15A NCAC 10B .0216      FALCONRY

(a)  The open seasons for the practice of falconry coincide with the regular open seasons for squirrel, rabbit, quail, ruffed grouse and pheasant, and with the open seasons set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations for migratory game birds in this State.

(b)  The daily bag, possession, and season limits in this Section for squirrel, rabbit, quail, ruffed grouse and pheasant and the daily bag, field possession, and total possession limits set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations for migratory game birds shall apply to falconry.

(c)  An extended falconry season on rabbits is the Monday on or nearest October 15 through the last day of February.

(d)  The daily bag limit for the extended season on rabbits is three, and the possession limit is six.

(e)  When any raptor being used in falconry kills any species of wildlife for which there is no open season or a species of game on which the season is then closed, the licensed falconer or person using the raptor shall not take the dead wildlife into his or her possession, but shall leave the game where it lies, except that the raptor may be allowed to feed on the dead wildlife before leaving the site of the kill. If the species killed is a species of game on which there is a season limit, the kill shall be included as part of the season limit of the licensed falconer.

(d)  After a falconer has acquired the daily bag, possession or season limit of any lawful species, regardless of the manner of taking, the falconer shall not release any raptor.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-270.3(b)(4); 50 C.F.R. 21.28; 50 C.F.R. 21.29;

Eff. September 1, 1979;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2012; May 1, 2008; July 1, 1998;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.