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The public comment period for the proposed changes to the 2023-2024 inland fishing, hunting, trapping, and game land regulations and other regulated activities will close Jan. 30 at 11:59 p.m. Comments can be submitted online, by email and by mail. Details on the proposed regulations and where to mail comments are available on our website.
Youth and Veterans/Military Waterfowl Days are scheduled for Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Both categories of hunters must follow the rules and regulations established for those days as outlined in the Migratory Game Bird Season section of the 2022-2023 North Carolina Regulations Digest. Note: The same bag limits during the regular waterfowl season apply for the Youth and Veterans/Military Waterfowl Days. Taking of Canada geese in the NE Hunt Zone is allowed with a valid permit purchased prior to Jan. 31.
If you catch a BIG fish in 2023, you can get official recognition for your accomplishment through the N.C. Angler Recognition Program (formerly NCARP). The submission process is now available online! Anglers can submit information about their catch from their phone, tablet or computer to receive a downloadable, printable PDF certificate. You can also share a photo of your fish with us! Master Anglers will receive a patch and special certificate in the mail.
The Wrightsville Beach Boating Access Area on the Intracoastal Waterway is undergoing a major renovation over the next three months. Construction crews will replace the two existing fixed docks with new concrete abutments and floating docks. They will also replace the two existing floating docks and the wooden bulkheads, as well as a breakwater with vinyl counterparts. The Wildlife Commission’s proactive approach to modernizing the state’s boating access areas so they are safe and usable is what makes our state a great place to recreate! The agency manages 250 free public boating access areas across the state.
As you file your North Carolina income taxes this year, please consider donating any portion of your refund to the N.C. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. Enter the amount of your contribution on line 30 of your tax form or click “yes” when prompted when filing electronically. Your participation is crucial to securing adequate funding for research, conservation and management of our most vulnerable species.
In November, Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk became the first recognized BearWise campus in the United States. Campus officials committed to implement new reporting procedures for bear sightings and interactions through their campus safety website, to secure attractants around campus and to educate staff and students about being BearWise.
Each winter, a series of prescribed burns are conducted across the state on land owned by the Wildlife Commission to restore and maintain wildlife habitat. Approximately 35,000 acres of land will be burned this January through July. Don’t be alarmed if you see smoke on a game land. It’s most likely intentional and a community alert will be shared via the NextDoor app.
The Wildlife Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award. This award honors an individual who has made significant, long-standing commitment to, and demonstrated leadership in, promoting conservation of nongame species and their habitats in North Carolina. The nomination deadline is Feb. 28.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) was not included in the omnibus budget bill passed by Congress in December. The National Wildlife Federation has pledged to keep working with its state and territorial affiliates, as well as allies in the nonprofit and private sectors, to pass RAWA into law. We’ll keep you updated.
Wildlife in North Carolina’s Photo Competition closes Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. Amateur and professional photographers who subscribe to the magazine may submit entries. There are two youth categories as well. The grand prize is $200 and your photo featured on the July/August 2023 cover of Wildlife in North Carolina. Competition rules are available online.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has now been detected in seven North Carolina deer across three counties: Stokes, Surry and Yadkin. These counties are located in the Surveillance Areas established this past hunting season. Although deer hunting season has concluded, samples will continue to be tested for the always-fatal neurological disease. A CWD tracker is available on the CWD webpage, as well as links to hunter- and cooperator-submitted test results.
Congrats, you’ve harvested a deer! Complete our short, online survey for a chance to win an Outdoor Edge Knife with replaceable blades.
This month, 20 wildlife law enforcement recruits from across the country began Wildlife Basic Training. As one of the top training systems in the country, the Wildlife Basic Training provides recruits with over 1,100 hours of instruction over 29 weeks, including North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), driving, boating, swimming, firearms, TASER, ASP, fish identification, waterfowl identification, constitutional law and game and fish law.
Best wishes to the Class of 2023!
Bookmark the North Carolina Regulations Digest online to quickly reference what you can hunt, fish and trap this time of year. Carefully check dates and special rules for your region.
In-season this month:
Inland Fishing
Bear
Brant
Canada Geese (resident population zone)
Common Snipe
Coots & Mergansers
Deer
Dove
Duck
Light Geese (regular season)
Other species: Bobcat, Crow, Grouse, Opossum, Pheasant (males), Quail, Rabbit, Raccoon & Squirrel
Sea Ducks
Tundra Swan (permit only)
Feb. 7, Turkey hunting webinar series #1: Biology, Regulations, Where to Hunt and Scouting, 7-8 p.m.
Feb. 8, Turkey hunting webinar series #2: Firearms, Ammo, Clothing and Equipment, 7-8 p.m.
Feb. 9, Turkey hunting webinar series #3: Techniques and Strategies, 7-8 p.m.
Ongoing classes and podcasts:
Free Public Fishing Classes for All Ages and Abilities, statewide
Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists, new episodes drop monthly. Listen & subscribe through your favorite podcast service.
In 2011, a deadly disease that infects hibernating bats was found in the North Carolina mountains. This disease, called White-nose Syndrome (WNS), was originally discovered in New York and has since spread to 38 states and eight Canadian provinces. In the years since the disease spread to North Carolina bats, the Wildlife Commission, federal and state partner agencies, NGOs, academic institutions and citizen scientists have collaborated to gather data on the state’s bat population. These efforts show population declines of over 90% for species like the little brown bat and Northern long-eared bat in areas where the disease is prevalent. In the aftermath of the population crash, bat researchers now search for hot spots with small, surviving groups of these rare species. Filmmaker Nicholas Mullins captured the efforts of North Carolina’s bat researchers on their mission to conserve the state’s most rare bat species in the wake of WNS in a 40-minute documentary.
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Season’s Greetings! Marking the momentous milestone of 75 years since the agency’s inception, the year 2022 has been a time of reflection on our conservation successes and accomplishments. While we are extremely proud of our impact and the great strides that have been made, there is still much to be done to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation.
President Theordore Roosevelt said it best, “We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.” Without your support, as a constituent, volunteer and/or partner, our work wouldn’t have nearly the impact that it does. As stewards of the natural resources of our state, we look forward to collaborating with you to continue these successes and accomplishments.
Sincerely,
Cameron Ingram
The public comment period for the 2023-2024 proposed regulation changes related to wildlife management, inland fisheries, game lands and other regulated actives is now open through Jan. 30, 2023. Comments can be submitted online, by email, by mail, and in-person at the January 2023 public hearings. Details on the proposed regulations, how to submit comments, and the public hearing schedule (in-person and virtual options) are on our website.
More than 60,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout, all 10 inches or longer, are being stocked now through Dec. 22 in 40 small impoundments across the central and western regions of the state. Anglers can harvest up to seven trout per day in the impoundments — with no bait restrictions and no minimum size limits.
RAWA is expected to be included in the federal budget bill this year. The bill would provide consistent and stable funding for over 480 North Carolina at-risk species and more than 12,000 at-risk species across the United States. Recently, a tribal coalition had successful visits with Congressional offices sharing its support for RAWA. Both Senators and 10 House members in North Carolina are co-sponsors of the two RAWA bills. An agreement is close on a funding source supported by both chambers and parties, and Wildlife Commission staff continue to keep our partners informed about the opportunities RAWA could bring to our state’s wildlife resources. The Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife recently shared a partner support letter with Congress representing over 500 organizations in support of RAWA. Visit the Alliance’s website for more information. #RecoverWildlife.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are traditionally the most active hunting days of the year. Fishing is also popular, from the mountains to the coast. Here are some great reminders about safety enjoying the outdoors with friends and family this holiday season.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has now been detected in five North Carolina deer. Testing efforts increased this hunting season after the state’s first CWD positive was reported in March. Mandatory testing remains in the Primary Surveillance Area, encompassing portions of Yadkin and Surry counties. Although testing is not required outside of that area, testing is highly encouraged so we can continue to monitor the spread of this fatal disease. Carcass transport regulations and all other special regulations remain in effect in Secondary and Primary Surveillance Areas. Here’s where we stand as of the week of Dec. 5.
Number of:
Staff dedicated to the effort = 90+
Staffed check stations (where lymph nodes are collected for testing) = 120+
Testing Drop-off Stations (where deer heads are collected for testing) = 61
Cervid Health Cooperators (who submit lymph nodes for testing when providing taxidermy and/or processing services) = 173
CWD samples submitted = 10,350
CWD tests performed = 4,238
CWD positives = 5
Learn more at ncwildlife.org/cwd
A very busy boating access area in Durham County has a new look. The Wildlife Commission recently completed the installation of a 120-foot ramp and 60-foot floating dock at the Eno River Boat Access Area. In addition, the parking lot was expanded and paved. Over 249 free boating access areas are available to the public on over 100 different water bodies across the state. Search our online interactive map to find the location best for you!
