BOATING

Hampstead Boating Access

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Pender County celebrated the opening of the Hampstead Boating Access Area Friday with a ribbon cutting.

See photos of the boating access area and the ribbon cutting on our Facebook page and learn more about the site by reading the news release.

Looking for a Place to Launch Your Boat?

Need a boat ramp? The Commission operates more than 200 free, public ramps across North Carolina. Find them by address, body of water or amenity with our interactive boating access area locator map.

Campaign Aims for a Safe Summer

The “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” multi-agency safety campaign resumes this summer. North Carolina sets the same limits for vessels and vehicles: Any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration that meets or exceeds .08 or is appreciably impaired by alcohol and/or drugs is subject to arrest.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are partnering to remind the public of the dangerous consequences of impaired driving on highways and waterways, especially during busy holiday periods. More details here.  

 

FISHING

Keep Trout in Delayed-Harvest Waters Starting June 2

The Wildlife Commission will open ~64 miles of trout streams and two lakes classified as delayed-harvest trout waters under hatchery-supported regulations on June 2.

 

From 6 a.m. until 11:59 a.m., these waters will be open only to anglers 15 years old and younger. At noon, waters open to all anglers. Delayed-harvest waters will stay open under hatchery-supported regulations through Sept. 30. During this time, anglers can keep up to seven trout per day — with no bait restrictions or minimum size limits. Learn more.

 

Free Opportunities to Take a Kid Fishing

From now until June 9, opportunities abound to take a kid fishing. Children can fish for free and register to win prizes at one of more than 40 kids’ fishing events being conducted across North Carolina as part of National Fishing and Boating Week 2012.

 

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with partners such as Neuse Sport Shop, Trout Unlimited, Bass Pro Shops and the U.S. Forest Service, are supporting these fishing events across the state. Grab the kids, pack your fishing gear and head out to a fishing event near you.

 

Catch & Release Anglers Keeping Bass Alive in Summer

Summer’s arrival means largemouth bass anglers who practice catch-and-release should follow a few simple steps to ensure the fish they catch today will live to see another lure tomorrow.

 

During the summer, higher water temperatures, combined with lower dissolved oxygen levels in reservoirs and rivers, are tough on bass. When caught, bass can become stressed and possibly die. Simple steps, such as landing the fish quickly, handling it as little as possible, removing the hook while the fish is still in the water and limiting your handling of the fish, can make a big difference in the fish’s survival.

More information on keeping bass alive can be found in the B.A.S.S.-produced booklet, “Keeping Bass Alive: A Guidebook for Tournament Bass Anglers and Organizers,” available on the Commission’s website. 

 

 

NEWS & EVENTS

 

Executive Director Testifies Before House to Advocate Target Ranges on Public Lands

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Executive Director Gordon Myers testified last week before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs in support of H.R. 3065 — a bill promoting the construction and maintenance of target ranges on public lands.  More information HERE.

 

Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Programs Celebrate 75 Years of Better Fishing, Hunting, Boating and Recreation

If you’ve ever bought lures, line, rods, reels, fuel for your boat, ammunition for your shotgun, or a fishing and hunting license, then you have helped the Wildlife Commission improve hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife recreation opportunities in North Carolina.

 

The excise taxes from your fishing- and hunting-related purchases have gone to the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR), a revolutionary idea that began 75 years ago and today, contributes more than $12 billion to fish and wildlife conservation in the United States..

 

Find out more about the nationwide 75th Anniversary of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration or download the “Sport Fish Restoration in North Carolina: A 10-Year Report of Accomplishments” publication from the Commission’s website. 

 

Wildlife in North Carolina Magazine Photo Competition 

The Commission’s eighth annual Wildlife in North Carolina photo competition starts soon, with entries accepted from June 1 until Sept. 1, 2012. This year, entrants must be either a current magazine subscriber or younger than 18. Get more information on photo entry and competition rules.

 

All photos must be entered electronically; no slides, negatives or prints will be accepted by mail.

ADDITIONAL NEWS & EVENTS:

Coexisting With Black Bears

 

Leave Young Wildlife Alone

 

John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center Offers Free Fishing Events this Summer

 

Stay Connected with the Commission’s Mobile Website

 

2012 Waterfowl Conservation Stamp and Print on Sale

Register for Wildlife Education Classes This Summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boat Registration
For vessel registration/renewal inquiries contact vessels@ncwildlife.org
Licenses
For general license and lifetime license inquiries contact licenses@ncwildlife.org
Other
For enforcement, hunting/boating saftey, boading access areas, fisheries or wildlife management questions, Web site and/or other question or comments email wrcomments@ncwildlife.org
Stay Connected to Wildlife — Even Indoors

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+.

Subscribe to Wildlife in North Carolina

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, which makes it a bargain and great gift idea.  Online subscriptions  available here.

Help Keep North Carolina Wild

At one time endangered and on the brink of extinction, bald eagles and peregrine falcons today soar high in our Carolina blue skies thanks in part to the work of Wildlife Diversity Program biologists. These biologists conduct projects and programs on behalf of nongame and endangered wildlife — animals that are not hunted and fished. Their efforts on behalf of nongame and endangered wildlife are funded significantly through donations, such as the N.C. State Income Tax Check-off. Other ways you can donate to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s efforts to keep the Tarheel state wild for generations to come can be found here

Headed to the Beach? Don’t Forget Your Fishing License

Anglers headed to the beach should go online to purchase their Coastal Recreational Fishing License to avoid potentially long lines at tackle and bait shops, sporting goods stores and other wildlife service agent locations.

A Coastal Recreational Fishing License is required for anyone 16 years and older to fish recreationally in the state's coastal fishing waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries out to three miles into the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish in federal waters (from three miles to 200 miles offshore) also need this license to transport their catch back to shore.

You also can purchase a coastal fishing license by:

Calling the Commission at 888-248-6834, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week, Visiting a Wildlife Service Agent, or Visiting a Division of Marine Fisheries office located along the coast.