Hunting in North Carolina: 4 Things to Know Before Applying for a Hunting Permit for Your Kids

When hunters are looking into licenses for hunting in North Carolina, those with kids have other things to keep in mind. Many states allow kids to accompany adults on hunts without a hunting license, but there are cases where youth licenses are needed. If a hunter wants to head out to take game with their kids, it is always important to understand the rules and regulations of the state where they plan to hunt.

Here is a look at things that hunters need to know before applying for a hunting permit for their kids in North Carolina.

1. Hunter Education Age Limits

North Carolina offers hunter education classes that are required for all hunters to get their hunting permits. However, the age limit is 16 years old. If a child is younger than 16, they may accompany a licensed adult hunter in the field and enjoy all of the privileges that the adult holds under the license. Younger kids can take the hunter education classes, but they are not required if they are just joining their parents or other licensed adults, according to HunterCourse.com.

2. Certificate of Competency

If a youth takes the hunter education class and receives a certificate of competency, they can hunt as long as they carry their certificate, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. If they want to hunt bears, deer, or wild turkeys, they must have a license-exempt Big Game Harvest Report Card.

3. Lifetime Licenses

There are basic lifetime hunting licenses available for adults and kids in North Carolina, including infant licenses for those younger than a year of age and the youth licenses for those younger than 12 years of age. These must be purchased before the child's first or 12th birthday.

A lifetime infant license for hunting in North Carolina is $200, as of 2015, while the lifetime youth license runs $350. Both of these allow the child to hunt for big game, on game lands, for waterfowl, as well as fishing everywhere but in coastal waters. Stamps for bear and duck hunting are not included in the price.

4. Youth Permit Hunts

Once a child has their hunting certificate, they can take part in youth permit hunts. These hunts include chances for hunting in North Carolina for dove and deer throughout the fall months.

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