The services of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are financed primarily through the sale of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses.

The numerous types of licenses authorized to be sold by the Commission differ with the respect to the activities authorized, the places where and periods during which they are authorized, and the places of residence of the user.

Residence Requirements

• When domicile is used to establish eligibility, the applicant must complete a certificate, available from license agents or the commission, certifying that he has maintained his residence on a county of the State for al least 60 days with the intent to reside there permanently or indefinitely.
• Resident county licenses are limited to residents of the county in which the person resides.
• Nonresident members of the armed forces, including their spouses and children under 18, who are stationed in the State are deemed residents of the State and of the counties in which they are stationed or reside for the purpose of purchasing resident licenses.

License Types

As listed herein, the several licenses are placed in five general categories.

Save Your Old License, Hunter Safety Course Required

As of July 1, 1991, a person regardless of age, may not purchase a hunting license or hunt in North Carolina without producing a certificate of having completed a hunting safety course or have a copy of a hunting license, or signing a statement that they had a license. Write the Division of Wildlife Enforcement for information on Hunter Safety Courses.

Annual Licenses

• The basic licenses authorize fishing, hunting or trapping generally within the State or county of residence during a license year (12 months from date of purchase).
• Annual sportsman license includes the basic hunting and fishing privileges as well as the following additional privileges.

1. Hunting Big Game.
2. Hunting with primitive weapons during the special seasons. (Included with any big game license).
3. Hunting on Game Lands.
4. Fishing in designated trout waters.
5. Fishing in trout waters on game lands. (included with any special trout license)
• Annual comprehensive hunting license include the basic hunting privileges as well as privileges 1, 2, and 3 above.
• Annual comprehensive fishing license include the basic fishing privileges as well as privileges 4 and 5 above.
• Taking of non-game fishes with bow and arrow is authorized under any of the licenses providing basic hunting or fishing privileges.
• Special fishing devices license authorizes the taking of non-game fish from inland waters during designated seasons with nets, traps, gigs, reels, spear guns, baskets, bow and arrow and any other authorized special fishing device and the sale of these non-game fish.

Short-term Licenses

Short-term fishing licenses are available for one-day and three day periods. There are two types of short-term fishing licenses:

• The basic short-term fishing license include the same privileges as the basic annual fishing license during the period it is valid.
• Also available is a six-day basic nonresident State hunting license and six-day nonresident Big Game License.

Additional Privilege Licenses

These annual licenses authorize particular hunting or fishing activities and must be obtained in addition to the appropriate basic license. Additional privilege licenses are as follows:

• Resident and Nonresident Big Game Hunting - needed to hunt deer, bear, wild boar, and wild turkey. Also allows Primitive Weapons Use during special seasons.
• Nonresident Bear Hunting License - for all nonresidents hunting bear except those holding a nonresident lifetime sportsman combination license purchased prior to May 24, 1994.
• Hunting/Fishing Guide - needed to guide others for a fee.
• Resident and Nonresident Special Trout Fishing - needed to fish in designated mountain trout waters.
• Resident and Nonresident Game Lands - needed to hunt or trap on game lands.
• Falconry - needed to hunt by the use of any raptor.
• Controlled Hunting Preserve - needed to hunt pen-raised birds on a licensed commercial hunting preserve. This license may be used without a basic hunting license.
• Waterfowl Hunting - needed to hunt waterfowl.

Lifetime Licenses

These licenses are valid for the lifetime of the license holder.

• Comprehensive lifetime fishing licenses authorize fishing in all public waters and trout waters on game lands.
• Comprehensive lifetime hunting licenses authorize hunting within the state including game lands, primitive weapons, and big game hunting.
• Resident and nonresident sportsman licenses authorize all privileges associated with the annual sportsman license plus waterfowl hunting (does not cover federal duck stamp)

Guest Fishing License

A guest fishing license my be purchased by the owner or lessee of private property bordering inland or joint fishing waters, including public mountain trout waters. This license entitles persons to fish from such property, including any pier or dock originating on such property, without any additional inland fishing license. The license is not valid for any property operated for commercial purposes.