Groundhogs in NC
- Thread starter micky
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puppypopper
New member
Brick House Road , Butner/Falls game lands . Lots of open ground , great entry points . Probaly would be a good all day trip . All so you would have a good chance to run into a yote or two or three .
Now if you want to realy get into some hogs and some real shooting , I can put you into contact of some members in the Greensboro area that are into AT&T Hog Hunting . Thats hunting hogs where you have to reach out and touch them , at about 400 plus .
Now if you want to realy get into some hogs and some real shooting , I can put you into contact of some members in the Greensboro area that are into AT&T Hog Hunting . Thats hunting hogs where you have to reach out and touch them , at about 400 plus .
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blackhawk309
New member
Don't go onto any gamelands in NC this time of year, with ANY rifle or shotgun. My nephew and I have been coyote hunting on gamelands until 3 weeks ago. At a outdoor related affair at my nephew's church, the wildlife officer for our county (Buncombe) had a booth set up. They started discussing coyote hunting on gamelands, which got very heated before it was over. The officer stated only a .22 LR pistol was allowed on gamelands. If we where caught with anything more, we would be cited, and possible have our vehicle taken. We were always told that after big game and all other seasons closed, we could ONLY have a .22 rimfire or shotgun with certain shot, on gamelands.WRONG!!! Since then we have questioned 3 other officers, another Bunc., Translvania, and Polk County officers. They all said the same thing. Only 22LR pistol AFTER all other seasons for game animals/birds have closed. I asked one officer about going now that crow season has re-opened, he said no, because crow was a non-game species. We have to wait till squirrel season I guess, to go back on gamelands with the .17 or shotgun.
puppypopper
New member
It is unlawful to possess a rifle or pistol larger than .22 rimfire or
a shotgun shell with larger than no. 4 shot during closed gun
seasons on big game—except any size steel or nontoxic shot
may be used while waterfowl hunting.
Size T, BB and no. 2 shot may be usd for hunting coyotes during
closed big game seasons on game lands.
This is from the top of page 52 of the NC regs book . What the GW's said is B***S***!
We have covered this subject to many times . Some of the GW are idiots , It clearly states in the book what you can and cannot do . If you have a question go to your book . The GW's will and have interpreted what they want .
If you realy want to know anything else you can call Raleigh and ask them . One more thing please report the officals to Raleigh that give you the wrong info.
a shotgun shell with larger than no. 4 shot during closed gun
seasons on big game—except any size steel or nontoxic shot
may be used while waterfowl hunting.
Size T, BB and no. 2 shot may be usd for hunting coyotes during
closed big game seasons on game lands.
This is from the top of page 52 of the NC regs book . What the GW's said is B***S***!
We have covered this subject to many times . Some of the GW are idiots , It clearly states in the book what you can and cannot do . If you have a question go to your book . The GW's will and have interpreted what they want .
If you realy want to know anything else you can call Raleigh and ask them . One more thing please report the officals to Raleigh that give you the wrong info.
Puppypopper- you better look on down on page 52. Just below that it says, during closed seasons on game birds and game animals, it is unlawful to possess any firearm or bow and arrow readily available for use. Note the exceptions below that: 22 caliber pistols, with barrels no greater than 7 1/2
inches, shooting short, long, or long rifle ammunition. I know people who have been ticketed for forgetting to remove the 22 magnum cylinder from Ruger single sixes. Here in the mountains, most of the gamelands are US Forest Service land and you also have US Forest Service law enforcement officers along with the game wardens. Maybe you should come and convince these mountain game wardens that it is BS!
inches, shooting short, long, or long rifle ammunition. I know people who have been ticketed for forgetting to remove the 22 magnum cylinder from Ruger single sixes. Here in the mountains, most of the gamelands are US Forest Service land and you also have US Forest Service law enforcement officers along with the game wardens. Maybe you should come and convince these mountain game wardens that it is BS!
During turkey season, it is unlawful to possess a rifle on game
lands, but bow-and-arrow may be used.
