Wildlife Possession and Salvage Permit
A Possession and Salvage permit is no longer needed to possess most dead wildlife killed accidentally or found dead. However, deer, turkey, bear, and elk still require permission to be possessed. Also endangered, threatened or special concern species and Migratory Birds require appropriate State and Federal Permits prior to possession.
Permit Restrictions, Rules and Conditions
When a deer or turkey is accidentally killed on a road or highway by reason of collision with a motor vehicle, the law enforcement officer who investigates the accident may authorize, upon request, the possession and transportation of the carcass of the deer for personal and lawful use, including delivery of the carcass to a second person for his private use or the use by a charitable organization.
Species listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern under 15A NCAC 10I .0103, .0104, and .0105 may be possessed with written permission.
Raptors and nongame migratory birds may be possessed under a federal permit.
The sale of any wildlife resources or wildlife parts found dead is prohibited, except licensed trappers and hunters who may sell the carcasses or pelt of any beaver, coyote, groundhog, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunk, weasel or bobcat to a licensed fur dealer if the dead furbearing animal was found during the open season for that species. Licensed trappers and hunters may also sell the carcasses or pelt of any fox to a licensed fur dealer if the dead fox was found during an open fox season and the county in which the fox was found allows for the sale of fox carcasses and pelts. All tagging requirements apply as described in 15A NCAC 10B .0400.
Licenses are issued to a single individual at least 18 years of age or older.
Download the current Wildlife Possession and Salvage Rules from North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings and General Statute:
How to Obtain a Permit
Complete an online application at Go Outdoors North Carolina. Once your online application has been submitted, the appropriate staff will review the application. If your application is approved, you will receive an approval email with a link to purchase the permit. You must purchase the approved permit within 30 days of approval. This permit has a $12 permit fee plus a $5.00 transaction fee payable by a Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card. All permit fees are non-refundable.
Contact Information
| Address: | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Customer Service Section 1707 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1700 |
|---|---|
| Phone: | 833-950-0575 |
| Fax: | 919-707-0292 |