The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services State Veterinarian, Dr. Michael P. Martin, has joined the Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee (NWAC). Four other NWAC members were re-appointed to three-year terms. The NWAC is charged to make recommendations to the Wildlife Commission about the most vulnerable wildlife populations in our state.
From left to right: Wildlife Commission Chairman, Monty Crump; 2022 Quay Award winner, Jean Beasley; Wildlife Commission Executive Director, Cameron Ingram
Jean Beasley, founding director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, is the recipient of the 17th Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award. Her outstanding contributions to wildlife diversity include the rehabilitation and release of over 1,000 sea turtles, the creation of the volunteer-based Topsail Turtle Project and the implementation of conservation measures to benefit sea turtles.
This year, the Wildlife Commission rehabilitated and released 20 orphaned bear cubs back into the wild with help from our two licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Some of these cubs have tracking collars to monitor their movements and success upon release. The agency is proud of this 45+ year program.
North Carolina WILD Places: A Closer Look is a free, downloadable book about the state’s native wildlife and plant life. The book, written with educators in mind, focuses on the three geographic regions of North Carolina and highlights the three to four ecosystems within each region, including maritime ecosystems. The book and many other educational resources are available on our website.
Game and Furbearer Annual Report, 2022
This report highlights the studies, surveys and research conducted on North Carolina’s game and furbearer species to ensure long-term viability and sustained harvest of these populations and the planning and coordination of management directives based on sound science.
Hard and Soft Mast Report, 2022
An overview of annual and long-term data on the abundance of important natural foods (e.g., acorns, berries) for black bears and other wildlife. The availability of these foods influences bear movements, survivorship and reproduction. The data are also used to monitor oak regeneration and habitat management efforts on public lands.
Wild Turkey Observation Survey, 2022
A survey of individuals in all 100 counties used to help monitor the state’s turkey population, gauge hunting pressure and track population trends across the state.
Wildlife Diversity Program, Third Quarter Report, 2022
A review of projects that target nongame animals and their habitats, which also benefit game species such as deer, turkey, mountain trout and black bass.
It is with deepest sympathy that we announce the death of former Executive Director Richard Hamilton. Dick passed away late last month and had served the Wildlife Commission for 37 years, including his time as director (2004-2007). After retiring from the agency, he worked for a decade with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. A Thomas L. Quay Diversity Award recipient, Dick was a lifelong conservationist and the driving force behind a series of contributions that reflected his passion for conserving all species and their habitats. Notable accomplishments include the creation of the Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee and the N.C. Birding Trail partnership, as well as legislative changes to benefit the state’s wildlife. His legacy will live on for many generations. We offer our condolences to his family and to those grieving in the wildlife community.
Wildlife in NC magazine features articles written by the state’s leading wildlife and outdoor experts. Every issue offers readers conservation updates and tips on how to have a better day in the field and on the water. Subscriptions start at just $10. Your next adventure awaits.
Recorded Understanding our Wildlife webinar series, Habitat Management on Private Lands: Improving Habitat Where We Are Not In Charge, posted Dec. 7
2023 Turkey Hunting Webinars, 7– 8 p.m., plus time for Q&A
Registration will open in January.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 – Biology for Hunters, Regulations.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 – Firearms, Ammo, Clothing, Footwear, Equipment.
Thursday, Feb. 9 – Hunting Techniques and Strategies.
North Carolina plays a vital role in the annual cycle of the Eastern Population of tundra swans. Every fall, approximately 65,000-75,000 of these large white game birds migrate to northeastern North Carolina, more than any other state in the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways. Tundra swans arrive in November to forage winter wheat and other harvested grains, as well as aquatic vegetation in large lakes and impoundments. In February, they return to their breeding grounds across arctic Canada.
The tundra swan is a favorite among birders and a trophy for hunters. North Carolina is one of only three states in the Atlantic Flyway, along with Virginia and Delaware, that is allowed to hunt tundra swans. The total number of hunting permits allotted to each hunting state is based on the status of the overall population and the number of tundra swans that winter in each state. Currently, the Wildlife Commission issues approximately 5,000 hunting permits annually through a random drawing, more than any state, allowing each hunter to harvest one tundra swan. Given their remote breeding locations, populations are primarily monitored through aerial surveys (counts) conducted across their wintering range every January. Current data suggest their population is stable; however, proactive conservation efforts continue to ensure a bright future for this white bird.
