RALEIGH, N.C. (April 29, 2013)—Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have determined that white-nose syndrome (WNS) continues to decimate bat populations in western North Carolina, with some infected locations showing up to a 95 percent decline in hibernating bats over the past one to two years. The disease, which has been confirmed in seven counties in western North Carolina, does not affect people.

Wildlife Commission biologists surveying bat populations have documented declining bat populations by site. The number of bats hibernating in a retired mine in Avery County has plummeted from more than 1,000 bats prior to WNS to around 65 bats in just two years since the disease was discovered. At a mine in Haywood County, the number of bats hibernating dropped from nearly 4,000 bats to about 250 bats in only one year. And at a cave in McDowell County, numbers dropped from almost 300 to only a few bats remaining this winter.

NEW HILL, N.C. (April 25, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open the Cross Point Landing Boating and Fishing Access Area on Harris Lake to the public on May 3.

The Commission and Duke Energy, which owns the lake and the site, will commemorate the opening with a ribbon cutting at 10 that morning.

The Commission replaced two existing boat ramps with four new ramps with floating docks. The site also features a floating courtesy dock and floating fishing pier. The newly paved and lighted parking lot includes 17 parking spaces for single vehicles and 124 spaces for vehicles with trailers. The entire site is now fully accessible and meets the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The newly renovated Cross Point Landing Boating and Fishing Access Area represents what can be accomplished through an effective partnership involving the private sector and state government,” said Gordon Myers, executive director of the Commissi

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 22, 2013) Download the PDF below for the May 16 and 17 Commission and Committee Meetings  schedule. May 16 and 17, 2013 Commission and Committee Meetings' Notice (PDF)

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

WARRENTON, N.C. (April 15, 2013) — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will treat gypsy moth infestations this week in Warren County on portions of Embro Game Land, which is owned and managed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

The treatments will occur between April 17 and 26, depending on weather conditions and insect development. A low-flying helicopter will perform two fine-mist applications of the biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki,or Bt(k). The applications will occur in the early mornings, from 6 to 9 a.m., and four to 10 days apart. To avoid disruption to turkey hunters and other game land users, treatments will not happen on Saturdays.

Bt(k) is not harmful to humans or animals. It is harmful only to caterpillars that consume it.  People with severe allergies should stay indoors during treatment, as the chemical may cause a reaction. 

The 919-acre treatment block is located about 10 miles south

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 12, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host the 35th annual Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament — the state championship for pre-collegiate shooting sports — on April 27 at the Millstone 4-H Center near Ellerbe in Richmond County.

Teams and individuals will compete in rifle, shotgun and archery marksmanship, map-and-compass orienteering, and a written wildlife knowledge test.

Competition is conducted on senior (high school) and junior (middle and elementary schools) divisional levels, with overall team and overall individual awards based on aggregate scores in all events. Teams are organized within public and private schools. Home-schooled students and teams representing 4-H or FFA also can compete, provided they meet eligibility requirements.

“Besides outstanding competition, this event is such a showcase for youth and their involvement in conservation,” said Travis Casper, the state

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 11, 2013) — The statewide spring season for male or bearded wild turkey begins Saturday, April 13, and the Home From The Hunt™ campaign of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding everyone of some basic safety considerations.

“The main consideration for turkey season — or any hunting season — is to think twice, identify your target and what is beyond it before pulling the trigger,” said Travis Casper, state hunter education coordinator. “Assume that every noise, movement or call is another hunter. If there is any doubt, don’t shoot.”  

The daily limit is one male or bearded turkey; possession limit is two. A Big Game Harvest Report Card is required for turkey season. More information on regulations, free hunter education courses and where to hunt is available online at www.ncwildlife.org or call 919-707-0031.

The Top 5 Safety Considerations for Tur

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 10, 2013) — Tim Lemon, a hunter education specialist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, has been recognized as the 2013 Hunter Education Professional of the Year by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), the professional organization for 67 state and provincial wildlife conservation agencies and the 70,000 volunteer instructors who teach hunter education in North America.

