Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, or “WVC” provides reciprocal recognition of license suspensions with participating states. The WVC provides enhanced flexibility for fair and impartial treatment of non-residents with wildlife resources violations, including fishing violations.
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.
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 and the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission have adopted rules for regulating its respective wildlife resources under the WVC. The rules allow the agencies to hold wildlife violators accountable and treat them the same, regardless of their state residency.
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 bylaws and an operations manual that govern the participation of member states.