Use and Access of Parkway Lands for Activities Related to Hunting

Hunting is Prohibited on All Blue Ridge Parkway Lands

Much of the Parkway is closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. This closure currently includes all of the Parkway within North Carolina. Please plan ahead when bear hunting in the area. Hunters will not be able to retrieve their dogs from closed areas.

Additional regulations regarding access and use of parkway lands for activities related to hunting:

Dog Retrieval Permission

Permission must be obtained to track dogs from Parkway lands for the purpose of retrieving them within Parkway boundaries. Permission is granted for up to 3 hours upon contacting the park and leaving hunter contact information. Call and retrieval must occur within the same 3 hour period.

Depending on where you are, please call the park and leave a voicemail to request dog retrieval permission.

• For dog tracking for retrieval in North Carolina: 828-348-3474.

• For dog tracking for retrieval in Virginia: 828-348-3473.

Other than retrieval, as stated above, the use of telemetry, GPS or other tracking devices to monitor running dogs is prohibited on Blue Ridge Parkway lands.

Parking
Hunters may park their vehicle in a safe location on Parkway lands, preferably in established parking areas and pull-outs, and take a direct route to non-Parkway lands open to hunting.

Dogs
Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times on Blue Ridge Parkway lands.

Transportation of Game Across Parkway Lands
Any transport of game across Blue Ridge Parkway lands requires a notification call to Blue Ridge Parkway Dispatch (828-298-2491) prior to action.

Legal References

National Park Service Regulations

• 36 CFR section 2.1 - Preservation of natural and cultural and archeological resources: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/36/2.
• 36 CFR section 2.4 - Weapons, traps and nets: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/36/2.
• 36 CFR 1.5 - Closures, Public Use Limits: https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/management/compendium-cfr-1-5.ht
• 36 CFR section 2.2 - Wildlife Protection: https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/management/compendium-cfr-2-2.htm

Virginia Laws Digest

• https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/publiclands/#nationalpark
• https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general/#hunting-with-dogs
• https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general/#definitions

North Carolina Hunting Digest

• https://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Hunting-in-North-Carolina
• https://www.eregulations.com/northcarolina/hunting/general-game-lands-regulations