Public Hearings Set for Temporary Black Bear Hunting Rules

The Wildlife Commission is holding five public hearings to take comments on proposed temporary rules regarding black bear hunting in North Carolina. The first proposed rule would extend the time that bears can be taken with the aid of unprocessed food as bait to the entire open season. The second proposed rule would move the black bear hunting seasons in Brunswick and Columbus counties to the second Monday in November through Jan. 1.

Wildlife Commissioners voted to start the temporary rulemaking process for black bear hunting at their business meeting on Feb. 11.

The public does not need to attend a meeting to comment on the proposed changes. Comments can be submitted online, emailed to regulations@ncwildlife.org or mailed to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701. The deadline for comments is April 12.

Locations, dates and times.

Striped Bass Season on Roanoke River Open from March 1 to April 30

The Wildlife Commission has opened the entire Roanoke River Management Area to striped bass harvest from March 1 until April 30, unless closed or extended through proclamation. The daily creel limit in this area is two striped bass per angler, with a minimum length limit of 18 inches and no striped bass between 22 and 27 inches can be possessed at any time. Only one striped bass larger than 27 inches can be included in the daily creel limit. Additionally, anglers are required to use a single barbless hook or a lure with a single barbless hook when fishing in the upper Roanoke River from April 1 through June 30. More

Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports Start mid-March

Find out what Wildlife Commission fisheries biologists are seeing on the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers this spring by reading the Coastal River Fisheries reports, which begin mid-March. Biologists will share results of their fish-sampling work and creel surveys. The reports will provide an advanced look at some of the catch, effort and harvest data that they use to manage important migratory populations of striped bass, and American and hickory shad. Biologists also will share photos and anecdotal observations as they conduct their spring sampling on these rivers. Coastal Rivers Fisheries Report page.

Atlantic Brant is 2016 N.C. Duck Stamp

An Atlantic brant standing in cordgrass with the Cape Hatteras lighthouse shrouded in fog in the background will be featured on the 2016 North Carolina Waterfowl Conservation Stamp and Print, also known as the duck stamp. Florida artist Garrett Jacobs painted the Atlantic brant, which was selected as the winner from more than 30 other artists during an annual competition held in Washington, N.C.  Signed and numbered regular edition prints with mint stamps will be available July 1 from the Wildlife Commission’s N.C. Wild Store for $145. More

Free Family Fishing Fiesta Slated for April 2 at Jordan Lake State Park

Come join the Wildlife Commission and the N.C. State Parks on Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Jordan Lake State Park for a free Family Fishing Fiesta. Enjoy bank fishing, plus over a dozen hands-on activities and demonstrations, such as learning how to cast and how to fillet a fish, watching a tackle demonstration, meeting biologists, park rangers and law enforcement personnel and much more. Visit the Family Fishing Fiesta webpage for more information, including a list of activities and directions.

Catching Big Blue Catfish Focus of Free Seminar at Pechmann Center on April 6

Get tips on fishing for North Carolina’s giant blue catfish at a free seminar hosted by the Wildlife Commission at its Pechmann Center in Fayetteville, on April 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Zakk Royce, the current state record holder for blue catfish, will teach the seminar, covering topics such as equipment and bait selection, and habitat preferences of large blue catfish. More

Free Turkey Hunting Seminars Offered Statewide Starting Feb. 29

Interested in learning more about turkey hunting? The Wildlife
Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation are offering 24 free turkey hunting seminars in anticipation of the spring turkey season. Introductory and advanced level seminars will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at 12 locations across the state. Seminars are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Online registration is required and attendees will need to register with their personal computers and not mobile devices. Learn more and register for a seminar.

Other News

Power Companies, Tribe, Agencies Take Steps to Save Rare Fish

Written Permission Required to Hunt and Fish on Private Lands