‘Tis the season for hunting, fishing and gifting! We make it easy to shop for the wildlife enthusiast on your list with online offerings shipped right to your doorstep (or inbox).
NOTE: To ensure delivery by Christmas, we strongly encourage you to place your order no later than Nov. 21. Orders placed after that date may not arrive before Dec. 25.
Gifting a lifetime license provides your loved ones with the opportunity to enjoy fishing and hunting year after year without worrying about renewing the license or increased fees. By purchasing a lifetime license, you are investing in the North Carolina Wildlife Endowment Fund. Income from this fund is used to support conservation programs and projects throughout North Carolina. This is a gift that keeps on giving.
Great Priced Resident Lifetime Licenses for Older Adults
North Carolina residents ages 50 – 69 are now eligible for a Lifetime Sportsman or Lifetime Unified Sportsman license for half the regular adult price. Read more or buy now!
Our stunning 2023 Wildlife Calendar with a print subscription to our award-winning magazine, Wildlife in North Carolina, is back by popular demand. This $15 gift bundle includes our calendar with gorgeous artwork, plus our bi-monthly magazine chocked full of inspiring articles about hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, recipes, and so much more.
To receive the magazine and calendar combination offer, select your subscriber status and hit continue. For current customers, please sign in. For new customers, please create an account. Current subscriptions can be renewed but not upgraded through the combination offer. Offer ends Nov. 27 or while supplies last. Available with new subscriptions and renewals. Gifting options are available.
The 2023 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Weekend is scheduled for April 14 – 16 at the YMCA Camp Harrison at Herring Ridge in Boomer (Wilkes County). Women ages 18 and older who are interested in learning outdoor skills through hands-on experiences should attend. Gift certificates are available via our Wild Store. Her next adventure awaits!
Our beautiful 2023 Wildlife Calendar makes the perfect gift for staff, neighbors, teachers — everyone on your list! Individual and bulk pricing is available.
1 – 3, $9 each | 4 – 9, $8 each | 10 – 25, $7.50 each | 26 – 199, $7 each | 200+, $6 each
The pair of wood ducks featured on this year’s waterfowl stamp and print will be the last stamp and print image produced for the Wildlife Commission. Proceeds support waterfowl conservation in North Carolina, including acquiring and improving habitat. Award-winning artist: Ron Louque.
December 2022 will be your last chance to purchase the 2021 stamp and print of the blue-winged teal, while supplies last. Artist: Scot Storm, Freeport, Minnesota.
There's nothing like opening day of your favorite season. Buy or renew a hunting and fishing license now!
Fall is officially here! View the North Carolina Regulations Digest online to see what you can hunt, fish and trap this time of year. Check dates carefully for your region.
With hunting and fishing in full swing, now is a great time to consider investing in a Lifetime License. If you’re a North Carolina resident, 50 – 69 years old, your investment is now half the price for a regular adult Lifetime Sportsman or Lifetime Unified Sportsman license ($265 and $358 respectively.) Why wait?
Safety should be a top priority for anyone hunting, especially as more firearm seasons open. If you use a firearm, you are responsible for where the bullet lands. Always follow these important rules:
Blaze orange is required when hunting certain game with firearms and mandatory for deer hunters during firearm season regardless of hunting implement. (Some exceptions apply.) Non-hunters using game lands are encouraged to wear blaze orange so they can also be easily seen.
Game land property boundaries are designated by orange paint bands and signage, although some property lines can be hard to define when you’re out in the field. Game plan before your hunt so you know where game lands end and private lands start. Our interactive and printable maps are the most up-to-date and accurate resources available.
If you harvest a deer in the CWD Primary or Secondary Surveillance Areas during the following dates, you must submit a sample for CWD testing:
Voluntary testing across the state is encouraged throughout the season. There are three ways to get your deer tested:
A third deer has tested positive for CWD in North Carolina. The deer was hunter harvested during archery season in Surry County, 10 miles from the two previous infected deer. Thanks to the voluntary sample submitted, we now know more about prevalence of CWD in our state. We appreciate the cooperation of hunters, taxidermists and meat processors, and remind everyone to continue to be vigilant and mindful of carcass disposal. We don’t want to accidentally give CWD a ride to new areas of the state.
If You Harvest a Deer, We Need Your Feedback!
