Wildlife Commission Schedules Free Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Seminars this Fall
The Wildlife Commission, along with partners, is offering seven deer hunting seminars and two deer processing seminars this fall. All seminars are free. Deer hunting seminar topics include deer biology, hunting methods and equipment, as well as field care of deer, processing and easy-to-follow recipes. Deer processing seminars will feature video demonstrations and tips from the experts on how to process a deer from field to freezer. Topics include field dressing, skinning, safe meat handling, basic home processing and taxidermy. More information and registration.
Dove Hunting Season Opens Sept. 3
Hunting season for doves opens Saturday, Sept. 3 with shooting hours beginning a half-hour before sunrise and ending at sunset for the entire season, including opening day. The daily bag limit is 15. The season is separated into two segments: Sept. 3–Oct. 8 and Nov. 21–Jan. 14. The season does not include Sundays. Hunting of migratory game birds by any method is not allowed on Sundays. Stay safe in the field by following these tips.
The Wildlife Commission is reminding dove hunters that it is a violation of state and federal law to take migratory game birds with the use or aid of salt, grain, fruit or other bait. Hunters are responsible for ensuring that they do not hunt in or over a baited field. To avoid a baiting controversy, hunters should understand dove hunting regulations fully and inspect areas to be hunted for signs of baiting. Hunters also need to be aware that an area is considered baited for 10 days following the removal of all bait. More
Youth Deer Hunting Day is Sept. 24
The Wildlife Commission has set Saturday, Sept. 24, as Youth Deer Hunting Day. On this day, hunters younger than 16 will be able to use any legal weapon to hunt deer on both private lands and public game lands. Any youth who have successfully completed and passed a hunter education course will not be required to be accompanied by an adult. More regulations
Stay Safe On the Road and On the Water this Labor Day Weekend - Don't Drink and Drive
Starting Friday, drivers and boat operators across North Carolina may encounter sobriety checkpoints and increased enforcement patrols as the Wildlife Commission and partners conclude their “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign. In North Carolina, a driver or boat operator with a blood-alcohol concentration that meets or exceeds .08 is subject to arrest. More
Public Hearing on Sept. 8 Will Address Proposed Elk Depredation Rule Changes
The Wildlife Commission is holding a public hearing on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., to take comments on proposed changes to elk management regulations. The hearing will be held in the auditorium of Haywood Community College, located at 185 Freedlander Drive in Clyde. If passed, the proposed changes will require landowners who do not have a depredation permit issued by the Wildlife Commission and who kill a depredating elk to report that kill to the Commission within 24 hours of the kill. Additionally a landowner who has an elk-depredation permit and takes a depredating elk must report it on the form provided with the permit. More
The Wildlife Commission is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 24 at six family-friendly events throughout the state. The events are free with the exception of one Greenwing fishing event. Activities vary from event to event but include air rifle range, archery, fishing, outdoor cooking, identifying insects, lure making, beekeeping, dog retrieving demonstrations and much more! For more details, including a list of events and activities, visit our National Hunting and Fishing Day page.
During the 2015-2016 hunting season, hunters across the state reported harvesting 162,558 deer, a 5.8 percent increase over the previous season. Though the amount of deer harvested grew, it was 3.9 percent below the 10-year average. One contributor to the increased harvest was the expansion of hunting on private lands to Sundays. During the 2015-2016 season, deer harvested on Sundays accounted for 7.3 % of the total harvest. More
The Wildlife Commission presented Dr. Stephen Hall with the prestigious Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award in recognition of his 25-year career as a distinguished ecologist, invertebrate zoologist and dedicated conservationist. Commission Executive Director Gordon Myers presented Hall with the award, along with a painting by renowned wildlife artist Duane Raver, during the Commission’s Aug. 25 business meeting. More
Wildlife Commission Passes Resolution Supporting Annual Funding for Wildlife Conservation
On Aug. 25, the Wildlife Commission passed a resolution supporting bipartisan congressional legislation that would provide $1.3 billion to conserve more than 12,000 fish and wildlife species in greatest need of conservation while providing the public with more access to open spaces. The resolution supports the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (HR5650). If passed, the legislation would provide North Carolina with approximately $32.1 million annually. More
Get 'Em Before They're Gone!
The 2017 Wildlife Calendar is now available. The calendar, which makes an excellent holiday gift, features outstanding wildlife art with profiles of each artist, fishing days with moon phase information, and other information. At only $9 each, these perennially popular calendars sell quickly so get yours before they're gone. Visit the Wildlife Commission's N.C. WildStore for more information and to order.
More Events
Wildlife Commission’s Mountain State Fair Exhibit Will Showcase Trout Production and Stocking
Wildlife Commission to Host Private Lands Habitat Workshop on Sept. 21 in New London
Free Programs Offered at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in August
Pechmann Center Offers Free Rod Building and Lure Making Workshops in August
Wildlife Commission Offers Fly-Fishing Weekend for Women in Brevard
Other News
Artists Sought for North Carolina Duck Stamp Competition
Wildlife Commission Establishes No-Wake Zone on Chowan River
New Members Named to Wildlife Commission’s Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee
Wildlife Commission Seeks Feedback on Game Land Management Plans through Sept. 30
Two N.C. Schools Place at National Shooting Sports Competition
Contact Us Licenses For general license and lifetime license inquiries contact licenses@ncwildlife.org
Boat Registration For vessel registration/renewal inquiries contact vessels@ncwildlife.org Other For enforcement, hunting/boating safety, boating access areas, fisheries or wildlife management questions, website and/or other questions or comments email wrccomments@ncwildlife.org
Subscribe to Wildlife in North Carolina
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. Online subscriptions available here.
The Wildlife Commission operates four learning centers across the state, each of which hosts seminars, workshops and activities throughout the year. Admission and most events are free. Families and groups can enjoy interactive exhibits and displays. Learn more at www.ncwildlife.org/learning.
The Wildlife Commission’s online outdoor calendar is a one-stop place for information on agency meetings, boat ramp and game land openings and closings, trout stocking dates, outdoor events hosted by the Commission, as well as events hosted by other organizations where the Commission has a presence. Find information and register online for classes and workshops at the Commission’s four education centers and Hunter Education courses across the state.
N.C. Wildlife Update
Upland Gazette
WRC Rulemaking