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 application online at Go Outdoors North Carolina. The forms can be found in the Applications/Regulated Permits section. Once submitted, the appropriate staff will review it. If the application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to purchase the permit. You must complete the purchase within 30 days of receiving the approval email. The cost of the permit is $13 plus a $5 transaction fee, payable by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. 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 |