North Carolina wildlife officials are weighing a rule change that would restrict firearm hunting and deer hunting with dogs on a small section of public game land near Falls Lake. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission scheduled a virtual public hearing on June 23 regarding a petition to amend the rules for the Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land. The affected area covers about 230 acres south of Purnell Road, north of Bent Road, and east of New Light Creek.
Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land spans roughly 37,500 acres across Durham, Granville, and Wake counties. The proposed restriction would apply to less than 1% of the game land, but it still lands in the middle of a familiar access fight: hunting opportunity, nearby homes, safety concerns, and hound hunting on public land.
What Would Change
The proposed rule would prohibit hunting with firearms on the 230-acre tract. It would also prohibit the use of dogs for deer hunting in that same area.
The rest of Butner-Falls would remain open under existing regulations. The proposal does not create a broader firearm ban across the full game land.
Why the Rule Was Proposed
The petitioners cited safety concerns about firearms being used near residential subdivisions. They also cited conflicts between hunters using dogs and adjacent landowners, including alleged property damage and harassment.
The Wildlife Resources Commission’s own analysis is careful on the firearm question. The agency noted that existing rules already prohibit discharging firearms within 150 yards of a residence adjacent to game lands. Rifle hunters on game lands also must be positioned at least 8 feet above ground level.
Because of those existing rules, the agency said the proposed firearm restriction may make nearby residents feel safer, but it could not conclude, based on the available information, that the change would materially reduce a specific safety risk.
The dog-hunting issue is more direct. The commission said prohibiting dogs on that section of game land may reduce conflicts with still hunters and surrounding landowners. The agency also said its law enforcement division is aware of general conflicts across Butner-Falls involving hunting dogs and nearby property owners, though those reports are limited and not tracked in a way that allows for hard numbers.
What Happens Next
The public comment period runs through July 14. Comments can be submitted online, by email, or by mail to the commission’s rulemaking coordinator.
After the comment period closes, the Wildlife Resources Commission will decide whether to move the proposed rule forward.
