RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 8, 2010) – Workers from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are repairing an aging dam on High Rock Pond on the R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Game Lands in preparation for opening a Public Fishing Area.

The work includes removing the old water-control structure that had deteriorated and started to leak. Workers from the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services and Division of Inland Fisheries are cutting into the dam and adding a more substantial structure that should give better results by cradling a 12 inch PVC pipe in concrete. 

When the dam is complete, High Rock Pond, which is just off Stephentown Road in Yanceyville, will be refilled.

Photo and video opportunities include workers from the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services working on the dam at High Rock Pond. Call Dean Barbee at (704) 467-0845 or Carolyn Rickard (919) 707-0124 for more information.

For more information on fishing in North

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 15, 2010) – Wildlife Officers of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission were among those honored for their vigilance against drunk driving, during a ceremony at the U.S.S. North Carolina battleship memorial in Wilmington on Dec. 10.

Justice in Motion and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program lighted a special Christmas tree inside the U.S.S. North Carolina auditorium, with each strand of ornaments representing an agency, group or individual working to prevent alcohol-related highway fatalities. The mission of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program is to promote highway safety awareness and reduce the number of traffic crashes and fatalities in the state of North Carolina through the planning and execution of safety programs. 

The drunk driving targeted by wildlife officers is most often impaired boat operators. North Carolina sets the same limit for intoxication – .08 blood alcohol concentration – for

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec.15, 2010) – As part of Duke Energy’s work on dams on Lake James, the Boating Access Areas at Linville and Black Bear will be closed while the lake is lowered. 

Two ramps at Linville are currently closed. The six ramps at Black Bear will begin closing over the next two weeks. Every effort will be made to leave one ramp open at Black Bear while the water is low.

The ramps are scheduled to reopen in spring 2011, when Duke Energy completes its work and the lake refills.

The Bridgewater Public Fishing Area, located downstream from the dam at the Catawba River tailrace, is not currently impacted. For up-to-date information on lake levels, visit www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp or call 800-829-LAKE (5253).

More information on boating and fishing in North Carolina, including an interactive map of Boating Access Areas and a list of more than 500 public fishing access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating_waterways.

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 17, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has recognized nine volunteers who teach hunting education as the agency’s “Instructors of the Year.”

The instructors, each representing one of nine districts statewide, were presented a commemorative model Henry Golden Boy .22 caliber rifle in tribute to their service.

“These nine men and women provided exemplary service for 2010 and deserve the recognition,” said Travis Casper, state assistant hunting education coordinator. “They and the other 772 hunter education instructors currently active in North Carolina have earned our gratitude. Their dedication and commitment to teach free courses certainly saves the state money in these austere times. But the hunter safety, outdoors skills and wildlife knowledge they pass along is even more valuable.”

The nine volunteers and their hometowns are:
District 1 Terry Boyce, Elizabeth Ci

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 21, 2010) – Jeremy Harrill, a wildlife officer with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission since 2003, has been promoted to sergeant in District 7, serving the northwestern region of the state.

Harrill will lead a patrol of four officers who conduct law enforcement operations for hunting, trapping, fishing and boating laws. He will also provide hunting education and boating education programs for the region.

"I love my job as a wildlife enforcement officer and feel extremely blessed to have a job where I can play a very active part in being a steward of God’s creation,” Sgt. Harrill said. “I enjoy working with the sportsmen of this state, so we can together protect our natural resources and hunting traditions for future generations.”

Harrill is originally from – and grew up in – Ellenboro, in Rutherford County. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology from N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 22, 2010) – The New Year will usher in new leadership roles within the Division of Law Enforcement of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.   Maj. Keith Templeton, supervisor for field operations, will retire effective Jan. 1. His successor will be Jack Staley, previously a captain in District 5, a jurisdiction that includes Alamance, Rockingham, Orange, Granville, Durham, Person, Caswell, Randolph, Chatham, Lee and Guilford counties.

“I'm confident that the transition will be a smooth one,” Templeton said. “I am pleased with the direction that the division is headed and I'm sure there are some exciting times on the horizon.”

