an ● Hunt deer from a public road. unlicensed game land blind if game land hunters have occupied ● Hunt any wildlife with a firearm from a public road. the blind first. Unlicensed float blinds on game lands must be Edgecombe used within 5 yards of the game lands shoreline and shall not be ● Hunt, take or transport deer from or with the aid of any boat or established within 500 yards of a licensed point, bush or float floating device on that portion of the Tar River from S.R. 1252 to blind. Licensed float-blind hunters shall not establish a float- N.C. 44. blind position within 500 yards of an established game land ● Hunt with a firearm from the right-of-way of a public road. float-blind position if the game land hunters have established ● Hunt or transport game, except migratory waterfowl, from or by the game land float-blind position first. a boat or floating device on Swift Creek. ● NOTE: There is an open season for hunting or taking antlered Franklin deer with shotguns no larger than 10-gauge in that portion of ● Hunt deer with a rifle on another’s land, or from the right-of-way Poplar Branch township on the Outer Banks and the U.S. Fish of a public road adjoining such land, without written permission & Wildlife Service Swan Island and Monkey Island refuge areas from the owner to use a rifle. during the regular gun deer season. (Currently, the refuges are ● Hunt game from the right-of-way of any public road in that part closed by federal rule.) of the county bounded on the north beginning at the Tar River at ● Hunt with a firearm from the right-of-way of S.R. 1140, S.R. 1218, the Granville County line east to U.S. 1, then south along U.S. 1 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 53 to the intersection of N.C. 56, then east along N.C. 56 to the ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other intersection of U.S. 401, then north along U.S. 401 to the inter- electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain section of N.C. 39, then south along N.C. 39 to the intersection control of the dog. of N.C. 98, then east along N.C. 98 to the Nash County line. Hertford ● In all other portions of the county hunt game from the right-of- ● Take deer with the aid of a boat or floating device in or within way of any public road without written permission of the 100 yards of the Chowan River, except in creeks and tributaries. owners of the lands abutting that road. ● Discharge a center-fire rifle or any rifle larger than .22-caliber on Gaston or from the right-of-way of a public road, street or highway. ● ●

LOCAL LAWS Hunt, take, or kill with a firearm or other deadly weapon, any Hunt with or discharge a center-fire rifle from, on or across a wild animal or wild bird from or across the right-of-way of any public road, street or highway. public road, street or highway. ● Hunt with or possess a center-fire rifle on another’s land without Gates written permission of the owner or lessee. ● Take deer with the aid of a boat or floating device in or within ● Possess a firearm aboard a motor-propelled vessel (except an 100 yards of the Chowan River, except in creeks and tributaries. outboard with the motor removed and stored) on Meherrin ● Hunt on a public road adjoining posted land without prior River between the Virginia state line and Murfreesboro city limit written permission of the owner or lessee. during the open deer season. ● Hunt with or discharge a center-fire rifle from, on or across a Hoke state-maintained road. ● Take a deer with a rifle, except on Fort Bragg. ● Hunt with or possess a center-fire rifle on another’s land without ● Hunt with or discharge a firearm from, onto or across a primary written permission of the owner or lessee. highway. ● Hunt with, or possess, a firearm, bow and arrow, or dog on ● Hunt with or discharge a firearm from, onto or across a second- another’s land without permission of the owner or lessee. ary road without having in possession written permission of the ● Take any game or furbearer by trapping on another person’s land owner or lessee to hunt on abutting land. between the end of trapping season and Jan. 2. ● Hunt with a rifle larger than .22-caliber or capable of firing .22 ● Hunt with or possess a center-fire rifle or pistol in that part bor- center-fire, unless positioned at least 10 feet above the ground. dered to the north by U.S. 158, to the west by S.R. 1403/1400, ● Hunt with a gun or dog on the land of another without written to the south by S.R. 1404 and to the east by N.C. 32. It is also permission of the owner or lessee dated within one year. unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged a Hyde center-fire rifle or pistol toward Merchants Mill Pond State Park, ● Hunt game animals with dogs, unless accompanied by a licensed or to cause any projectile to enter the park property for any reason. hunting guide or with a permit from the owner of the land. Granville ● Hunt migratory waterfowl from a public road. ● Hunt deer from the right-of-way of a public road. ● Hunt with a rifle from a public road. ● Hunt or possess a firearm or bow and arrow without acquiring ● Hunt with gun or dog on the land of another without permis- an entry permit before entering on registered lands or remaining sion of the owner or lessee. on an abutting portion of highway. Iredell Greene ● Hunt, take or kill, or attempt to hunt, take or kill, any animal or ● Hunt deer with a rifle, except from a position elevated at least 8 bird on or from the right-of-way of any public road. feet above the ground and not affixed to a motor vehicle. Jackson ● Hunt fox with firearms during the open deer season. ● Hunt “wild or feral” hogs between Jan. 1 and Oct. 15. ● Hunt with a loaded firearm from or on a public road or right-of-way. