Public Hearings
Applying to 2015–2016
Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Seasons
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
ncwildlife.org
January 2015
State of North Carolina
Pat McCrory, Governor
Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
John E. Skvarla, III, Secretary
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
James W. Cogdell, Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norwood
John Litton Clark, Vice Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clinton
Joe Barker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Bern
Thomas A. Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greensboro
Joseph Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winston-Salem
Ray Clifton, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clarkton
John T. Coley, IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holly Springs
Mark R. Craig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greensboro
Richard Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilmington
Thomas L. Fonville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raleigh
W. Neal Hanks, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asheville
Nat T. Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burlington
Michell Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cherokee
David W. Hoyle, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas
Wendell H. (Dell) Murphy, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wallace
Wes Seegars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goldsboro
Timothy L. Spear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creswell
Garry Spence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte
Brian White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manteo
Gordon Myers, Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raleigh
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Thank you for attending this public hearing. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commis-sion
appreciates the investment of your time here, to show your concern for fish and
wildlife programs in North Carolina. We welcome your opinions and suggestions
about these programs.
All state regulatory agencies must follow certain procedures that govern how
rules are adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act. Public notice is required
and proposed regulations are published in the North Carolina Register. A lengthy
comment period follows, which includes these public hearings. These procedures
are designed to give the proposed regulations wide public exposure and to offer the
public opportunities to respond with support, opposition or suggestions.
For fish and wildlife regulations, this process begins at the previous year’s hearings
and continues throughout the year. We consider all suggestions presented to us during
the past year as starting points for these proposed regulations. As a result, the proposals
presented in this document are a reflection of public, staff and committee input. The
commissioners approved these proposals for publication in the North Carolina Register
and for presentation at these public hearings.
In March 2015, after considering comments from the public and consulting with
staff, the Wildlife Resources Commission will make final decisions on the proposed reg-ulations.
The rules that are adopted will then be available in the N.C. Inland Fishing,
Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest for 2015–2016. The Regulations Digest will
be available on Aug. 1, 2015 from your licensing agent and on the NCWRC website
at ncwildlife.org.
We appreciate your participation and look forward to hearing your comments.
With your help, we will provide the best possible fish and wildlife programs for your
enjoyment today and in the future.
Sincerely,
James Cogdell, Chairman
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1701, 919-707-0010
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
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To Sportsmen Attending
Regulations Public Hearings
This booklet is designed to assist those in attendance at the public hearings in the nine
wildlife districts. It contains a brief description of the major changes that the N.C. Wild life
Resources Commission is proposing.
Hearing Procedures
For a schedule of hearings, see page 5, visit our website, ncwildlife.org, or call the
Wild life Resources Commission.
Please review the proposals in this booklet when you arrive and complete the
record form if you want to comment. During the hearing, a Commission official will
ask for your comments, opinions or suggestions. Your comments are welcome, and
each will be considered. In the interest of time and fairness to others who want to
speak, please be concise. We ask that your comments on each proposed change be
confined to the period allotted for discussions of that proposal. Adequate time to dis-cuss
each proposal will be allowed before moving to the next item.
After the proposed changes contained in this booklet are discussed, time will
be allotted to discuss other matters of interest that you may want to present to the
Commission for consideration. We earnestly solicit your input toward better ideas
for wildlife regulations. We also ask you to remember that changing regulations in
the N.C. Administrative Code can be a lengthy process. It often takes more than one
year to change regu lations to include your proposals. These public hearings are,
however, the proper starting point for your suggestions.
What Happens Next?
A written record of all public comments will be compiled and reviewed by Commission
staff and by the commissioners. Your recommendations, biological information from field
surveys, harvest records, changes in habitat, fish and wildlife populations, breeding
stocks, game lands use and other conditions that affect wildlife will be considered.
You are encouraged to speak at the public hearings or to write to the Commission,
if you have recommendations. We will accept public input about changes to the fishing,
hunting and trapping regulations until the close of the public comment period on
Feb. 8, 2015. You can also comment on regulation proposals during the comment
period on the Commission website, ncwildlife.org.
The Part that Hearings Play
The Commission has been charged with managing North Carolina’s wildlife resources
since 1947. Setting forth rules is one means by which we manage those resources to
serve the recreational and economic interests of the state’s citizens. We rely on the
public’s cooperation and assistance in this endeavor. Thus, we urge you to participate
in these public hearings and to submit your opinions, either verbally or in writing, to
the staff of the Commission.
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Schedule for the 2015 Hunting, Trapping and Fishing
Public Hearings
Before you make final plans to attend, check the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commis sion website
for current updates, including weather-related rescheduling, at ncwildlife.org.
Hearing Time: 7 p.m.
Date District City Location
Tue., Jan. 6 4 Dublin Bladen Community College
Wed., Jan. 7 5 Graham Alamance County Courthouse
Thu., Jan. 8 6 Norwood South Stanly High School
Tue., Jan. 13 9 Murphy Tri-County Community College
Wed., Jan. 14 8 Morganton Municipal Auditorium
Thu., Jan. 15 7 Wilkesboro The John A.Walker Center,
Wilkes Community College
Tue., Jan. 20 1 Edenton Swain Auditorium
Wed., Jan. 21 2 New Bern Craven County Courthouse
Thu., Jan. 22 3 Smithfield Johnston Community College
Get N.C. Wildlife Update—news including season dates, bag limits,
legislative updates and more—delivered to your Inbox from the
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go to ncwildlife.org/enews.
