North Carolina Administrative Code

15A NCAC 10H .0103 LABELING Of harvested birds (a) It shall be unlawful to remove harvested birds from the hunting preserve or to possess harvested birds unless the birds are packaged and marked with a label provided by the preserve. The label shall contain the following informat…

15A NCAC 10H .0104 QUALITY OF BIRDS RELEASED All birds purchased or raised for release on controlled hunting preserves shall be free from disease. Pursuant to the authority granted to the Commission in G.S. 113-276.2, possession of diseased birds may be grounds for the suspension…

15A NCAC 10H .0105 RECORDS and reporting requirements (a) The controlled hunting preserve operator shall maintain a written record of each hunter using the controlled hunting preserve. This record shall contain the following information: (1) name, address, and license number of t…

15A NCAC 10H .0106 HUNTING LICENSE REQUIRED A valid North Carolina hunting license or controlled hunting preserve hunting license shall be required of all persons hunting domestically raised birds on controlled hunting preserves. History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-270.2; 1…

15A NCAC 10H .0107 REVOCATION OF LICENSE TO OPERATE (a) As authorized in G.S. 113-276.2, the Executive Director of the Commission may revoke, suspend, or deny the renewal of the license of any controlled hunting preserve operator upon violation of the rules in this Section. (b) T…

15A NCAC 10H .0108 Feeding of Stocked Birds (a) Types of Feeders. Bird feeders used on controlled hunting preserves shall meet the following conditions: (1) not disperse grain or other food on the ground around the feeders; and (2) be sheltered to protect the grain or other food …

15A NCAC 10H .0109 QUAIL CALL-PEN TRAPS Licensed controlled hunting preserve operators that release pen-raised quail for hunting or dog training shall be authorized to use quail call-pen traps, between September 1 and April 30, to recover released domestically raised quail, subje…

15A NCAC 10H .0110 SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. May 1, 2007; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. December 6, 2016; Repealed Eff. April 1, 2020.

SECTION .0300 - HOLDING WILDLIFE IN CAPTIVITY 15A NCAC 10H .0301 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS History Note: Authority G.S. 106-549.97(b); 113-134; 113-272.5; 113-272.6; 113-274; Eff. February 1, 1976; Amended Eff. April 1, 1991; September 1, 1990; June 1, 1990; July 1, 1988; Temporary Am…

15A NCAC 10H .0302 MINIMUM STANDARDS History Note: Authority G.S. 19A-11; 106-549.97(b); 113-134; 113-272.5, 113-272.6; Eff. February 1, 1976; Amended Eff. December 1, 1990; June 1, 1990; July 1, 1988; November 9, 1980; Temporary Amendment Eff. October 8, 2002; Amended Eff. May 1…

15A NCAC 10H .0303 FORFEITURE History Note: G.S. 106-549.97(b); 113-131; 113-134; 113-272.5; 113-276.2; 113-292; 150B-3; Eff. February 1, 1976; Amended Eff. February 7, 1979; Temporary Amendment Eff. October 8, 2002; Amended Eff. August 1, 2004; Repealed Eff. January 1, 2020.

15A NCAC 10H .0304 CAPTIVE CERVID HERD CERTIFICATION program History Note: Authority G.S. 106-549.97(b); 113-134; 113-272.5; 113-272.6; 113-274; 113-292; Eff. May 1, 2010; Temporary Amendment Eff. February 27, 2015; Temporary Amendment Expired December 11, 2015; Repealed Eff. Jan…

15A NCAC 10H .0408 REVOCATION OF LICENSE History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; 113-276.2; Eff. February 1, 1976; Amended Eff. January 1, 1981; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

SECTION .0700 - FISH PROPAGATION 15A NCAC 10H .0701 LICENSE REQUIRED History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. January 1, 1979; Amended Eff. August 1, 1988; Repealed Eff. January 1, 1996.