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other Guilford electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain ● Hunt an animal with a firearm from a public road. control of the dog. Halifax Johnston ● Take deer with the aid of a boat or floating device in Roanoke ● Hunt with a loaded firearm on a state-maintained road. River between U.S. 17 and U.S.301. ● Discharge a firearm on or across a state-maintained road. ● Hunt with a firearm from the right-of-way of a public road. ● Hunt deer with dogs or allow a dog to chase deer. ● Discharge a firearm on or across a public road. ● Take rabbits from Feb. 16 to the close of the statewide rabbit season. Harnett ● Hunt deer with a rifle on another’s land or on an adjoining ● Buy or sell a dead fox, fox pelt or other part thereof. public road without written permission of the owner. ● Hunt, take or kill with a firearm or other deadly weapon any Jones wild animal or wild bird on, from or across the right-of-way of ● Hunt, with firearms, any animal or bird on, or from, or across any public road, street, highway or thoroughfare. the right-of-way of any public road. ● Use a center-fire rifle in hunting on the land of another with- Lee out written permission dated within 12 months and carried ● Buy or sell a dead fox, fox pelt or other part thereof. on one’s person. ● Hunt with any weapon while on the land of another without Haywood written permission dated within one year. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Hunt with any weapon any wild animal or bird or discharge a electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain firearm on, from or across the right-of-way of any public road. control of the dog. Lenoir Henderson ● Hunt with a firearm on or discharge a firearm on or across S.R. ● Hunt or discharge a firearm on or from the right-of-way of any 1804 between U.S. 70 and N.C. 55. state road west of U.S. 280. 54 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. ● Release hunting dogs onto posted land without written consent dated within one year. LOCAL LAWS of the owner. ● Hunt, take or kill deer on, from or across a right-of-way of any ● Hunt on or from the right-of-way of a public road. public road. Macon ● Hunt deer with dogs unless each dog bears a collar, tag or other ● Hunt, take or kill whitetail deer from, on or across the right-of- identification with the owner’s full name and address. way of any public road, street or highway. Nash ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Take migratory waterfowl on, from or over the Rocky Mount electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain Tar River Reservoir or within 500 yards thereof, except within control of the dog. “Zone E” with permission of the affected landowner. Madison ● Discharge a firearm from, onto or across a public road. ● Hunt red foxes. ● Hunt deer with a rifle, except from a stand at least 6 feet above ● Hunt from a public road right-of-way. the ground. Martin ● Hunt or discharge a rifle on or across the right-of-way of any road. ● Discharge a firearm on, from or across the right-of-way of any ● Hunt on the land of another without written permission from public paved road, S.R. 1500, S.R. 1103 or S.R. 1554. the owner or lessee. ● Discharge a rifle of greater than .22-caliber except from an elevated New Hanover position in which the rifle is a minimum of 8 feet above the ground. ● Hunt a fox with dogs in Federal Point township south of the ● Take deer with the aid of a boat or floating device in or within 10 Intracoastal Waterway. yards of Roanoke River above the U.S. 17 bridge. ● Set a steel trap on another’s land. ● Hunt with a firearm from, or discharge a firearm on or across, a ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other public road northwest of U.S. 64, U.S. 17 or in an area adjoining electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain Beaufort County and lying between N.C. 171 and U.S. 17. control of the dog. ● Hunt with or discharge a firearm on or across S.R. 1142 between Northampton N.C. 903 and S.R. 1113. ● Take deer with the aid of a boat in or within 100 yards of the ● Buy or sell a dead fox, fox pelt or other part thereof. Roanoke River below U.S. 301. ● Hunt from the rights-of-way of S.R. 1504 and S.R. 1505. ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird with a firearm on, McDowell from or across the right-of-way of any public road or highway. ● Discharge a firearm from the right-of-way of a state-numbered ● Discharge a rifle larger than .22-caliber on another’s land or road for the purpose of taking big game animals. This does not from the right-of-way of a public road across such land without apply to those portions along N.C. 105 bordered on both sides written permission of the owner or lessee and unless positioned by game lands. at least 8 feet above the ground. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Possess a firearm on a motor-propelled vessel (except an out- electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain board with the motor removed and stored) on Meherrin River control of the dog. during the open deer season. Mecklenburg Onslow ● Hunt deer with any rifle except that a muzzleloading rifle may ● Hunt any wild animal or bird from the right-of-way of any public be used during the primitive weapons season. road without written permission of the owner or lessee of the ● Hunt with a firearm from a public road or highway right-of-way. land that abuts the road. Mitchell Orange ● Hunt wild boar with any weapon other than a bow and arrow, a ● Hunt deer from a public road. rifle larger than .22-caliber or a shotgun loaded with buckshot ● Hunt with firearms from the right-of-way of a public road. or rifled slugs. ● NOTE: Entrance to private lands to hunt is regulated by local ● Hunt, take or kill any wild bird or wild animal except bear or ordinance. boar with a firearm from, on or across a public road right-of-way. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain control of the dog. control of the dog. Pamlico Montgomery ● Take migratory waterfowl within 500 yards of another’s perma- ● Sell a dead fox or parts thereof. nent hunting location without permission of the landholder Moore upon whose land the waterfowl is taken. ● Hunt deer with rifles on a public road. ● Hunt bear with dogs. ● In Sandhill and Mineral Springs townships: (1) hunt any game ● Take any wild animal or wild bird from or across the right-of- animal on another’s land without possession of written per- way of N.C. 55 and N.C. 306. mission of the owner or lessee; (2) hunt with a rifle of greater Pasquotank than .22 rimfire caliber or capable of firing .22 center-fire ● Discharge a center-fire rifle on another’s land, or on or across ammunition, except that a muzzleloading rifle may be used such land from a public road, without having in possession when positioned at least 8 feet above the ground. written permission of the owner or lessee. ● Possess a loaded firearm on a public road right-of-way except ● To have possession of a loaded shotgun or center-fire rifle while with permission of abutting landowners. on the right-of-way of any public road or highway while outside ● Shine a light on deer between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 the confines of the passenger area of a vehicle without the written minutes before sunrise. permission of the owner or lessee of the land that abuts the road ● Hunt deer on the land of another without written permission or highway. Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 55 ● To hunt, take or kill any bird or game animal from or on the ● Prohibits hunting, taking, or killing any wild animal or wild bird, right-of-way of any public road or highway without first or attempting to hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird, securing the written permission of the owner or lessee of with the use of a firearm or bow and arrow, from, on, across, or the land that abuts the road or highway. over the roadway or right-of-way of any public road, street, or ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other highway. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other control of the dog. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain Pender control of the dog. ●

LOCAL LAWS Take deer with the aid of a boat or floating device in or within 100 Rockingham yards of the Black River, Long Creek, Morgan Creek or Turkey ● Hunt any wildlife from the right-of-way of any public road. Creek between N.C. 210 and the Northeast Cape Fear River. ● NOTE: Entrance to private lands to hunt is regulated by local ● Discharge a firearm while hunting from the right-of-way of a ordinance. state-maintained road onto or across any adjoining land without ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other permission of the owner. