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REFUGE AREA REFERENCE INFORMATION

PERMIT HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

National Wildlife Refuges are federally owned property managed by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Regulations governing these lands are often different from state game lands. The following information represents the most common questions asked about permitted hunt opportunities for specific refuges listed in the Permit Hunting Opportunities Program. This section does not serve as a regulatory guide. Hunters and trappers should always refer to the Refuge Hunting and Fishing Regulations brochure and North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest for information on regulations and local laws as they pertain to permitted and non-permitted hunts.

Coastal

Refuge: Currituck National Wildlife Refuge Acreage: 4,110

Tracts: Currituck Marsh Unit, South Marsh Unit

General Location: Northeast Currituck County, near the North Carolina/Virginia state line.

Closest Municipalities: Knotts Island, N.C., Virginia Beach, Va. (Lodging available in municipalities)

County: Currituck

GPS Coordinates: Refer to www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/crrhnt.pdf

Camping Allowed: No, camping is prohibited anywhere on the Currituck NWR.

Closest Boat Access Area: Wildlife Resources Commission Boat Ramp - Brumley Rd., Knotts Island-From the N.C.D.O.T. Ferry Docks on Knotts Island, travel north on N.C. 615 approximately 2.0 miles to S.R. 1259 (Brumley Rd.). Turn right onto S.R. 1259. The parking area is located on the left near the junction of Brumley Rd. and Bay St. or approximately 120 yards before the end of the road.

Refuge Regulations & Map: www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/crrhnt.pdf

General Terrain Characteristics: Refuge is found in the northern portion of Currituck Sound. Terrain open to hunting consists mostly of fresh and brackish marshes intersected by various shallow water canals and creeks. It is necessary to cross a short portion of open water on the Currituck Sound to reach the Refuge hunting areas.

Special Equipment Needs: In addition to normal hunting gear, the following items may be helpful: • Shallow draft boats, GPS, waders, marine radio.

Regulations: Hunters should read the regulations below when applying for permit hunts on Currituck National Wildlife Refuge because regulations vary between state and federally owned areas. The regulations listed below supplement the general regulations that govern hunting on federal wildlife refuge areas as set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations. Hunting will be in accordance with applicable state regulations and the following special refuge regulations are conditions of the permit:

• Valid hunt permit issued by the Commission or Currituck NWR is required. No more than three hunters permitted per blind.

• Hunting is permitted from assigned blind locations only.

• Hunting will be allowed on Fridays and Saturdays only during the North Carolina Waterfowl Season.

• Hunting is permitted from ½ hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m.

• Access is permitted on the Refuge 1.5 hours before legal shooting time and all parties must be off the Refuge by 2:00 p.m.

• Use of guides is permitted in the Refuge. Guides must have a Special Use Permit issued by Currituck NWR. Any birds taken with the services of an unpermitted guide is illegal. • Harvest Data Cards are issued to all hunters and must be returned to the designated drop boxes or the Refuge office. Failure to return cards may affect future hunting opportunities. • Possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited.

• Taking of any plant or animal other than permitted waterfowl is prohibited.

• All hunters are subject to inspections of permits, licenses, bag limits, hunting equipment, boats, vehicles, and their contents during compliance checks. Violation of any Refuge regulation may result in the cancellation of your permit.

• Permit holder may bring up to two guests (three people per blind). No additional fees or permits are required for guests.

• There are no additional refuge application or permit fees required.

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