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Refuge: Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge–Pungo Unit Acreage: 12,500

General Location: About 20 miles southeast of Plymouth, N.C. off N.C. Hwy. 45.

Closest Municipalities: Plymouth (Lodging available in municipalities)

County: Hyde and Washington

GPS Coordinates: N/A

Camping Allowed: No, but there is a commercial campground nearby (Pungo Campground).

Closest Boat Access Area: N/A

Refuge Regulations & Map: Refer to www.fws.gov/pocosinlakes/reg.html

General Terrain Characteristics: Pocosin (thick evergreen shrub bog wetlands), cropground.

Special Equipment Needs: In addition to normal hunting gear, the following items may be helpful: • GPS, hip boots, binoculars, topographical map, portable stand/blind, insect repellent, game hauler, canoe/boat without motor, compass, bicycle.

Regulations: Hunters should read the regulations below when applying for permit hunts on Pocosin Lakes 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:

• 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.

• You must wear 500 square inches (3250 cm2) of ﬂuorescent orange material above the waist, which is visible from all sides, while hunting deer in areas open to hunting with ﬁrearms. A vest and a hat normally meet this requirement; a hat alone does not. • Distributing and hunting over, or by the aid of, any type of bait (food, salt, other mineral, or other substance that lures or attracts animals) is prohibited on the refuge.

• 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. • Hunters may enter the Pungo Unit up to 1 hour before legal shooting time and remain on the Unit up to 1 hour after legal shooting time on days when the area is open to hunting. During these non-daylight hours, hunters must be actively engaged in setting up for hunting, retrieving game, exiting the refuge, or some other activity related to hunting. Hunters must exit the refuge as quickly as possible after daylight hours have ended, but no later than one hour afterward. • Blocking gates, roads, trails, or other travel ways is prohibited.

• The refuge charges a $12.50 user fee for each hunt, due at least three days prior to the hunt date.

• What types of weapons can be used for deer hunting on the Pungo Unit? Shotguns, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment.

• Are there roads on the refuge? There are several miles of dirt roads on the refuge, many are opened to licensed vehicles. The other roads are open to bicycles and foot travel. One road is available for disabled hunters to use ATVs with a Special Use Permit. Nearly all of these roads are open to hunting. All of the roads have a canal associated with them, and a small boat is useful for crossing these canals.

• Are bears a problem? The refuge supports one of the densest black bear populations reported anywhere. Bears sometimes tear up stand/bicycle seats and steal deer taken by hunters. Bears are protected on the refuge, so you should take the appropriate precautions while in bear country and remove any harvested deer from the ﬁeld as quickly as possible.

Refuge: Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge Acreage: 20,978

Tracts (Acres): Askew (1,300) Broadneck (5,500) Company Swamp (2,100)

Conine Island (3,700) Great & Goodman Islands (5,000) Hampton Swamp (1,100) Town Swamp (2,250)

General Location: Askew Tract is just north of Conine Creek on U.S. 17.

Broadneck Swamp is located on the Roanoke River from Indian Creek downstream to Black Gut. Company Swamp is located from (NAD 83) 35 56’17.22” N 77 07’40.70” W to Coniotte Creek. Conine Island is located on both sides of U.S. 17 between Conine Creek and Williamston. Great & Goodman Islands and Hampton Swamp are located near the mouth of the Roanoke River. Town Swamp is located off Broad Neck Rd.

Closest Municipalities: Williamston and Plymouth (Lodging available in municipalities)

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