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain Perquimans control of the dog. ● Take a wild animal or bird in Snug Harbor subdivision in Bethel Rowan Township or in Longbeach Estates. ● Hunt, fish or trap on the land of another without written ● Hunt with a rifle larger than .22-caliber without written per- permission. mission of the landowner. ● Hunt with a loaded firearm or discharge the same on or across a ● Hunt on the right-of-way of a public road. state-maintained road. ● Hunt with or possess a firearm or bow and arrow on another’s ● NOTE: Entrance to private lands to hunt is regulated by local land without the permission of the landowner or lessee. ordinance. ● Hunt with a center-fire rifle except from a stand at least 5 feet ● Discharge firearms or fireworks or to create noise using mechan- above the ground level. ical apparatus while in the no-wake zone around Eagle Point ● Hunt on land of another without the written permission of the Nature Preserve on High Rock Reservoir. owner or lessee of the land, dated for the current hunting season. Rutherford Person ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or wild bird on, from or across ● Hunt deer from a public road. the right-of-way of any public road. Pitt ● Possess or set a steel trap, or take an animal therefrom, except on ● Hunt with a firearm from or on or across a public road or the land owned or leased solely for agricultural purposes by the trapper. right-of-way thereof. ● Hunt with any weapon while on the land of another without ● Hunt while under the influence of an impairing substance. written permission dated within one year. ● Hunt with a firearm within 300 feet of any residency or occu- ● Discharge a firearm on, from or across the right-of-way of any pied building without the written, signed and dated permis- public road. sion of the owner or lessee of the land. Permission must be Sampson renewed annually. ● Hunt with firearms any wild animal or wild bird from or dis- ● Hunt or to discharge a firearm on or across posted land without charge firearms from or across any state-maintained road with- the written, signed and dated permission of the owner or lessee. out obtaining permission of the landowner or lessee of the land Permission must be renewed annually. abutting the road. ● Release dogs on or to allow dogs to run on posted land without Scotland the written signed and dated permission of the owner or lessee ● Hunt with the use of a center-fire rifle or any firearm capable of of the land. Permission must be renewed annually. firing a center-fire projectile, unless the person is positioned in a ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other stationary and elevated position at least 10 feet above the ground. electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Possess a loaded shotgun or rifle, or discharge any firearm, from, control of the dog. onto or across the right-of-way of a primary or secondary high- Polk way, except by an owner of land adjoining a secondary road ● Possess or set a steel trap, or take an animal therefrom, except on or a person with an owner’s written permission to hunt on land owned or leased solely for agricultural purposes by the trapper. such adjoining land. ● Hunt with a firearm from or on a public road or the right-of-way ● Hunt on land of another without written permission from the thereof. owner or lessee dated within one year. Randolph Stanly ● Hunt from the right-of-way of a public road. ● Hunt with a firearm from the right-of-way of a public road. Richmond Stokes ● Take deer with dogs west of Little River and that portion east of ● Discharge a firearm in taking game animals from the right-of-way Little River, bounded by N.C. 73 to the north, by Hough Road of a public road adjoining posted land without permission of the to the east and by Grassy Island Road to the south. owner or person in charge of such land. ● Hunt deer from a public road. ● Hunt an animal with a firearm from a public road. ● Hunt with firearms from the right-of-way of any public road Surry north of U.S. 74 and west of U.S. 220. ● Hunt any animal with firearm from a public road, highway or street. Robeson Swain ● Hunt deer from or through the use of any boat or other ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other floating device. 56 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain Watauga LOCAL LAWS control of the dog. ● Hunt, take or kill any species of wild animal or wild bird by loaded Transylvania firearm or lethal weapon from the right-of-way of any state-main- ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other tained road or to discharge a firearm or weapon across any such road. electronic device placed on a dog by its owner to maintain Wayne control of the dog. ● Set a steel trap or Conibear-type trap, or take an animal therefrom, ● Hunt, take or kill any wild animal or bird from, on or across the on another’s land without a written lease authorizing trapping. right-of-way of a public road, street, highway or other vehicular ● Hunt deer with dogs or allow dogs to chase deer. area, except those located on the Pisgah, Nantahala or Toxaway ● Hunt with a loaded gun or discharge same on or across a state- game lands. maintained road. ● Hunt on the land of another without having written permission ● Hunt deer with a rifle on another’s land, or from a public road from the landowner or lessee dated within the previous twelve adjoining such land, without written permission of the landowner. months. ● Hunt foxes in any manner from March 16 to Aug. 1. Tyrrell Wilkes ● Hunt with a gun or dog on another’s land without permission of ● Shoot a raccoon while training coon dogs during closed season. the owner or lessee. ● Hunt animals with a firearm from a public road, except that bear Union or wild boar may be taken from any unpaved road. ● Hunt, take or kill a wild animal or wild bird from, on or across ● Hunt, fish or trap on land of another without written permission. the right-of-way of any public road or highway. