The Wildlife Commission has set Saturday, Sept. 26, as a Youth Deer Hunting Day. On this day, youth under the age of 16 may use any legal weapon to hunt deer, either bucks or does, and do not need to be accompanied by an adult. Hunters age 16 and older with a valid hunting license may use only the weapon that is legal for the type of season open in their county on this day. All hunters must wear hunter orange on Sept. 26, even if the hunter is using archery equipment. The use of dogs for deer hunting is allowed, if it is otherwise lawful in that particular locality. More
The Wildlife Commission is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 26 at nine family-friendly events throughout the state. The events are free with the exception of two Greenwing fishing events. Activities vary from event to event but include air rifle shooting, archery, fishing, outdoor cooking, identifying insects, lure making, beekeeping, dog retriever demonstrations and much more! Visit our National Hunting and Fishing Day page for more details and to find an event near you.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will implement delayed-harvest regulations on 36 trout waters in 19 western North Carolina counties on Oct. 1. Before Oct. 1, hatchery-supported regulations apply to these waters. Under delayed-harvest regulations, no trout can be harvested or possessed from these waters between Oct. 1 and one half-hour after sunset on June 3, 2016. No natural bait may be possessed, and anglers can fish only with artificial lures with one single hook. An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell. More
The discovery of whirling disease in North Carolina in July 2015 is not affecting dates, locations or numbers of trout being stocked in delayed-harvest waters this fall. The Wildlife Commission has implemented a number of measures to address whirling disease, and reduce the risk of spreading the pathogen that causes the disease. Visit the agency’s whirling disease website, which includes information about the disease, fishing gear care, and reporting angler observations. In addition, the Commission has posted signs at sites where staff has detected the whirling disease pathogen. The signs explain how to disinfect fishing gear and apparel to reduce risk of transmission. More
The Wildlife Commission exhibit at the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh, scheduled for Oct. 15-25, is in a new location directly across the Village of Yesteryear and beside the Antique Farm Machinery exhibit. Take your best shot at the air rifle range, catch several species of “fish” in a magnetic pond and learn more about water safety while checking out one of the Wildlife Commission’s boats. Pick up a free bobcat button and purchase a complementary bobcat t-shirt funded by Neuse Sport Shop of Kinston, with all proceeds going to the Wildlife Diversity Program. Sign up or renew a subscription to Wildlife in North Carolina and get a free hat.
Want to learn more about deer hunting? If so, sign up for one of the Wildlife Commission’s free deer hunting seminars being held across the state in September. Seminars are scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and are designed for new and experienced hunters. Topics include deer biology, hunting methods, equipment, field care of deer, processing and recipes. Only a few more seminars remain so sign up today. More
The Upland Gazette is now part of the Wildlife in North Carolina’s Spring and Fall guides and will no longer be a stand-alone publication. All subscribers to Wildlife in North Carolina, the agency's magazine, will receive the Upland Gazette as part of their normal subscription. Online readers can access issues from 1996 through 2015 on the Wildlife Commission’s website. Anyone interested in wildlife species and their habitats in North Carolina should subscribe to the Upland Gazette, which provides information about bobwhite quail, rabbits and other small game animals, as well as songbirds and many other nongame species and their habitats.
The always-popular 2016 North Carolina Wildlife Calendar is now available! Among the many features the calendar offers are outstanding wildlife art with profiles of each artist, fishing days and moon phase information and a detailed almanac. Get yours today at the N.C. Wild Store.
Dove Field on Bladen Lakes State Forest Game Land Re-Opens
Mobile Deer Cooler Available for Free Rental
Master Officer Aaron Stronach Wins NCWF Award
Wildlife Commission Schedules September Outdoor Programs in Brevard
Uwharrie Game Land Changes for Waterfowl Impoundment Usage
Dove Hunting Season Information
Wildlife Commission Offers Archery Hunting Safety Guidelines
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking