GARNER, N.C. (April 15, 2010) – Garner residents who want to fish but lack the necessary equipment can now fish without purchasing a rod and reel, thanks to a new partnership between the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the Garner Parks and Recreation Department. Lake Benson, located at 975 Buffaloe Road, recently joined the Commission’s Tackle Loaner Program, which provides loaner rods and reels free of charge to anglers of all ages, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program works like a library. Anglers register at the Lake Benson boathouse from Thursday through Sunday to receive a tackle-loaner identification card that lets them check out one of 20 rod and reels for the day. While the program is geared toward children under 16, anyone interested in fishing can participate. Anglers under 16 must have a parent or guardian complete the registration form.  After returning the loaner rod and reel to the park office, first-time participan

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 14, 2010) – A change in federal law that allows firearms in many national parks does not include state parks and forests or other state recreational areas, including game lands. According to the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of Interior, people who can legally possess firearms under federal and state law can now possess those firearms in the national parks in that state. This pertains to anyone with a concealed carry permit. National parks should not be confused with national forests. In North Carolina, the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie and Croatan national forests are also designated as game lands. “Concealed carry permits do not supersede the other regulations that apply,” said Maj. Keith Templeton, with the Law Enforcement Division of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “It is up to the individual with a valid concealed carry permit to know the law and obey it.” Under game land regula

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 32nd annual Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament, presented by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, will be held April 24 to determine team and individual championships in this popular marksmanship and outdoor skills competition. The tournament begins at 8 a.m. at Millstone 4-H Center near Ellerbe, with events in rifle, shotgun and archery, along with an orienteering challenge and a conservation test. The tournament typically draws several hundred spectators and supporters. Last year’s event had an overall attendance of nearly 3,000. Admission for spectators is free. “The degree of the skills exhibited by these young people at the state championships is incredible,” said Travis Casper, the assistant hunter education programs coordinator for North Carolina. “The competition is keen, but so is the camaraderie between competitors.” Teams are organized within public and private s