A new pilot program to trap and remove invasive feral swine is now available in five North Carolina counties. If you live in Anson, Davie, Haywood, Montgomery or Randolph counties, you are eligible to participate. More information on this collaborative program between the Wildlife Commission and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is available online.
Research is a key to making science-based management decisions to protect North Carolina’s wildlife resources and provide opportunities for people to enjoy and benefit from these resources. Most of the research completed in the Wildlife Commission’s formative years was focused on game species, but over its 75-year span, the agency has expanded research efforts to include many game and nongame species and their habitats.
Research continues to be a vital part of our agency. Staff endeavors span multiple agency divisions and involve many partners across the state and country. These efforts are documented annually in a research report that provides an overview of projects agency staff have been engaged in over the past year. The most recent report is now available.
If you harvest a bear, you are now required to submit at least one premolar tooth to the Wildlife Commission no later than Jan. 31, 2023. Once it’s received, you’ll get an email confirmation, and a Black Bear Cooperator ball cap and age report will be mailed to you in September 2023. If you are a bear e-stamp holder, keep an eye out for your bear tooth envelope in the mail.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV-2) is a serious disease spreading across the U.S. It was recently found in a group of feral domestic rabbits in Greenville County, South Carolina. To track the potential spread of the disease, wildlife biologists request:
The Wildlife Commission is seeking feedback from grouse and quail hunters through its Avid Grouse and Avid Quail Hunter Surveys. The surveys assist biologists in the long-term monitoring and management of grouse and quail in our state. See results from previous grouse surveys and quail surveys.
No new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infections have been documented in wild birds in North Carolina since March. However, those birds that migrated to other states and Canada during the spring and summer, where HPAI was present, are returning to North Carolina for the winter. Waterfowl hunters are urge to take health precautions as they directly interact with wild birds.
If you still hunt deer or hunt from a stand, we’d like to know about your wildlife observations. Log observations online or email us for a paper survey. Thank you in advance for providing valuable data for state wildlife management survey projects.
The second largest number of sea turtle nests laid (1,957) was documented during the 2022 nesting season, thanks to the help of a network of trained cooperators and volunteers who monitor coastal nesting beaches. Wildlife Commission biologists coordinate this valuable group of people to protect incubating eggs and evaluate success. Over 140,000 turtle hatchlings have been produced on North Carolina beaches this year. Cheers to our volunteers!
Entries for the 2022-23 Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition are now being accepted through Jan. 31, 2023 at 5 p.m. Professional and amateur photographers can participate. Entry information, photo categories, rules and past winning submissions can be found on our website. Adult competitors must be current magazine subscribers; youth (17 years old & under) may enter without a subscription.
Nymphing is the ‘can’t go wrong’ choice when it comes to any style of fly-fishing, yet there are so many ways to approach this style that many anglers need help deciphering the “language”. The Fishing and Aquatic Education Team at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center has developed a program to help YOU become a confident nymph-slinging angler. The free class will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. You’ll learn:
Facility improvements were recently completed at the Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center in Apex, and reservations are now being accepted. Book your spot by the hour up to five days in advance.
This weekend is your last chance to visit the Wildlife Commission's State Fair Exhibit in Raleigh. Shoot a pellet gun. Meet a Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer. And pick up this year's commemorative 75th Anniversary Wildlife in North Carolina State Fair Button.
Oct. 13 -23, N.C. State Fair, Wildlife Commission exhibit and pellet range, Raleigh
Nov. 1, Landowner Resource Workshop, Elizabethtown, 6 – 8 p.m. Registration required by Oct. 26. Email or call Benjy Strope, 910-874-5562.
Nov. 19 – 20, GSFF Glock Challenge, Foothills Public Shooting Complex, Cherryville, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists, new episodes drop bi-monthly. Listen & subscribe on your favorite podcast service.
Fall in the mountains most likely generates an image of glowing landscapes painted by autumn leaf colors. However, there is also an unbelievable display taking place within many of our mountain streams, where brook trout are starting to spawn. Now equipped with vibrant colors that rival the leaves above (especially, bold oranges), brook trout begin to navigate the clear, cold and oxygen-rich waters of high-altitude streams to find a mate and continue the lineage of our state’s only native trout. Brook trout prefer streams with stable water flows, silt-free gravel for spawning, and an abundance of pools and riffles with sufficient in-stream cover, such as logs and boulders. Decreasing daylight and temperature associated with autumn signify the onset of spawning, which typically occurs between September and November.