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other ● Discharge a firearm from, on or across the right-of-way of any electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain state-maintained road. control of the dog. ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other Wilson electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain ● Hunt from a public road right-of-way. control of the dog. ● Hunt deer with rifles except from a stationary stand that is Vance elevated at least 8 feet above the ground. ● Hunt or discharge a firearm on any land that has been registered Yadkin with the sheriff and posted, or on a highway abutting such land, ● Import and release a fox. without having in possession a valid entry permit. (Before ● Hunt animals with a firearm from a public road. hunting or discharging a firearm on any land or an abutting ● Hunt, fish or trap on the land of another without written permission. highway, it is the affirmative duty of the hunter or marksman to Yancey make appropriate inquiry about whether the land is registered ● Intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other and to look for posted signs that may indicate such status.) electronic device placed on a dog by his owner to maintain Wake control of the dog. ● Hunt deer with a dog on another’s land without written per- mission of the owner. LOCAL FOX LAWS ● Shoot at a deer from, on or across the right-of-way of a county Counties listed in this section have local laws enacted by the North road or state highway. Carolina General Assembly that allow the harvest of foxes under ● Take any animal with a center-fire rifle unless the person is special provisions. For information regarding these laws, positioned at least 8 feet above the ground. contact the county attorney in each county. ● Possess a loaded firearm or hunt on the land of another with- ● Alamance ● Chowan ● Haywood ● Pitt out written permission. ● Anson ● Cleveland ● Henderson ● Richmond ● Possess loaded shotguns or center-fire rifles upon highway right- ● Ashe ● Columbus ● Hoke ● Robeson of- ways. ● Avery ● Currituck ● Hyde ● Rockingham Warren ● Beaufort ● Davie ● Iredell ● Scotland ● Hunt or possess a firearm or bow and arrow without acquiring an ● Bladen ● Duplin ● Jones ● Stanly entry permit before entering on registered lands or remaining on ● Brunswick ● Edgecombe ● Lincoln ● Stokes an abutting portion of the highway. ● Burke ● Franklin ● Montgomery ● Surry ● Take deer with a rifle on another’s land or from the right-of-way ● Caswell of a public road adjoining such land without written permission ● Gates ● Northampton ● Ty r r ell ● Catawba of the owner. ● Granville ● Perquimans ● Vance ● Chatham Washington ● Halifax ● Person ● Wilkes ● ● Use a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow on, from or across the Yadkin right-of-way of any state-maintained road. ● Possess a loaded shotgun or center-fire rifle while on the right- of-way of any state-maintained road or highway outside the confines of the passenger area of a vehicle (not applicable to the owner of the land). ● Hunt, take or kill a wild animal or wild bird with firearms and dogs, or to possess a loaded firearm outside the confines of the passenger area of a vehicle on the land of another, without the permission of the landowner or lessee.

Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 57 North Carolina Big Game 2004-2005 BLACK BEAR HARVEST BY REGION Harvest for 2004-2005 COASTAL REGION As reported by hunters to wildlife Number Harvested Location cooperator agents, by telephone, and County Male Female Total Bears Game Lands Other Lands by the Internet. BEAUFORT 62 56 118 5 113 BERTIE 25 15 40 1 39 Why should a hunter go out of his way to BLADEN 40 34 74 4 70 BRUNSWICK 24 14 38 0 38 report the turkey gobbler he just shot? CAMDEN 35 15 50 0 50 How many deer were harvested during CARTERET 14 10 24 11 13 the season here in North Carolina? Was CHOWAN 2 3 5 0 5 the total deer harvest for this period COLUMBUS 17 5 22 0 22 greater or less than this figure for last CRAVEN 38 31 69 4 65 season? How is this information used? CUMBERLAND 10 4 14 0 14 These are questions that often surface CURRITUCK 6 14 20 0 20 during discussions of North Carolina’s DARE 2 1 3 0 3 big game reporting system. The big DUPLIN 3 3 6 0 6 game reporting system is a procedure GATES 28 23 51 5 46 which requires that all wild turkey, boar, HALIFAX 3 1 4 0 4 HERTFORD 7 5 12 0 12 bear and deer harvested by hunters here HYDE 73 28 101 1 100 BIG GAME HARVEST REPORTS in the state be reported to any one of JONES 40 32 72 4 68 approximately 2,000 wildlife cooperator MARTIN 13 8 21 0 21 agents or by telephone to the Wildlife NEW HANOVER 3 0 3 0 3 Resources Commission via a toll-free NORTHAMPTON 7 2 9 0 9 number, or by the