H747 - 2026 Wildlife Resources Changes. (SL 2026-43)

Section 4.(b) directs WRC to conduct the raffle for one resident Elk Permit issued for the 2027 hunting season. Raffle tickets will be sold for $20 per ticket or a maximum of 30 raffle tickets for $500. Purchasers of raffle tickets would be required to either have a valid hunting license or qualify for a license exemption. From the proceeds collected from the raffle, WRC is allowed to retain its actual costs of administering the raffle, up to 25% of the total proceeds collected. WRC must deposit the remaining proceeds in the Wildlife Resources Fund to be used for the conservation and management of elk.

Section 4.(c) directs WRC to select one nonprofit wildlife conservation organization involved in the reintroduction of elk into North Carolina to conduct an auction for one Elk Permit. The nonprofit wildlife conservation organization is allowed to retain no more than 25% of the proceeds of the auction for an Elk Permit. WRC must deposit the remaining proceeds in the Wildlife Resources Fund to be used for the conservation and management of elk.

Section 4.(d) allows WRC, based on its evaluation of its elk management goals, to continue issuing Elk Permits for future hunting seasons by way of raffle and auction in the same manner as provided in this bill for the 2026 hunting season, except that WRC would be allowed to raffle off more than one Elk Permit per year.

The following restrictions apply to future hunting seasons: (i) WRC is not allowed to issue an Elk Permit via auction without also issuing one or more through raffle; and (ii) WRC is required to reserve for North Carolina residents half of all Elk Permits made available via raffle.

Section 4.(e) states the intent of the General Assembly that the receipts generated by these raffles and auctions only supplement, rather than replace, other funds budgeted for elk management.

Section 4.(f) directs WRC to submit a report by March 1, 2028, on the effectiveness of the Elk Permit raffle and auction program to the House Wildlife Resources Committee, the Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division. WRC must submit this report every year in which it conducts Elk Permit raffles and auctions.

Section 5 amends the definition of "Game Animals" to include elk.

Section 6 makes a conforming change to require hunters to wear hunter orange when hunting elk.

These sections became effective July 7, 2026.