RALEIGH, N.C. (March 4, 2010) – After a yearlong process of gathering input from stakeholders, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved changes to state hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.
Following review of public comments received online and at nine public hearings held across the state in January, the Commission voted on the proposed regulations changes at a March 3 meeting.
Approved was a proposal to open squirrel (red and gray) season on the Monday on or nearest to Oct. 15 and extend the season until the end of February in order to align it with other small game seasons.
The Commission voted not to remove the elk from the state’s list of Special Concern species. Commissioners also voted down a proposal to prohibit the use of dogs for hunting deer on the Brinkleyville and Embro game lands, but approved a proposal to prohibit the use of dogs for hunting deer on Brunswick County game land.
Also approved were fishing proposals, including adding Wildcat Lake and almost two miles of Elk Hollow Branch in Avery County and a two-mile portion of the Yadkin River in Caldwell County as designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Another approved proposal designed to simplify muskellunge regulations will establish a 42-inch minimum size limit and one-fish-daily creel limit for muskellunge for the entire state. In addition, the Commission approved a reduction in the minimum length of largemouth bass caught in Jordan and Falls of the Neuse reservoirs.
The remaining hunting and fishing proposals were approved by the Commission
To see all of the 2010-11 proposals, visit www.ncwildlife.org and download the public hearings booklet(PDF). For more information on the rulemaking process, download “From Proposal to Regulation”(PDF).
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About N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.
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