Internet. This proce- ONSLOW 26 8 34 0 34 dure became mandatory in the fall of PAMLICO 11 10 21 0 21 1976. Successful game management is PASQUOTANK 6 2 8 0 8 based on many factors and data, includ- PENDER 39 15 54 10 44 ing big game harvest figures. The more SAMPSON 8 3 11 0 11 that game managers know about popula- TYRRELL 54 30 84 4 80 WASHINGTON 47 38 85 6 79 tion trends and numbers, the easier it is Coastal Totals 643 410 1053 55 998 for them to make decisions that affect Percent of Total 61.1 38.9 100 5.2 94.8 seasons and other regulatory matters. Sound big game management must be MOUNTAIN REGION the result of combined efforts of hunters Number Harvested Location and the staff of the Wildlife Resources County Male Female Total Bears Game Lands Other Lands Commission. While the figures in this ASHE 6 0 6 0 6 report represent the reported harvest AVERY 2 4 6 2 4 and may vary from the actual harvest, BUNCOMBE 8 5 13 2 11 they are the best such figures available BURKE 4 2 6 5 1 at this time. Please do your share to see CALDWELL 6 3 9 4 5 CHEROKEE 32 15 47 41 6 that future reports of this nature are as CLAY 19 11 30 28 2 complete as possible by reporting your GRAHAM 48 19 67 61 6 big-game harvests and by encouraging HAYWOOD 18 15 33 21 12 your fellow sportsmen to do the same. HENDERSON 5 3 8 0 8 If you have questions about the procedure JACKSON 18 8 26 18 8 or this report, please contact the Division MACON 35 18 53 48 5 of Wildlife Management, N.C. Wildlife MADISON 30 5 35 20 15 Resources Commission, Archdale Build- MCDOWELL 25 16 41 29 12 ing, 1722 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, MITCHELL 11 2 13 3 10 NC 27699-1722. RUTHERFORD 5 2 7 0 7 SWAIN 5 2 7 5 2 TRANSYLVANIA 7 4 11 8 3 WATAUGA 3 0 3 0 3 WILKES 6 0 6 0 6 YANCEY 11 6 17 4 13 Mountain Totals 304 140 444 299 145 Percent of Total 68.5 31.5 100 67.3 32.7

Statewide Totals 947 550 1497 354 1143 Percent of Total 63.3 36.7 100 23.6 76.4

58 Please note: For the convenience of the reader, major regulation changes appear in RED. 2004-2005 REPORTED WHITE-TAILED DEER HARVEST BIG GAME HARVEST REPORTS Sex and Age of Harvest Antlered Harvest by Season Location Antlered Button Bucks/ Muzzle- Game Other County Bucks Bucks Does Total Sq. Mile Gun loader Bow Lands Lands Alamance 779 104 752 1,635 3.24 1,265 253 117 0 1,635 Alexander 401 50 445 896 2.43 646 149 101 0 896 Alleghany 892 119 1,190 2,201 6.17 1,598 367 236 18 2,183 Anson 1,683 242 1,523 3,448 3.77 2,614 550 284 58 3,390 Ashe 827 119 1,045 1,991 2.92 1,352 412 227 30 1,961 Avery 219 21 115 355 1.01 220 45 90 65 290 Beaufort 1,451 95 884 2,430 2.19 2,288 109 33 124 2,306 Bertie 2,095 315 1,721 4,131 3.40 3,850 198 83 178 3,953 Bladen 1,715 135 1,131 2,981 2.35 2,865 68 48 147 2,834 Brunswick 1,153 129 711 1,993 1.68 1,875 91 27 69 1,924 Buncombe 206 9 152 367 0.47 272 30 65 79 288 Burke 630 61 377 1,068 1.79 762 208 98 95 973 Cabarrus 552 54 458 1,064 3.12 830 152 82 0 1,064 Caldwell 538 40 294 872 1.47 598 184 90 78 794 Camden 271 41 160 472 1.41 436 18 18 56 416 Carteret 349 27 180 556 1.10 480 52 24 122 434 Caswell 1,483 161 862 2,506 4.77 1,848 512 146 184 2,322 Catawba 494 53 392 939 2.20 570 245 124 17 922 Chatham 1,173 107 1,083 2,363 2.40 1,720 418 225 396 1,967 Cherokee 107 0 11 118 0.28 99 9 10 61 57 Chowan 431 29 288 748 3.34 731 10 7 17 731 Clay 80 4 6 90 0.49 80 4 6 35 55 Cleveland 474 42 337 853 1.81 681 106 66 13 840 Columbus 1,664 127 940 2,731 2.10 2,575 127 29 88 2,643 Craven 1,249 78 710 2,037 2.31 1,919 88 30 166 1,871 Cumberland 786 48 357 1,191 2.03 1,119 30 42 14 1,177 Currituck 465 89 409 963 3.62 871 51 41 67 896 Dare 125 6 41 172 0.60 133 22 17 67 105 Davidson 637 72 484 1,193 1.74 932 176 85 78 1,115 Davie 503 66 535 1,104 3.27 812 202 90 24 1,080 Duplin 1,730 149 962 2,841 2.58 2,755 48 38 49 2,792 Durham 401 24 226 651 2.88 422 143 86 190 461 Edgecombe 1,372 189 1,068 2,629 3.09 2,475 120 34 0 2,629 Forsyth 339 28 245 612 2.08 382 123 107 0 612 Franklin 1,345 153 982 2,480 3.78 2,364 67 49 43 2,437 Gaston 249 20 153 422 1.43 286 83 53 0 422 Gates 899 135 674 1,708 3.12 1,638 44 26 29 1,679 Graham 29 2 1 32 0.11 28 2 2 28 4 Granville 1,476 164 822 2,462 4.53 1,864 458 140 126 2,336 Greene 485 28 286 799 2.32 750 34 15 0 799 Guilford 644 55 380 1,079 2.03 768 142 169 0 1,079 Halifax 2,555 458 2,471 5,484 4.57 5,192 234 58 87 5,397 Harnett 741 51 446 1,238 1.75 981 146 111 20 1,218 Haywood 48 1 9 58 0.10 52 4 2 27 31 Henderson 170 8 68 246 0.77 176 19 51 55 191 Hertford 899 138 648 1,685 3.13 1,615 49 21 0 1,685 Hoke 239 13 99 351 0.74 324 18 9 4 347 Hyde 974 181 975 2,130 2.04 1,667 302 161 172 1,958 Iredell 947 112 1,055 2,114 3.14 1,455 433 226 0 2,114 Jackson 35 1 2 38 0.09 31 7 0 31 7 Johnston 1,093 71 682 1,846 1.96 1,712 56 78 0 1,846 Jones 929 75 641 1,645 2.23 1,587 47 11 93 1,552 Lee 323 16 224 563 1.72 409 81 73 87 476 Lenoir 569 45 312 926 1.86 879 28 19 0 926 Lincoln 419 45 293 757 2.74 466 190 101 0 757 Macon 234 4 28 266 0.56 212 17 37 128 138 Madison 315 15 83 413 0.85 318 38 57 142 271 Martin 1,032 139 698 1,869 2.64 1,808 42 19 109 1,760 McDowell 421 30 267 718 1.13 511 117 90 81 637 Mecklenburg 224 19 185 428 1.54 301 57 70 0 428

