RALEIGH, N.C. (December 6, 2011) The meeting will be held Monday, December 12 at 10:30 for the purpose of considering adoption of temporary rules for the trapping of feral swine.

Download the agenda  package PDF below: December 12, 2011 Special Meeting Agenda Package (PDF) Visit Meetings / Actions in the About section for more information.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 5, 2011) –The Home from the Hunt campaign of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding waterfowl hunters who hunt from a boat to practice boating safety and hunting safety. “Statistics show more hunters die from hypothermia and drowning than gunshot wounds,” said Maj. Chris Huebner, the state boating safety coordinator. “Hypothermia is the loss of body heat and, left untreated, can prove fatal. Exposure to extreme cold, such as being in cold water or wearing wet clothes in cold conditions, can increase the chance of hypothermia.”

Boating safety tips include: • Always wear a life vest. • Don’t overload the boat, especially with passengers. • Keep hunting dogs prone in the center of the boat. • Never move about the boat with a loaded firearm.

In the event of capsizing or swamping, stay with the boat. It will still provide some flotation and will be the i

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 2, 2011)The meeting will be held Monday, December 12 at 10:30 for the purpose of considering adoption of temporary rules for the trapping of feral swine.

Download the notice and agenda PDFs below: December 12, 2011 Special Meeting Notice (PDF) December 12, 2011 Special Meeting Agenda (PDF) Visit Meetings / Actions in the About section for more information.

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 2, 2011) Download the PDF below for Commission Meeting Actions. November 10, 2011 Commission Meeting Actions (PDF) Visit Meetings / Actions in the About section for more information.

NEWPORT, N.C. (Dec. 1, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations to the Newport Boating Access Area in Carteret County, and it is now open to the public.

An obsolete, 7-foot wide boat ramp at the site was replaced with a 14-foot wide ramp. Renovations also included a new 60-foot long by 8-foot wide floating dock. The site is now ADA compliant with the completion of an accessible parking space and sidewalk.

“With limited access to the Newport River, we are proud to be able to provide this newly renovated access area to the public,” said Brian Watson, a boating technician with the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “The river, and Bogue Sound, which is only a few miles away, is a popular destination for recreational boaters, anglers and hunters.”

The renovations were funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and motorboat registration receipts. For more information

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 1, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has promoted John Reams to captain of District 3, where he will manage and supervise enforcement operations for hunting, inland fishing and boating, and coordinate boating safety and hunter education programs.

A Warrenton resident, Reams was previously a lieutenant in D-3, which includes Wake, Johnston, Wayne, Franklin, Nash, Wilson, Edgecombe, Vance, Warren, Halifax and Northampton counties. His predecessor, Capt. Billy Holland, recently transferred to a neighboring district.

“I am excited to serve our agency, the resources, the sportsmen and the public of our great state,” Capt. Reams said. “I have to thank my wife, Sandi, and my family for their support of my career.”

A 24-year veteran with the Division of Law Enforcement of the Wildlife Commission, Capt. Reams began his career stationed in Northampton County. A native of Henderson, N.C., he brings 11 year

RALEIGH, N.C. (November 29, 2011) Download the PDFs below for committee meeting summaries.

Nov. 9, 2011 Big Game Committee Meeting Summary (PDF) Nov. 9, 2011 Fisheries Committee Meeting Summary (PDF) Nov. 9, 2011 Boating Safety Committee Meeting Summary (PDF) Visit the Meetings/Actions in the About section for more information.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 22, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved proposed changes to the state’s hunting, fishing and trapping regulations for 2012-13. Following a process of reviewing public comments received online, by letter and at public hearings across the state, the Commission voted on the proposed regulation changes at its Nov. 10 meeting. Changes include lengthening the bear hunting season in Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Martin, Northampton and Pitt counties and opening a bear hunting season in Edgecombe, Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Stokes, Vance, Warren, Wayne and Wilson counties. Bear seasons in Yadkin, Iredell, Alexander and Catawba counties have changed, and portions of Cleveland, Burke and Surry counties that are currently closed to bear hunting will be opened. The Commission also has increased the general statewide minimum size limit for smallmouth and spotted bass, and increased the minimum size limit for largemouth, smallmouth and s

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 22, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in partnership with the Fayetteville Area Anglers Network, Bass Lake Park and Berkley, has launched a pilot program at three public fishing areas to make proper disposal of used fishing line easier and more convenient for anglers.  

The Commission’s new fishing line recycling program encourages anglers to recycle their used fishing line by placing collection bins in high-traffic areas at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center and Lake Rim public fishing area, located in Fayetteville, and Bass Lake Park, located in Holly Springs.  

The bins, which are constructed of plastic PVC pipes, are attached to posts located near fishing areas and on piers. Signs attached to the bins provide instructions on how to dispose of the monofilament line properly. The line will be collected, packaged and shipped to Berkley, a fishing tackle company that will reuse th

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 21, 2011) – The Hunter Education Program of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is urging sportsmen to encourage others to hunt, while many hunting seasons are under way, with a slogan of “Hunt Like The Future Depends On It.”

“For the future of conservation, the next generation needs to hunt. It’s that important,” said Travis Casper, state acting hunter education coordinator. “We need to mentor youth and present a positive image of hunting to everyone.”

The Hunter Education Program teaches – and sportsmen practice – stewardship of natural resources. Sportsmen also provide the economic backbone for habitat conservation, wildlife research and resource protection.

“Call it nature or the environment, but hunters are an invaluable part of it,” Casper said. “If it weren’t for hunters, endangered species an

CLYDE, N.C. (Nov. 18, 2011) – Encouraged by the success of experimental stockings over the last three years, biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are continuing their efforts to restore fish and mussels in the Cheoah and  Pigeon rivers, using animals propagated in hatcheries as well some moved from other streams.

The restoration work, guided by the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan, reintroduces aquatic animals into waters where they were once found in abundance. So far this year, biologists have placed several thousand fish and mussels in both rivers.   

While most of these reintroductions were accomplished by collecting large numbers of relatively common fishes from places where they were abundant and releasing them into the Pigeon, some species were not plentiful enough to make collecting and releasing feasible. In those cases, the Commission worked with conservation partners to hatch and raise species to release in thes

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 18, 2011) – Tree stand-related injuries are almost always avoidable, according to the Hunter Education Program of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, yet more people are hurt in tree stand falls than any other category of hunting incidents.

The Home From The Hunt™ safety campaign has made tree stand safety a top priority in North Carolina for the 2011-2012 hunting season. Hunter Education Program instructors will emphasize proper use of tree stands and elevated hunting platforms. Wildlife Officers have investigated two fatalities in connection with tree stand falls already this hunting season.

“Following some basic guidelines can prevent injuries and won’t interfere with a successful hunt,” said Travis Casper, the state’s acting hunter education coordinator. “Maintain three points of contact when climbing up or down; wear a full body safety harness at all times; and check belts, chains