Definitions of “wildlife” in the General Statues vary. For purposes of this section, “wildlife” is defined as all wild animals found in North Carolina. With respect to possession and collection of wildlife, the Statutes generally distinguish between dead wildlife, live wildlife, and exotic wildlife.

Dead Wildlife: Dead wildlife, lawfully taken may be possessed and transported without a permit. See Hunting/Trapping Regulations for legal manner of take, seasons, bag limits, and possession limits. An individual may accept the gift of lawfully taken wildlife provided that it does not cause them to exceed the applicable possession limits for that species. If the person receiving the gift notes and preserves in writing the name and address of the donor and under what license or exemption from license requirement the wildlife was taken, they may possess that wildlife without a permit.

Dead wildlife may be possessed also under any number of special permits or licenses. You should refer to the terms of that permit or license to determine the legal requirements. Contact the Division of Wildlife Management office at (919) 707-0060 for the appropriate permit or license.

Live Wildlife: Possession of live wildlife generally requires a permit or license. Contact the Division of Wildlife Management office at (919) 707-0060 for the appropriate permit or license.

There are a few exceptions:

1. The law does allow crippled, injured or orphaned wildlife to be kept in captivity for a period of not longer than 5 days provided that person applies to the Commission for a Captivity Permit within that five day period or gives up possession of the wild animal to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator within that 5 day period. The law is different for crippled, orphaned, or injured bear or deer. For these two species, the Commission should be notified immediately. A Commission representative will then arrange for transport to an approved deer or bear rehabilitation facility.
2. The law allows for taking of bait fish and freshwater mussels in certain situations. See Possession and Collection of Nongame Wildlife for more information.
3. Individuals may hold less than five reptiles or less than 25 amphibians not on the endangered, threatened or special concern lists and not including spotted turtles, Carolina pygmy rattlesnakes, timber (canebrake) rattlesnakes and Eastern coral snakes without a Captivity License or Permit. See Possession and Collection of Nongame Wildlife for more information.

Exotic Wildlife: It is unlawful to import, transport, export, purchase, possess, or sell any species of Tongueless or African Clawed Frog (Xenopus spp.), or to stock them in the public or private waters or lands of North Carolina. (Exceptions may be made in certain situations for qualified research institutions). See Possession and Collection of Nongame Wildlife for more information.

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Rules applying to possession, protection, collection, taking, and transportation of nongame wildlife are as follows:

Possession

1. Unlawful to possess any species of tongueless or african clawed frog (xenopus spp.) or to stock or release them in the public or private waters of lands of North Carolina. (see 15a ncac 10b .0123 for more information)

2. Unlawful to possess any live individuals of piranha, “walking" catfish (clarias batrachus), snakehead fish (from the family channidae, formerly ophiocephalidae), black carp (mylopharyngodon piceus) or white amur or "grass carp" (ctenopharyngodon idellus), or to stock any of them in the public or private waters of North Carolina. (see 15a ncac 10c .0211 for more information)

Protection of Endangered/Threatened/Special Concern

1. It is unlawful to take or possess any endangered, threatened, or special concern species at any time. The executive director may issue permits to take or possess an Endandered, Threatened, or Special Concern species according to regulations and policies in place (see 15a ncac 10i .0102 for more information). To determine if you need a permit or to get more information about qualifications, please call the Wildlife Management division at (919) 707-0060.

Collection

1. The executive director is authorized to license qualified individuals to take or collect any species of fish from the inland fishing waters of the state, or game fish from the joint or coastal waters, other than an Endangered or Threatened species. (see 15a ncac 10c .0214 for more information)

2. The executive director is authorized to license qualified individuals to take or collect any species of wildlife resources except that Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern species and spotted turtles (clemmys guttata) may not be taken or collected except under a special permit issued by the executive director for research purposes. (see 15a ncac 10b .0119 for more information)

Taking

1. It is unlawful for any person to take, or have in possession, any wild animal or wild bird listed in this section except during the open seasons and in accordance with the limits herein prescribed. (see 15a ncac 10b .0201 for more information)

2. It is unlawful to take nongame fishes, including freshwater mussels, from the inland fishing waters of north carolina in any manner other than with hook and line or grabbling. Nongame fishes may be taken by hook and line or grabbling at any time without restriction as to size limits or creel limits. (see 15a ncac 10c .0401 for more information)

3. It is unlawful to take nongame fish for bait in the inland waters of north carolina using equipment other than specified in 15a ncac 10c .0402 (a). It is unlawful to sell nongame fishes or aquatic animals taken as bait. (see 15a ncac 10c .0402 for more information)

Transportation

1. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to transport live freshwater nongame fishes, or live game fishes in excess of the possession limit, or fish eggs without having in possession a permit obtained from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. (see 15a ncac 10c .0209 for more information)

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