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Hunting and fshing has a huge impact on the N.C. economy. Numbers of resident hunters are increasing and North Carolina is ranked No. 10 in the nation for number of non-resident hunters (SOURCE: National Shooting Sports Foundation 2012). Just this year, Bassmaster

magazine ranks four of our lakes among the top bass fshing spots in the nation. The American Sports­fshing Association ranks North Carolina No. 4 in visiting non-resident angler destinations, and

Field & Stream magazine ranks our whitetail deer hunting some of the best in the country. We continuously pursue ways to manage game populations for the conservation of the species and for the continued enjoyment of outdoor sports participants. Here are a few examples of projects underway:

HUNTER RECRUITMENT AND MENTORING

The social support of a hunting mentor is critical for the continuation of the new student in the pleasure of hunting. For many people, hunting contains a valued social component that can be as important as the actual hunting itself. Mentors bring experience and fellowships.

In 2010, the agency launched its frst “Hats On” hunting mentor campaign, a pilot program with the goal of asking existing hunters to mentor a new hunter. Hats On was created to bring awareness to the importance of hunter mentoring in maintaining our hunting heritage. Studies have found that most new hunters come to the activity through introduction by a friend or family member.

In addition, the Commission began placing more infor-mation for new hunters on its web site, and began partnering with other groups, such as the Quality Deer Management

Association, to provide workshops for new hunters. Over 3,500 mentors signed up. A second campaign (2012) signed-up 5,900, a 69% increase.

Other strategies are also being implemented. The Com-mission continues to hold special hunts, recruit new sportsmen through the Youth Hunter Safety tournament, and has adopted a week-long, youth-only turkey season for 2013, with the goal of getting more young hunters in the feld.

The Commission recently held its frst Strategic Re­cruit­ ment and Retention Initiative, a retreat that brought together staff members, commissioners and other state agency program leaders to hear ideas from other states and to discuss new methods of hunter recruitment.

The bulk of the monetary support for wildlife con­servation comes from the hunter and angler in the form of license fees and federal excise taxes on hunting and fshing related equipment.

CONSERVATION PAYS OFF BIG IN HUNTING & FISHING

2 • North Carol ina Wi ldl i fe Resources Commi ss ion

$3.3 BILLION POSITIVE IMPACT TO N.C. ECONOMY

• $2.4 Billion   -   Fishing and hunting • $930 Million   -   Wildlife watching

• 335,000 Hunters • 1,525,000 Anglers • 2.4 Million Wildlife watchers

Source: USFWS National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and

Wildlife-Associated Recreation 2011