Limits to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Rulemaking Process
The General Assembly declares, through state statutes, which matters of fish,
wildlife and land management the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commis sion can regulate
through its rules. Some aspects of wildlife and fish man age ment, hunting, fish ing and
human/wildlife interaction are legislated directly. The N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission appreciates the interest of North Carolina’s sportsmen in the state’s
wildlife resources and respect fully considers all suggestions within its authority to
change regulations.
RULE MAKING PROCESS
Step 1: The public, Commission staff, Commission
committees, conservation partners and
other stakeholders propose new or
amended hunting, fishing, trapping, land
manage ment or other regulations.
Step 2: Commission staff consider proposals
from conservation, enforcement and
management perspectives.
Step 3: Proposals and staff analysis are
presented to the Executive Director
for his consideration.
Step 4: Proposals are reviewed by Commission
committees. Full Commission votes on
which proposals to be presented at
public hearings
Step 5: The public comments on proposals
through an on-line comment form at
ncwildlife.org, e-mails, letters and in
person at statewide public hearings.
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Step 9: Approved rules are entered into the
Adminstrative Code and written into
the Regulations Digest.
Step 6: The Commission considers comments
submitted during the comment period
and votes to reject proposals, adopt as
presented or adopt in a modified form.
Step 7: Adopted rules are filed with the Rules
Review Commission for approval.
Step 8: The Rules Review Commission approves
or disapproves rules. Rules that receive
10 or more letters requesting legisla -
tive review are delayed pending leg -
islative review.
photos by NCWRC.
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North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission Districts
Report Wildlife Violations
Toll-Free Number
800-662-7137
In the Raleigh area, call: 919-707-0040
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Proposed Changes in Fishing
Regulations for 2015–2016
The following changes in the statewide fishing regulations are proposed by the N.C.Wildlife
Resources Commission and are offered for your comments, opinions or suggestions.
Trout
F1. Reformat the structure of 15A NCAC 10C .0205 Public Mountain Trout Waters.
Justification: This is an administrative change to simplify the structure of 15A
NCAC 10C .0205 Public Mountain Trout Waters. Currently, the format of this
section of the N.C. Administrative Code is cumbersome and difficult for the
reader to navigate. This proposal will establish a consistent format that presents
county-specific information in alphabetical order. This format will be simpler
and more easily understood by the public. In addition it will be easier to handle
administratively during the rule-making process and less prone to human error.
This rule is amended annually as waters are added to or removed from Public
Mountain Trout Waters.
F2. Designate approximately 3.6 miles of Lovills Creek in Surry County from the
U.S. 52 Business bridge to the Ararat River as Public Mountain Trout Waters and
classify as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters.
Justification: The proposed change will provide additional public mountain
trout fishing opportunities under the Hatchery Supported Trout Waters classi-fication.
The City of Mt. Airy maintains an existing greenway alongside a por-tion
of Lovills Creek and is in the process of extending the greenway along the
creek to its confluence with the Ararat River. The trail network makes Lovills
Creek highly visible and accessible to the angling public.
F3. Designate approximately 2.2 miles of the Tuckasegee River in Swain County
from the U.S. 19 bridge to the Slope Street bridge as Public Mountain Trout Waters
and classify as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.
Justification: The proposed change will provide additional public moun-tain
trout angling opportunities under the Delayed Harvest Trout Waters
classification. This portion of the Tuckasegee River runs through Bryson
City. The Town of Bryson City and Swain County have coordinated public
access to this reach of the river.
F4. Designate approximately 0.6 mile of the Cane River in Yancey County from
Blackberry Ridge Road to the downstream boundary of Cane River County Park
as Public Mountain Trout Waters and classify as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.
Justification: The proposed change will provide additional public mountain
trout angling opportunities under the Delayed Harvest Trout Waters classifica-tion.
Cane River County Park, which is owned and operated by Yancey
County, borders the entire length of this reach of the river. The park makes
the reach highly accessible to the angling public.
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F5. Designate 6.0 miles of streams on Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County
as Public Mountain Trout Waters and classify as Wild Trout Waters.
Justification: The proposed change will provide additional public mountain
trout angling opportunities under the Wild Trout Waters classification.
F6. Clarify the boundaries of Delayed Harvest Trout Waters on South Fork New
River at Todd Island Park in Ashe County. The designated reach will befrom the up-stream
end of Todd Island to the S.R. 1351 bridge.
Justification: This is an administrative proposal to clarify the reach of the
South Fork New River designated as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. The
reach is currently defined as “Todd Island Park”; however, it is unclear to
anglers whether the parking area and canoe launch located downstream of
the S.R. 1351 bridge is part of the designated reach. The proposed change
clarifies that the parking area and canoe launch is downstream of the reach,
and anglers putting in or fishing at the canoe launch are not subject to the
Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations.