During closed seasons and closed hunting days on game birds
(waterfowl, doves, wood [beeep], snipe, rails, gallinules, moorhens,
coots, grouse, pheasant, quail, turkey) and game animals (deer, bear,
fox, rabbits, squirrels, boar, bobcats, opossum, raccoon), it is
unlawful to possess any firearm or bow and arrow readily avail -
able for use. During that time in which fox season is the only open
season for a game animal, it is also unlawful to possess these
weapons. The following exceptions, however, should be noted:
- Possession is allowed on field-trial and designated target shoot -
ing areas and in camping areas for defense of person or property.
- 22-caliber pistols with barrels, not greater than 7.5 inches in
length and shooting only short, long or long rifle ammunition,
may be carried as side arms on game lands at any time, except
by hunters during the special bow-and-arrow and muzzle -
loading firearms deer hunting season.
- Individuals training dogs during closed season without fieldtrial
authorization are prohibited from carrying any weapon.
- A bow and fishing arrows may be possessed when used as a
licensed special fishing device in those waters, where such
use is authorized.
lands, but bow-and-arrow may be used.
During closed seasons and closed hunting days on game birds
(waterfowl, doves, wood [beeep], snipe, rails, gallinules, moorhens,
coots, grouse, pheasant, quail, turkey) and game animals (deer, bear,
fox, rabbits, squirrels, boar, bobcats, opossum, raccoon), it is
unlawful to possess any firearm or bow and arrow readily avail -
able for use. During that time in which fox season is the only open
season for a game animal, it is also unlawful to possess these
weapons. The following exceptions, however, should be noted:
- Possession is allowed on field-trial and designated target shoot -
ing areas and in camping areas for defense of person or property.
- 22-caliber pistols with barrels, not greater than 7.5 inches in
length and shooting only short, long or long rifle ammunition,
may be carried as side arms on game lands at any time, except
by hunters during the special bow-and-arrow and muzzle -
loading firearms deer hunting season.
- Individuals training dogs during closed season without fieldtrial
authorization are prohibited from carrying any weapon.
- A bow and fishing arrows may be possessed when used as a
licensed special fishing device in those waters, where such
use is authorized.
blackhawk309
New member
PuppyPopper-- After I made that post I called another Polk Co. Officer [ one of 2 that recently taught a Predator hunting class for the public]. He interprets the law the way you do [ and I would like to ]. 22 rimfire rifle, shotgun w/nontoxic shot etc anytime on gamelands, if you are coyote hunting. Today, I went to the Wildlife shooting range and planned on hunting this afternoon, on g.lands. On the way home, I saw 2 game wardens[Haywood Co.] at the store. I stopped and asked their view of the law. Definately, noway, anything but a .22 pistol allowed on any gameland this time of year. Every time I call Raleigh, they refer me to the officer in the area of the gameland in question. Who do you talk to in Raleigh? Somebody, everybody needs to "get on the same page" or something. Maybe we need to raise some h... with somebody, but who?
I agree that this is the way it should be, with everybody on the same page. I live in Haywood County (about a half-mile from the new shooting range) and I know for a fact that these two GW's will give you a ticket. Here is a response to an email that I found on another board that was sent to the NCWRC on carrying larger pistols.
NCWRC Response:
CRC,
I am sending you this message as a response to the message you sent below to the Wildlife Resources Commission. We are not now considering changing any of the rules pertaining to carrying handguns on Game Lands during times when deer hunting season is open. It is unlikely that we would consider allowing .22 WMR handguns since this caliber is very commonly used to kill deer illegally and the current restrictions are in place solely to discourage taking deer illegally.
