NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1973 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 78

HOUSE BILL 360

 

AN ACT TO REQUIRE PERSONS HUNTING DEER WITH RIFLES IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY TO SECURE THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE LANDOWNERS.

 

Whereas, the sport of deer hunting has become a very popular practice in Northampton County and provides many pleasurable hours of sportsmanship as well as many delicious food dishes for those who participate along with their families and friends; and

Whereas, the art of true marksmanship is hereby recognized as a source of great pride to those fortunate enough to possess the skill; and

Whereas, many huntsmen from within and without the County of Northampton are practicing this art with precision by the use of high-powered rifles and rifles of smaller calibre; and

Whereas, the terrain of Northampton County is such that ammunition discharged by such rifles may travel great distances and is capable of inflicting injury or death upon humans or animals by unintentional means; and

Whereas, such possibility of injury or death has become apparent to great numbers of individuals, including huntsmen, farmers, cattle owners, and other private citizens to the extent that apprehension of tragedy has become of great concern; and

Whereas, passage of certain acts relative to and restricting certain hunting privileges in other and adjoining counties is calculated to increase the number of deer hunters migrating to Northampton County for the purpose of participating in the sport; and

Whereas, certain persons among such transient huntsmen are known to use rifles and are further known to use such rifles in a manner so as to increase the apprehension of the aforesaid residents of Northampton County; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge (shoot) any rifle of a calibre larger than .22 for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to hunting or target practice, within Northampton County, without first securing the express written permission of the owner or lessee of the land on which such discharge is to occur.

Sec. 2. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge (shoot) any rifle of a calibre large than .22 for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to hunting or target practice, from any public road, public highway or right-of-way within Northampton County, without first securing the express written permission of the owner or lessee of the land which adjoins said public road, public highway or right-of-way and over which said discharge is to take place.

Sec. 3. The written permission to discharge (shoot) a rifle herein required by Section 1 and Section 2 shall be effective for only 12 months from the granting thereof. Any person securing such written permission shall carry on his person such written permission while in possession of a rifle of a calibre larger than .22 and while on lands covered by this act. Such written permission is not transferable.

Sec. 4. This act shall not be construed to limit the use of a .22 calibre rifle.

Sec. 5. Violation of this act shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00). All law enforcement officers including wildlife protectors are hereby authorized and directed to make arrests for violation of this act.

Sec. 6. This act shall become effective upon its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 12th day of March, 1973.