F7. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Stecoah Creek in
Graham County, allowing 1.8 miles on game land to default to Wild Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from the upper Nantahala Game Land boundary to Lake Fontana.
Justification: The proposed change will reclassify the designated reach to accu-rately
reflect the portion of Stecoah Creek that is actually being stocked. No
stocking locations will be lost as a result of this change. The proposed change
will more clearly define the boundaries of this section of Hatchery Supported
Trout Waters.
F8. Modify the upper boundary of Delayed Harvest Trout Waters on Little River in
Alleghany County removing approximately 1.0 mile of Public Mountain Trout Waters.
The designated reach will be from the S.R. 1133 bridge to 275 yards downstream of the
intersection of S.R. 1128 and S.R. 1129.
Justification: The proposed change will modify the designated reach to
accurately reflect the portion of the Little River that is actually accessible
to the public and being stocked. No stocking locations will be lost as a
result of this change.
The justification for proposals F9–F22 follows the description of proposal F22.
F9. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Big Laurel
Creek in Ashe County removing approximately 7.0 miles of Public Mountain Trout
Waters. The designated reach will be from the S.R. 1315 bridge to the confluence
with the North Fork New River.
F10. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Beaver Creek in
Ashe County removing approximately 2.0 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters.
The designated reach will be from N.C. 221 to the South Fork New River.
F11. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Old Fields
Creek in Ashe County removing approximately 2.0 miles of Public Mountain Trout
Waters. The designated reach will be from N.C. 221 to the South Fork New River.
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F12. Modify the upper boundary of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Valley
River in Cherokee County removing 3.1 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters and
allowing 0.5 mile on Nantahala Game Land to default to Wild Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from S.R. 1359 to the U.S. 19 Business bridge in Murphy.
F13. Modify the upper boundary of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Tusquitee
Creek in Clay County removing 3.2 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters and al-lowing
0.7 mile on Nantahala Game Land to default to Wild Trout Waters. The des-ignated
reach will be from Compass Creek to the lower S.R. 1300 bridge.
F14. Modify the upper boundary of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Tulula
Creek in Graham County removing 3.1 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters and
allowing 1.0 mile on Nantahala Game Land to default to Wild Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from S.R. 1201 to the lower bridge on S.R. 1275.
F15. Modify the upper boundary of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Tuckasegee
River in Jackson County removing 1.0 mile of Public Mountain Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from John Brown Branch to the downstream N.C. 107 bridge.
F16. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Scott Creek in
Jackson County removing 3.5 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters. The desig-nated
reach will be from Dark Ridge Creek to the Tuckasegee River.
F17. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Savannah
Creek in Jackson County removing 1.0 mile of Public Mountain Trout Waters and
allowing 0.4 mile on Nantahala Game Land to default to Wild Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from downstream of S.R. 1300 bridge to Cagle Branch.
F18. Modify the upper boundary of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Nantahala
River in Macon County removing 2.4 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from Dicks Creek to Whiteoak Creek.
F19. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Meadow Fork
in Madison County removing 3.0 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters and allow-ing
0.2 mile on Pisgah Game Land to default to Wild Trout Waters. The designated
reach will be from S.R. 1165 to Spring Creek.
F20. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Middle Fork
French Broad River in Transylvania County removing 1.0 mile of Public Mountain
Trout Waters. The designated reach will be from the upstream U.S. 178 bridge to the
French Broad River.
F21. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Meat Camp
Creek in Watauga County removing 1.9 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters. The
designated reach will be from the S.R. 1340 bridge at S.R. 1384 intersection to N.C. 194.
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F22. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Stony Fork in
Watauga County removing 2.4 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters. The desig-nated
reach will be from the S.R. 1500 bridge at S.R. 1505 intersection to the Wilkes
County line.
Justification: Proposals F9–F22 will modify the designated reaches to accu-rately
reflect the portion of stream that is actually accessible to the public and
being stocked. No stocking locations will be lost as a result of these changes.
F23. Modify the upper boundary of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Broad
River in Henderson County removing 0.1 mile from Public Mountain Trout Waters.
The designated reach will be from the end of S.R. 1611 to the Rutherford County line.
Justification: The landowner at the upper Hatchery Supported Trout Waters
boundary on the Broad River requested that trout no longer be stocked on his
property. One stocking location will be lost as a result of the proposed change.
F24. Modify the boundaries of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters on Laurel Creek in
Watauga County removing 3.5 miles of Public Mountain Trout Waters. The desig-nated
reach will be from the S.R. 1123 bridge at S.R. 1157 intersection to the
Watauga River.
Justification: The proposed change will modify the designated reach to accu-rately
reflect the portion of Laurel Creek that is actually accessible to the public
and being stocked. Two of 21 stocking locations on Laurel Creek will be elimi-nated
as a result of the proposed change.
F25. Remove a 0.8 mile section of the unnamed tributary of Three Top Creek on
Three Top Mountain Game Land in Ashe County from Public Mountain Trout Waters.
