The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing amendments to the Dog Training and Field Trials rule. The rule is being amended to provide for the issuance of field trial permits online, and to make organizational and technical changes.
The most significant change under the proposed amended rule would allow individuals who want to conduct a Commission-sanctioned field trial to obtain a field trial permit from the Wildlife Resources Commission website at www.ncwildlife.org. Individuals would also continue to be able to obtain a permit in person at the Commission headquarters in Raleigh.
Minor updates reaffirm current Commission rules, including:
- Individuals using wildlife to train or run dogs shall possess a North Carolina hunting license.
- Individuals serving as a judge of a commission-sanctioned field trial shall be exempt from any license requirements; while those serving as a judge of a non-sanctioned field trial using wildlife shall possess a North Carolina hunting license.
- NC residents participating in any field trial that uses wildlife shall have a NC hunting license.
- Non-residents participating in a commission-sanctioned field trial that uses wildlife shall possess a NC hunting license or a hunting license from his/her state of residence.
- Non-residents participating in other types of field trials that use wildlife shall possess a NC hunting license.
The proposed rule may be viewed at https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/ProposedRegulations/15A-10L-Lifetime-10-B-field-trials-10G-WCLP.pdf.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will hold an online public hearing on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at 10AM. The online hearing may be accessed at https://zoom.us/j/185501507 (webinar ID: 185 501 507). Audio only may be accessed by telephone (toll free) at (888) 788-0099 or (877) 853-5247.
Comments from the public may be submitted through Monday, June 1, 2020. They may be submitted via email at regulations@ncwildlife.org, or by mail to:
Rule-making Coordinator
1701 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to provide updates on this proposal as developments warrant. AKC GR remains engaged in monitoring and addressing dog-related executive orders, legislation, and regulatory proposals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our COVID-19 Resources Page provides up-to-date information on governmental responses to the pandemic. It may be viewed at https://akcgr.org/covid19?3. Other legislative and regulatory resources are available at the AKC GR Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.