Perry W. Sumner, Section Manager
Surveys & Research and Wildlife Diversity Programs
Certified Wildlife Biologist
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Division of Wildlife Management
1722 Mail Service Center
1751 Varsity Drive, Rm. 450
NCSU Centennial Campus
Raleigh, NC 27699-1722
Office Phone: 919-707-0069
Mobile phone: 919-609-5658
***Please note that my email has changed to perry.sumner@ncwildlife.org
_________________________
NCWRC Response:
CRC,
I am sending you this message as a response to the message you sent below to the Wildlife Resources Commission. We are not now considering changing any of the rules pertaining to carrying handguns on Game Lands during times when deer hunting season is open. It is unlikely that we would consider allowing .22 WMR handguns since this caliber is very commonly used to kill deer illegally and the current restrictions are in place solely to discourage taking deer illegally.
Perry W. Sumner, Section Manager
Surveys & Research and Wildlife Diversity Programs
Certified Wildlife Biologist
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Division of Wildlife Management
1722 Mail Service Center
1751 Varsity Drive, Rm. 450
NCSU Centennial Campus
Raleigh, NC 27699-1722
Office Phone: 919-707-0069
Mobile phone: 919-609-5658
***Please note that my email has changed to perry.sumner@ncwildlife.org
_________________________
puppypopper
New member
I just got off of the phone with the NCWC , take note I have been on the phone for a hour and a half . Here is the low down and skinny .
There is no closed season on yotes or groundhogs , but you can only hunt them on gamelands when something else is in season . If some type of small game season is in you are allowed to use a 22 rim fire rifle , or a shotgun with shot no larger than #4 . If big game season is in you can hunt with what ever . Other than that its a 22 pistol .
Now each set of game lands has its own set of rules and allowinses . So you have to check your rules to see what you can do .
Now here whats chaps my butt . We went through this earler this year and they told me what I though was right . I had even went to three of the local GW's here in the central area and they told me the same as what I have said earler.
I did ask about when and if there is no info or rules to gamelands on open season animals what would be the rule. The answer was that it would be up to the individual GW and he would be their call .
So it looks like that I was wrong , which i don't have a problem admitting , but I do have a problem when you put my trust in to the commision and get a bunch of BS and a run around .
From what it looks like from my veiw after talking with the commision ,FOR THE LAST TIME is that they dont know if they are coming or going .
Sorry for all the confusion and I hope this will help to clairify things .
There is no closed season on yotes or groundhogs , but you can only hunt them on gamelands when something else is in season . If some type of small game season is in you are allowed to use a 22 rim fire rifle , or a shotgun with shot no larger than #4 . If big game season is in you can hunt with what ever . Other than that its a 22 pistol .
Now each set of game lands has its own set of rules and allowinses . So you have to check your rules to see what you can do .
Now here whats chaps my butt . We went through this earler this year and they told me what I though was right . I had even went to three of the local GW's here in the central area and they told me the same as what I have said earler.
I did ask about when and if there is no info or rules to gamelands on open season animals what would be the rule. The answer was that it would be up to the individual GW and he would be their call .
So it looks like that I was wrong , which i don't have a problem admitting , but I do have a problem when you put my trust in to the commision and get a bunch of BS and a run around .
From what it looks like from my veiw after talking with the commision ,FOR THE LAST TIME is that they dont know if they are coming or going .
Sorry for all the confusion and I hope this will help to clairify things .
It doesn't need to be each gw's interpretation. It needs to be in black and white. Hopefully. with the growing sport of predator hunting, maybe we can get some of these laws changed. From their reply to the email about pistols that I posted above, you can sort of tell what kind on mind set they have in Raleigh.
puppypopper
New member
It took me a good bit of time and controled effort to finaly get an answer out of the folks in Raleigh . So hopefully with the growing efforts with the association and getting in touch with the right people we may get some things changed to better serve our needs.
blackhawk309
New member
Puppypopper- Thanks for your effort. I'd bet money you could call back next week and probably get a different answer. I don't think they know theirself. Maybe if several of us called once a week for the next month, they would get the message that their rules are not clear. I guess I don't want to really accept defeat or their answer. Be nice if someday that law said--"you can use shotgun w/ nontoxic shot and any .22 CENTERFIRE rifle at any time IF coyote hunting on any gamelands". Dream on!!! PS- send me 2 applications to join the association. I can see firsthand the need for such a club with alot of representation.[ P.Ogle/309 hawthorne ave/swannanoa,nc 28778]
Boomer- Do you go to new range very often? Maybe I'll see you there. I drive a black Suburban. Love to shoot my .17 HMR, 11-87 w/Dead coyote Hevi-shot, .223, and handguns.