Justification: The section of Three Top Mountain Game Land on which the un-named
tributary of Three Top Creek is located has been sold and was removed
from the Commission’s game land program as of May 2014.
F26. Remove 2.5 miles of Jones Creek in Avery County from Public Mountain
Trout Waters.
Justification: Jones Creek is currently designated as Wild Trout. Adjacent prop-erties
are posted against trespass, and the creek is not accessible to the public.
F27. Allow night fishing in Wild Trout Waters (including Catch and Release/Artifi-cial
Flies Only Trout Waters, Catch and Release/Artificial Lures Only Trout Waters,
and Wild Trout/ Natural Bait Waters) and Public Mountain Trout Waters on game lands.
Justification: The proposed change will increase angling opportunities, while
reducing regulatory complexity. There is not a biological justification for pro-hibiting
night angling in Public Mountain Trout Waters. Night fishing is cur-rently
allowed in all Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, Delayed Harvest Trout
Waters, and Special Regulation Trout Waters not located on game lands and a
select number of Public Mountain Trout Waters located on game lands. This
proposal will reduce angler confusion by establishing consistency across all
regulatory classifications and locations.
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F28. Allow the harvest of trout in undesignated waters from March 1 until 7 a.m. on
the first Saturday in April.
Justification: The proposed change will increase angling opportunities, while
reducing regulatory complexity. Currently, anglers fishing in undesignated wa-ters
are not required to have a fishing license that includes the trout fishing
privilege and are allowed to fish year round (no closed season). However, an-glers
are unable to possess trout in undesignated waters during the closed sea-son
of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters (March 1 until 7 a.m. on the first Sat-urday
in April).
F29. Reformat the structure of 15A NCAC 10C .0316(e) Trout.
Justification: This is an administrative proposal to reformat the structure of
15A NCAC 10C .0316(e). Currently, the format of this section does not reflect
the intent of Special Regulation Trout Waters which is to provide watercourse-specific
season, size, and creel limits. This proposal will establish a format that
allows watercourse-specific information to be presented.
Crappie
F30. Remove the 8-inch minimum size limit and the 20-fish daily creel limit for
crappie on the South Yadkin River downstream of Cooleemee Dam, Yadkin River
downstream from Idols Dam, High Rock Lake, and Tuckertown Lake.
Justification: High Rock Lake and Tuckertown Lake contain crappie popula-tions
that are dominated by fish less than eight inches in total length. Recent
surveys in both reservoirs indicate that only 10% of the crappie is available to
harvest by anglers. The removal of the minimum size and daily creel limits
will allow anglers to harvest these smaller fish which should reduce competi-tion
for food resources for the remaining fish and ultimately improve average
size of crappie in both reservoirs.
Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass
F31. Modify the general statewide regulation for Striped Bass and its hybrids by in-creasing
the minimum size limit from 16 inches to 20 inches and reducing the daily
creel limit from eight fish in aggregate allowing two fish to be retained less than 16
inches to four fish with no exception. Reservoirs affected include High Rock Lake,
Tuckertown Lake, Badin Lake, Lake Tillery, Blewett Falls Reservoir, Hiwassee Reser-voir,
and W. Kerr Scott Reservoir.
Justification: Anglers have requested a minimum size limit of 20 inches and a
daily creel limit of four fish be implemented for Striped Bass on High Rock
Lake, Tuckertown Lake, Badin Lake, Lake Tillery, and Blewett Falls Reservoir.
Growth and condition data for Striped Bass from these reservoirs support an
increase in the minimum size limit and a decrease in the daily creel limit. With
this proposed change in conjunction with proposal F32, the current general
statewide regulation will be obsolete. This proposal will simplify the regula-tions
for Striped Bass and its hybrids.
F32. Establish an exception to the general statewide regulation for Striped Bass and
its hybrids in Arrowhead Lake (Anson Co.), High Rock Pond (Caswell Co.), Moss
Lake, Mountain Island Reservoir, Oak Hollow Lake, Lake Thom-A-Lex, Lake
Townsend, and Salem Lake by decreasing the daily creel limit from eight fish in ag-gregate
allowing two fish to be retained less than 16 inches to four fish with no ex-ception.
The minimum size limit will remain 16 inches.
Justification: Arrowhead Lake, High Rock Pond, Moss Lake, Oak Hollow Lake,
Lake Thom-a-Lex, Lake Townsend, and Salem Lake are stocked with hybrid
Striped Bass. Mountain Island Reservoir is stocked with Striped Bass, but hy-brid
Striped Bass are stocked upstream in Lake Norman. Maintaining the exist-ing
16-inch minimum size limit is necessary due to overall lower growth po-tential
of hybrid Striped Bass. Decreasing the daily creel limit will allow more
fish to remain in the reservoirs for anglers to catch. Regulations for Striped
Bass and its hybrids will also be simplified as all reservoirs will have a 4-fish
daily creel limit except for John H. Kerr Reservoir.
American Eel
F33. Clarify that American Eel less than nine inches cannot be taken or possessed,
regardless of origin, while boating on or fishing in any inland fishing waters.