59 2004-2005 White-Tailed Deer Harvest (continued) Sex and Age of Harvest Antlered Bucks Harvest by Season Location Antlered Button Harvested/ Muzzle- Game Other County Bucks Bucks Does Total Sq. Mile Gun loader Bow Lands Lands Mitchell 358 19 192 569 1.93 325 81 163 62 507 Montgomery 1,201 138 995 2,334 2.89 1,723 478 133 321 2,013 Moore 959 85 457 1,501 1.72 1,017 295 189 22 1,479 Nash 989 99 619 1,707 2.29 1,638 42 27 0 1,707 New Hanover 78 2 41 121 0.93 101 4 16 1 120 Northampton 2,110 381 1,891 4,382 4.91 4,081 223 78 0 4,382 Onslow 1,137 129 759 2,025 2.00 1,833 112 80 37 1,988 Orange 989 95 749 1,833 3.64 1,420 251 162 25 1,808 Pamlico 517 24 244 785 2.26 731 36 18 39 746 Pasquotank 429 26 246 701 2.25 663 23 15 0 701 Pender 1,906 185 1,292 3,383 2.66 3,193 117 73 200 3,183 Perquimans 542 69 433 1,044 2.52 1,016 18 10 0 1,044 Person 979 82 491 1,552 3.77 1,156 329 67 69 1,483 Pitt 1,174 66 587 1,827 2.47 1,747 47 33 0 1,827 Polk 382 13 262 657 2.34 446 112 99 83 574 Randolph 857 86 654 1,597 1.55 1,266 213 118 76 1,521 Richmond 760 46 348 1,154 1.97 1,076 57 21 82 1,072 BIG GAME HARVEST REPORTS Robeson 658 32 247 937 0.88 890 33 14 7 930 Rockingham 1,028 108 816 1,952 2.75 1,411 327 214 0 1,952 Rowan 842 89 739 1,670 3.10 1,278 268 124 78 1,592 Rutherford 832 66 715 1,613 2.10 1,289 198 126 39 1,574 Sampson 1,283 124 742 2,149 1.61 2,078 39 32 41 2,108 Scotland 406 25 146 577 1.56 523 29 25 57 520 Stanly 719 95 666 1,480 2.90 1,187 198 95 30 1,450 Stokes 777 82 764 1,623 2.40 1,050 334 239 0 1,623 Surry 775 65 514 1,354 2.16 996 232 126 18 1,336 Swain 66 1 11 78 0.14 67 2 9 37 41 Transylvania 147 1 39 187 0.45 159 9 19 101 86 Ty rrell 457 71 331 859 1.33 744 95 20 79 780 Union 624 63 573 1,260 1.60 1,015 161 84 0 1,260 Vance 736 57 430 1,223 4.70 1,136 52 35 36 1,187 Wake 1,278 94 663 2,035 3.94 1,800 105 130 315 1,720 Warren 1,033 241 870 2,144 2.81 2,052 68 24 24 2,120 Washington 634 81 491 1,206 2.50 1,023 146 37 91 1,115 Watauga 526 39 285 850 2.33 592 138 120 14 836 Wayne 634 36 270 940 1.46 902 24 14 0 940 Wilkes 1,840 180 1,925 3,945 3.25 2,896 692 357 89 3,856 Wilson 537 44 336 917 1.77 889 17 11 0 917 Yadkin 651 68 731 1,450 3.12 1,075 263 112 0 1,450 Yancey 422 23 287 732 1.72 403 98 231 46 686 State 76,840 8,042 55,429 140,311 2.18 118,356 14,001 7,954 5,966 134,345 2004-2005 WILD BOAR HARVEST Number Harvested Location County Male Female Total Boar Game Lands Other Lands ALLEGHANY 01101 BURKE 20211 CALDWELL 10101 CHEROKEE 15 11 26 23 3 CLAY 8 10 18 11 7 CLEVELAND 01110 GRAHAM 15 14 29 26 3 HAYWOOD 21312 JACKSON 24642 MACON 4 6 10 7 3 MADISON 10101 RUTHERFORD 12330 SWAIN 51660 TRANSYLVANIA 21330 Totals 58 52 110 86 24 Percent of Total 52.7 47.3 100 78.2 21.8

60 2004 REPORTED WILD TURKEY HARVEST BIG GAME HARVEST REPORTS Game Other Game Other County Adults Jakes Total Lands Lands County Adults Jakes Total Lands Lands Alamance 71 7 78 0 78 Jackson 68 5 73 42 31 Alexander 32 10 42 0 42 Johnston 16 0 16 0 16 Alleghany 173 55 228 1 227 Jones 74 28 102 8 94 Anson 129 46 175 3 172 Lee 29 7 36 13 23 Ashe 141 64 205 3 202 Lenoir 31 4 35 0 35 Avery 94 10 104 24 80 Lincoln 33 15 48 0 48 Beaufort 40 9 49 0 49 Macon 95 8 103 54 49 Bertie 149 20 169 8 161 Madison 105 26 131 23 108 Bladen 144 11 155 20 135 Martin 31 6 37 7 30 Brunswick 45 6 51 2 49 McDowell 174 27 201 45 156 Buncombe 143 41 184 27 157 Mitchell 75 13 88 11 77 Burke 178 36 214 45 169 Montgomery 89 27 116 21 95 Cabarrus 29 16 45 0 45 Moore 43 13 56 1 55 Caldwell 113 24 137 29 108 Nash 12 5 17 0 17 Camden 14 5 19 0 19 New Hanover 5 2 7 0 7 Carteret 28 2 30 0 30 Northampton 173 19 192 6 186 Caswell 282 30 312 31 281 Onslow 46 12 58 2 56 Catawba 31 9 40 1 39 Orange 131 6 137 0 137 Chatham 58 13 71 11 60 Pamlico 16 2 18 1 17 Cherokee 97 10 107 59 48 Pasquotank 14 3 17 0 17 Chowan 16 6 22 1 21 Pender 118 14 132 5 127 Clay 33 5 38 18 20 Perquimans 20 4 24 0 24 Cleveland 59 31 90 1 89 Person 232 25 257 20 237 Columbus 79 10 89 3 86 Pitt 47 8 55 0 55 Craven 83 11 94 7 87 Polk 85 12 97 14 83 Cumberland 21 3 24 0 24 Randolph 33 11 44 3 41 Currituck 29 11 40 0 40 Richmond 62 18 80 6 74 Davidson 42 11 53 8 45 Robeson 45 5 50 0 50 Davie 44 22 66 7 59 Rockingham 231 20 251 0 251 Duplin 68 17 85 0 85 Rowan 87 28 115 12 103 Durham 48 6 54 13 41 Rutherford 200 50 250 22 228 Edgecombe 58 11 69 0 69 Sampson 58 8 66 0 66 Forsyth 32 15 47 0 47 Scotland 21 7 28 7 21 Franklin 43 8 51 0 51 Stanly 36 13 49 0 49 Gaston 29 8 37 0 37 Stokes 211 43 254 0 254 Gates 81 11 92 1 91 Surry 108 29 137 0 137 Graham 59 3 62 44 18 Swain 35 3 38 16 22 Granville 276 20 296 13 283 Transylvania 45 3 48 24 24 Greene 24 4 28 0 28 Ty r r ell 2 0 220 Guilford 55 7 62 0 62 Union 13 4 17 0 17 Halifax 168 41 209 9 200 Vance 65 7 72 2 70 Harnett 45 13 58 0 58 Wake 33 7 40 6 34 Haywood 52 8 60 27 33 Warren 59 9 68 3 65 Henderson 64 11 75 14 61 Washington 23 1 24 2 22 Hertford 87 20 107 0 107 Watauga 96 26 122 4 118 Hoke 4 2 6 0 6 Wayne 15 3 18 0 18 Hyde 13 3 16 1 15 Wilkes 257 108 365 11 354 Iredell 53 19 72 0 72 Yadkin 96 34 130 0 130 Yancey 76 27 103 7 96 2004 REPORTED WINTER EITHER-SEX State Totals 7325 1516 8841 831 8010 WILD TURKEY HARVEST County Total Reported Adult Males Jakes Hens Alleghany 19 6 4 9 Ashe 19 6 4 9 Reported Spring Harvest in the Last 10 Years: Caswell 11 2 1 8 1994 2,512 1999 5,340 Granville 17 6 5 6 1995 2,650 2000 6,827 Person 7 5 1 1 1996 2,559 2001 8,467 Rockingham 12 5 2 5 1997 2,890 2002 9,438 Stokes 23 7 7 9 1998 4,250 2003 9,862 Surry 7 2 3 2 Watauga 17 5 3 9 Wilkes 19 3 6 10 Totals 151 47 36 68 61 SUNRISE AND SUNSET TABLE at Charlotte, N.C., Eastern Standard Time

