RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 6, 2012) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is holding public hearings on 68 proposed changes to the state’s wildlife management and fishing regulations for the 2013-2014 seasons starting Sept. 11. An online comment form is also available.

The wildlife management proposals include creating a one-week Spring Youth Only Wild Turkey Season from the first Saturday in April through the following Friday. The bag limit for this entire week will be one bird. In addition, the Commission is proposing allowing an adult to accompany more than one youth during the Spring Youth Only Wild Turkey Season.

The proposals also include removing restrictions on carrying firearms during the archery season  for deer and pistols during the muzzleloader season in accordance with state law, and allowing hunting with muzzleloading pistols. Proposed changes to holding cervids (deer) in captivity also will be presented.

Fishing proposals include reclassifying 2.2 miles of Fires Creek in Clay County and 2.8 miles of Big Snowbird Creek in Graham County to Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.

The proposals alsoinclude adding bighead and silver carp to the list of species that are unlawfulto transport, purchase, possess, sell or stock into public or privatewaters.  In addition, another proposal reduces the possession limit of American shad in the inland fishing waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries to five fish per day within the 10-fish creel for American and hickory shad in combination.  

Prior to the Sept. 20 public hearing in Wilkesboro,Commission staff will have a presentation on Hemorrhagic Disease and answerquestions from the public.  This presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in the same location prior to the public hearing

For a complete list of the proposed regulations changes, see the Proposed Changes in Fishing and Wildlife Management Regulations for 2013-2014 for Public Notice and Presentation at Public Hearings document.

The schedule for the2013-2014 public hearings is below. Public hearings begin at 7 p.m.