Justification: Clarification is needed to aid the enforcement of the new size and
creel limits (effective August 1, 2014) and to prevent the illegal harvest of
American Eel. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommended
coastwide changes to recreational size and creel limits within Addendum III to
the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel. These changes are nec-essary
after recent stock assessment findings indicated the American Eel popu-lation
in U.S. waters is depleted.
Equipment
F34. Clarify the definitions of set-hooks, jug-hooks, and trotlines. A set-hook is a fishing
device consisting of a single line having no more than three hooks that is attached at one
end only to a stationary object. A jug-hook is a fishing device consisting of a single line
having no more than three hooks that is attached at one end only to a float. A trotline is a
fishing device consisting of a horizontal common line having multiple hooks attached.
The proposed change will also clarify that set-hooks, jug-hooks, and trotlines without bait
or not labeled properly may be removed from the water by wildlife enforcement officers.
Justification: Anglers often inquire about the definitions of set-hooks, jug-hooks,
and trotlines and how they can be fished. The proposed change will
clarify those definitions for better understanding and rule compliance.
F35. Add bow nets to the list of equipment that can be used to take nongame fish for
bait or personal consumption in inland fishing waters with an inland fishing license.
Justification: The use of bow nets is currently authorized March 1–April 30 in
41 counties in eastern North Carolina and requires a special device license.
Under this proposal the use of bow nets to take nongame fish for bait or per-
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sonal consumption would remain restricted to the established seasons and wa-ters,
but only require an inland fishing license. The fish harvested under this
provision cannot be sold. The use of bow nets to harvest nongame fish for the
purpose of sale would require a special device license.
Administrative
F36. Clarify in 15A NCAC 10C .0407 that the Neuse River is not located in
Granville County.
Justification: This is an administrative change. In 15A NCAC 10C .0407 Per-mitted
Devices and Open Seasons, seines are listed for use from July 1 – August
31 in the Neuse River in Granville County. However, the Neuse River does not
flow through Granville County.
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Proposed Changes in Wildlife Management
Regulations for 2015–2016
The following changes in the statewide hunting and wildlife management regulations are
proposed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and are offered for your comments,
opinions or suggestions.
Deer
H1. Create a Youth Deer Hunting Day to coincide with National Hunting and Fish-ing
Day, the fourth Saturday in September. On this day, youth under the age of 16
would be able to use all legal weapons to hunt deer of either-sex on both private
lands and game lands. Except as otherwise required, youth do not need an accompa-nying
adult. Adults can hunt with or without a youth on this day, but are restricted
to the legal weapon for the open season in that area. All hunters would be required
to wear blaze orange on this day.
Justification: This allows for an additional Saturday of youth hunting opportu-nities
with all legal weapons. Its purpose is to increase interest in deer hunting
among youth, potentially increase the youth success, and highlight the need to
engage youth in hunting.
H2. Extend the gun deer season in Cleveland, Polk, and Rutherford Counties until
January 1.
Justification: The Commission has received requests to extend the Polk/Ruther-ford/
Cleveland gun deer season past the current ending date of the fifth Satur-day
after Thanksgiving to January 1, the current closing date of in the North-western
Deer Season.
Extending the season will allow hunting to continue at least four days and as
many as 10 days past the current closing date. Thanksgiving dates range from
November 22nd through November 28th, depending on the calendar. When
Thanksgiving falls on November 22nd, the extension will allow 10 more hunt-ing
days at the end of the season. Conversely, when Thanksgiving falls on No-vember
28th, the extension will allow four more hunting days in the season.
Bear
H3. Clarify that bait legal for taking bears is a grain, fruit, nut, vegetable, or other
material harvested from a plant crop that is not modified from its raw components.
Also clarify that bears shall not be taken with the use or aid of any processed food
product, extracts of processed food products, or any legal bait that has been modi-fied
by extracts or other substances.
Justification: In 2013, the Commission adopted a change to the bear rule to
allow houndsmen and still hunters to take bears with the use or aid of some
baits. This proposed change will clarify which unprocessed food products are
legal bait for taking bears.
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Waterfowl
H4. Eliminate the Gaddy Goose Refuge goose zone and season in Anson County
and return this area to the Southern James Bay Hunt Zone for goose hunting.
Justification: Reports from local sportsmen that the historically high popula-tion
of geese on Gaddy Goose Pond was declining prompted the original sea-son
closure. Current biological data, however, indicate that the goose popula-tion
is sufficient for inclusion in the season established for the Southern James
Bay Hunt Zone.
H5. Allow the shooting of crippled waterfowl from a motorboat under power in
those areas described, delineated, and designated as special sea duck areas.
Justification: A recent change in the Code of Federal Regulations added North
Carolina to the list of states on the Atlantic seaboard that allow the shooting of
crippled waterfowl from a motorboat under power in those areas described, de-lineated,
and designated in their respective hunting regulations as special sea
duck hunting areas. North Carolina law is now more restrictive than federal
code in regards to manner of take because North Carolina prohibits the take of
any wild animal or wild bird from a vessel under power. This proposed change
would align North Carolina law with federal regulations and aid the ethical and
legal dispatch of wounded waterfowl.