Staley will be responsible for supervising a statewide hierarchy of some 200 uniformed wildlife officers who enforce the fish and game regulations and boating laws of the state. He is a 27-year veteran of wildlife enforcement and brings 19 years of field supervision to the offi

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 1, 2011) —  Whether you love to hunt, fish, bird watch, or just want to do your part to ensure that wildlife in North Carolina flourishes, you can help conserve North Carolina’s wildlife and their habitats by checking line No. 30 on your North Carolina State Income tax form this year.

By donating a portion of your tax refund, you provide money for projects that help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission conserve nongame wildlife and their habitats. Turtles, freshwater mussels, fish, birds, bats, frogs and salamanders all benefit from tax check-off donations to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission uses Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund donations to support the research, conservation and management of animals that are not hunted and fished. Because nongame projects are not funded through state tax money, check-off donations provide the largest and most significant source of funding fo

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2011) – How has development in and around Lake Raleigh Woods affected the local box turtle population?

That question and a subsequent study to determine answers will be the topic of a Feb. 16 program in the Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Seminar Series at the Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education in Raleigh. The seminar begins at 4 p.m. immediately following a 3:30 p.m. networking session with free refreshments.

Wildlife educator Kim Burge of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will discuss how, since 2007, the Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education has conducted research with help from local schools and citizens, utilizing box turtle mark and recapture and radio telemetry projects.

“The presentation includes up-to-date population data from the woods. Attendees will learn why we consider these approachable reptiles to be key ambassadors for encouraging outdoor exploration and connecting with wildlife,&

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has finalized an agreement with the National Forests in North Carolina that allows the two agencies to collaborate on projects to improve wildlife habitat -- the first Master Stewardship Agreement in the nation between the U.S. Forest Service and a state agency.

“We are thrilled to join in this partnership that will allow proceeds from timber management to go back on the ground, into projects that improve wildlife habitat,” said Mallory Martin, deputy director of the Wildlife Resources Commission. “This agreement will allow our two agencies to collaborate early on to explore the best possible use of funds to benefit North Carolina’s wildlife resources.”

Stewardship projects can include wildlife habitat improvement projects, prescribed burns to improve forest health, watershed restoration or management and control of non-native invasive weeds and insec

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2011) – Chris Huebner has been promoted to supervisor for administration of the Division of Law Enforcement with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. His predecessor, Maj. David Stokes, retired Feb.1.

 As a captain, Huebner served as state coordinator for hunting safety and boating safety, beginning in 2005. A Clayton resident, he will direct and coordinate administrative functions for wildlife enforcement and oversee statutory duties.

“While I will miss the important task of providing safety education to hunters and boaters, I look forward to the new challenge of being administrative supervisor,” Maj. Huebner said.

Maj. Stokes began his career in wildlife enforcement in Cabarrus County in 1982 and worked his way up the ranks, culminating with the leadership role in the Raleigh headquarters.

“As a major, you realize pretty quickly how many people are vitally important to you, so you can get your job

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking nominations for one member to its Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee. Closing date for nominations is March 10, 2011.

The 18-member committee, which advises the Commission on nongame and endangered wildlife issues across the state, meets four times per year. The person selected should be willing and able to contribute consistently as a volunteer to the efforts of the committee. Committee members have a diverse range of regional, habitat and species-specific expertise and advise the Commission on matters that fit their areas of expertise.

In recent months, the Wildlife Resources Commission has needed assistance on marketing and fund-raising for nongame-related projects. Because of this need, the committee encourages nominations for people who have expertise in these two areas. 

To nominate an individual for the committee, submit a nomination form detailing the reasons for the p

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking nominations for one member to its Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee. Closing date for nominations is March 10, 2011.

The 18-member committee, which advises the Commission on nongame and endangered wildlife issues across the state, meets four times per year. The person selected should be willing and able to contribute consistently as a volunteer to the efforts of the committee. Committee members have a diverse range of regional, habitat and species-specific expertise and advise the Commission on matters that fit their areas of expertise.

In recent months, the Wildlife Resources Commission has needed assistance on marketing and fund-raising for nongame-related projects. Because of this need, the committee encourages nominations for people who have expertise in these two areas. 

To nominate an individual for the committee, submit a nomination form detailing the reasons for the p