Lemon, of Roaring River in Wilkes County, was recognized in a ceremony April 4 in San Antonio at the annual IHEA conference.

Lemon coordinates instruction in hunter ethics and responsibility, wildlife management and conservation, firearms, wildlife identification, survival and first aid, specialty hunting and tree stand safety for District 7, made up of Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, Alexander, Iredell, Stokes, Forsyth and Davie counties.

Among Lemon’s many achievements cited for the honor were his dedication to increasing y

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 9, 2013) — The N.C. House of Representatives passed last night House Bill 296 — the Hunter Education/Apprentice Permit — which allows an individual holding a Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permit to hunt if accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who holds a hunting license in North Carolina, or if the individual is accompanied by an adult landholder or landholder’s spouse who is exempt from the hunting license requirement if hunting on the landholder’s land.

Hunting with an apprentice license would still require following other licensing requirements and hunting regulations.

The Hunter Heritage Apprentice Permit is a product of the Wildlife Commission’s Strategic Recruitment and Retention Initiative recently organized by Commissioner Dell Murphy.  The bill, successfully introduced by Rep. John Bell, is intended to increase participation in hunting by allowing individuals to hunt under t

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 9, 2013) —Assisted by a N.C. Forest Service youth program, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation will conduct a prescribed burn of some 500 acres in Burke and Rutherford counties this week if appropriate weather conditions occur.

The morning of the burn, a media alert will be issued.

The 500-acre prescribed burn — approximately half on South Mountains State Park and half on South Mountains Game Land — will aid in ecosystem restoration of the land, wildlife habitat improvement, and reduce brush and debris that can cause dangerous wildfires. Although the carefully planned and maintained fire will occur during the youth turkey hunting week,the only closure of game land access will be on the CCC Road along the northern boundary with the State Park, and this closure will only be for the day of the burn.

“We will do everything we can to reduce the amount of smoke to nearby res

QUANTICO, Va. (April 8, 2013) — Capt. Todd Radabaugh of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was among 268 law enforcement officers who graduated recently from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Internationally recognized for excellence, the National Academy Program offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers. FBI Director Robert Mueller was the principal speaker at the graduation ceremonies, while the graduating class was represented by Capt. David Allen of the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

“Completion of this training is a personal and professional accomplishment for Capt. Radabaugh,” said Col. Dale Caveny, chief of the Commission’s Division of Law Enforcement. “Just as important, it reflects the high standards and commitment this agency maintains throughout the ranks.”

The 252nd session of the FBI National Academy consisted of men and women from 49 states a

SYLVA, N.C. (April 5, 2013) – Three Jackson County towns — Sylva, Webster and Dillsboro — recently joined the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program.

Nearly 9 miles of trout streams in Sylva, Webster and Dillsboro are now classified as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, where anglers can fish with a $5 Mountain Heritage Trout Waters license. This special license is valid for three consecutive days and only for the portions of streams designated as Mountain Heritage Trout Waters, which are clearly marked with green and black signs.

Anglers who currently hold a valid resident or non-resident North Carolina fishing license can fish Mountain Heritage Trout Waters without purchasing the special license.

In Sylva, the 3.25-mile section of Scott Creek from Hospi­tal Rd. (S.R. 1437) to Hometown Place Rd. (S.R. 1381) is classified as a Mountain Heritage Trout Water and is a Hatchery-Supported Trout Water.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (April 5, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering eight fishing-related events, clinics and workshops in April and May at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville. 

All events, clinics and workshops are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. For fishing events and clinics, loaner rods and reels are available free of charge on a first-come,first-serve basis and bait is provided. April 10 – Wounded Warriors Fly-Fishing Clinic from 1-5 p.m. This clinic is open to all soldiers, both active and retired, and their families. April 10 – N.C. Wildlife Federation meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This is the first meeting of the Wildlife Federation’s newest chapter, Fayetteville Increasing Sustainable Habitat, or  F.I.S.H. April 13 – Kayak Fish and Float Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Pre-registration is required. Contact Thomas Carpenter at 910