Black Bear Sightings Becoming More Common in North Carolina
Black bear sightings throughout North Carolina are becoming more common as the bear population increases and bears expand their home range. While black bears are not inherently dangerous and are rarely aggressive toward people, the Wildlife Commission provides guidelines the public can follow to avoid potential conflicts. More
The Wildlife Commission is reminding people to leave young wildlife alone. Human encounters with young animals often increase in the spring, when many species bear young. Handling, feeding or moving an animal can harm or ultimately kill the animal, and poses a risk for human health and safety. Also, it is illegal to keep native wildlife as a pet in North Carolina. More
The Wildlife Commission will partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others for a summer boating safety campaign, “Saved by the Zone: The Life Jacket Zone” to promote boating safety and wearing a life jacket. State law requires children younger than 13 to wear an appropriate life jacket whenever they are on a recreational vessel that is underway. More
With spring fishing underway, the Wildlife Commission is reminding boaters and anglers to help protect our waters and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, such as hydrilla, by remembering these three words: Clean. Drain. Dry. Boaters and anglers should:
Starting May 16, the Wildlife Commission will be supporting more than 30 kids’ fishing events throughout the state in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week 2014. The events are free and participants registered at any event will be entered into a statewide drawing for fishing-related prizes, such as tackle boxes, rod and reel combos, a lifetime freshwater fishing license donated by N.C. Council of Trout Unlimited and a lifetime fishing/hunting sportsman’s license donated by Neuse Sport Shop of Kinston. More
NRA Gives Wildlife Commission $25,000 for Shooting Range
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently accepted a $25,000 check from the National Rifle Association of America to help fund the construction of a public shooting range in Cleveland County. The state-of-the-art shooting range will be available to the general public, shooting sports teams and law enforcement personnel for practice, training and recreational use for pistol, skeet and trap, rifle and archery. It will feature a 200-yard rifle range, five 50-yard pistol ranges, two skeet and trap shotgun ranges and a 3-D archery course. The Commission will begin construction in late summer. More
Spring Is for Bird Watchers
These products can help you get the most out of your bird-watching experience:
Special offer - buy mountain and piedmont birding trail guides and get the coastal free. Visit the Commission’s Wild Store to place your order.
Bat-Killing Fungus Continues its Deadly Spread in North Carolina
White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats in the eastern United States, continues its deadly toll on North Carolina bat populations.
The cold-weather disease, which can kill up to 100 percent of bats in a colony, was first detected in North Carolina in February 2011, in a bat from Avery County. Since that time, biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have confirmed the disease in five bat species in eight counties in western North Carolina, with an additional two counties considered suspect for WNS. More
The Wildlife Commission received 700 kestrel T-shirts last fall, generously donated to our agency’s Wildlife Diversity Program by Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston, which is also selling these shirts. 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, and children’s shirts ($12) available in sky blue, from Neuse Sport Shop.
The deadline for the contest to generate a new license plate design for the Wildlife Commission's Wildlife Diversity Program has been extended to May 15. The Wildlife Commission, in partnership with students at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Academic Think Tank, would like to update the current license plate logo, which features a northern cardinal and dogwood blossom, to a more striking image that reflects North Carolina’s native flora and fauna. More
Do you Tweet? Follow the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on Twitter, @NCWildlife and @NCWRCInTheField.
The @NCWildlife Twitter feed features breaking news, job announcements, project updates and photos of fish, wildlife and outdoor wild places from Murphy to Manteo.
The @NCWRCInTheField Twitter feed is used by Wildlife Commission staff in the field to conduct real-time “Tweet-Alongs” to give you a glimpse of a day in the life of a Wildlife Commission employee.
See you in the Twitterverse!
Wildlife Commission Schedules Family Fishing Workshop in Fayetteville
Wildlife Commission Schedules Outdoor Activities in the Mountains
Stanly County Schools Win Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament
Wildlife Commission Seeks Nominees for Annual Small Game Awards through May 2
Wildlife Commission Set to Repair, Improve Rhodes Pond Dam
Wildlife Commission Opens Two New Boating Access Areas on Glenville Lake
Wildlife Commission Constructs Fishing Pier on Cape Fear River at Lock & Dam 2
Looking for the most updated information on N.C. Wildlife? Join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and connect with us on Google+
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