NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

CHAPTER 287

SENATE BILL 204

AN ACT TO PREVENT FACILITATION OF THE UNLAWFUL TAKING OF DEER AND TURKEY WITH THE AID OF BOATS BY MEANS OF PLACING RESTRICTIONS UPON THE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS ABOARD MOTOR-PROPELLED VESSELS IN THE ROANOKE RIVER AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1. No person aboard a motor-propelled vessel on the Roanoke River between the point where Halifax County joins Martin County on the west side of the Roanoke River going straight across the river to the point where it intersects the river bank on the Bertie County side, then commencing downstream to the point where U. S. Routes 13 and 17 cross the river at Williamston shall have in possession a firearm during the open season for taking deer and turkey.  No person in charge of any motor-propelled vessel or towed vessel on the Roanoke River within the above described area shall permit anyone to have in possession aboard such vessel any firearm during the open season for taking deer and turkey.

Sec. 2. As used in this act, a motor-propelled vessel includes any vessel propelled by machinery or equipped with propulsion machinery, except that the term shall not include any outboard motorboat, the motor for which has been completely removed from place and stored aboard the vessel.

Sec. 3. The Wildlife Resources Commission is hereby authorized to designate one or more points on that section of the Roanoke River described in Section 1, as may be necessary or desirable as means of access to established facilities, as crossing points and to mark said points with appropriate signs. When such crossing points have been so designated and so marked, the provisions of this act shall not apply at such points or within 30 yards upstream or downstream thereof.

Sec. 4. The provisions of this act shall not apply to any person exempt from provisions of G.S. 14-269 with respect to any activities lawfully engaged in while carrying out his duties.

Sec. 5. All law enforcement officers, including enforcement officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission, shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this act.

Sec. 6. Any person violating the provisions of this act shall be punished by fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, or both.

Sec. 7. This act shall become effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 14th day of May, 1975.