Public Hearings Begin Today (Sept. 11)
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is holding public hearings on 68 proposed changes to the state’s wildlife management and fishing regulations for the 2013-14 seasons starting tonight. An online comment form is also available. The wildlife management proposals include creating a one-week Spring Youth Only Wild Turkey Season from the first Saturday in April through the following Friday. The bag limit for this entire week will be one bird. In addition, the Commission is proposing allowing an adult to accompany more than one youth during the Spring Youth Only Wild Turkey Season. The proposals also include removing restrictions on carrying firearms during the archery season for deer and pistols during the muzzleloader season in accordance with state law, and allowing hunting with muzzleloading pistols. Proposed changes to holding cervids (deer) in captivity also will be presented. Fishing proposals include reclassifying 2.2 miles of Fires Creek in Clay County and 2.8 miles of Big Snowbird Creek in Graham County to Delayed Harvest Trout Waters. The proposals also include adding bighead and silver carp to the list of species that are unlawful to transport, purchase, possess,sell or stock into public or private waters. In addition, another proposal reduces the possession limit of American shad in the inland fishing waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries to five fish per day within the 10-fish creel for American and hickory shad in combination.
Find a complete schedule here.
Meeting on Deer Disease Scheduled The N.C.Wildlife Resources Commission has scheduled a meeting to present information to the public about the scope and impact of an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease (HD) on deer in Western North Carolina. The meeting is scheduled for 6-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, before the Commission’s annual public hearing on proposed regulations. For details, see the news release. Also, view a video of common symptoms of the disease.
Looking for Something to Do? Right now, find the Commission at the Mountain State Fair, which runs through Sept. 16. On Sept. 22, celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with us at one of eight family-oriented events across the state. Through interactive activities and demonstrations, participants can connect with nature and test their outdoor skills.
Waterfowl Season Dates Set/Permits Available The N.C Wildlife Resources Commission has set season dates, bag limits and applicable regulations for the 2012-13 waterfowl and extended falconry seasons. Beginning Sept. 1, sportsmen and women can apply for permit waterfowl hunts online, by visiting a Wildlife Service Agent or calling 888-248-6834, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Application deadline for the majority of waterfowl permit hunts is Oct. 1. Get the information on our website.
Got Photos? Family getting tired of looking at your hunting and fishing photos? We're not! Send them to photos@ncwildlife.org, and we might post them on our Facebook page, Flickr album, or Twitter feed. Details and terms.
News From the Commission The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently welcomed two new members to its19-member governing board and honored a former Commissioner for his years of service and leadership. James Garry Spence of Charlotte and V. Ray Clifton, Jr., of Clarkton were sworn in by Superior Court Judge Douglas Parsons during the agency’s business meeting. A former Wildlife Commissioner, Parsons resigned from the Commission earlier this year when Gov. Bev Perdue appointed him to the Superior Court bench for the 4-A Judicial District. Shortly after Judge Parsons administered the oath of office to Spence and Clifton, he was recognized by Wildlife Commission Chairman David Hoyle for his years of service and leadership to the Commission.
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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.
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.