15A NCAC 10J .0102       geNERAL REGULATIONS REGARDING USE OF CONSERVATION AREAS

(a)  Entry on areas posted as Wildlife Conservation Areas for purposes other than wildlife observation, hunting, trapping, or fishing shall be as authorized by the landowner.

(b)  Entry is prohibited above the high tide waterline from March 1 through September 15 on areas designated and posted as Waterbird Nesting Areas.

(c)  No person shall deposit litter, trash, garbage, or other refuse on a Wildlife Conservation Area. No garbage dumps or sanitary landfills shall be established on a Wildlife Conservation Area by a person, firm, corporation, county, or municipality, except as permitted by the landowner.

(d)  No person shall discharge:

(1)           a weapon from a vehicle;

(2)           a weapon within 200 yards of any building or designated camping areas;

(3)           a weapon within, into, or across a posted "safety zone;" or

(4)           a weapon within, into, or across a posted "restricted zone."

No person shall hunt with or have in their possession a shotgun shell containing lead or toxic shot while hunting waterfowl on an area designated as a Wildlife Conservation Area, except shotgun shells containing lead buckshot may be used while deer hunting.

(e)  Dogs shall not enter a Wildlife Conservation Area designated and posted as a Waterbird Nesting Area from March 1 through September 15 above the high tide waterline.

(f)  Subject to the restrictions contained in 15A NCAC 10B .0302, .0303, and .0306 trapping of fur-bearing animals is permitted on an area designated and posted as a Wildlife Conservation Area during the applicable open seasons, except that trapping is prohibited:

(1)           on the Nona Pitt Hinson Cohen Wildlife Conservation Area in Richmond County; and

(2)           in posted "safety zones" located on a Wildlife Conservation Area.

(g)  The following is prohibited on areas designated as Wildlife Conservation Areas or on waters within their boundaries:

(1)           driving a motorized vehicle on an area posted against vehicular traffic;

(2)           camping, unless designated by the landowner. On the coastal islands designated Wildlife Conservation Areas, camping is allowed except on areas designated and posted as Waterbird Nesting Areas;

(3)           swimming, except for the waters adjacent to coastal island Wildlife Conservation Areas;

(4)           operating a vessel powered by internal combustion engine; and

(5)           operating motorized land vehicles not licensed for highway use, except that persons who have obtained a permit issued pursuant to G.S. 113-297 shall comply with permit conditions;

(6)           open fires.

(h)  Releasing animals or birds, domesticated animals, or feral animals on Wildlife Conservation Areas is prohibited except for:

(1)           hunting dogs and raptors when permitted for hunting and training purposes; or

(2)           with prior written authorization of the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(i)  No living or dead nongame wildlife, fungi, invertebrates, eggs, nests, animal parts, plants, plant materials, or other materials may be possessed on or removed from Wildlife Conservation Areas without written permission from the Commission. Minimal amounts of animal parts, plant parts not removed from live plants, and other materials may be collected by hand and removed from Commission lands without written permission, except in violation of rules, general statutes, or federal law. Collection of animal parts and plant parts not removed from live plants for commercial use or sale is prohibited. For purposes of this Subparagraph, "minimal amounts," are quantities that fit within a cubic foot of space, except for firewood to be used at posted camping areas. Collection of firewood sufficient to build and maintain a fire during the Wildlife Conservation Area user's stay at the campground is permitted.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-264; 113-270.3; 113-291.2; 113-291.5; 113-296; 113-297; 113-305; 113-306;

Eff. February 1, 1990;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2013; January 1, 2012; August 1, 2010; May 1, 2007; May 1, 2006; June 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. August 1, 2023.