North Carolina is on the brink of implementing significant changes to its hunting and fishing regulations, with a proposed law that mandates written permission for accessing private land. This initiative aims to bolster property owner rights and streamline enforcement processes.
Currently, written consent is only a requirement when hunting or fishing on land explicitly marked as private. However, this new legislation seeks to expand the requirement to all private properties. “There must be a balance in the law that protects property owners. If a person wants to access or use another person’s land, they simply need to acquire written permission,” said Sen. Bill Rabon, a Republican from Brunswick County who cosponsored the legislation.
The proposed Senate Bill 220 has cleared the Senate with a decisive 50-2 vote and is now headed to the House for further consideration. Notably, two Republican senators from Eastern North Carolina, Bob Brinson of Craven and Norman W. Sanderson of Pamlico County, opposed the bill.
Senator Sanderson voiced concerns during a committee meeting, stating, “This is going to catch a lot of people off guard.” The bill’s provisions include several key requirements:
- Individuals entering private property for activities like hunting, fishing, or accessing public waters must possess written permission.
- This permission must be signed by the property owner or an authorized representative and should be dated within the last year.
- Law enforcement officers can request to see the written permission at any time.
- If private property signs are posted, violators can face a Class 2 misdemeanor and a minimum fine of $1,000. Without signs, the offense is classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
- Offenders risk having their hunting and fishing licenses suspended for one to two years.
Terry Morris, a hunter from Craven County, expressed apprehension about the implications for hunting clubs. He mentioned his club spans 28,000 acres with extensive borders and involves 300 landowners nationwide. “Absolutely, 100% impossible for me to do,” he said regarding obtaining written permissions. “This is like dropping the nuclear bomb on the hunters, being honest with you.”
Republican Senator Tom McInnis from Moore County, another cosponsor, stated that the Wildlife Resources Commission advocated for the bill. Class 2 misdemeanors could lead to up to 60 days in jail, while Class 3 misdemeanors carry a maximum of 20 days.
Legislative analyst Chris Saunders emphasized the inclusion of the term “willfully” in the bill, offering protection to those who inadvertently trespass on private lands. Additionally, a contentious provision prohibiting boat launches from roadsides was removed after the Wildlife Resources Commission clarified it was not requested. “That was something that needed to come out,” Rabon mentioned on Tuesday.
