On July 4 from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., everyone in North Carolina — resident and non-residents alike — can fish in any public body of water, including coastal waters, without purchasing a fishing license or additional trout fishing privilege. Although no fishing license is required, all other fishing regulations, such as size and creel limits and lure restrictions, still apply. The Commission provides access to fishing sites across the state, including public fishing areas and boating access areas. Checkout our interactive fishing and boating maps listing more than 500 fishing and boating areas that are open to the public.
The N.C.Wildlife Resources Commission started issuing Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permits on July 1, allowing new hunters to go afield under the guidance of licensed adult mentors before taking a required hunter education course.
Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law the legislation enabling the apprentice permit program in North Carolina. More info here.
Under a new law that went into effect July 1, active duty military personnel who are not residents of North Carolina and would like to hunt, fish or trap in the state can purchase a short-term or annual license at resident prices. Find out more here.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking for the public’s help to determine who and why someone dumped a bear carcass marked in white paint onto a road in Buncombe County.
Learn more.
It’s time for lifetime license holders to contact the Commission for their copy of the2013-14 North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest.Lifetime license holders who have a license that entitles them to hunt big game and migratory game birds can request their big game harvest report cards and HIP certification at the same time. Make your request here.
The 2013 North Carolina Waterfowl Conservation Stamp and Print are now available through the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s N.C. Wild Store.
The stamp and print feature a pair of Northern shovelers sitting along the water’s edge,painted by Indiana wildlife artist Jeffrey Klinefelter. Signed and numbered regular edition prints with mint stamps will sell for $145. The collector’s mint stamp will sell for $10. To order, visit the N.C.Wild Store.
In North Carolina, seeing a fox in broad daylight -- even in a suburban neighborhood or on a city street -- is not necessarily cause for concern.
In most cases, people who merely see a fox do not need to take any action. Download “Coexisting with Foxes,” a fact sheet that provides tips on preventing conflicts with foxes and features a fast fox facts section that answers some of the more commonly asked questions about foxes in North Carolina.
Support theN.C. Wildlife Resources Commission by purchasing the agency’s smallmouth bass T-shirt. The front features the Wildlife Commission’s official logo and a leaping smallmouth bass. The back features all of the wildlife buttons created by Wildlife in North Carolina magazine since 1981.Proceeds from shirt sales benefit the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program, thanks to a generous donation by Neuse Sport Shop, located in Kinston. Purchase your shirts from the Commission’s WildStore or from NeuseSport Shop.
Biologists in the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program conserve and promote nongame wildlife and their habitats through a variety of survey and monitoring programs, species management and habitat conservation or restoration projects.Did you know that more than 1,000 nongame animals call North Carolina home? Many animals are common and can be seen or heard in your own backyard while others, like the bald eagle, were, at onetime, considered endangered but now have good populations, thanks to the work conducted by Wildlife Diversity Program biologists. Learn more about their projects conducted by Wildlife Diversity Program biologists by reading the quarterly reports.
If you are someone or know someone who has a diverse range of regional, habitat and species-specific expertise on nongame wildlife in North Carolina, the Wildlife Commission has two vacancies on its Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee. The deadline for submitting the nomination form is July 15. Find out more about the committee and how to submit a nomination form here.
If you’re planning a catch-and-release trip for largemouth bass this summer, follow a few simple tips to help keep the fish alive. Good information for both recreational anglers and tournament anglers can be found here,including a “Keeping Bass Alive” card, which is suitable for downloading and printing.
If you’re a birder in North Carolina, be sure to check out the recently redesigned N.C. Birding Trail website, which provides more detailed information on each of the 327 sites statewide that comprise the trail. The key feature of the new website is a map from which you can browse sites by location. The map also incorporates a “bird finder,” where you can search for a particular bird. Visit the N.C.Birding Trail website to see more cool features.
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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, which makes it a bargain and great gift idea. Online subscriptions available here.
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.
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking