Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, or “WVC” is a voluntary interstate agreement that provides participating states with a mechanism to participate in a reciprocal program to:
- promote compliance with the statutes, laws, administrative rules and regulations relating to management of wildlife resources (including fish) in their respective states; and
- provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators operating within the participating states in recognition of the individual's right of due process and the sovereign status of a party state.
North Carolina's participation in the WVC gives N.C. agencies a mechanism to increase accountability on wildlife violators who have been suspended in other jurisdictions. As of 2024, the WVC has 49 member states, with Hawaii in the process of joining the WVC; Massachusetts is working to implement the WVC. The WVC has an operations manual and bylaws that govern the participation of member states.
North Carolina's participation in the WVC has been enacted into state law (Article 22B of Chapter 113 of the N.C. General Statutes), so it must be implemented and enforced. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has adopted rules for regulating its wildlife resources under the WVC.
It is important to understand the term "wildlife" includes all species of animals that are protected or regulated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission or N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. This includes marine and estuarine species, in other words, fish. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is proposing rules to regulate its marine and estuarine resources under the WVC. These rules are expected to become effective May 1, 2025.