Trapping
H6. Increase the number of days that the public has to tag bobcat, otters and foxes
from up to 10 days after the close of the applicable season to up to 30 days. Establish
a time frame of 23 days after the close of the season for the Commission to mail tags
to sportsmen.
Justification: The current time frame of up to 10 days to affix a tag to bobcat,
otter and fox after the close of season does not give hunters and trappers
enough time to tag their furs and likely leads to inflated harvest reports due to
trappers purchasing “extra” tags so as to not run out.
Changes in how furs are sold require fur to be skinned, fleshed, stretched,
and dried before shipment to auction houses. Hunters and trappers now spend
more time after season preparing their pelts and would benefit from the extra
time to tag these furs.
Establishing a cut-off date for mailing tags will help hunters and trappers
better plan their requests.
Feral Swine
H7. Allow hunters to use electronic calls to take feral swine.
Justification: Electronic calls could increase the successful take of this invasive
species. The public has requested expanded use of electronic calls for more species.
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Proposed Changes in Game Land
Regulations for 2015–2016
The following changes in game land regulations are proposed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission and are offered for your comments, opinions or suggestions.
Game Lands – Regulations Applying to Game Lands Generally
G1. Define target shooting as “the discharge of a firearm for purposes other than
hunting, trapping or self-defense”.
Justification: Existing rules currently prohibit target shooting on nine game
lands. Proposed rule changes for 2015-16 include restrictions on another 11
related primarily to those game lands in the vicinity of newly developed target
shooting facilities. There is currently no language in rule or statute which de-fines
target shooting. Defining the term in rule will clarify existing and future
rules related to target shooting and enhance public understanding of the same.
G2. Prohibit the use of dogs for taking deer on those portions of game lands posted as
“Restricted Deer Hunting Zones”, except as may be otherwise authorized by permit.
Justification: During the process of addressing public safety and user conflicts re-lated
to the use of dogs for taking deer on a portion of Bladen Lakes State Forest
Game Land in Bladen County, staff determined that existing game land designa-tions
at that time (i.e. Safety Zone, Archery Zone, Restricted Firearms Zones, etc.)
were not sufficient to address the concerns at hand without being more restrictive
than necessary. This rule will replace the current temporary rule. Adding the per-mit
exception to the permanent rule will allow for additional flexibility and facili-tate
opportunities to be less restrictive where appropriate.
Game Lands – Regulations to Specific Game Lands
G3. Prohibit target shooting on the following game lands, with the exception of
designated shooting ranges:
• Angola Bay Game Land (Duplin and Pender counties)
• Cape Fear River Game Land (New Hanover and Pender counties)
• R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell (Caswell County)
• Holly Shelter Game Land (Pender County)
• Nicholson Creek Game Land (Hoke County)
• Rockfish Creek Game Land (Hoke County)
• Sampson County Game Land (Sampson County)
• Sandhills Game Land (Hoke, Moore, Richmond and Scotland counties)
• Stones Creek Game Land (Onslow County)
Justification: These game lands are all within a 30-mile radius of developed
game land shooting range facilities that are either operational or currently
under construction. These restrictions will improve overall safety and reduce
undesirable impacts to game land, game land users, and adjacent landowners.
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G4. Prohibit target shooting on the following game lands:
• Buckridge Game Land (Tyrrell County)
• Buxton Woods Game Land (Dare County)
Justification: These game lands are state properties allocated to the N.C. Division
of Coastal Management and managed as part of the Commission’s game land pro-gram
under cooperative agreement. Division of Coastal Management rules pro-hibit
target shooting on Coastal Reserve sites. This proposed change will align
Commission game land rules with Division of Coastal Management rules.
G5. Prohibit horseback riding on Harris Game Land (Chatham, Harnett and
Wake counties).
Justification: The landowner (Duke Energy) has requested that horseback
riding be prohibited.
G6. Modify the current rule pertaining to horseback riding on Jordan Game Land
(Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake counties) such that riders, other than youth
under 16 years of age, are required to possess a Game Lands License or other license
which includes the game lands privilege to ride horses on posted equestrian trails
that lie entirely within the game land boundary.
Justification: Currently, the only trail posted for horseback riding on Jordan
Game Land is the American Tobacco Trail, which is managed by the county
jurisdictions under a sublease agreement and is not entirely located on game
land. Commission staff is currently working with the equestrian community
to develop at least one and possibly two equestrian trails with truck and trailer
parking that are contained completely within game land boundaries. The re-ceipts
from the required Game Lands License will offset costs associated with
the construction and maintenance of the trails and parking areas.
G7. Regulate the use of horses on Pee Dee River Game Land (Anson, Montgomery,
Richmond, and Stanly counties) by restricting equestrian use to the months of June,
July, August, and Sundays the remainder of the year except during the open turkey
and deer seasons, on roads which are open and maintained for vehicular traffic.
Justification: This proposed change allows equestrian use in a regulated man-ner
that reduces potential user conflicts, increases the margin of safety during
hunting seasons, and ensures that environmentally sensitive areas are protected
from undesirable impacts.
