RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and the North Carolina chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, has unveiled a green-growth initiative that encourages wildlife-friendly practices for new and existing residential developments. The Wildlife Friendly Development Certification program recognizes residential land developers who promote the conservation of wildlife habitat and use environmentally sound construction practices in their developments. Developments that are certified as wildlife friendly incorporate features that protect existing habitats by providing food, water, cover and places to raise young, the four components of suitable wildlife habitat. Once certified, these developments can be marketed to homeowners who value the protection of natural resources. To acquire certification, developers work closely with the staffs from the Commission and Federation

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 24, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will implement delayed-harvest regulations on 22 trout waters in 15 western North Carolina counties on Oct. 1. Before Oct. 1, hatchery-supported regulations apply to these waters. Under delayed-harvest regulations, no trout can be harvested or possessed from these waters between Oct. 1, 2010, and one half-hour after sunset on June 3, 2011. No natural bait is allowed, and anglers can fish only with single-hook, artificial lures. An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell. Continued drought conditions in western North Carolina may result in reducing the number of trout scheduled for stocking in delayed-harvest trout waters in October. Staff will be assessing all the delayed-harvest waters from now until Oct. 1 to determine if reduced stockings are necessary. “All

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 22, 2010) – Two cities recently joined the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program. In Old Fort, located in McDowell County, a .7-mile section of Mill Creek that runs through the downtown area now is classified as a Mountain Heritage Trout Water. Because it is delayed-harvest trout water, anglers must use single-hook artificial lures and cannot harvest or possess any trout from Oct. 1, until one half-hour after sunset on June 3, 2011. The section will then remain closed to fishing until 6 a.m. on June 4 when it reopens to anglers 15 years and younger under hatchery-supported regulations, with no bait restriction, no minimum length limit and a 7-trout-per-day creel limit. The section will open to anglers of all ages at noon on June 4. Hatchery-supported regulations remain in effect until Oct. 1 each year. In Burnsville, the .75-mile section of the South Toe River located in the Yancey County Toe River Cam

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 16, 2010) – A special deer hunting opportunity near New Bern is available for youth through the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The hunt will be held Dec. 4 at the Weyerhaeuser-Cool Springs Environmental Education Center between Vanceboro and New Bern on U.S. 17. To be eligible for the hunt, a youth must be between 12 and 16 years old and have successfully completed a hunter education course. “Part of the Permit Hunting Opportunities, this deer hunt will provide participants with the opportunity for an enjoyable and memorable outdoor experience while introducing them to safe and responsible hunting,” said BB Gillen, outdoor skills coordinator for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The cost is $5 per youth hunter and the deadline to purchase a permit is Nov. 19. Permits can be purchased at any Wildlife Service Agent location or by phone at (888) 248-6834. Please specify Item # 8525. During the hunt, the youth must

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is alerting hunters that bow-and-arrow season opens Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Sandhills, Rockfish Creek and Nicholson Creek game lands. Pages 68 and 69 of the current North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting, & Trapping Regulations digest incorrectly states the season opens on these game lands on Sept. 13. For a complete list of rules and regulations, download The 2010-11 North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting, & Trapping Regulations.