15A NCAC 10H .0702 APPLICATION FOR AND TERM OF LICENSE History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. January 1, 1979; Amended Eff. January 1, 1981; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10H .0709 REVOCATION AND NONRENEWAL OF LICENSE History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; 113-276.2; Eff. January 1, 1979; Amended Eff. January 1, 1981; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

SECTION .0800 - FALCONRY 15A NCAC 10H .0801 DEFINITIONS (a) In addition to the definitions contained in G.S. 113-130, as used in 15A NCAC 10B .0216 and in this Section, the following definitions apply: (1) "Falconry permit" or "permit" means a falconry permit or license issued by…

15A NCAC 10H .0802 PERMIT AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS (a) Non-residents of this State shall not take, possess, transport, or import a raptor for falconry purposes or practice falconry in this State without first obtaining the following: (1) a falconry license or permit from a state,…

15A NCAC 10H .0803 APPLICATION FOR license (a) Any individual who wishes to take raptors or to practice falconry in this State shall apply for a falconry license from the Commission, at www.ncwildlife.org, by providing the following information: applicant's name, residence addres…

15A NCAC 10H .0804 EXAMINATION (a) Prior to applying for a falconry license, an applicant shall successfully pass, with a score of at least 80 percent, a falconry examination administered by the Commission, as detailed in 50 CFR 21.82(c)(3). (b) The examination is not required of…

15A NCAC 10H .0805 DURATION OF License A falconry license shall be valid upon issuance and expires on June 30 of each year. History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-270.3(b)(4); 50 C.F.R. 21.29; Eff. September 1, 1979; Amended Eff. January 1, 2012; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, r…

15A NCAC 10H .0806 Acquisition, Sale and Status change (a) A licensee may transfer a wild-caught raptor to another licensee if no money, goods, or services are exchanged. A licensee may purchase, sell, trade, or barter any lawfully possessed raptor that is bred in captivity under…

15A NCAC 10H .0807 levels OF Licenses (a) Falconry licenses shall be issued at three levels based upon the age and experience of the falconer. (b) Apprentice level falconry licenses shall be subject to the conditions, requirements, and limitations set forth in 50 CFR 21.82(c)(2)(…

15A NCAC 10H .0808 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT (a) Prior to initial issuance of a North Carolina falconry license to a resident of North Carolina, the applicant's raptor housing facilities and falconry equipment shall be inspected and approved by a representative of the Commission a…

15A NCAC 10H .0809 BANDING AND MARKING (a) All peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus), Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus), and goshawks removed from the wild or acquired from a falconer or rehabilitator for falconry purposes shall be banded as set …

15A NCAC 10H .0810 TAKING RAPTORS (a) No raptor shall be taken from the wild in this State except by an individual holding a current falconry license as defined in Rule .0801 of this Section, or a falconry permit or license from the individual's state of residence if the individu…

15A NCAC 10H .0811 OTHER RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS (a) Every falconer shall carry his or her license on his or her person when conducting any falconry activities away from approved facilities as described in Rule .0808 of this Section. (b) Visitors to the United States may prac…

15A NCAC 10H .0812 INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-270.3(b)(4); 50 C.F.R. 21.29; Eff. September 1, 1979; Amended Eff. January 1, 2012; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. December 6, 2016; Rep…

15A NCAC 10H .0813 RAPTOR PROPAGATION PERMIT History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-270.3(b)(5); 50 C.F.R. 21.29; Eff. February 1, 1994; Amended Eff. July 1, 1994; Repealed Eff. January 1, 2012.

15A NCAC 10H .0814 Release of Raptors and moving raptors to another LICENSE OR permit (a) Non-native and hybrid raptors shall not be released into the wild. Native, captive-bred birds may only be released upon written request and approval from the Commission and under the conditi…

15A NCAC 10H .0815 other uses and allowed activities (a) Raptors may be used in captive propagation as allowed under 50 CFR 21.82(f)(7). (b) General and Master falconers may use raptors in conservation education programs as set forth in 50 CFR 21.82(f)(8). Other educational uses …

SECTION .0900 – GAME BIRD PROPAGATORS 15A NCAC 10H .0901 GAME BIRD PROPAGATION LICENSE (a) The game bird propagation license is required for the propagation and sale, of domestically raised waterfowl and game birds and their eggs, subject to the following limitations and conditio…