G8. Expand the opportunity for horseback riding on Pond Mountain Game Land in
Ashe County, which is currently May 16 through August 31, to also include Sundays
throughout the months of September and October.
Justification: Participants in the Pond Mountain Game Land Management Plan
public input meeting in February 2014 indicated a desire for expanded oppor-tunities
to ride horses on this game land during the fall months, particularly
September and October. Expanding this use to include Sundays during Sep-tember
and October will provide additional recreational opportunity with no
anticipated negative impacts.
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G9. Amend rules regarding the use of horses on R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Game
Land (Caswell County) and Thurmond Chatham Game Land (Alleghany and
Wilkes counties) to exempt youth under 16 years of age from the requirement to ob-tain
a Game Lands License or other license containing the game land privilege.
Justification: Remove a potential obstacle for youth engaging in non-tradi-tional
use of game lands and provide consistency in the exemption of youth
from the Game Lands License requirement.
G10. Designate Lewis Millpond on Uwharrie Game Land in Montgomery County as
a managed waterfowl impoundment and limit waterfowl hunting to three days per
week, holidays and opening and closing days.
Justification: Lewis Millpond receives heavy hunting pressure for waterfowl
and is generally "shot out" very early in the season. Limiting hunting pressure
to three days per week will encourage extended waterfowl use and is antici-pated
to provide additional waterfowl hunting opportunities.
G11. Change the opening day of the Deer Archery Season from the Monday on or
nearest September 10 to the Saturday on or nearest September 10 on Buffalo Cove
Game Land (Caldwell and Wilkes counties) and South Mountains Game Land
(Burke, Cleveland, McDowell and Rutherford counties).
Justification: In 2014, the Western Deer Archery Season was modified to open
on Saturday rather than Monday, but a companion proposal to effect the same
change on Buffalo Cove and South Mountains Game Land was overlooked at
that time. This change will create a uniform opening day on both private land
and game lands, will simplify deer seasons, and will allow for greater participa-tion
in the opening day of archery season on these two game lands.
G12. Clarify that only people using wildlife to train or run dogs need a hunting license.
Justification: This proposed change clarifies license requirements for training
dogs, running dogs, and participating in field trials. This clarification, which
has been requested by the regulated community, will remove ambiguity in the
existing rule and increase consistency of application.
G13. Require only active participants in fields trials using wildlife to possess a hunt-ing
license (and game land license for field trials taking place on game lands). For
commission-sanctioned field trials, the license may be from the participant's state of
residence. For all other field trials, the license must be a N.C. hunting license.Define
active field trial participant as a person who handles dogs or uses firearms at a field trial.
Justification: This proposed change clarifies license requirements for partici-pating
in field trials. This clarification, which has been requested by the regu-lated
community, will remove ambiguity in the existing rule and increase con-sistency
of application.
G14. Clarify that only judges of commission-sanctioned field trials using wildlife are
exempted from the requirement to possess a hunting license. Judges of other types
of field trials using wildlife must have a N.C. hunting license.
Justification: This proposed change clarifies that only judges in commission-sanc-
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tioned field trials are exempt from license requirements for participating in field tri-als.
This clarification, which has been requested by the regulated community, will
remove ambiguity in the existing rule and increase consistency of application.
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Helpful Phone Numbers
Big Game Harvest Reporting ..................................................................... 800-I-GOT-ONE
(800-446-8663)
Boating Access Areas .................................................................................... 919-707-0150
Boating Safety Course Information .............................................................. 919-707-0031
Boater Safety Education–Replacement Certificates ..................................... 888-248-6834
Conservation Education Division ................................................................ 919-707-0170
Enforcement Operations Office ................................................................... 919-707-0030
Engineering and Lands Management Division ............................................ 919-707-0150
Hunter Safety Course Information ............................................................... 919-707-0031
Hunter Safety Education–Replacement Certificates .................................... 888-248-6834
Inland Fisheries Division ............................................................................. 919-707-0220
License Information ..................................................................................... 888-248-6834
License Purchases by Credit Card ................................................................ 888-248-6834
Marine Fisheries ........................................................................................... 252-726-7021
800-682-2632
Migratory Bird Hunting Dates & Shooting Hours ....................................... 800-675-0263
Human Resources ......................................................................................... 919-707-0101
Regulation Information ................................................................................ 919-707-0030
Wildlife Calendar ......................................................................................... 866-945-3746
Wildlife in North Carolina Magazine ............................................................. 800-786-2721
Vessel Registration and Titling ..................................................................... 800-628-3773
Violations Reporting .................................................................................... 800-662-7137
919-707-0040 in the Raleigh area
800-662-7137vTTY*
*(TTY machine available for people with hearing disabilities)
Wildlife Management Division .................................................................... 919-707-0050
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2015–2016 Season Dates
The Commission provides this table of upcoming season dates for planning purposes ONLY.
Final season dates are published in the 2015–2016 Regulations Digest, available Aug. 1, 2015.
