15A NCAC 10B .0404      TAGGING

(a)  Every fox taken in an area of open season as provided by G.S. 113-291.4 shall be tagged at the scene of taking.

(b)  Every person taking any bobcat or otter in this State, or any foxes under a depredation permit, general statute, rule, or local law that permits taking, shall obtain and affix the appropriate tag to the carcass or pelt before selling, transferring, or transporting within or outside the State, except that:

(1)           A person may transport the same from the place of taking to his North Carolina residence and from his North Carolina residence to a fur tag agent or taxidermist's place of business.

(2)           A person may transport the same from the place of taking to the nearest place in this State where the appropriate tag may be obtained.

(3)           The carcass, pelt, or mounted specimen is exempt from tagging requirements while in the taxidermist's place of business or after the mount is completed.

(4)           A licensed trapper may take live foxes during any legal trapping season, except foxes taken under G.S. 113-291.4(f) and (f1), without tagging them and sell them to a licensed controlled hunting preserve for fox in accordance with G.S. 113-273(g).

(5)           A licensed taxidermist may ship the same to a tannery for processing.

(c)  Carcasses and pelts of bobcats, otters, and foxes taken within this State shall not be removed from the state without an appropriate fur tag affixed thereto, except a licensed taxidermist may ship the same to a tannery for processing. When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service repeals its tagging requirements for otter and bobcat this Paragraph shall apply only to tagging foxes.

(d)  Where the taking of foxes with weapons or traps and the sale thereof is authorized by local legislation, except foxes taken by licensed trappers who live-trap for sale during any open season, the hunter or trapper taking the fox shall, in the absence of a specific provision to the contrary, obtain and affix the carcass or pelt with an appropriate tag before selling or transferring to any other person, or transporting the same for any purpose than as authorized by Paragraph (a) of this Rule.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-276.1; 113-291.4; S.L. 1985, chs. 108, 179, 180, 664 and 722;

Eff. November 14, 1978;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2015; August 1, 2010; July 10, 2010; May 1, 2008; July 1, 1994; January 1, 1992; December 1, 1985; October 1, 1980;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2022.