Jul 2005 Aug 2005 Sep 2005 Oct 2005 Nov 2005 Dec 2005 Jan 2006 Feb 2006 Mar 2006 Apr 2006 May 2006 Jun 2006 Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Rise/Set Date a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. a.m./p.m. 1 6:12/8:42 6:32/8:27 6:55/7:51 7:18/7:08 6:44/5:29 7:13/5:11 7:32/5:21 7:23/5:51 6:53/6:18 6:11/6:44 6:32/8:08 6:10/8:32 2 6:13/8:42 6:33/8:26 6:56/7:50 7:18/7:07 6:45/5:28 7:14/5:11 7:32/5:22 7:22/5:52 6:52/6:19 7:09/7:46 6:31/8:09 6:10/8:32 3 6:13/8:42 6:33/8:25 6:57/7:48 7:19/7:05 6:46/5:27 7:15/5:11 7:32/5:23 7:21/5:53 6:51/6:20 7:08/7:46 6:30/8:10 6:09/8:33 4 6:13/8:41 6:34/8:24 6:58/7:47 7:20/7:04 6:47/5:26 7:16/5:11 7:32/5:24 7:20/5:54 6:49/6:20 7:06/7:46 6:29/8:11 6:09/8:34 5 6:14/8:41 6:35/8:23 6:58/7:45 7:21/7:02 6:48/5:25 7:16/5:11 7:32/5:24 7:20/5:55 6:48/6:21 7:05/7:47 6:28/8:11 6:09/8:34 6 6:14/8:41 6:36/8:22 6:59/7:44 7:22/7:01 6:49/5:25 7:17/5:11 7:32/5:25 7:19/5:56 6:47/6:22 7:04/7:48 6:27/8:12 6:09/8:35 7 6:15/8:41 6:36/8:21 7:00/7:43 7:22/7:00 6:50/5:24 7:18/5:11 7:32/5:26 7:18/5:57 6:46/6:23 7:02/7:49 6:26/8:13 6:08/8:35 8 6:16/8:41 6:37/8:20 7:01/7:41 7:23/6:58 6:51/5:23 7:19/5:11 7:32/5:27 7:17/5:58 6:44/6:24 7:01/7:49 6:25/8:14 6:08/8:36 9 6:16/8:40 6:38/8:19 7:01/7:40 7:24/6:57 6:52/5:22 7:20/5:11 7:32/5:28 7:16/5:59 6:43/6:25 7:00/7:50 6:25/8:15 6:08/8:36 10 6:17/8:40 6:39/8:18 7:02/7:38 7:25/6:56 6:53/5:21 7:20/5:11 7:32/5:29 7:15/6:00 6:41/6:26 6:58/7:51 6:24/8:15 6:08/8:37 11 6:17/8:40 6:40/8:17 7:03/7:37 7:26/6:54 6:54/5:20 7:21/5:11 7:32/5:30 7:14/6:01 6:40/6:26 6:57/7:52 6:23/8:16 6:08/8:37 12 6:18/8:39 6:40/8:16 7:03/7:36 7:26/6:53 6:55/5:20 7:22/5:11 7:32/5:31 7:13/6:02 6:39/6:27 6:56/7:53 6:22/8:17 6:08/8:38 13 6:18/8:39 6:41/8:15 7:04/7:34 7:27/6:52 6:56/5:19 7:23/5:12 7:32/5:31 7:12/6:03 6:37/6:28 6:54/7:53 6:21/8:18 6:08/8:38 14 6:19/8:39 6:42/8:14 7:05/7:33 7:28/6:50 6:57/5:18 7:23/5:12 7:32/5:32 7:11/6:04 6:36/6:29 6:53/7:54 6:20/8:19 6:08/8:38 15 6:20/8:38 6:43/8:13 7:06/7:31 7:29/6:49 6:58/5:18 7:24/5:12 7:31/5:33 7:10/6:05 6:35/6:30 6:52/7:55 6:19/8:19 6:08/8:39 16 6:20/8:38 6:43/8:12 7:06/7:30 7:30/6:48 6:59/5:17 7:25/5:12 7:31/5:34 7:09/6:06 6:33/6:31 6:50/7:56 6:19/8:20 6:08/8:39 17 6:21/8:37 6:44/8:10 7:07/7:28 7:31/6:46 7:00/5:16 7:25/5:13 7:31/5:35 7:08/6:07 6:32/6:32 6:49/7:57 6:18/8:21 6:08/8:40 18 6:22/8:37 6:45/8:09 7:08/7:27 7:32/6:45 7:01/5:16 7:26/5:14 7:30/5:36 7:07/6:08 6:30/6:32 6:48/7:57 6:17/8:22 6:08/8:40 19 6:22/8:36 6:46/8:08 7:09/7:25 7:32/6:44 7:02/5:15 7:26/5:14 7:30/5:37 7:06/6:08 6:29/6:33 6:46/7:58 6:17/8:23 6:08/8:40 20 6:23/8:36 6.46/8:07 7:09/7:24 7:33/6:43 7:03/5:15 7:27/5:14 7:30/5:38 7:04/6:09 6:28/6:34 6:45/7:59 6:16/8:24 6:09/8:40 21 6:24/8:35 6:47/8:05 7:10/7:22 7:34/6:41 7:04/5:14 7:27/5:14 7:29/5:39 7:03/6:10 6:26/6:35 6:44/8:00 6:15/8:25 6:09/8:41 22 6:25/8:35 6:48/8:04 7:11/7:21 7:35/6:40 7:05/5:14 7:28/5:15 7:29/5:40 7:02/6:11 6:25/6:36 6:43/8:01 6:15/8:26 6:09/8:41 23 6:25/8:34 6:49/8:03 7:12/7:20 7:36/6:39 7:05/5:13 7:29/5:15 7:28/5:41 7:01/6:12 6:23/6:36 6:42/8:01 6:14/8:26 6:09/8:41 24 6:26/8:33 6:49/8:02 7:12/7:18 7:37/6:38 7:06/5:13 7:29/5:16 7:27/5:42 7:00/6:13 6:22/6:37 6:40/8:02 6:13/8:26 6:10/8:41 25 6:27/8:33 6:50/8:00 7:13/7:17 7:38/6:37 7:07/5:13 7:29/5:17 7:27/5:43 6:58/6:14 6:20/6:38 6:39/8:03 6:13/8:27 6:10/8:41 26 6:27/8:32 6:51/7:59 7:14/7:15 7:39/6:36 7:08/5:12 7:30/5:17 7:26/5:44 6:57/6:15 6:19/6:39 6:38/8:04 6:12/8:28 6:10/8:41 27 6:28/8:31 6:52/7:58 7:15/7:14 7:39/6:35 7:09/5:12 7:30/5:18 7:25/5:45 6:56/6:16 6:18/6:40 6:37/8:05 6:12/8:28 6:10/8:42 28 6:29/8:30 6:52/7:56 7:15/7:12 7:40/6:33 7:10/5:12 7:31/5:18 7:25/5:46 6:56/6:17 6:16/6:40 6:36/8:06 6:12/8:29 6:11/8:42 29 6:30/8:30 6:53/7:55 7:16/7:11 7:41/6:32* 7:11/5:11 7:31/5:19 7:24/5:47 6:15/6:41 6:35/8:06 6:11/8:30 6:11/8:42 30 6:30/8:29 6:54/7:54 7:17/7:10 6:42/5:31 7:12/5:11 7:31/5:20 7:24/5:48 6:13/6:42 6:34/8:07 6:11/8:30 6:12/8:42 31 6:31/8:28 6:55/7:52 6:43/5:30 7:31/5:20 7:23/5:49 6:12/6:43 6:10/8:31

*Boldface type = Daylight Savings Time (July 1-October 29, 2005 and April 2-June 30, 2006)

To determine sunrise and sunset times for the following N.C. locations, add or subtract minutes as indicated below: Ansonville - 3 minutes Fayetteville - 7 minutes Morehead City - 16 minutes Raleigh - 8 minutes Asheville + 7 minutes Greensboro - 4 minutes New Holland - 18 minutes Washington -14 minutes Currituck - 18 minutes Henderson - 9 minutes New Bern - 15 minutes Wilmington -11 minutes

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