Hunting is often a solitary pursuit, but there might not be a better companion than a hunting dog. When hunting in North Carolina, it is important to understand the laws and regulations related to taking dogs on hunts.
Here is a look at the regulations for hunting in North Carolina with dogs, when it is allowed, and what hunters have to keep in mind when heading out with man's best friend.
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1. Training Dogs
It is against the law to run or chase deer during closed season, even to train hunting dogs,
according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. It also is prohibited to have saws, axes and tree-cutting material when out training dogs, unless on authorized field trails. Anyone training a dog for hunting must have a hunting license. When training dogs during closed season, domestically trained waterfowl and game birds may be used, but all birds must be banded on a leg with a license number. It is also illegal to allow dogs to run free on bear sanctuaries while training.
2. Deer Hunting
Laws concerning using dogs to aid in taking deer vary by county in North Carolina. It is legal to hunt for deer with the aid of dogs in most counties in North Carolina. Counties where it is illegal to use dogs to hunt include Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph, Montgomery, Stanly and Union counties, as well as counties west of the line they form and portions of other counties. This does not include the use of a single leashed dog used just to assist in retrieving the deer. It is also illegal to use hunting dogs during archery and black powder seasons, with the exception of a single leashed dog to assist in retrieving a deer.
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3. Bear Hunting
There are 21 counties where it is illegal to hunt bears with dogs in any manner. Those counties can be found
on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website.
4. Other Game Animals and Birds
North Carolina allows in-season animals and game birds, except for wild turkey, to be hunted with dogs. When it comes to wild turkey season in spring, it is against the law to use dogs at all while hunting in North Carolina. When it comes to feral swine, dogs can only be used on game lands that allow the use of dogs in deer and bear hunting.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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