RALEIGH, N.C. (May 20, 2005) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has expanded its wildlife advisories hotline service to include information about sporting opportunities for the disabled.

The wildlife advisories hotline was created in 2003, giving North Carolinians an opportunity to receive periodic e-mails directly from the Commission on wildlife-related topics. E-mails also include links to more detailed information when available. The service is free.

“We only send about 10 or 12 wildlife advisories a year, because we’re sensitive about not spamming subscribers to this service,” said Lee Ratcliffe, the Wildlife Commission’s webmaster. “Between our news releases and the wildlife advisories hotline, we think the public stays well-informed on fish and wildlife issues in North Carolina.”

More than 4,200 people have subscribed to the wildlife advisories hotline. The new category — sporting opportunities for the disabled — supplements the five subject-matter categories already available: hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching and wildlife conservation.

Visit the Commission's Web site, www.ncwildlife.org, to sign up for the wildlife advisories hotline. You will be asked to provide your name, current e-mail address and zip code. For more information about this service, call (919) 662-4777.