Is the NCWRC Raleigh headquarters building open?

Yes, the agency's headquarter's license sales and vessel registration and titling service counter, located on the second floor, is open to the public, Mon-Fri, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can always purchase a license 24-hours a day on our website at ncwildlife.org.

Which Wildlife Service Agents are open for business?

Visit this list of wildlife service agents to find their contact information. Prior to traveling to their location, consider contacting the Wildlife Service Agent to ensure they are open.

Am I allowed to fish, hunt, and/or use my vessel during the statewide Stay at Home order?

Outdoor activity including fishing, hunting, and boating are not prohibited under the statewide Stay at Home order. However, if you are leaving your personal property, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Also, individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements. 

Are public boating access ramps and fishing piers closed?

Prior to pursuing your planned activity, visit the agency's COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date list of agency-related closures.

Are water bodies closed?

Visit the agency's COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date list of agency-related closings. This webpage covers locations the agency directly manages, but there may be other closed areas of which we are not aware, so please check with the property owner, municipality, or agency before pursuing your outdoor recreation.

Will fishing license requirements or associated fees change if North Carolina is in a declared State of Emergency?

No. There are no provisions in state law that allow our agency to waive fishing license requirements. State law does provide for youth under age 16 to fish without a fishing license and there is a Subsistence Unified Inland/Coastal Recreational Fishing License Waiver, available through your county’s Department of Social Service, that authorizes statewide inland and coastal recreational fishing for residents who receive Medicaid, Food Stamps or Work First Family Assistance.
 

Is trout season still open?

Yes, however, prior to going on your planned activity you should ensure the location is open to the public and the county has not prohibited participation. However, if you are leaving your personal property, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements per Executive Order 141. Some access to trout streams on private property and in state parks have been closed to the public, but where access is still available you may fish. 

How can I find the trout stocking schedule?

Some Public Mountain Trout Waters may not receive normal stockings this spring, due to COVID-19. Check our daily trout stocking update regularly to find stocked locations, as we have suspended posting the 2020 trout stocking schedule.   

Do I have to comply with local curfew ordinances?

Check with the local county/city order that issued the curfew to determine if outdoor activity, such as fishing can be conducted past the designated curfew. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.

Are Inland Fishing Guide Services still allowed to operate?

Inland Fishing Guide Services can still operate as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines in reference to the Governor’s Executive Order 141.  However, if a county or city has enacted their own order, the guidelines of that particular local order should be followed if those guidelines are more stringent than the Governor’s Order.

Are Commercial Charter Fishing boats in Coastal Waters still allowed to operate?

Contact the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries that regulates commercial charter fishing boats with additional questions.

Am I allowed to fish, hunt, and/or use my vessel during the statewide Stay at Home order?

Outdoor activity including fishing, hunting, and boating are not prohibited under the statewide Stay at Home order. However, if you are leaving your personal property, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Also, individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements. 

Can I still turkey hunt?

Yes, however, prior to going on your planned activity you should ensure the location is open to the public and the county has not prohibited participation. However, if you are leaving your personal property, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements per Executive Order 141.

Will hunting license requirements or associated fees change if North Carolina is in a declared State of Emergency? What about subsistence hunting for food?

No. There are no provisions in state law that allow our agency to waive hunting license requirements for the purposes of subsistence hunting. 

If North Carolina is in a declared State of Emergency, will hunting seasons be extended?

There have been no changes to the fishing and hunting seasons.

Do I have to comply with local curfew ordinances while hunting?

Check with the local county/city order that issued the curfew to determine if your ability to conduct your planned outdoor activity, such as hunting would be affected by the designated curfew. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.

Do Wildlife Enforcement Officers enforce social distancing requirements?

North Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers enforce all hunting, fishing and boating laws, as well as other laws in their jurisdiction during this order. Additionally, Wildlife Officers are authorized to enforce the provisions of the Executive Orders and any local ordinances that are punishable as misdemeanors.

Are the game lands still open?

Yes, most game lands are still open., however, prior to going on your planned activity you should ensure the location is open to the public and the county has not prohibited participation.However, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements per Executive Order 141. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.

Can I still hunt and/or fish at Pisgah National Forest?

People can still hunt and fish as long as they follow these closures. This includes staying off the closed roads and trails and not parking at trailheads and camping.