Once a suitable site is found, the female will construct a nest called a “redd” in the gravel substrate, while the male courts the female and chases away intruding males. Both fish then settle into the redd and simultaneously release eggs (the number depends on the size of the female) and sperm (milt). Fertilized eggs are covered with gravel by the female and remain in the redd until they hatch over a period of weeks based on water temperature.
Ultimately, survival of eggs at this delicate life stage is dependent upon the health of the stream. Eggs within the redd require ample amounts of oxygen, so excessive amounts of silt and sediment can interrupt water circulation and smother developing trout. In addition, abnormally high flow events can wash away the redds, eggs and even young trout after they have emerged from the redd. This fragility stresses the critical role that stream and watershed health plays in ensuring brook trout have ample habitat to spawn, grow and become the fish that generations of North Carolinians have enjoyed.
Inland Zone
Fri., Oct. 21–Sat., Oct. 22
Sat., Nov. 5–Sat., Nov. 26
Sat., Dec. 17–Tue., Jan. 31
Coastal Zone
Fri., Oct. 28–Sat., Oct. 29
Download a high-resolution version of image above.
To hunt waterfowl in North Carolina, those 16 years of age or older must have the following:
All of the above are available online, at a local Wildlife Service Agent or by calling 888-248-6834, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The expiration of the HIP certification has changed. Instead of a 365-day issuance period, certification will now expire on June 30 after each hunting season. This change will improve federal annual estimates of waterfowl hunting activity in North Carolina, improve hunter compliance and reduce confusion, as your certification will not potentially expire during the hunting season. All licensed migratory game bird hunters, including lifetime license holders, are required to have HIP certification.
Basic safety precautions could save your life when hunting from a vessel. Of the 23 people who died on the water in 2021, 16 were not wearing a life vest. The Wildlife Commission’s Home from the Hunt campaign recommends waterfowl hunters to:
Rules and regulations related to hunting, fishing, trapping and nongame species are available in 2022-23 Regulations Digest. View it online, download the guide as a PDF, or pick up a copy at your local Wildlife Service Agent’s office.
A comprehensive waterfowl identification guide is available as a .PDF through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, authored by Bob Hines.
If you see a wildlife violation in progress, call 800-622-7137 anytime.
To report wild animals that appear to be sick or diseased, call the
NC Wildlife Helpline
at 866-318-2401, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Vessel registration and titling
Buy a license
Before you head out to the hunt:
After harvesting a bear, follow these steps:
o The animal is skinned or dismembered.
o The animal is left unattended by the successful hunter.
o The animal is placed in possession of another person.
o 12 p.m. (noon) the day following day the harvest.
Bear tooth submission became mandatory during the 2021-22 bear hunting season for all hunter-harvested bears. If you harvest a bear this season, you must submit at least one premolar tooth to the Wildlife Commission no later than Jan. 31, 2023. You will receive e-mail confirmation once it’s received. As a thank you, you'll receive a North Carolina Black Bear Cooperator ball cap and an age report for your bear in September 2023. Visit the bear cooperator webpage for more information.
Stay alert!
All bear e-stamp holders should receive a bear tooth envelope in the mail!
Check the status of your submitted bear tooth, including receipt confirmation, by logging into the Big Game Harvest online portal. (Your last name and WRC customer number are required.) Status updates are posted approximately 10 days after your bear tooth is received. You can also view your previous big game harvests with bear age results and print a personalized harvest certificate for display.
Monitor harvest results in real time on our website by county, regional or statewide harvest totals and multi-years trends for bear, deer and wild turkey.
Archery
Firearm
Treestand
Preparing to use your tree stand:
Setting up your tree stand:
Using your tree stand:
Want to see how your harvest is helping shape black bear conservation in North Carolina? Read our annual report.
Check out our bear harvest reports by bear management unit, method of take, location and more.
Fall is a great time to hone your shooting skills before you head out for the first hunt of the season. In less than 10 years, the Wildlife Commission has acquired, renovated or built 13 shooting ranges in North Carolina, creating safe access to target shooting and limitless educational opportunities. Prior to these secure areas to shoot, target shooting was typically done on game lands, resulting in safety concerns and damage to natural resources.
Annual visitation to the Wildlife Commission ranges hovers around 58,000, and fees to users are free to minimal. The agency’s goal is to provide a safe shooting opportunity within a 50-mile radius of every North Carolinian. Careful evaluation goes into each selecting site, including a landscape review, sound study, environmental assessment and public information meeting.
