RALEIGH, N.C. (April 7, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations on the Federal Point Boating Access area and opened it to the public.

The Federal Point Boating Access Area, off U.S. 421 in Kure Beach, has newly paved parking lots for both trailers and single vehicles, a boardwalk for beach access and concrete sidewalks. Last winter, during the first phase of the renovation, the site received new ramps, floating docks, a new concrete apron, filled basin and new bulkhead, breakwater and a retaining wall.

“These renovations will make access to Buzzard Bay easier and more convenient for boaters who come from across the state to this extremely popular spot,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “We are grateful for the partnerships with other agencies that allowed us to make these renovations to Federal Point.”

A large portion of phase one was

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 7, 2011) –Renovations to the Snow’s Cut Boating Access Area have been completed, and the popular Carolina Beach site is set to re-open to public this weekend.

The Commission received $500,000 in funding from sales of the Coastal Recreational Fishing License to assist in the improvements. About $400,000 from motorboat registration receipts also went toward the cost.

“When funding like this is available to upgrade such a popular coastal site, the boaters and anglers of North Carolina benefit from the improved access,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “We are so grateful to receive this grant from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, which allows us to make such a first-class upgrade to Snow’s Cut.”

Improvements to the site include more than 100 feet of additional dock space, plus new make-ready and tie-down lanes. The site al

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 11, 2011) – Becoming an Outdoors Diva is a free weeklong summer program for young women, ages 12 to 17, at the Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education on July 11-15. The daily camp time is 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Learning to be an outdoors diva means activities like catching and cooking your own fish, shooting a bow and arrow and building a fire the old-fashioned way – no matches allowed.

This is the first year for the program, modeled on Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, an international program of hands-on learning and outdoors experiences sponsored in North Carolina by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

“The program is intended to build self-reliance and confidence, as well as introduce young women to a wide variety of outdoor activities,” said Kelsey Obernuefemann, an educator at the center. “At the end of the week, the campers will compete in an ‘Amazing Race’ competition using th

EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (April 13, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed construction on the Emerald Isle Boating Access Area and is opening the site to the public Friday afternoon, April 15.

The Emerald Isle Boating Access Area, on N.C. 58 between mile markers 17.5 and 18, has four launch lanes, parking for 112 vehicles with trailers and parking for 18 single vehicles. The town eventually plans to construct additional park amenities.

“We are grateful for this partnership with the Town of Emerald Isle that has allowed us to build this coastal region site,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “The four launch lanes and ample parking will allow boaters from across the state more convenient access to Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway. We are grateful to all the partners that contributed to this project.”

The Wildlife Commission paid for the const

EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (April 15, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the Town of Emerald Isle celebrated the opening of the Emerald Isle Boating Access Area —the largest public boat launch facility on the North Carolina Coast —during a grand opening ceremony Friday morning.

The Emerald Isle Boating Access Area, on N.C. 58, has four launch lanes, parking for 18 single vehicles and 112 vehicles with trailers.  The town eventually plans to construct additional park amenities.

“We are grateful for this partnership with the Town of Emerald Isle that has allowed us to build this coastal region site,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “The four launch lanes and ample parking will allow boaters from across the state more convenient access to Bogue Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway. We are grateful to all the partners that contributed to this pro

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 20, 2011) – The Woodlands at Davidson, a 50-acre residential neighborhood located near the Town of Davidson, recently earned the first Wildlife Friendly Development Certification in North Carolina through a voluntary new program that encourages wildlife habitat conservation and the use of environmentally sound construction practices for new and existing residential developments.

The Wildlife Friendly Development Certification Program is a green-growth initiative launched last fall by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the N.C. Wildlife Federation and the N.C. chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects to formally recognize developments that meet sufficient criteria that assess wildlife habitat conservation and the use of environmental construction practices for residential developments.   

