A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the wildlife resources commission to set minimum caliber requirements for rifles used in taking big game.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 113‑291.1(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Except as otherwise provided, game may only be taken between a half hour before sunrise and a half hour after sunset and only by one or a combination of the following methods:
(1)	With a rifle of at least the minimum caliber set by the Wildlife Resources Commission for the type of game being taken, except that rifles may not be used in taking wild turkeys.
(2)	With a shotgun not larger than number 10 gauge.
(3)	With a bow and arrow of a type prescribed in the rules of the Wildlife Resources Commission.
(4)	With the use of dogs.
(5)	By means of falconry.
Fur‑bearing animals may be taken at any time during open trapping season with traps authorized under G.S. 113‑291.6 and as otherwise authorized pursuant to this subsection, and rabbits may be box‑trapped in accordance with rules of the Wildlife Resources Commission. The Wildlife Resources Commission may adopt rules prescribing the manner of taking wild birds and wild animals not classified as game. Use of pistols in taking wildlife is governed by subsection (g). The Wildlife Resources Commission may prescribe the manner of taking wild animals and wild birds on game lands and public hunting grounds."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2009.