Over the years, the design of the facilities has evolved. Sites now feature baffles, controlled access points, acoustical panels for noise reduction, shoot tubes and adjustable seats. Lead reclamation is also a priority. About 91,000 pounds of lead have been removed from our ranges —that’s an estimated 5.5 million rounds! Watch this 17-minute presentation to learn more.
New Size, Creel and Season Limits Adopted for Inland Fishing Waters:
New rules provide conservation and protection for 15 fish species when found in inland fishing waters and prohibit the sale of most of the species listed if harvested from inland fishing waters. The new limits are consistent with North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission regulations in coastal fishing waters. Read more.
Restriction of Use of Attractants for Deer Hunting in Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Areas:
An emergency amendment, applicable only to the CWD Surveillance Areas, prohibits possession and use of any excretion collected by a hunter from a harvested deer. This is in addition to CWD special regulations already established, restricting the transport of deer carcasses and carcass parts from the CWD Surveillance Areas. More information.
Archery hunting for deer opened statewide on Sept. 10. Youth Deer Hunting Day is Saturday, Sept. 24. Be prepared for the hunt with these resources:
Hunting from an elevated stand is a popular tactic used by deer hunters, however tree stand incidents accounted for 20% of reported hunting-related incidents in 2021. Wildlife hunting education staff recommend to always use a fall-arrest system and follow the manufacturer’s recommended safety procedures.
With the opening of deer season upon us, now is the time to begin brainstorming venison recipes. An easy and always-pleasing option is venison jerky. This easy-to-follow recipe is featured in the July/August edition of Wildlife in North Carolina. Subscribe for as little as $10.
Two free, family-friendly National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrations are set for Saturday, Sept. 24. Join us for a day of fun with the family at the John Lentz Hunter Education Complex or John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center.
Fall trout fishing will escalate on Oct. 1 when Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations are implemented on 36 trout waters marked with diamond-shaped black and white signs. At that time, no trout can be harvested or possessed from these waters between Oct. 1 and one half-hour after sunset on June 2, 2023. However, catch and release is encouraged, as high numbers of trout were stocked from fall to spring to increase the chances of catching a fish. Anglers can fish with artificial lures with one single hook — no natural bait may be possessed.
The Wildlife Commission and several partners have added a new tool to the bog turtle conservation toolbox. It’s called head-starting, which involves raising turtles in captivity their first year to increase their size relative to wild hatchlings, thereby increasing their chances of survival in the wild upon release. In 2021, over 50 turtle eggs were transported to Zoo Knoxville to begin the head-starting process. Zookeepers incubated the eggs until the hatchlings emerged, then reared the baby turtles for 10 months. This summer, wildlife biologists returned the turtles to their native habitats and collected 70 more eggs to continue the head-starting process. A huge effort for a very tiny turtle.
Chipmunk Sightings East of I-95
Fall is an active time for chipmunks that are gathering food to store for the winter. If you live in a county east of I-95 and observe a chipmunk or its habitat, please take a picture, note the location (GPS coordinates preferred) and contact the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401.
Field Observations from Deer Hunters Requested
If you still hunt deer, or hunt from a stand, we’d like to know about your wildlife observations. Log observations online or email us for a paper survey. Thank you in advance for providing valuable data for state wildlife management survey projects.
Thank you for providing valuable data for wildlife management purposes!
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was recognized with offical signage as the first BearWise business in North Carolina and the first BearWise brewery in the country.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Mills River is the state’s first BearWise business and the country’s first BearWise brewery, committing to secure trash and compost, limit potential attractants and serve as ambassadors to the surrounding community. Camp Merrie-Woode, a youth summer camp in Cashiers, is the state’s first recreational area to go BearWise. The camp installed bear-resistant trash enclosures around the camp, rearranged camp sites for better food storage and trained counselors and staff on bear safety.
The Wildlife Commission, in partnership with its 501c3 subsidiary, the Wildlife & Outdoor Recreation Foundation (WORF), is introducing a bold, new land trust initiative. This estate planning program directly supports the conservation of North Carolina’s wild places and the development of outdoor recreational opportunities for all North Carolinians. Preserve your family’s legacy for future generations! Contact WORF for details, 919-614-5126.
Options are available for you to inform the usage and management of the land gifted, including naming rights and recognition.
