1. (a) Bear may be taken on posted designated bear management areas specified in Paragraph (c) of this Rule during the open season by permit only. Individuals may apply for permits on or after July 1 online at ncwildlife.org, by phone, or in person at a wildlife service agent location. The number of permits issued annually will be based on achieving population management objectives of the Commission. The Commission shall issue available bear management area permits to applicants selected at random by computer. Permits shall be non-transferrable. All applicable laws and rules regarding the taking of bear shall apply.

2. (b) The following shall be posted designated bear management areas:

   Bachelor Bay designated bear management area – Bertie and Washington counties

   Columbus County designated bear management area – Brunswick and Columbus counties

   Croatan designated bear management area – Carteret, Craven, and Jones counties

   Daniel Boone designated bear management area – Avery, Burke, and Caldwell counties

   Dare designated bear management area – Dare and Hyde counties

   Fires Creek designated bear management area – Clay County

   Flat Top designated bear management area – Mitchell and Yancey counties

   Green Swamp designated bear management area – Brunswick County

   Gull Rock designated bear management area – Hyde County

   Harmon Den designated bear management area – Haywood County

   Juniper Creek designated bear management area – Brunswick and Columbus counties

   Mt. Mitchell designated bear management area – McDowell and Yancey counties

   North River designated bear management area – Camden and Currituck counties

   Panthertown – Bonas Defeat designated bear management area – Jackson County

   Pisgah designated bear management area – Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Transylvania

   Pungo River designated bear management area – Hyde County

   Rich Mountain designated bear management area – Madison County

   Sherwood designated bear management area – Haywood County

   Suggs Mill Pond designated bear management area – Bladen and Cumberland counties

   Standing Indian designated bear management area – Macon County

   Thurmond Chatham designated bear management area – Allegheny and Wilkes counties

   Wayah designated bear management area – Macon County

3. (c) It shall be lawful to take bear on the following designated management areas when authorized by permit issued by the Commission in accordance with G.S. 113-264(d):

   Daniel Boone designated bear management area – Avery, Burke, and Caldwell counties

   Dare designated bear management area – Dare and Hyde counties

   Mt. Mitchell designated bear management area – McDowell and Yancey counties

   Panthertown – Bonas Defeat designated bear management area – Jackson County

   Pisgah designated bear management area – Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Transylvania

   Standing Indian designated bear management area – Macon County

4. (d) Feral Swine shall not be taken with the use of dogs on designated bear management areas.
5. (e) Dogs shall not be trained or allowed to run unleashed between March 1 and the Monday on or nearest October 15 on designated bear management areas located in and west of the counties and parts of counties described in 15A NCAC 10B .0109.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-264; 113-291.1; 113-291.2; 113-291.7; 113-305;
Eff. August 1, 2019;
Amended Eff. March 15, 2023.