GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1993 SESSION

CHAPTER 557
SENATE BILL 1222

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A DISABLED SPORTSMAN PROGRAM UNDER THE WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION AND TO ESTABLISH A NONRESIDENT BEAR HUNTING LICENSE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Article 22 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 113-296.  Disabled Sportsman Program.
(a)	The Disabled Sportsman Program is established, to be developed and administered by the Wildlife Resources Commission. The Disabled Sportsman Program shall consist of special hunting and fishing activities adapted to the needs of persons with the disabilities described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b)	In order to be eligible for participation in the Disabled Sportsman Program established by this section, a person must be able to certify through competent medical evidence one of the following disabilities:
(1)	Amputation of one or more limbs;
(2)	Paralysis of one or more limbs;
(3)	Dysfunction of one or more limbs rendering the person unable to perform the tasks of grasping and lifting with the hands and arms or unable to walk without mechanical assistance, other than a cane;
(4)	Disease, injury, or defect confining the person to a wheelchair, walker, or crutches;
(5)	Legal deafness; or
(6)	Legal blindness, for purposes of participation in disabled fishing only.
The disability must be permanent, and a person loses eligibility to participate in the Disabled Sportsman Program when the specified disability ceases to exist.
(c)	A person who qualifies under subsection (b) of this section may apply for participation in the Disabled Sportsman Program by completing an application supplied by the Wildlife Resources Commission and by supplying the medical evidence necessary to confirm the person's disability.  In order to participate in activities under the Program, each disabled participant may be accompanied by an able-bodied companion, who may also participate in the hunting, fishing, or other activity.  The Commission shall charge each disabled participant an annual fee of ten dollars ($10.00) to defray the cost of processing the application and administering the special activities provided under the Program.  The participant and the participant's companion shall also obtain any applicable hunting, fishing, or other special license required for the activities.
(d)	In developing the Disabled Sportsman Program, the Wildlife Resources Commission shall:
(1)	Establish special seasons and bag limits for hunting all or selected species of wildlife;
(2)	Authorize the manner for taking wildlife, consistent with State law;
(3)	Permit the use of vehicles and other means of conveyance in areas normally closed to such use;
(4)	Set special fishing seasons and size and creel limits for inland fish; and
(5)	Permit the use of crossbows or other specially equipped bows by persons incapable of arm movement sufficient to operate a longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow, but only during a season for hunting with bow and arrow and only during a special hunt organized and supervised by the Wildlife Resources Commission for the Disabled Sportsman Program; and
(6)	Alter any other established rules of the Wildlife Resources Commission pertaining to hunting, fishing, or special activities, as generally applicable or as applicable to game lands, for the purpose of providing access to disabled persons participating in the Disabled Sportsman Program.
The Wildlife Resources Commission may use its game lands for purposes of conducting special activities for the Disabled Sportsman Program, and may enter into agreements with other landholders for purposes of conducting special activities on private lands.
(e)	The Wildlife Resources Commission may establish special activities under the Disabled Sportsman Program for any class or classes of disability described in subsection (b) of this section.  The Commission shall publicize these activities through the public media and in the Commission's publications to ensure that disabled persons are notified of the activities and informed about the application process.
(f)	The Wildlife Resources Commission shall hold at least four special hunting activities under the Disabled Sportsman Program per calendar year, at least two during the season for taking deer with bow and arrow, and at least two during the season for taking deer with guns.  The Commission shall alternate the location of these special activities so as to provide equal access to disabled persons in all regions of the State."
Sec. 2.  G.S. 113-270.3(b) is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(1a)	Nonresident Bear Hunting License – $100.00.  This license is valid for use only by an individual within the State and must be procured before taking any bear within the State.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a nonresident individual may not take any bear within the State without procuring this license; provided, that those persons who have a nonresident lifetime sportsman combination license purchased prior to July 1, 1993, shall not have to purchase this license."
Sec. 3.  This act is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 24th day of May, 1994.

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Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

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Daniel Blue, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Representatives