HOFFMAN, N.C. (April 16, 2010) – U.S. Congressman Larry Kissell toured the McKinney Lake National Fish Hatchery located in Richmond County on April 8, and talked with N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission personnel about the important role the fish hatchery plays in helping the Commission achieve its fisheries management goals. The McKinney Lake hatchery is the primary source of channel catfish for the Commission’s popular Community Fishing Program. Congressman Kissell is sponsoring legislation that would transfer ownership of the McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the State of North Carolina. This no-cost transfer of property would help the Commission to continue to provide quality fishing opportunities for urban anglers. The Commission has operated the warmwater fish hatchery under a Memorandum of Agreement since 1996 and produced approximately 150,000 harvestable size (8-12 inches) channel catfish to provide angling opport

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