While public hearings to take comments on fishing and hunting proposed regulations are over, the public comment period is open until Feb. 14. Submit your comments online, by email at regulations@ncwildlife.org or by mail to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Proposed Regulations Comments, 1701Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701.
The Wildlife Commission’s online outdoor calendar is a one-stop place for information on agency meetings, boat ramp and game land openings and closings, trout stocking dates, outdoor events hosted by the Commission, as well as events hosted by other organizations where the Commission has a presence. Find information and register online for classes and workshops at the Commission’s four education centers and Hunter Education courses across the state.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has published a second edition of the Green Growth Toolbox handbook and materials. This second edition provides more detailed information to assist planners, local governments, communities and developers with conserving wildlife habitat and biodiversity through land use-related planning, incentives, policies and development design. The updated handbook, conservation mapping data, and example plans, ordinances and developments are available on the Green Growth Toolbox website.
Mark your calendars for Feb. 7-9 and visit the Wildlife Commission at the East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival and North Carolina Decoy Carving Championships in Washington, N.C.
The weekend-long festival has been an ideal venue for the Commission’s waterfowl stamp unveiling since 1996. Each year, the unveiling occurs during the corporate reception on Friday evening amid hundreds of onlookers.
In addition to the more than 80 wildlife art exhibitors, which include Commission staff, the festival features many other wildlife-related events, including duck-carving competition divisions, retriever demonstrations, wildlife art and decoy auctions, a children’s decoy-painting contest and various waterfowl-calling contests. More
The Wildlife Commission encourages sportsmen to be involved with the revision of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. The revised plan will guide management for the 1.1 million acre Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests for the next 15 years. Sportsmen need to be involved in this long-term planning because habitat is the basis for wildlife populations. It is important not only to speak up for wildlife habitat, but to address the importance of hunting and fishing on national forests. Want to receive email alerts from Commission staff about upcoming meetings to discuss the plan and about issues affecting wildlife and sportsmen on national forests? Email david.stewart@ncwildlife.org.
If you would like to find out more about the plan, please visit the U.S.Forest Service website.
It may be winter still, but spring is right around the corner, and with it, the peak of fishing tournaments on North Carolina’s waters. Each year, the Wildlife Commission issues fishing tournament weigh-in and special-use permits on a first-come, first-serve basis for its boating access areas. These permits ensure that only allowable activities occur and that conflicting events do not occur concurrently at any site, thereby helping to manage congestion and user accessibility. More
Gift your favorite lady this Valentine's Day with a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman gift certificate, which entitles her to attend the three-day2014 BOW weekend workshop. Cost is $225 per person and includes all lodging, meals and choice of four outdoor skill sessions, plus all program materials and use of equipment.
Need-based BOW scholarships are now available. Students, single moms and others are invited to apply.
Order gift certificates by emailing BOW Coordinator BB Gillen at bb.gillen@ncwildlife.org; or calling(919) 218-3638.
Let’s be honest. We got lucky. We got REAL lucky when Neuse Sport Shop stepped up and agreed to pay for fabrication of the Wildlife Commission’s new American kestrel T-shirt, AND allow the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program to keep 100% of the proceeds to fund research, survey and management of North Carolina’s nongame fish and wildlife — those species that are not hunted or fished.
The 100%cotton T-shirt features the Wildlife Commission’s official logo and an American kestrel on the front. Images of every Wildlife in North Carolina button produced by our award-winning magazine staff adorn the back of the shirt. This is the only Wildlife Commission apparel available to the public featuring our agency’s distinctive script Wildlife logo. Adult shirts ($15) available in light silver. Children’s shirts ($12)available in sky blue.
Show your support of North Carolina’s kestrels, sea turtles, flying squirrels, golden eagles and other nongame wildlife by buying an American kestrel shirt from the Commission’s N.C.Wild Store or NeuseSport Shop.
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Readers of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine enjoy exceptional color photography and great articles on hunting, fishing, natural areas, conservation and wildlife in every issue. Subscribers also receive special spring and fall outdoor guides, with the latest hunting, fishing and outdoors information. One-year subscriptions are $12 and three-year subscriptions are $30. Online subscriptions available here.
The Wildlife Commission operates four learning centers across the state, each ofwhich hosts seminars, workshops and activities throughout the year. Admission and most events are free. Families and groups can enjoy interactive exhibits and displays. Learn more at www.ncwildlife.org/learning.
Help keep North Carolina wild when completing a N.C. State Income tax form this taxseason by donating to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. Your donation will help the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission conduct research, conservation and monitoring work that benefits animals not hunted or fished —animals such as songbirds, sea turtles, eagles, salamanders, frogs, turtles and bats.
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking