§ 113-295. Unlawful harassment of persons taking wildlife resources.
§ 113‑295. Unlawful harassment of persons taking wildlife resources.
(a) It is unlawful for a person to interfere intentionally withthe lawful taking of wildlife resources or to drive, harass, or intentionallydisturb any wildlife resources for the purpose of disrupting the lawful takingof wildlife resources. It is unlawful to take or abuse property, equipment, orhunting dogs that are being used for the lawful taking of wildlife resources. This subsection does not apply to a person who incidentally interferes with thetaking of wildlife resources while using the land for other lawful activitysuch as agriculture, mining, or recreation. This subsection also does notapply to activity by a person on land he owns or leases.
Violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor for a firstconviction and a Class 1 misdemeanor for a second or subsequent conviction.
(b) The Wildlife Resources Commission may, either before orafter the institution of any other action or proceeding authorized by thissection, institute a civil action for injunctive relief to restrain a violationor threatened violation of subsection (a) of this section pursuant to G.S. 113‑131. The action shall be brought in the superior court of the county in which theviolation or threatened violation is occurring or about to occur and shall bein the name of the State upon the relation of the Wildlife ResourcesCommission. The court, in issuing any final order in any action broughtpursuant to this subsection may, in its discretion, award costs of litigationincluding reasonable attorney and expert‑witness fees to any party. (1987, c. 636, s. 3; 1993, c. 539, s. 864; 1994, Ex.Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)