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should have appropriate clothing on hand at all times. This would include rain gear and/or wind blocking outerware. From late fall through winter, hunters should plan to bring clothing suitable for extreme cold, wind, and snow.

• The access road to the interior of the game land may be impassable due to snow and ice, especially from November through April.

• Black bear are present on the property, but only at light to moderate numbers. Those interested in bear hunting on the property should keep this in mind.

Game Land: Sandy Mush Acreage: 2,600

Tracts: Sandy Mush Game Land

General Location: Approximately 10 miles north of Asheville.

Closest Municipalities: Asheville (Lodging available in municipalities)

County: Buncombe and Madison

GPS Coordinates (NAD 83): 35° 43’ 17” N 82° 39’ 45” W

Camping Allowed: No

Closest Boat Access Area: N/A

Game Land Map: Refer to www.ncwildlife.org

General Terrain Characteristics: The game land borders the French Broad River and encompasses portions of Turkey Creek and Sandy Mush Creek. Most of the terrain is hills with approximately 1,000 acres of the property in fields, old pastures, and brushy shrub early forest successional habitat. Approximately 45 acres are planted each year as dove fields with numerous other areas seeded on a periodic basis to both annuals and perennials beneficial to wildlife. Scattered woodlots consisting of oak, cherry, and southern pine types occupy the rest of the property. One area of the property is a very steep gorge surrounding the mouth of Sandy Mush Creek where it empties into the French Broad River.

Special Equipment Needs: In addition to normal hunting gear, the following items may be helpful: • GPS, waterproof leather boots with lug soles, binoculars, topographical map, portable stand/blind, compass, game hauler or backpack.

Game Land: Thurmond Chatham Acreage: 6,403

Tracts: N/A

General Location: Approximately 12 miles north of Wilkesboro.

Closest Municipalities: Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, Elkin (Lodging available in municipalities)

County: Wilkes and Alleghany

GPS Coordinates (NAD 83): 36º 22’ 14” N 81º 12’ 06” W

Camping Allowed: Yes, in designated campground area (Refer to game land map).

Closest Boat Access Area: N/A

Game Land Map: Refer to www.ncwildlife.org

General Terrain Characteristics: The game land is located along the Blue Ridge escarpment. The predominant forest cover type is mixed hardwood containing several species of oaks. Scattered stands of pine and mixed pine hardwood also occur. The understory ranges from open to dense thickets of mountain laurel and/or rhododendron. The topography is steep and rugged.

Special Equipment Needs: In addition to normal hunting gear, the following items may be helpful: • GPS, waterproof leather boots with lug soles, binoculars, topographical map, portable stand/blind, compass, game hauler or backpack.

Disabled FAQ:

• What areas will I be able to access? Refer to game land map at www.ncwildlife.org.

Game Land: Toxaway Acreage: 11,650

Tracts: N/A

General Location: Access is available from Brevard, N.C. by traveling U.S. 64 to Sapphire N.C. Information on access to Toxaway Game Land is available from the Gorges State Park at 828-966-9099 located in Sapphire, N.C. Portions of the property may be accessed by foot travel only from N.C. Hwy. 281 and Whitewater Falls Rd. (S.R. 1149) traveling south from Sapphire to South Carolina. Road access is provided by traveling through the main entrance to Gorges State Park located off N.C. Hwy. 281. Travel through main entrance and enter through an electronic gate and drive south down Chestnut Mountain Rd. to Turkey Pen Gap located at the intersection with the Auger Hole Rd. Turn right on the Auger Hole Rd. to the Toxaway Game Land.

82 Refer to the N.C. Inland Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Regulations Digest for regulations and local laws.