Landowner Protection Act

North Carolina Rainbow Trout
Photo by L. Ross

Trout fishermen that fish in North Carolina should be aware of the newly passed Landowner Protection Act. It clarifies existing trespass laws for the purposes of hunting, fising and trapping to specify the requirements for written permission on posted land only. It is effective Oct. 1, 2011.

There are four key elements to the Act:
1. Defines the requirements for written permission to fish, hunt or trap on posted lands.
2. Allows landowners to post land using purple paint marks or by placing signs or posters, as currently allowed.
3. Allows Wildlife Officers to enforce trespass laws on site, instead of executing process issued by the courts.
4. Removes the exemption for Halifax and Warren counties that requires landowners to initiate prosecution for trespass on posted land.

The important thing is to avoid entering posted lands and be aware that signs may not be present, but only purple paint on trees at eye level.