15A NCAC 10H .0902 APPLICATION FOR AND TERM OF LICENSE History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. January 1, 1981; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10H .0903 ACQUISITION OF game BIRDS OR Game Bird EGGS (a) A game bird propagation license holder shall not take game birds or game bird eggs from the wild for the purpose of propagation or sale. (b) License holders may purchase or acquire live game birds or game bird egg…

15A NCAC 10H .0904 DISPOSITION OF Game BIRDS OR Game Bird EGGS (a) It shall be unlawful for a game bird propagation license holder to knowingly sell or transfer possession of a live game bird that shows evidence of a communicable disease, except for transfers to a veterinarian or…

15A NCAC 10H .0905 TRANSPORTATION (a) Live Domestically Raised Waterfowl and Game Birds or Eggs (1) Private Carriers. Live domestically raised waterfowl and game birds or eggs may be transported by private carrier when accompanied by a copy of the receipt specified in Rules .0903…

15A NCAC 10H .0906 RECORDS (a) Licensed game bird propagators that sell domestically raised waterfowl and game birds shall maintain a file of receipts by calendar year with the following information: (1) the dates and sources of acquisition of domestically raised waterfowl and ga…

15A NCAC 10H .0907 QUAIL CALL-PEN TRAPS Licensed game bird propagators that raise and release pen-raised quail on his or her property for dog training shall be authorized to use quail call-pen traps to recover released quail, subject to the following requirements: (1) All traps s…

SECTION .1000 - TAXIDERMY 15A NCAC 10H .1001 TAXIDERMY LICENSE History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. March 1, 1981; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1988.

15A NCAC 10H .1002 DUTY OF A TAXIDERMIST (a) Prior to a taxidermist accepting delivery of wildlife that has been taken in North Carolina or in any other state, he or she shall make a reasonable effort to determine that the wildlife was lawfully taken. The taxidermist may rely upo…

15A NCAC 10H .1003 RECORDS and Reporting requirements (a) Licensed taxidermists shall keep records of each wildlife specimen delivered and contained within his or her place of business. Records shall include: (1) the species and sex of the specimen; (2) the date the specimen was …

15A NCAC 10H .1004 PURCHASE AND SALE OF WILDLIFE (a) Except as provided in this Rule, it shall be unlawful for any taxidermist to purchase or sell wildlife. (b) Wildlife resources that have been lawfully killed and that may be lawfully bought, sold, and possessed may be purchased…

15A NCAC 10H .1005 TAXIDERMY PRESERVATION FACILITY (a) A taxidermist may utilize an off-site preservation facility to provide storage for wildlife specimens accepted for taxidermy purposes. (b) Individuals operating a preservation facility for a licensed taxidermist shall be list…

SECTION .1100 - FURBEARER PROPAGATION 15A NCAC 10H .1101 Furbearer Propagation License (a) The furbearer propagation license shall authorize the propagation of furbearing animals and red foxes, including all color phases, for use as fur. (b) Furbearer propagation license holders …

15A NCAC 10H .1104 minimum Standards for Caging and Care (a) General Cage Requirements. (1) Cages shall be constructed of non-toxic, corrosion-resistant materials sufficient to retain animals without tethers or chains; (2) Cages shall contain a den area large enough for all the a…

15A NCAC 10H .1105 SANITATION AND CARE History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. April 1, 1986; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. December 6, 2016; Repealed Eff. November 1, 2019.

15A NCAC 10H .1106 HUMANE TREATMENT Animals shall be observed daily for signs of poor health or injury. Animals that are visibly sick, injured, in pain, or suffering shall be provided medical care or euthanized as soon as possible. The euthanization of the animal shall be by a me…

15A NCAC 10H .1107 RECORDS and Inspections (a) Furbearer propagation license holders shall record the following information: (1) the numbers and species of furbearing animals or foxes acquired; (2) the dates and sources of acquisition; (3) the numbers of animals produced by breed…

15A NCAC 10H .1108 INSPECTIONS History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-273; Eff. April 1, 1986; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. December 6, 2016; Repealed Eff. November 1, 2019.

SECTION .1200 - CONTROLLED FOX HUNTING PRESERVES 15A NCAC 10H .1201 DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (a) The rules in this Section apply to all controlled hunting preserve operator licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) in accordance with G.S. 113-2…