by It looks like North Carolinans will soon be able to hunt coyotes and feral hogs at night according to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. I know the cattle farmers in my county will be very happy about the rule changes as they lose a number of calves to coyotes.
I may have to check out that thermal scope after all even if it is 6 grand.
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 3, 2012) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission took a step toward implementing a rule Thursday that allows for the taking of coyotes and feral swine by hunting on private lands at night with a light.
The rule would also allow the hunting of feral swine and coyotes on public lands from ½ hour after sunset to ½ before sunrise with a light by permit only. Night hunting is one means of controlling localized populations of coyotes and feral swine, both of which are non-native to North Carolina and destructive to the landscape.
The new regulations are year-round, seven days a week. Hunting on Sundays is allowed only on private lands with archery equipment.
The new regulations are scheduled to take effect August 1, 2012 pending final approval by the Rules Review Commission. Currently, there is no closed season on either species, but hunting them at night is not allowed except by permit for feral swine.
You might want to check, because I don't think it's illegal to hunt at night. It's just illegal to use a light while you do it. I asked my local game warden about this last year because I wanted to know when I could start shooting at the deer if I saw one very early. He said that there was no time requirement.
Night Vision or Thermal scopes should be legal.
@Sean: Most species are only allowed a half hour before sunrise and a half hour after sunset. From the 2011-12 Digest
Shooting hours. Game birds and animals, other than raccoon
and opossum, and other animals for which a season has been
set, may be taken only between 30 minutes before sunrise and
30 minutes after sunset with rifle, pistol, shotgun, bow and arrow,
dogs or by means of fal conry. Call 800-675-0263 for shooting
hours for migratory birds.