The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact is a multi-state agreement that recognizes suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses in all Compact member states. This means, any person whose license privileges or rights are suspended in a Compact state may also be suspended in all other Compact states, depending on the laws of each state.
The Compact prevents poachers who are under revocation in one state from hunting, fishing or trapping in other states. This cooperative interstate effort will enhance the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s ability to protect and manage the state’s wildlife resources.
If a person with a suspended N.C. license plans to hunt, fish or trap in another state, it is their responsibility to contact the other state to verify that they can legally hunt, fish or trap there.
Download the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact manual.
Violator Compact – Chapter 113 Article 22B
Penalties and violations; Civil penalties for noncriminal infractions; Criminal penalties; Suspension and forfeiture of licenses and permits – NC G.S. 14-3.1, G.S. 113-135, G.S. 113-294
The Compact assures non-resident violators receiving citations for certain wildlife violations in participating states the same treatment accorded residents who are in violation. Procedures established cause a non-resident violator who fails to comply with the terms of a citation issued in a participating state to face the possibility of the suspension of his wildlife license privileges in his home state until the terms of the citation are met. Safeguards are built into the Compact to assure that a non-resident violator is afforded all due process protection.
In addition, the Compact provides for the reciprocal recognition of the suspension of license privileges by participating states, subject to limitations intended to provide due process protection. The reciprocal recognition of suspensions is intended to address the problems associated with the mobility of many violators.
Finally, the Compact provides that information on convictions in participating states shall be forwarded to the home state of the violator. The home state shall treat such convictions as if they had occurred in that state for the purposes of license suspension actions.
The Compact not only assures equal treatment of residents and non-residents of participating states, but also enhances the law enforcement services and deterrent value of time spent patrolling by uniformed officers.
NOTE: personal representations, check stubs, money order receipts, etc. are not acceptable.
Regardless of the type of suspension you have received, either administrative or court ordered, during the suspension period you may not hunt, fish, trap or attempt to engage in any activity requiring a license, permit or certificate issued pursuant to G.S. 113-270.1(B). When the suspension period has been completed, you will be eligible to purchase a license.
NC General Statute 113-300.5
As used in this compact, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) "Citation" means any summons, complaint, ticket, penalty assessment or other official document issued to a person by a wildlife officer or other peace officer for a wildlife violation which contains an order requiring the person to respond.
(b) "Collateral" means any cash or other security deposited to secure an appearance for trial in connection with the issuance (by a wildlife officer or other peace officer) of a citation for a wildlife violation.
(c) "Compliance" with respect to a citation means the act of answering a citation through an appearance in a court or through the payment of fines, costs, and surcharges, if any.
(d) "Conviction" means a conviction, including any court conviction, for any offense related to the preservation, protection, management or restoration of wildlife which is prohibited by state statute, law, regulation, ordinance, or administrative rule. Such conviction shall also include the forfeiture of any bail, bond or other security deposited to secure appearance by a person charged with having committed any such offense, the payment of a penalty assessment, a plea of nolo contendere and the imposition of a deferred or suspended sentence by the court.
(e) "Court" means a court of law, including magistrate's court and the justice of the peace court.
(f) "Home state" means the state of primary residence of a person.
(g) "Issuing state" means the participating state which issues a wildlife citation to the violator.
(h) "License" means any license, permit or other public document which conveys to the person to whom it was issued the privilege of pursuing, possessing or taking any wildlife regulated by statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule of a participating state.
(i) "Licensing authority" means the department or division within each participating state which is authorized by law to issue or approve licenses or permits to hunt, fish, trap or possess wildlife.
(j) "Participating state" means any state which enacts legislation to become a member of this wildlife compact.
(k) "Personal recognizance" means an agreement by a person made at the time of issuance of the wildlife citation that such person will comply with the terms of the citation.
(l) "State" means any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Provinces of Canada and other countries.
(m) "Suspension" means any revocation, denial or withdrawal of any or all license privileges, including the privilege to apply for, purchase or exercise the benefits conferred by any license.
(n) "Terms of the citation" means the conditions and options expressly stated upon the citation.
(o) "Wildlife" means all species of animals including, but not limited to, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans, which are defined as "wildlife" and are protected or otherwise regulated by statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule in a participating state. Species included in the definition of "wildlife" vary from state to state and determination of whether a species is "wildlife" for the purposes of this compact shall be based on local law.
(p) "Wildlife law" means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management of wildlife resources and the uses thereof.
(q) "Wildlife officer" means any individual authorized (by a participating state) to issue a citation for a wildlife violation.
(r) "Wildlife violation" means any cited violation of a statute, law, regulation, ordinance or administrative rule developed and enacted for the management of wildlife resources and the uses thereof.
Major Philip Lucas NC Wildlife Violator Compact Administrator 1717 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1717 919-707-0030
It is your responsibility to contact any member state where you intend to obtain or attempt to obtain any license, permit or tag to determine your eligibility to purchase that license, permit or tag, or to determine if appeal procedures are available. You may determine your eligibility by inquiring (in writing) to the specific member state at the address listed below.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Law Enforcement
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division