Species Open Dates
Bear In and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke and
Cleveland: Oct. 14, 2013–Nov. 23, 2013 and Dec. 16,
2013– Jan. 1, 2014
Alexander, Beaufort, Camden, Catawba, Chowan, Craven,
Dare, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hyde, Iredell,
Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton,
Pasquotank, Pitt, Stokes, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Wash
ington, Wayne, Wilson and Yadkin counties: Nov.11–16,
2013 and Dec.16–28, 2013
Bertie, Currituck, Gates, Hertford and Perquimans
counties: Nov. 9–16, 2013 and Dec.16–28, 2013
Bladen, Carteret, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover,
Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Sampson counties: Nov.11,
2013–Jan. 1, 2014
Brunswick and Columbus counties: Dec. 2–21, 2013
Wild Turkey Spring Season Apr. 11–May 9, 2015
(bearded or male turkeys only) Apr. 9–May. 7, 2016
Wild Turkey Apr. 4–10, 2015
Youth-only Season Apr. 2–8, 2016
(bearded or male turkeys only)
Raccoon and Opossum Oct. 12, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016
Squirrel Gray and Red Squirrel: Oct. 12, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016
Fox Squirrel: Oct. 12, 2015–Dec. 31, 2015 in selected
counties
Rabbit Nov. 21, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016
Mountain Bear Management Unit
In and west of Surry, Wilkes, Caldwell, Burke
and Cleveland: Oct. 12–Nov. 21, 2015 and
Dec. 14, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Piedmont Bear Management Unit
Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Chatham,
Davidson, Durham, Granville, Guilford, Lee,
Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Orange, Person, Randolph,
Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties:
Nov. 14, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Franklin, Harnett, Johnston, Hoke, Moore, Richmond,
Scotland, Vance, Wake and Warren counties:
Oct. 17, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Alexander, Catawba, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell,
Lincoln, Stokes, and Yadkin counties:
Nov. 21, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Coastal Bear Management Unit
Beaufort, Camden, Chowan, Craven, Dare, Edgecombe,
Greene, Halifax, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash,
Northampton, Pasquotank, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington,
Wayne, and Wilson counties:
Nov. 9–14, 2015 and Dec. 14–26, 2015
Bertie, Currituck, Gates, Hertford and Perquimans
counties: Nov. 7–14, 2015 and Dec. 14–26, 2015
Bladen, Carteret, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover,
Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Sampson counties:
Nov. 9, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Brunswick, Columbus and Robeson counties:
Dec. 7–26, 2015
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Quail Nov. 21, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016
Grouse Oct. 12, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016
Bobcat Oct. 12, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016
Fox See “Fox Season Hunting and Trapping Seasons”
publication at ncwildlife.org.
Crow Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week between
June 3, 2015 and Feb. 29, 2016 plus Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day,
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and July 4th.
Pheasant Nov. 14, 2015–Feb. 1, 2016
Trapping Dec. 1, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016 in and east of Hertford,
Bertie, Martin, Pitt, Greene, Lenior, Duplin, Pender and
New Hanover counties
Nov. 1, 2015–Feb. 29, 2016 in all other counties
Deer Seasons
Locations Type of Season and Dates
Eastern Bow and Arrow: Sept. 12–Oct. 2, 2015
Blackpowder: Oct. 3–Oct. 16, 2015
Gun: Oct. 17, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Central Bow and Arrow: Sept. 12–Oct. 30, 2015
Blackpowder: Oct. 31–Nov. 13, 2015
Gun: Nov. 14, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Northwestern Bow and Arrow: Sept. 12–Nov. 6, 2015
Blackpowder: Nov. 7–Nov. 20, 2015
Gun: Nov. 21, 2015–Jan. 1, 2016
Western Bow and Arrow: Sept. 12–Sept. 27 and
Oct. 11–Nov. 22, 2015
Blackpowder: Sept. 28–Oct. 10, 2015
Gun: Nov. 23–Dec. 12, 2015
Gun: Either-Sex Seasons Introductory Season: Last open day of the
applicable gun season.
Conservative Season: Last six open days of
the applicable gun season.
Moderate Season: First six open days and last
six open days of the applicable gun season.
Maximum Season: All open days of the
applicable gun season.
Urban Deer Season Bow and Arrow Only:
(open in participating Jan. 9–Feb. 13, 2016
cities only; see Regulations
Digest for list and
contact information)
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Purchasing Licenses or Magazine Subscriptions
Using MasterCard or Visa
Call 888-248-6834 to use your MasterCard or Visa to purchase most hunting and fishing
licenses. Call 800-786-2721 for a subscription to Wildlife in North Carolina magazine.
Have your credit card, a pen and paper handy before calling.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1701
Division of Inland Fisheries 919-707-0220
Division of Wildlife Management 919-707-0050
Division of Engineering and Lands Management 919-707-0150
The Wildlife Resources Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all wildlife programs
are administered for the benefit of all North Carolina citizens without prejudice toward age, sex,
race, religion or national origin. Violations of this pledge may be reported to the N.C. Wildlife
Resources Commission, Equal Employment Officer, Human Resources, 1751 Varsity Drive,
Raleigh, NC 27606. Telephone 919-707-0101.
Visit the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission online at ncwildlife.org.
COVER PHOTO BY MELISSA MCGAW/NCWRC
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