RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 20, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Home From The Hunt™ campaign reminds anyone planning a hunting trip during the holiday season to make safety the top priority. “Thanksgiving and Christmas are traditional times for family and friends to go hunting,” said Travis Casper, the state hunter education coordinator with the Wildlife Commission. “In the excitement of a holiday hunt, don’t overlook the safety aspects. Make it a part of your planning. Stress the importance of everyone being careful.” Casper advised: Go back to basics — review hunter education training and equipment instructions. Know the rules — read all applicable regulations before going afield. Inspect all equipment — repair or replace equipment, especially tree stands, before use. “We recommend a full-body safety harness anytime you use a tree stand,

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov. 14, 2013) — The Fork Farm and Stables (The Fork), a 1,406-acre regional outdoor recreation, working farm and event facility in Stanly County, will now be conserved forever thanks to a donation to Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC) by an ownership group led by Jim Cogdell, chairman of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. A permanent conservation easement on 1,353 acres of the property will allow continued recreational uses of The Fork, but will restrict future commercial, industrial development and other activity that could impact the land and wildlife habitat. This conservation easement will help further conservation goals held by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the regulatory agency for fish and wildlife conservation, and administrator of the state Wildlife Action Plan. The Commission also is responsible for enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws, and conducts statewide hunter education programs. The Fork is an act

RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 6, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Home From The Hunt™ campaign is reminding waterfowl hunters who use boats to practice both boating safety and hunting safety. “Statistics show more waterfowl hunters die from hypothermia and drowning than gunshot wounds,” said Maj. Chris Huebner, the state boating safety coordinator. “Hypothermia is the loss of body heat and, left untreated, can prove fatal. Exposure to extreme cold, such as being in cold water or wearing wet clothes in cold conditions, can increase the chance of hypothermia.” Wear protective clothing and watch the weather, he said. Let someone know where you are hunting and an approximate return time. Additional boating safety tips include: Always wear a life vest. Don't overload the boat, especially with passengers. Keep hunting dogs prone in the center of the boat. Never move about the boat with a loaded firea

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Home From The Hunt™ safety campaign is reminding hunters to follow blaze orange requirements. In North Carolina, hunters are required to wear a cap, hat or an outer garment in blaze orange that is visible from all sides when hunting bear, feral hogs, deer, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant or quail with a firearm. Hunters are also required to wear blaze orange while hunting with a bow on Sunday during the muzzleloader or gun season. Blaze orange, sometimes known as hunter orange or fluorescent orange, is instantly recognizable and signals caution to the viewer.  Home From The Hunt™ recommends anyone spending time outdoors in areas shared with hunters wear blaze orange. Blaze orange clothing stands out against an outdoor background and studies have proven it increases visibility of the wearer in low light situations. Blaze orange also can be helpful in lo

RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 8, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Home From The Hunt™ safety campaign is reminding hunters to be as cautious with tree stands prior to deer season as they should while hunting. “As hunters begin to set up tree stands as part of their preparation, safety is still rule number one,” said Travis Casper, the state hunter education coordinator. “Whether you are scouting a location, trimming shooting lanes and putting up your tree stand, even on a trial basis, use the same precautions you would during hunting season.” Casper recommended using a lineman-style belt in addition to a full-body harness when first putting a tree stand in place. “This minimizes the chance of falls and potential injury,” he said. “And always select a healthy, straight tree for placement.” Other Home From The Hunt™ recommendations: Never carry anythi