Burke County, NC Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 50-112, in Article IV's regulations for the use of parks and recreational facilities, flatly bars anyone within a county park from hunting, pursuing, trapping, shooting, injuring, killing or molesting any bird or animal, and separately bars possessing any wild bird or animal while on park property. The neighboring fishing rule in § 50-113 carves out a narrow exception: fishing is allowed only in designated areas, subject to a park fee where required, and state fishing rules, limits and licenses still apply within the parks.

Firearms and other weapons capable of taking wildlife are separately restricted by § 50-114(a), which bars carrying firearms, airguns, bows and arrows, sling shots, or other lethal missiles in any park except for authorized county employees, agents, and law enforcement officers, reinforcing the bird and animal protection rule by removing the tools typically used to violate it. S. 00 civil penalty, issued as a written citation by any official the county manager designates, including sheriff's deputies. The penalty must be paid to the county finance officer within 72 hours of issuance, and each day the violation continues is treated as a separate offense. The county may also pursue criminal trespass charges or equitable remedies such as an injunction in addition to the citation.