RALEIGH, N.C. (May. 24, 2013) Download the PDF below for the Notice to the Secretary of State of an added official WRC meeting on Thursday, June 20, 2013 in Raleigh.

Notice to Secretary of State (PDF) Visit Meetings / Actions in the About section for more information.

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 24, 2013) — We get it. They are awfully cute, and many times look abandoned.

But the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding the public that they should not approach, touch, feed or move fawns seen hiding in the grass, brush or other vegetation. Deer are a“hider species” — which means a female will hide her fawn in vegetation while she feeds elsewhere. She might not return for several hours.

So while the fawn might look abandoned and alone, it is often just waiting for the female to return.

The fawn is well-equipped to protect itself. By the time it is 5 days old it can outrun a human and by 3 to 6 weeks of age the fawn can escape most predators.

“Spotted and lacking scent, fawns are well camouflaged and usually remain undetected by predators. The doe will return to the fawn several times a day to nurse and clean it, staying only a few minutes each time before leaving again to seek food,”

NEW BERN, N.C. (May 23, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in coordination with Weyerhaeuser, is conducting a “Reptiles of North Carolina” workshop at the Cool Springs Environmental Education Center in Craven County, on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.   

The workshop is open to anyone 16 and older interested in learning more about snakes, turtles and lizards found in North Carolina.A $10 fee is required to cover costs associated with operating the center — an outdoor classroom that provides hands-on learning opportunities in forestry, ecology and other environmental topics.

During the morning session, Wildlife Commission personnel Mike Campbell and Jeff Hall will lead a classroom discussion on conservation, basic biology and habitat requirements of snakes, turtles and lizards as well as the effects that people can have on these often-maligned, but ecologically important animals. In the afternoon,workshop partic

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (May 22, 2013)  —  A free fishing event for kids 15 and younger will be held on Orde Pond at Camp Lejeune on June1 from 8 a.m. to noon. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and bait will be provided.

The event is one of more than 35 kids’ fishing events supported by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in partnership with Neuse Sport Shop, Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service, to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week 2013.

Download an updated list of all events, which are held throughout the state each year from late-May through early June.  

Young anglers registered at any of these fishing events can enter a statewide drawing for a chance to win one of more than 150 fishing-related prizes. The grand prize is a lifetime sportsman license, which includes freshwater and saltwater fishing privileges, as well as hunting privileges, donated by Neuse Sport Shop, located in Kinston. The firs

BREVARD, N.C. (May 22, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host two introductory outdoor photography workshops in June at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. These family-oriented programs are free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required on a first-come, first-served basis.

 “Outdoor Photography for the Beginner” will be held June 21 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is suitable for ages 12 and older. Wildlife educators will cover the basics of outdoor photography, including how to compose shots effectively and make the most of natural lighting.

 “Close-Up Outdoor Photography” will be held June 22 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is aimed at photographers who already grasp photography basics. This workshop will focus on the equipment and techniques that enable photographers to capture images of the fascinating world of tiny plants and animals.   

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RALEIGH, N.C. (May. 20, 2013) —The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has scheduled an emergency telephonic meeting of its governing board for tomorrow, May 21, at 3 p.m., to discuss impacts of the proposed Senate budget cuts.

Senate Bill 402 proposes $9,476,588 from State appropriations to fund N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission operations — a 49 percent cut in appropriations to the State fish and wildlife agency.

The telephonic meeting will allow Wildlife Commissioners to discuss the proposed Senate budget’s impacts on day-to-day operations, including conservation programs, infrastructure and personnel.

Download the PDF for the Notice to the Secretary of State of the May 21 emergency telephonic meeting:  http://tinyurl.com/kqhvv3x

RALEIGH, N.C. (May. 20, 2013) Download the PDF below for the Notice to the Secretary of State of an emergency telephonic meeting of the WRC that has been called for tomorrow, May 21, at 3 pm.

Notice to Secretary of State (PDF)

WRC Agenda May 21, 2013 (PDF) Visit Meetings / Actions in the About section for more information.

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 17, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open approximately 64 miles of trout streams and two lakes classified as delayed-harvest trout waters under hatchery-supported regulations on June 1.

From 6 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on June 1, waters are open only to anglers 15 years old and younger. At noon, waters open to all anglers. Delayed-harvest waters will stay open under hatchery-supported regulations through Sept. 30. During this time, anglers can keep up to seven trout per day — with no bait restrictions or minimum size limits.

The Commission stocks delayed-harvest trout waters from fall through spring with high densities of trout to increase anglers’ chances of catching trout. Once summer arrives, waters become too warm for trout to survive so the Commission opens delayed-harvest streams and lakes to harvest. Delayed-harvest trout waters are posted with diamond-shaped, black-and-white signs.

The youth-only fishin

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 17, 2013)  — A free kids’ fishing event at Lake Wheeler is scheduled for June 1, starting at 9 a.m.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, which is supporting the Lake Wheeler Fishing Derby in addition to 35 other kids’ fishing events, erroneously reported the date as June 8 earlier this week.

Download an updated list of events, which are held throughout the state each year in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week.

Young anglers registered at any fishing event can enter a statewide drawing for a chance to win one of more than 150 fishing-related prizes. The grand prize is a lifetime sportsman license, which includes freshwater and saltwater fishing privileges, as well as hunting privileges, donated by Neuse Sport Shop, located in Kinston. The first prize is a lifetime freshwater fishing license, donated by the N.C. State Council of Trout Unlimited. Neuse Sport Shop also is donating tackle boxes,rod-and-ree

 RALEIGH, N.C. (May 16, 2013) — Bald eagles, peregrine falcon sand red-cockaded woodpeckers in North Carolina share common recovery stories: their populations, at one time severely depleted, have recovered significantly,thanks in part to the protection they have enjoyed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

To raise awareness about the threats other endangered species face, as well as the many success stories in species recovery, May 17 has been designated Endangered Species Day. Started by the U.S. Senate in 2008, Endangered Species Day highlights the importance of protecting wildlife and fish, celebrates endangered species success stories and provides information on what people can do to help protect endangered species.

In North Carolina,more than 220 terrestrial and aquatic species are either federally or state-listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern. The Northern saw-whet owl, bog turtle, shortnose sturgeon, northern flying squirrel,Carol

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 14, 2013)  — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in partnership with Neuse Sport Shop, Trout Unlimited and the U.S.Forest Service, is supporting more than 35 free fishing events for kids from late May through early June.

The events are held throughout the state each year in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week.  Find an event near you.

Young anglers registered at any fishing event can enter a statewide drawing for a chance to win one of more than 150 fishing-related prizes. The grand prize is a lifetime sportsman license, which includes freshwater and saltwater fishing privileges, as well as hunting privileges, donated by Neuse Sport Shop, located in Kinston. The first prize is a lifetime freshwater fishing license, donated by the N.C. State Council of Trout Unlimited. Neuse Sport Shop also is donating tackle boxes, rod-and-reel combos and fishing line, while the Wildlife Commission is donating prizes, such as fish

RALEIGH, N.C. (May. 13, 2013) Download the PDFs below for the May 16, 2013 committee meeting agendas held in Soundside Hall, NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

May 16, 2013
Fisheries Committee Meeting Agenda(PDF)
Boating Safety Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Land Use and Access Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Small Game Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Habitat, Nongame & Endangered Species Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Migratory Bird / Waterfowl Committee Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Visit Meetings / Actions in the About section for more information.