15A NCAC 10B .0224      AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

(a)  The season for taking American alligators shall be September 1 to October 1.

(b)  Take shall be by permit only.

(c)  The bag limit shall be one per permit and the season limit is one.

(d)  American alligators shall only be restrained using one of the following methods in accordance with the provisions of the permit:

(1)           a hand-held restraining line or catch pole;

(2)           a snatch hook attached to a hand-held restraining line or rod and reel;

(3)           a harpoon or gig attached to a hand-held restraining line;

(4)           a baited wooden peg less than two inches in length attached to a hand-held restraining line; or

(5)           archery equipment with an arrow-attached restraining line.

(e)  If a minimum size limit is applicable to the county or municipality for which the permit is issued, the authorized size limit and method(s) of restraint shall be specified on the permit.

(f)  American alligators restrained by any method specified in Paragraph (d) of this Rule shall be killed without delay upon capture except when a minimum size limit is specified on the permit. When a minimum size limit is specified on the permit, animals not meeting the minimum size limit shall be released immediately at the site of capture.

(g)  American alligators may be taken day or night and with the use of artificial lights.

(h)  The use of baited hooks is prohibited.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-291.1; 113-291.2;

Eff. August 1, 2018;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2020.