Boomer- Do you go to new range very often? Maybe I'll see you there. I drive a black Suburban. Love to shoot my .17 HMR, 11-87 w/Dead coyote Hevi-shot, .223, and handguns.
puppypopper
New member
I will do a full ap on a new post for everyone to print out . I sent Tony an email asking if he would mind if I did a post on putting the apps on a post for anyone that wants one . So let me see what he says and if so I will put them up .
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puppypopper
New member
No go on posting the apps , so email or snail mail is the only way to go , Or until I figure out how to get the website up .
puppypopper
New member
Believe it or not on the Falls/Butner game lands there is a lot of unhunted land . From turkeys to bucks , they are there and I know a lot of it . Some of it I can put you on private land that backs up to game lands .
Now if you want some killer land that has bucks that have not been hunted in years , you need to go to the National Gaurd range in Buter . Last year they opened up a section that has been close for ten years , that means knowone has hunted it until last year , and if you went to the Dixie Deer Classic or read the Carolina SportsMan mag , you should have seen Wesley and his 160 that came out of Durham , which it came off of the Gaurd land .
If you can tell me what you want to hunt , I can pretty much put you on what you want .
The offer is there , if you want it ,or to any one that wants it .
Now if you want some killer land that has bucks that have not been hunted in years , you need to go to the National Gaurd range in Buter . Last year they opened up a section that has been close for ten years , that means knowone has hunted it until last year , and if you went to the Dixie Deer Classic or read the Carolina SportsMan mag , you should have seen Wesley and his 160 that came out of Durham , which it came off of the Gaurd land .
If you can tell me what you want to hunt , I can pretty much put you on what you want .
The offer is there , if you want it ,or to any one that wants it .
puppypopper
New member
blackhawk , you app's will be put in the mail tomorrow .
Puppypopper,
This is an interesting thread and I have also been trying to get a straight answer from NCWRC and game wardens regarding summer groundhog and coyote hunting on NC gamelands. I hunt Butner during game seasons and would like to expand it to summer varmint & predator hunting, I've been hesitant to do so because I have a lot to lose if I'm wrong on the regulations!
Coincidentally, I just saw two game wardens in the Wendy's just off of 85 in Creedmoor on July 4th. I asked about summer groundhog hunting on the gamelands and they told me that as long as I was using a rimfire rifle I was OK. That included .22LR, .22mag, and the .17's. Now I'm kicking myself that I didn't pay attention to their names but I did recognize one as having pulled into a Butner gameland parking lot during deer season last fall, so I assume he's the guy for that county.
I know the NCWRC accepts input regarding regulation changes and clarifications, because I see the agenda they publish when they go around getting input from constituents in late winter. Perhaps we can contact our local Commissioner and ask that they get behind clarifying the regulations?
Lou
This is an interesting thread and I have also been trying to get a straight answer from NCWRC and game wardens regarding summer groundhog and coyote hunting on NC gamelands. I hunt Butner during game seasons and would like to expand it to summer varmint & predator hunting, I've been hesitant to do so because I have a lot to lose if I'm wrong on the regulations!
Coincidentally, I just saw two game wardens in the Wendy's just off of 85 in Creedmoor on July 4th. I asked about summer groundhog hunting on the gamelands and they told me that as long as I was using a rimfire rifle I was OK. That included .22LR, .22mag, and the .17's. Now I'm kicking myself that I didn't pay attention to their names but I did recognize one as having pulled into a Butner gameland parking lot during deer season last fall, so I assume he's the guy for that county.
I know the NCWRC accepts input regarding regulation changes and clarifications, because I see the agenda they publish when they go around getting input from constituents in late winter. Perhaps we can contact our local Commissioner and ask that they get behind clarifying the regulations?
Lou