The Wildlife Commission will open the entire Roanoke River Management Area to striped bass harvest from March 1 through April 30, unless closed or extended through proclamation. The daily creel limit within the Roanoke River Management Area is two striped bass per angler. The minimum length limit is 18 inches, and no striped bass between 22 and 27 inches can be possessed at any time. Only one striped bass larger than 27 inches can be included in the daily creel limit. More.
Fisheries reports for the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers will begin in mid-March. These popular reports provide information on fish-sampling work and creel surveys — including photos — to let anglers know what our biologists are seeing on the water and what our creel clerks are hearing at the boat ramps. Reports are updated on a weekly basis from mid-March to late-May. More
The Wildlife Commission will close approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters to fishing one-half hour after sunset on Feb. 28. While fishing is closed, Commission personnel will stock all Hatchery Supported Trout Waters in preparation for opening day, which starts at 7 a.m. on April 5. More.
Help keep North Carolina wild when completing a N.C. State Income tax form by donating to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund on line 31. Your donation — no matter how much —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, bats and more! More.
Come visit the Wildlife Commission at two premier outdoor shows, starting this weekend. On Feb. 28 through March 2, staff will be at the Dixie Deer Classic at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh. Biologists will be there to answer questions about white-tailed deer and other game animals; Law enforcement officers will be staffing our Sensory Safari — a 23-foot trailer filled with animal mounts, pelts and skulls. Staff with the Wildlife in North Carolina magazine will be selling magazines. More. On March 14-16, the Wildlife Commission will be at the Cape Fear Wildlife Expo, held on the riverfront in downtown Wilmington. In addition to the Sensory Safari, staff will have the LaserShot simulation game for Expo visitors to try out, as well as a display of agency services, programs and educational centers. Visit Cape Fear Wildlife Expo for more information.
A pair of hooded mergansers, painted by Minnesota wildlife artist Scot Storm, took top honors at the 2014 N.C. Waterfowl Conservation Stamp and Print Competition. It will become the image on the North Carolina duck stamp. Signed and numbered regular edition prints with mint stamps of the acrylic portrait will be sold ($145) through the N.C. Wild Store, beginning July 1. More
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health has issued two health advisories addressing health concerns associated with the Dan River coal ash spill on Feb. 2. DHHS recommends that people avoid recreational contact with water and sediment in Dan River, downstream from Eden, in Rockingham and Caswell counties and avoid contact with submerged or floating coal ash or ash washed up on the river bank. DHHS also recommends that people not consume any fish or shellfish collected from the river downstream of the spill site in Eden. More. For more information about the Dan River coal ash spill, visit the Department of Environment and Natural Resources website.
Spring means fishing season. Turkey season. Boating season. T-shirt-wearing season. Show your support of North Carolina wildlife this Spring by wearing an official Wildlife Commission American kestrel T-shirt, which features the agency’s distinctive diamond logo and an American kestrel on the front. Images of every Wildlife in North Carolina button produced by our award-winning magazine staff appear on the shirt’s back. The 100% cotton T-shirt was fabricated and paid for by Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston, which generously allowed 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.
Adult shirts ($15) are available in light silver, and children’s shirts ($12) are available in sky blue from the Commission’s Wild Store or from Neuse Sport Shop.
Wildlife Commission Adds No-Wake Zone Boundaries to Online Boating Map
Wildlife Commission Schedules Crappie Fishing Seminar in Fayetteville on March 13
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Scholarships Now Available
Women’s Hunter Education Course Scheduled for Charlotte Area March 28-29
Waters closed to commercial and recreational spotted seatrout harvest
Wildlife Commission Seeks Public Input for Pond Mountain, Three Top Mountain and Needmore Game Lands Management Plans
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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