Regarding the recent bear incident in western N.C.

Regarding the recent bear incident in western N.C.

Recently, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission made the difficult decision to euthanize an adult female black bear that was involved in an incident that injured a Swannanoa citizen. We understand that many members of the public have expressed concern about this decision. We would like to take this opportunity to share why we made the decision, as well as what you can do to help our agency prevent future bear conflicts. READ MORE

Monday, September 24, 2018/Author: NCWRC blogger/Number of views (27357)/Comments (0)/

Becoming a Sea Turtle Volunteer: 101

Becoming a Sea Turtle Volunteer: 101

Being a sea turtle volunteer is not for the faint of heart – it’s hard work throughout much of the year, yet it is also rewarding work, particularly when you consider that the five species of sea turtles that are found along North Carolina’s coastline are all federally listed as threatened or endangered species. So, they need all the help . . . MORE

Thursday, June 21, 2018/Author: NCWRC blogger/Number of views (14440)/Comments (5)/

Wild turkeys in North Carolina: The long road to recovery

Wild turkeys in North Carolina: The long road to recovery

The recovery of the wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, is one of North Carolina’s greatest wildlife success stories. But it was a long road to get our wild turkey population back to its current level. Wild turkeys were historically plentiful in our state, but unregulated hunting and large-scale deforestation caused their population to plummet in the early 1900s. Early recovery efforts were undertaken from 1928–1946, which involved releasing pen-raised birds and eggs into the wild. Unfortunately, those birds weren’t accustomed to predators and extreme weather conditions. The birds perished, and the wild turkey population continued to crash. READ MORE

Wednesday, April 5, 2017/Author: NCWRC blogger/Number of views (8305)/Comments (0)/

I see smoke! Are the game lands on fire?

I see smoke! Are the game lands on fire?

Most likely, yes. We’re now in the “prescribed burn” season—late winter and spring.  The Commission uses controlled, low-level flames to restore and maintain wildlife habitat on most of the 2 million acres of state game lands used by hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers.

In North Carolina, prescribed burning is commonly conducted between January and March, when most trees are less active metabolically. Repeated burns conducted during the spring growing season eventually kill hardwood sprouts, allowing a diversity of native grasses, herbs and wildflowers to develop. These herbaceous plants are typically more valuable than hardwood sprouts for food and cover for wildlife. Without prescribed burns, wildlife in some habitats may experience low reproduction and eventual displacement. READ MORE

 

Friday, February 10, 2017/Author: NCWRC blogger/Number of views (12495)/Comments (2)/

Wildlife Mythbusters

Wildlife Mythbusters

Joe Schmoe knows a guy who knows guy whose brother was a game warden who swears when he was on staff at the Wildlife Commission, biologists dropped dozens of rattlesnakes from helicopters. Many folks tell this story. Sometimes, the story is “legitimized” by adding details:  Wildlife dropped the snakes (with parachutes?) to control the deer population, and the rattler-stocking project was conducted under the cover of night from black, stealth helicopters to stay off the public’s radar screen. Still others weave a tale of biologists wanting to replenish a dwindling population of rattlesnakes in Hanging Rock State Park. Sounds exciting. Unfortunately — or fortunately, depending on how much you like snakes — it’s not true. This is one of a few rumors that circulate around North Carolina, despite the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s  persistent efforts to quash them. Some also believe the Commission released...
Thursday, January 5, 2012/Author: NCWRC blogger/Number of views (6285)/Comments (0)/

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