AN ACT TO REGULATE HUNTING IN PITT COUNTY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm from, on, or across the right‑of‑way of any public road or highway.
SECTION 2.  It is unlawful to hunt while under the influence of an impairing substance. For purposes of this section, the term "impairing substance" includes alcohol, controlled substances under Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, any drug or psychoactive substance capable of impairing a person's physical or mental faculties, or any combination of those substances.
SECTION 3.  It is unlawful to hunt with a firearm within 300 feet of any residence or occupied building without the written, signed, and dated permission of the owner or lessee of the land. This permission shall be renewed annually in order to remain active.
SECTION 4.  It is unlawful to hunt or to discharge a firearm on or across posted land without the written, signed, and dated permission of the owner or lessee of the land. This permission shall be renewed annually in order to remain active.
SECTION 5.  It is unlawful to release dogs on, or to allow them to run on, posted land without the written, signed, and dated permission of the owner or lessee of the land. This permission shall be renewed annually in order to remain active.
SECTION 6.  Violation of the provisions of Sections 1 through 5 of this act is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor. Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 15A‑1340.23, violation of those sections is punishable by a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). A second or subsequent violation of Section 2 of this act is punishable by a fine of at least two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) and the loss of hunting privileges for a period of 12 months from the date of the violation.
SECTION 7.  This act is enforceable by law enforcement officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission, by sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, and by other peace officers with general subject matter jurisdiction.
SECTION 8.  This act applies only to Pitt County. This act becomes effective November 1, 2002, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 3rd day of October, 2002.

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		 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

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		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives