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• Can I harvest a tundra swan or a Canada goose on my hunt? Yes, but you must possess a tundra swan or a Canada goose permit.

• Will I be assigned a location to hunt? Yes, for the General and Youth Waterfowl Hunts the Ref-uge will post blind assignments on their webpage at: http://www.fws.gov/mattamuskeet/. There are no blind assignments for the Resident Goose Hunt.

• Is there a hunting blind available for disabled hunters? Yes, there is one accessible hunting blind available.

Refuge Regulations: General Waterfowl Hunt

• Register at office between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on each day of the hunt. Hunting ends at noon of each day.

• Blinds not claimed by permit holders at 5:00 a.m. on the day of hunt will be offered to standby hunters via lottery.

• Permit holder may bring up to two guests (three hunters per blind), however all guests must be licensed hunters and pay the daily user fee. Hunters under the age of 16 must have successfully passed a State-approved hunter education course and provide proof of certification (card or certificate).

• Shot shell limit of 30 per hunter—nontoxic shot only. • No motorboats allowed except decoy boats. • No portable blinds allowed—blinds are provided.

• Harvested waterfowl must be checked out at the Refuge hunter check station. • Only crippled birds may be shot outside of hunt blinds.

• Retrieving dogs are permitted, but must be under voice command at all times. • Possession of alcohol is prohibited in waterfowl hunt area during waterfowl hunts. • Use of ATVs is prohibited.

Youth Waterfowl Hunt

• Youth must be less than 16 years of age on the day of the hunt.

• Youth permit hunter may bring one other youth hunter and must be accompanied by a properly licensed adult at least 21 years of age.

• All youth hunters must have successfully passed a State-approved hunter education course and provide proof of certification (card or certificate).

September Resident Canada Goose Hunt

• Certain areas of the refuge and Lake Mattamuskeet are closed for the hunt. Check with the refuge office for details. • Motorboats are allowed.

• Portable blinds are allowed, but must be removed daily. • Use of ATVs is prohibited.

• Hunters under the age of 16 must have successfully passed a State-approved hunter education course and provide proof of certification (card or certificate).

Deer Hunt

• Certain areas of the refuge are closed for the hunt. Check with the refuge office for details. • Portable stands are allowed. Stands may be set up 1 day prior to the hunt, but must be removed at the end of the last day of the hunt. No nails, screws, or other objects may be driven into trees.

• Fluorescent orange clothing is required–500 square inches above the waist and visible from all sides. A vest and hat generally meet this requirement. • Motorboats are allowed. • Use of dogs is prohibited.

• Use of rifles and pistols is prohibited. • Use of ATVs is prohibited.

• All refuge hunters under 16 years of age must have successfully completed a hunter safety course and must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years of age. The adult must remain within sight and easy voice contact of the underage hunter. • Adults may supervise only one youth on Big Game Hunts.

• Only biodegradable flagging tape may be used on the refuge (to mark trails, stand locations, etc.). Plastic flagging tape, reflectors, dots, glow tacks, and other materials are prohibited.

Refuge Fee Information:

• General and Youth Waterfowl Hunts: User fee of $12.50 per day for each person in the hunt party is due at morning registration of each hunt day–check or cash.

• September Resident Canada Goose Hunt: User fee of $12.50 per person for entire hunt. Due at Refuge Office before permit will be mailed to the hunter.

• Deer Hunt: User fee of $12.50 per person, per two-day hunt. Due at Refuge Office before permit will be mailed to the hunter.

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