15A NCAC 10B .0119      WILDLIFE COLLECTORS

(a)  Wildlife Collection Licenses may be issued to qualified individuals to take any species of wildlife resources for the following purposes:

(1)           scientific collection;

(2)           educational collection; or

(3)           snapping turtle collection.

(b)  The following definitions shall apply to this Rule:

(1)           "Scientific Collection" shall mean collection for the purpose of conducting scientific research or survey.

(2)           "Educational Collection" means collection for the purpose of providing instruction, training, or information to the public.

(3)           "Snapping Turtle Collection" means collection of snapping turtles from the family Chelydridae for sale pursuant to 15A NCAC 10H .1301.

(4)           "Personal Use" means collection and holding, using as bait, or personal consumption of reptiles or amphibians.

(c)  The Commission shall consider the following qualifications when issuing a license:

(1)           prior research or educational experience in the same or similar field;

(2)           work with or for an educational institution;

(3)           type of study requested of license (permanent or catch and release);

(4)           current state and quantity of species requested;

(5)           collection methodology proposed; and

(6)           disposition of collection.

(d)  Individuals collecting and holding reptiles or amphibians for personal use shall not be required to obtain a Wildlife Collection License so long as the following conditions are met:

(1)           no more than 4 individuals of native reptile species or 24 individuals of any combination of amphibian species per person;

(2)           collected reptiles and amphibians shall not be bought or sold; and

(3)           no endangered, threatened, or special concern species shall be collected and retained.

(e)  Endangered, threatened, and special concern species may not be taken or collected except under an endangered species permit unless there is an open season for the species. If an open season exists for the species, then the appropriate hunting, fishing, or trapping license serves as the authorization for take.

(f)  Wildlife Collection licenses may be issued to any individual, so long as the take is not deemed harmful to the efficient conservation of the species to be collected or to other wildlife species that may be dependent thereon.

(g)  Individuals interested in obtaining a Wildlife Collection License shall apply by sending an application to 1701 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 or by completing and submitting an application online at www.ncwildlife.org. The application shall include:

(1)           name, address, date of birth, email, and driver's license number; and

(2)           species information.

(3)           Additional information required for scientific and educational collection shall include:

(A)          organizational affiliation, if any; and

(B)          full documentation of research or educational proposal(s) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, if applicable.

(h)  Wildlife Collection Licenses shall be used in lieu of any other hunting or trapping license required by law and shall authorize possession and transportation of the wildlife incidental to the authorized taking. It shall not authorize the taking, possession, or transportation of any species of wildlife in violation of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, or any other federal act to prohibit or restrict the possession and transportation of wildlife resources.

(i)  Wildlife Collection Licenses for snapping turtle collection shall only be available to North Carolina residents. The following conditions shall apply:

(1)           no more than 10 snapping turtles per person per day;

(2)           no more than 100 snapping turtles per person per calendar year;

(3)           turtles shall have a minimum curved carapace length of 13 inches; and

(4)           no more than 15 trapping devices per license. Devices shall be:

(A)          labeled with a waterproof tag that shows the licensee's name, WRC Customer Number, or Wildlife Collection License number;

(B)          hoop traps or other trap style that allows for the unharmed release of any nontarget species or snapping turtles less than 13 inches; and

(C)          checked daily per 15A NCAC 10B .0110.

(j)  Unless a more limited duration is designated on the license, Wildlife Collection Licenses shall be valid from January 1 through December 31 of the applicable year.

(k)  Licensed individuals shall submit the following information to the Wildlife Resources Commission within 15 days of license expiration depending on the species taken:

(1)           the numbers of each species taken under the license and the use or disposition thereof;

(2)           dates and location of the taking; and

(3)           sex, size, weight, condition, or approximate age of each specimen taken as specified on the license.

(l)  Wildlife Collections License shall not be transferable either by license holder or by site of a facility.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑272.4;

Eff. January 1, 1981;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2017; January 1, 2013; May 1, 2009; May 1, 2008; April 1, 2001; February 1, 1994; November 1, 1990; September 1, 1989;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2022.