NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1965 SESSION

CHAPTER 928

HOUSE BILL 865

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

WHEREAS, the sport of deer hunting has become a very popular practice in Warren and Franklin Counties 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 Counties of Warren and Franklin are practicing this art with precision by the use of high-powered rifles and rifles of smaller calibre; and

WHEREAS, the terrain of Warren and Franklin Counties 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 Warren and Franklin Counties 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 Warren and Franklin Counties: Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or cause to be used any rifle of any calibre in the hunting or taking or attempted taking of deer within the Counties of Warren or Franklin except with the written consent of the person or persons, firm, or corporation owning the land or lands upon which said person may desire to participate in the hunting or taking or attempted taking of deer.

Sec. 2. It shall also be unlawful to use or cause to be used any rifle of any calibre in the hunting or taking or attempted taking of deer from any public road or highway or right of way thereof within the Counties of Warren or Franklin without first obtaining the written consent of any land or property owner or owners whose land or property adjoins such public roads or highways or rights of way thereof.

Sec. 3. This Act shall not be construed to mean nor is it the intent of this Act to ban or limit the use of any rifle of any calibre in any other sport or practice now permitted by law, nor is it the intent of this Act to take away any right of any person.

Sec. 4. 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 to make arrests for violation of this Act.

Sec. 5. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

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

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 10th day of June, 1965.