The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will allow conditional daytime coyote hunting on private lands in the five-county red wolf reintroduction area by individuals issued an authorizing permit, beginning Feb. 27, 2015. More
Due to inclement weather, the Wildlife Commission’s public hearing to receive comments on permanent rules regarding coyote hunting in the five-county red wolf reintroduction area in northeastern North Carolina and the designation of the red wolf as a state-listed threatened species has changed. The hearing that would have been held on Feb. 24, at the Wildlife Commission’s headquarters in Raleigh has been continued to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the same location. This change will allow people to comment on the permanent rules in person. The hearing is the second of two scheduled to receive comments on permanent rules regarding coyote hunting in the five-county red wolf reintroduction area in northeastern North Carolina and the designation of the red wolf as a state-listed threatened species. More
The Wildlife Commission has re-scheduled the second informational meeting to discuss the proposed construction of a shooting range in Burke County to March 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Municipal Auditorium on 401 S. College Street in Morganton. Staff will present another overview of the proposed range on the Linville Tract of the Pisgah Game Land. Staff will discuss additional sound studies and take comments about the range. The meeting had been scheduled for Feb. 18 but was postponed due to inclement weather. More
The Wildlife Commission will close approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters to fishing one-half hour after sunset on Feb. 28 and reopen them at 7 a.m. on April 4. During this time, staff will stock the waters with trout in preparation for opening day. This year, Commission personnel will stock approximately 926,000 trout — 96 percent of which average 10 inches in length, with the other 4 percent exceeding 14 inches in length. More
The Wildlife Commission will open the entire Roanoke River Management Area to striped bass harvest from March 1 through April 30, unless closed or extended through proclamation. The daily creel limit within the Roanoke River Management Area is two striped bass per angler. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22 and 27 inches can be possessed at any time. Only one striped bass larger than 27 inches can be included in the daily creel limit. More
Learn how to measure a striped bass.
The Wildlife Commission and the National Wildlife Turkey Federation are offering 17 free turkey hunting seminars at eight locations across the state in March and April. Introductory and advanced level seminars are being offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to all ages. Topics include turkey biology, hunting tactics, calls, decoys, and turkey cleaning and cooking techniques.Location and dates
Help ensure the health and future of wildlife and their habitats by donating on line 27 of your N.C. state income tax form. Donations, no matter how large or small, go to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund, which the Wildlife Commission uses to 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. More
Wildlife Commission fisheries biologists are asking anglers to help them document the presence of gill lice — tiny, white crustaceans — that have been found on brook trout in several headwater streams of the Cullasaja River in Macon County. Biologists don’t know how widely distributed the gill lice are or the ultimate impact they may have so they’re asking any angler who catches a brook trout with gill lice to contact Jake Rash at 828-659-3324, ext. 225, or by email at jacob.rash@ncwildlife.org. More
Order the Native Brook Trout License Plate and help the Wildlife Commission protect habitat for brook trout and create public access to brook trout waters in North Carolina. All of the proceeds from the sale of this plate will be used for brook trout habitat and fishing access. The final design will be very similar to the prototype pictured here. The Wildlife Commission needs a minimum of 500 paid applications by July 1, 2015 for this plate to be produced.
Learn more about the plate or order a plate by visiting the Commission’s native brook trout license plate page, or print the application (PDF).
The Wildlife Commission has scheduled two fly-fishing events for women — one in May in Brevard, and another in June in Fayetteville. The first, a Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BBOW) Fly-Fishing Weekend, is scheduled for May 17- 19 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Brevard. One-on-one instruction includes casting tips, stream ecology, basic knots and fly-tying and fly-fishing. The cost is $125. The second is a BBOW Fly Fishing workshop, held on June 13 from 8:30 to 3:30, at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville. Participants will learn about the basics of fly fishing, including casting, knots and fly-tying. Cost is $20. Register
The official Wildlife Commission T-shirt this year features a Tundra Swan flying across the agency’s logo on the front, and an enlarged image of the Tundra Swan on the back. This 100% cotton T-shirt benefitting the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program was made possible through a generous donation from Neuse Sport Shop. Available only through the Commission’s Wild Store and Neuse Sport Shop.
Wildlife Commission Reschedules Public Meetings on Goose Creek, Chowan Swamp and Chowan Game Lands
Wildlife Commission Renovates Bringle Ferry Boating Access Area
Wildlife Commission Conducts Prescribed Burns to Benefit Wildlife and Habitat
Wildlife Commission Recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Wildlife Commission Seeks Comments on Cold Mountain Game Land
Wildlife Commission Seeks Public Input for Three Game Lands in Southeastern North Carolina
Officials celebrate completion of Manns Harbor Access Area
Wildlife Commission Renovates Tory Hole Boating Access Area
N.C. Waterfowl Conservation Print and Stamp Feature Black Ducks
District Youth Hunter Skills Tournaments Schedule Announced
Sgt. Reggie Barker Honored as State Boating Officer of the Year
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking