§ 113-300.16.  (Effective December 1, 2026) Licenses for stationary bush blinds and float blinds; fees.

(a) To obtain a license for either a stationary bush blind or a float blind, the applicant shall apply in writing to the clerk to the Game Commission, or otherwise apply by any method approved by the Game Commission, including via an online application, and pay an application fee and a processing fee. Application and processing fees shall be set annually by the Game Commission at the budget meeting held in June, and the Game Commission may establish different fees for residents of North Carolina and nonresidents.

(b) Applicants who are residents of North Carolina shall submit proof of North Carolina residency along with each application in order to be subject to resident fees. Applicants who are not residents of North Carolina but who were the holders of licensed blinds for the 1996-97 waterfowl season shall be charged as North Carolina residents for all subsequent renewals of that application. However, this exemption terminates if the blind license is not renewed during any subsequent annual renewal period and is not transferable to any different blind location. Float blinds when licensed shall bear the license number, and the license number shall be displayed in a prominent or conspicuous place upon the blind.  (2026-57, s. 2(a).)