§ 113-261. Taking fish and wildlife for scientific purposes; permits to take in normally unauthorized manner; cultural and scientific operations.
Article 20.
Miscellaneous Regulatory Provisions.
§ 113‑261. Taking fish and wildlife forscientific purposes; permits to take in normally unauthorized manner; culturaland scientific operations.
(a) The Department, the Wildlife Resources Commission, and agenciesof the United States with jurisdiction over fish and wildlife are herebygranted the right to take marine, estuarine, and wildlife resources within theState, to conduct fish cultural operations and scientific investigations in theseveral waters of North Carolina, to survey fish and wildlife populations inthe State, to conduct investigations to determine the status and requirementsfor survival of resident species of fish and wildlife, to propagate animals,birds, and fish, and to erect fish hatcheries and fish propagating plantswithout regard to any licensing or permit requirements of this Subchapter.
(b) The Department with respect to fish in coastal fishingwaters and the Wildlife Resources Commission with respect to wildlife mayprovide for the issuance of permits, on such terms as they deem just and in thebest interest of conservation, authorizing persons to take such fish orwildlife through the use of drugs, poisons, explosives, electricity, or anyother generally prohibited manner. Such permits need not be restricted solelyto victims of depredations or to scientific or educational institutions, butshould be issued only for good cause. No permit to take wildlife other thanfish by means of poison may be issued, however, unless the provisions ofArticle 22A are met.
(c) The Department, the Wildlife Resources Commission, andagencies of the United States with jurisdiction over fish and wildlife may, asnecessary in their legitimate operations, take fish and wildlife in a mannergenerally prohibited by this Subchapter or by rules made under the authority ofthis Subchapter. (1915, c. 84, s. 7;C.S., s. 1886; 1965, c. 957, s. 2; 1973, c. 1262, s. 18; 1979, c. 830, s. 1;1987, c. 827, s. 98.)