The Woodlands earned the certification after developer John Robbins incorporated several wildlife-friendly features

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 20, 2011) – Camp Out-Door-Rageous is an outdoor, outrageous and free weeklong summer program for boys and girls, ages 13 to 17. The program is scheduled for July 25-29 at the Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education.

The daily camp time is 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required and now being accepted.

“Camp Out-Door-Rageous is a hands-on experience, offered by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, that builds self-reliance and teaches new outdoors skills,” said Kelsey Obernuefemann, an educator at the center. “While conducted in a fairly urban setting on the Centennial Campus of N.C. State University, the camp offers plenty of opportunities for learning about conservation through outdoor skills at nearby Lake Raleigh and surrounding woodlands.”

Campers will build a fire without matches, trap and release some wild animals, catch and cook a fish and learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.

A

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 20, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations to the Castle Hayne Boating Access Area, which is now open to the public.

Renovations include a paved parking lot, new docks and ramps and a new fishing pier. The renovated site was paid for through funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program and motorboat registration receipts.

“This popular fishing spot is always busy in the spring and summer,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “This major renovation, including the addition of the fishing pier, will greatly benefit boaters and anglers headed to the Cape Fear in northeast New Hanover County.”

For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of boating access areas, visit www.ncwildlife.org/boating.

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 21, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has completed renovations on the Spring Garden Boating Access Area, which is now open to the public.

The site, on the Neuse River, has new docks and bulkhead and improvements to the parking lot. Workers also replaced a fishing pier.

“This is one of four sites we have partnered with Craven County to renovate,” said Erik Christofferson, chief of the Wildlife Commission’s Division of Engineering Services. “Last year, we renovated Maple Cypress and Cool Springs and, in the future, we’ll be working on one more site in Craven County. We are grateful for this partnership that is allowing us to do the work on these sites.”

Like all of the commission’s more than 200 public boating access areas, the Spring Garden ramp is free and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an in

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 27, 2011) – Women can learn or improve archery and bow hunting skills during a special weekend workshop offered June 3–5 by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

To be held at Howell Woods Environmental Center, east of Benson, the workshop is designed for all skill levels and is part of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program. Archery equipment will be provided.

Workshop participants will learn how to make a hunt plan, put together a survival kit, and organize a safe, successful hunt. Instructors will cover first aid, tree stand safety, how to use elevated stands and blinds, how to choose scents, lures and game calls, and how to select equipment.

There will be a session for developing shot strategies, as well as plenty of target practice using 3-D targets. Because successful hunters must be prepared to recover game, the workshop will offer instruction in proper trailing techniques, as well as field dressing and moving big game.

Overn

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 29, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is advising hunters that a bill removing the requirement to obtain a pistol permit in order to purchase or transfer ownership of a crossbow has been signed into law.

Previously, state law required anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina to have either a pistol permit from their local sheriff’s office or a concealed handgun permit.

Crossbows are a legal method of hunting in North Carolina, permissible anytime bow-and-arrow hunting is allowed.  However, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission does not regulate the sale or purchase of firearms and crossbows.

The Commission’s Home From The Hunt™ safety campaign recommends these crossbow guidelines:
Never carry a crossbow cocked and loaded with a bolt (arrow).
Keep fingers and thumb below the rail at all times.
When cocking, be sure that your foot is firmly planted in the cocking sti

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 29, 2011) – As the weather warms, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering steps to avoid conflicts with black bears emerging from hibernation.  

The Commission is cautioning people to take care not to feed bears that wander into yards, parks, onto sidewalks or in other residential areas. Feeding a bear rewards it for coming near people and their homes and increases the likelihood that the bear will approach again.

While black bears are rarely aggressive toward people, they can become bold when they grow accustomed to feeding on human-provided foods, such as garbage and bird seed. Often, they lose their fear of people.

Contrary to popular belief, wildlife employees will not trap and relocate bears, because this would simply relocate the problem, rather than solve it. The solution is to modify habits, such as how you feed your pet(s) or where you store your garbage, before a problem begins.

Residents can avoid problems by: