At what age is a license required?

This depends on the type of activity that you plan to do and also if you live in the state of North Carolina.

• Do you plan to hunt, trap and/or fish (in coastal or inland waters) in North Carolina?
• How often would you participate in these activities this year?
• Are you a resident or non-resident of North Carolina?

These are some of the questions that may help determine which license is best suited for you. For example, if you live outside of North Carolina and plan to make only one fishing trip to the state, then a non-resident, short-term license may be your best option. If you are resident and plan to hunt, fish and use the public Game Lands, then a resident Sportsman license may be your best option. Please review the list of license types to see which would best fit your needs.

• Persons under age 16 are exempt from the requirement of a basic fishing license for inland public waters.
• A youth under age 16 accompanied by a properly licensed adult may enjoy those privileges conveyed by the licenses held by the accompanying adult.

Basic annual and short-term licenses may have additional requirements called "privileges" that authorize particular hunting and fishing activities (example: hunting for big game or fishing in designated trout waters). These privileges must be purchased in addition to the appropriate basic annual or short-term license. To determine which privileges are required in addition to the license, see the question mark symbol with each license.

Yes. As of January 1, 2007, any individuals 16 years or older who want to recreationally finfish in any water designated as coastal or joint waters of North Carolina must purchase a NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL)

• Short-term licenses are valid for the period specified on the license.
• Annual licenses are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
• Lifetime licenses are valid for the lifetime of the license holder.

Yes! These licenses require some form of medical documentation. You may find an application and a description of these licenses here.

Nonresident students may purchase a resident license while attending a university, college, or community college in NC. When purchasing your license at a Wildlife Service Agent, you must show your valid student identification.

All licensed hunters hunting migratory game birds (dove, rails, woodcock, snipe, or waterfowl) in North Carolina are required to have certification in the Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). Certification can be obtained free of charge from any Wildlife Service Agent when you purchase a hunting license.

Lifetime license holders may also obtain HIP Certification through the mail by completing the postcard/HIP survey mailed to you in early summer. Persons exempt by law from the hunting license requirement are not required to obtain the HIP certification.

Learn more about HIP here!

Federal Duck Stamp
In addition to the NC waterfowl privilege, waterfowl hunters are required to carry on their possession the Federal duck stamp, signed in ink across the face. Federal duck stamps can be obtained at most U.S. Post Offices or at selected Wildlife Service Agents. Visit www.duckstamp.com to order the duck stamp online or to find the duck stamp retailer nearest you.

The big game reporting system is a procedure which requires that all wild turkey, boar, bear and deer which are harvested by hunters here in the state be reported to any one of approximately 2,000 Wildlife Cooperator Agents or by phone to the Wildlife Resources Commission via a toll free number.

You should carry your big game harvest report card (formerly called "tags") with you while hunting big game. Upon harvesting an animal, you are required to "notch out" the appropriate area and check in your harvest with a Cooperator Agent or by calling 1-800-I-GOT-ONE.

You can also register your kills online here.

Please do your share to see that future reports of this nature are as complete as possible by reporting your big game harvests and by encouraging your fellow sportsmen to do the same.