Jon Evans Named New Wildlife Enforcement Chief
Jon Evans has been promoted to colonel and chief of the agency’s Division of Law Enforcement. He supervises a statewide team of 209 wildlife officers who enforce conservation and boating laws, and fish and wildlife regulations. A wildlife officer since 1996, Evans has served as director of wildlife officer training since 2011. More.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding anglers that they cannot harvest or possess blueback herring and alewife, collectively known as “river herring,”greater than 6 inches in length while boating on or fishing in inland fishing waters of coastal rivers and their tributaries.
The regulation, which went into effect Aug. 1, 2013, applies to all river herring, regardless of origin, in inland fishing waters of the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, Waccamaw and Pee Dee rivers and their tributaries up to the first impoundment of the main course of the river, the Lumber River, including Drowning Creek, and all other inland fishing waters east of I-95. More.
The statewide spring season for wild turkeys, male and bearded turkeys only, is April 12 through May 10, 2014. Youth season is April 5 through April 11, 2014. During youth season, only turkey hunting by youth (less than 16 years old) is allowed statewide. Each youth hunting during this season must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old. The adult may accompany more than one youth during a particular hunt and the adult may NOT harvest a turkey. Each youth must have a Big Game Harvest Report Card and report harvests. License-exempt youth should report their harvest using a Big Game Harvest Report Card for License-Exempt Hunters. The daily limit is one and the possession and season limit is 2, only one of which may be taken during the youth season. More
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open approximately 1,000 miles of hatchery-supported trout waters in 25 western counties at 7 a.m. on April 5. The season will run through Feb. 28, 2015. While fishing on hatchery-supported trout waters, anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limits or bait restrictions. More.
Help keep North Carolina wild when completing a N.C. State Income tax form by donating to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund on line 31. Your donation — no matter how much —will help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission conduct research, conservation and monitoring work that benefits animals not hunted or fished — animals such as songbirds, sea turtles, eagles, salamanders, frogs, turtles, bats and more! More.
Along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is investigating the suspected illegal shooting death of a second red wolf this year in eastern North Carolina. The Wildlife Commission urges anyone with information to call USFWS Resident Agent in Charge John Elofson at (404)763-7959, Refuge Officer Frank Simms at (252) 216-7504, or North Carolina Wildlife Officer Robert Wayne at (252) 216-8225. More
Getting ready for spring? Here’s how we can help you :
Visit the Commission’s Wild Store to place your order.
Commission Biologists Seek Help from Anglers to Stop the Spread of Rusty Crayfish
A destructive, non-native crayfish has invaded the upper Catawba River in western North Carolina, and Wildlife Commission biologists are asking anglers to help stop the spread of the rusty crayfish. The rusty crayfish has a rust-colored spot on its sides, just in front of the tail. It has black bands on the tips of its claws. Anyone who finds one is asked to kill it immediately, note its location, freeze it, and contact TR Russ at Thomas.russ@ncwildlife.org. More
Space is available for a women-only fly-fishing weekend offered by the Wildlife Commission and sponsored by Davidson River Outfitters. The Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman fly-fishing weekend is April 4-6 at the Pisgah Wildlife Center for Education and Davidson River Campground in Transylvania County. Cost is $125 per person and includes all instruction, equipment and camping for the weekend, plus lunch and snacks on Saturday. To register or for more information, contact BB Gillen at bb.gillen@ncwildlife.org, 919-218-3638.
Wildlife Commission Schedules Habitat Management Seminar in Raleigh on April 24
Wildlife Commission Seeks Public Input for Upper Tar Game Land Complex Planning on April 10 in Hollister
Wildlife Commission Seeks Public Input for Whitehall Plantation Game Land Planning on April 8
Wildlife Commission Seeks Public Input for Pee Dee River Game Land Planning on April 3
New Program for Military offered at Pechmann Fishing Center
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Readers of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine enjoy exceptional color photography and great articles on hunting, fishing, natural areas, conservation and wildlife in every issue. Subscribers also receive special spring and fall outdoor guides, with the latest hunting, fishing and outdoors information. One-year subscriptions are $12 and three-year subscriptions are $30. Online subscriptions available here.
The Wildlife Commission operates four learning centers across the state, each ofwhich hosts seminars, workshops and activities throughout the year. Admission and most events are free. Families and groups can enjoy interactive exhibits and displays. Learn more at www.ncwildlife.org/learning.
Help keep North Carolina wild when completing a N.C. State Income tax form this taxseason by donating to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. Your donation will help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission conduct research, conservation and monitoring work that benefits animals not hunted or fished —animals such as songbirds, sea turtles, eagles, salamanders, frogs, turtles and bats.
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking