The last week of August is traditionally the busiest week of the year for hunting license sales. With opening day of dove season falling on the long Labor Day weekend, a time when many beach-bound anglers purchase their Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses, the agency expects a rush on license sales.

“To avoid the rush, sportsmen can go to the agency’s Web site to purchase a hunting or fishing license for immediate use,” said Lisa Hocutt, the Commission’s Customer Support Services section chief. “They can also click on the ‘Locate a Service Agent’ link to find the wildlife service agent closest to them.”

While purchasing a license online is the quickest and easiest way to obtain a license, sportsmen can also:

• Visit a Wildlife Service Agent. Most are located in bait-and-tackle shops, hunting and sporting good stores and larger chain stores;
• Call the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1 (888) 248-6834. Hours of operation are: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week through September.

To hunt doves in North Carolina, residents must purchase an annual basic hunting license ($15), an annual comprehensive license ($30) or an annual Sportsman license ($40). Holders of a basic hunting license who are hunting on game lands must purchase a game lands privilege license. The $15 privilege license is included in the cost of a comprehensive or Sportsman license.

Those hunting doves and other migratory game birds, including waterfowl, are required to have a HIP certification, which is issued free of charge by calling the Commission or visiting a Wildlife Service Agent.

(Images courtesy of NC Wildlife Commission.)

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