Bill > H382

This bill authorizes the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to issue two elk permits for the 2026 hunting season: one through a raffle and one through an auction. For the raffle, tickets will cost $20 each or a maximum of 30 tickets for $500, and ticket buyers must have a valid North Carolina hunting license. The Commission may retain up to $25,000 from raffle proceeds to cover administrative costs, with remaining funds going to the Wildlife Resources Fund for elk conservation. For the auction, the Commission will select a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization involved in elk reintroduction to conduct the sale, with the organization allowed to keep up to 25% of the proceeds, and the remainder deposited in the Wildlife Resources Fund. After 2026, the Commission may continue these permit issuance methods based on elk management goals, with the requirement that if an auction is held, a raffle must also be conducted, and 50% of raffle permits must be reserved for North Carolina residents. The bill also makes conforming changes to existing statutes to include elk in game animal definitions and hunter orange requirements. The legislation's intent is to supplement, not replace, existing elk management funding, and the Commission must submit annual reports about the auction and raffle programs to legislative committees.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H382