Can I use game lands for recreation such as hiking or mountain biking?

Yes. However, please be mindful of the regulated hunting season(s), which may be open. The NCWRC recommends that non-hunters visiting game lands wear blaze orange, especially during the hunting seasons. Prior to going on your planned activity, you should ensure the location is open to the public and the county has not prohibited participation. The NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements per Executive Order 141. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.

Why can’t I purchase a Field Trial permit?

Field Trial permits have been suspended until further notice due to concerns over COVID-19 and the ability to social distance.

Will Wildlife Enforcement Officers be enforcing social distancing requirements?

North Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers enforce all hunting, fishing and boating laws, as well as other laws in their jurisdiction during this order. Additionally, Wildlife Officers are authorized to enforce the provisions of the Executive Orders and any local ordinances that are punishable as misdemeanors.

Am I allowed to fish, hunt, and/or use my vessel during a statewide Stay at Home order?

Outdoor activity including fishing, hunting, and boating are not prohibited under the statewide Stay at Home order. However, if you are leaving your personal property, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Also, individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements. 

Are there different state and federal agency-maintained boat ramps?

Yes. The NCWRC manages more than 200 free, boating access areas (boat ramps) across the state. Other boat ramps in the state are managed by different entities, including, but not limited to N.C. State Parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, municipalities, and counties. The NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. For an up-to-date list of NCWRC-managed boat ramp closures visit our agency's COVID-19 page.

Is it still legal to boat during this order? 

Yes, prior to going on your planned activity, you should ensure the location is open to the public and the county has not prohibited participation However, the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements per Executive Order 141. For clarification to determine what activities are and are not allowed, constituents should contact the entity that issued the order. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.

Do I have to comply with local curfew ordinances while boating?

Check with the local county/city order that issued the curfew to determine if outdoor activity, such as boating can be conducted past your ability to conduct your planned outdoor activity would be affected by the designated curfew. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level.

Are public boating access ramps and fishing piers closed?

Prior to going on your planned activity, you should ensure the location is open to the public and the county has not prohibited participation the NCWRC recommends that you first verify the location of your planned activity is open to the public and no local emergency orders have been established that could affect your access to a county or municipal area. Individuals must, with the full force and effect of law, comply with all Social Distancing and Mass Gatherings requirements per Executive Order 141. Although the NCWRC promotes outdoor recreational pursuits, they should be done in a manner consistent with CDC social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any applicable Emergency Orders at the municipality, city, county, state and federal level. For a complete list of agency-related closing please visit our agency's COVID-19 page.

Are water bodies closed?

Visit our agency's COVID-19 page. for the most up-to-date list of agency-related closings. This webpage covers locations the agency directly manages, but there may be other closed areas of which we are not aware, so please check with the property owner, municipality, or agency before pursuing your outdoor recreation.

If I launch in NC can I take my boat across state waters?  

Yes. There are currently no prohibitions of boating in public waters in North Carolina or adjacent states. However, boaters must comply with all applicable local or state emergency orders.

Can I register my vessel online?

If you need to renew your vessel registration or obtain a replacement registration online, click here. Unfortunately, we are unable to transfer ownership of a vessel or register a new vessel without the appropriate documentation. In most cases an original title or proof of ownership document must be submitted. For more information, please visit our registration and titling page or download the VL-1 form to start the process. Applications may be mailed to NCWRC with the appropriate documentation or you may take your paperwork to a local Wildlife Service Agent who remains open to the public. Contact the Wildlife Service Agent to ensure they are open, prior to travelling to their location.

Will Wildlife Enforcement Officers be enforcing social distancing requirements?

North Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers will be enforcing all hunting, fishing and boating laws, as well as other laws in their jurisdiction during this order. Additionally, Wildlife Officers are authorized to enforce the provisions of the Executive Orders and any local ordinances that are punishable as misdemeanors.

The Wildlife Commission compiled information to address frequently asked questions (FAQs) staff are receiving from wildlife rehabilitators and members of the public regarding wildlife rehabilitation during the pandemic. Download FAQs about COVID-19 & Wildlife Rehabilitators (PDF) For bats, please refer to Bat Activities During COVID-19 (PDF).

Temporary suspension of activities requiring direct contact with bats - Bat Activities During COVID-19 (PDF)