The Wildlife Commission has extended the striped bass harvest season within the Roanoke River Management Area until midnight on Sunday, May 3. The season had been set to expire by rule on April 30. The Roanoke River Management Area includes the Roanoke River and tributaries from Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to the mouth of the river at Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers. More
The Wildlife Commission adopted a resolution on April 21 supporting a bill that would promote wildlife-related recreation and youth involvement in outdoor activities across the state. Provisions of House Bill 640 focus on private property rights that include increased Sunday hunting opportunities on private lands; increased access to public land; additional hunting opportunities; and promotion of a wide range of outdoor recreation, including horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, hunting, fishing and boating. More
Responding to the recent fish kill at the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County, the Wildlife Commission has implemented a plan to meet goals for stocking numbers and size of catchable trout as scheduled in 2015. The plan to meet stocking goals includes transferring 9- to 10-inch trout from the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in Transylvania County to offset part of the fish that were scheduled for stocking this year. The remainder will be made up by maximizing growth on trout that were being grown for 2016. More
Wildlife Commission Stresses Boating Safety
The Wildlife Commission urges boaters to follow a few simple steps to ensure safety. The first and more important step is always to wear a life vest — an effective, life-saving strategy. The law requires children younger than 13 must wear an appropriate life vest when on a recreational vessel that is underway. The second step is to conduct a pre-launch inspection to make sure the vessel is in good working order and all required safety equipment is on board. Once underway, do not maneuver in a reckless manner, pay attention to navigational markers and other boaters, and never operate a boat while impaired. More
Leave Young Wildlife Alone
The Wildlife Commission advises that black bear sightings will become more common across the state as weather becomes warmer. While black bears are not inherently dangerous and rarely aggressive toward people, people should use caution and common sense to reduce the potential for problems. If left alone, most transient bears will find their way quickly out of town and back to natural habitat. People are urged not to approach or follow bears, or put themselves between a bear and its possible escape route. More
Order the Native Brook Trout License Plate and help the Wildlife Commission protect habitat for brook trout and create public access to brook trout waters in North Carolina. All of the proceeds from the sale of this plate will be used for brook trout habitat and fishing access. The final design will be very similar to the prototype pictured here. The Wildlife Commission needs a minimum of 500 paid applications by July 1, 2015 for this plate to be produced.
Learn more about the plate or order a plate by visiting the Commission’s native brook trout license plate page, or print the application (PDF).
Champions Crowned at Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament
The 37th annual Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament was held in intermittent rain on April 25 with total attendance of 2,100. The pre-collegiate state championship is hosted by the Wildlife Commission with assistance from the North Carolina National Guard and NRA for youth to showcase outdoor skills and demonstrate safety techniques learned through the Hunter Education Program. More
Upcoming Outdoor Activities Scheduled at Education Centers
The Wildlife Commission has a variety of skills-based workshops, clinics and other events scheduled in the upcoming months at its education centers, which are located in Corolla, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Brevard. These events range from family fishing in ponds to surf fishing on the coast, to bird watching, outdoor photography and more. They are free but many of them are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Get details and register today!
Also check back on our website in mid-May for a list of more than 35 free kids' fishing events that will be held from late-May to early June across the state in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week 2015.
Wildlife Commission Seeks Nominees for Small Game Awards through May 8
Know a person or an organization whose contributions aid wildlife that depend on early successional habitats? If so, the Wildlife Commission is seeking nominees for the Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Awards, which are given annually for actions that significantly and positively impact North Carolina’s small game, such as Northern bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, squirrels and rabbits. More
Support Wildlife Diversity; Buy a Tundra Swan T-shirt
The official Wildlife Commission T-shirt this year features a Tundra Swan flying across the agency’s logo on the front, and an enlarged image of the Tundra Swan on the back. This 100% cotton T-shirt benefitting the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program was made possible through a generous donation from Neuse Sport Shop, located in Kinston. Available only through the Neuse Sport Shop’s website.
Other News
Wildlife Commission Offers Free Outdoor Programs in Raleigh
Wildlife Commission Offers Fishing Skills Events at Pechmann Center
Wildlife Commission Schedules Outdoor Activities in the Mountains
Big Choga Access Area to Close Temporarily for Site Improvements
Members Sought for Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee
Mitch Kirkland Promoted to Captain with Wildlife Commission
On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign to Begin
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program Offers Target Workshop
Wildlife Commission Reopens Turkey Creek Boating Access Area
Wildlife Commission and Cleveland County Break Ground on Shooting Range
Wildlife Commission’s Dam Repairs May Affect Trout Lake
Wildlife Commission Reopens Dawson Creek Boating Access Area
Trout Fishing to be Introduced at Hanging Rock State Park
Wildlife Commission Seeks Nominees for Annual Small Game Awards
Wildlife Commission Asks Hunters to Help with Wild Turkey Virus Research
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking