RALEIGH, N.C. (April 14, 2010) – For the second time in less than month, a Nashville angler has reeled in the white crappie state record from the Tar River Reservoir. Ray Patterson caught the latest record-breaker, which weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces, on April 6, surpassing by a mere one ounce the previous record holder, caught by Tracey Smith on March 8. Patterson used a cane pole and a live minnow, a bait he swears by, claiming a live minnow catches crappie in a way that no jig can. And he should know. Catching big crappie is a favorite pastime for Patterson, who crappie fishes the reservoir at least three times each week, from the first of April to the middle of June. He said he’s caught many crappie, some of which would have beaten the one that earned him the new state record. In fact, he said he didn’t think the one he caught on April 6 was a record breaker; however, a couple of anglers in a boat beside him told him the fish was the biggest c

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 9, 2010) – Pups, cubs, chicks and kits are a welcome sign of spring in North Carolina – and it may be tempting to pick them up or feed them, especially when they nest close to our homes. But tampering with wildlife – even young wildlife -- jeopardizes innocent people and harms the ecosystem. “Wild animals are not pets, and they are not meant to be raised and fed by humans,” said David Cobb, chief of the Commission’s Division of Wildlife Management. “Wild animals never totally lose their wild instincts, even if the animal seems tame. Those instincts can show up anytime and the results can be harmful to people and the animal.” Capturing and handling a young animal can stress it, sometimes fatally. In addition, young animals that look abandoned often are not. Many species do not stay with their young and only return to feed them. The parent may return and become aggressive i

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 8, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering a few simple steps to avoid most conflicts with black bears, as sightings and conflicts tend to increase in the spring, when bears emerge from hibernation, looking for food. The Commission is warning people not to feed, either purposely or inadvertently, animals that wander into backyards, city streets and other residential areas. Feeding a bear rewards it for coming close to people and their homes and makes it more likely to approach again. While black bears are rarely aggressive toward people, they can become bold when they become accustomed to feeding on human-provided foods, such as garbage and bird seed. Oftentimes, they lose their fear of people. Contrary to popular belief, wildlife employees will not trap and relocate bears, because this would simply relocate the problem, rather than solve it. The solution is to modify habits, such as how you feed your pet(s) or where you stor

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 7, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Hope Audubon Society to open a wildlife observation platform – where viewers can spot eagles, ducks and other wildlife – at Jordan Lake. The Commission and its partners will celebrate the opening with a ceremony starting at 1:30 p.m. April 18 at the site, off Martha’s Chapel Road in Chatham County. After that, it will be open to the public for wildlife viewing. The event will feature a nature hike to the platform, which overlooks the lake. A wetland area – prime habitat for salamanders and frogs – is nearby. Spotting scopes will be set up to view eagles and other birds, and participants can see songbirds, salamanders and native plants during the brief hike from the parking lot to the viewing platform. Representatives from the Commission, New Hope Audubon Society and Army Corps of Engi

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 23, 2010) – The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will offer a special introduction to fly-fishing in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains this spring.  “The Fly-Fishing Weekend” is scheduled for April 9-11 at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and Davidson River Campground in Transylvania County. Registration is open on a first come, first serve basis for women 18 and older. A one-time fee of $125 covers instruction, equipment, most meals and camping accommodations. Participants will learn the basics of fly-fishing from experienced anglers, including equipment needs, knots, fly-tying, casting and aquatic entomology. Then, those skills will be put to use fishing the blue ribbon trout waters of the Davidson River in a private session for participants. Contact BB Gillen at (919) 218-3638 or bb.gillen@ncwildlife.org for more information or to register. .....................