Pictured (L to R): Josh Jernigan (Shooting Range Manager), Gary Gardner (Chief, Engineering Division), Jamie Hall (Digital Marketing Manager), Bill Bennet (Senior Marketing Manager, Davidson's), Travis Casper (Chief, Education Division) and Steven Bailey (Facilities Construction Engineer).
“Safety in shooting sports has always been at the core of Davidson’s values,” stated Bill Bennet, senior marketing director for the shooting sports wholesaler. Last month, Bennet presented the Wildlife Commission with a $10,000 gift to install a new safety lighting system at the R. Wayne Bailey – Caswell Shooting Range in Yanceyville. This gift, matched with an estimated $40,830 in grant funding, will modernize the range’s safety communication system. Davidson’s generosity is a great example of purposeful partnerships yielding positive results.
Download or bookmark the 2022-23 Inland Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Regulations Digest for quick reference.
No closed seasons on inland game fishes, with exceptions
No closed seasons for nongame fishes taken from inland waters, with exceptions
Big Game
White-tailed deer (archery only)
Migratory Game Birds
Canada Goose (September season)
Doves, King & Clapper Rails, Sora & Virginia Rails, Gallinule & Moorhens
September Teal
Buy or renew a license online, at a Wildlife Service Agent office
or call 888-248-6834, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Our stunning 2023 Wildlife Calendar makes the perfect gift for staff, neighbors, teachers — everyone on your list. Order early so you don’t miss out!
1 – 3, $9 each
4 – 9, $8 each
10 – 25, $7.50 each
26 – 199, $7 each
200+, $6 each
Scattered observations of sick and dead deer have been reported across the state late this summer and are linked to a sporadic outbreak of hemorrhagic disease. While the population effects of a hemorrhagic disease outbreak are much more temporary than the long-term declines that result from CWD, hunters may find dead deer near water early this season and may notice rings in the hooves of some deer that have recovered from hemorrhagic disease.
Three public forums about CWD and new rules in the Surveillance Areas have been announced. Wildlife staff will present updates and answer questions. Each event will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the following locations and will stream on Facebook Live:
Sept. 22: Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Center, 1450 Fairchild Rd, Winston Salem
Sept. 29: Wilkes County Cooperative Extension Center, 416 Executive Dr, Wilkesboro
Oct. 4: Yadkin County Cooperative Extension Center, 2051 Agricultural Way, Yadkinville
Sept. 9 – 18, The NC Mountain State Fair, Wildlife Commission exhibit, Fletcher
Sept. 24, National Hunting & Fishing Day, John Lentz Hunter Education Complex, Ellerbe, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sept. 24, Wildlife Expo, John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center, Fayetteville, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Oct. 13 -23, The N.C. State Fair, Wildlife Commission exhibit and pellet range, Raleigh
Recorded Understanding our Wildlife webinar series, Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on 2020 Spring Turkey Hunting Across the United States, posted Aug. 22
Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists, listen & subscribe on your favorite podcast service
Catfish in North Carolina are growing in popularity among anglers. In recent years, North Carolina has seen new state records for flathead, blue and channel catfish. Catfish populations are growing, and it’s quite common to find fish over 40 pounds throughout the state. This may sound like all good news and it’s undeniable flathead, blue and channel catfish offer excellent angling opportunities. However, there is another side to this story. All these species are non-native, and flathead and blue catfish pose conservation concerns. Native fish species suffer due to competition and direct predation from these non-native catfish. Balancing catfish angling opportunity and conservation concerns is a unique challenge in North Carolina. Learn more by tuning into the next Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists podcast.
The first two positive cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in North Carolina were detected this year in Yadkin County. As a result, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has established Primary and Secondary CWD Surveillance Areas and special regulations in the northwest corner of the state. Alleghany, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties fall entirely or partially within the Surveillance Areas.
If you hunt in the Surveillance Areas, it’s crucial that you follow the special regulations designated for those areas.
Don’t Give it a Ride
Preventing accidental spread of CWD is a crucial management goal. If you harvest a deer in the Primary or Secondary Surveillance Areas, you must follow the carcass transportation regulations that prohibit the transport of deer carcasses and carcass parts out of the Surveillance Areas.
Enlarge image
Since deer in the early stages of CWD appear healthy, it is imperative to take precautions when disposing of all deer carcasses. Responsible disposal methods include:
Get Your Deer Tested
CWD testing is available to all hunters throughout deer season. While mandatory testing is in effect in Surveillance Areas during blackpowder season and parts of gun season, voluntary testing of deer during other days of season is encouraged. Visit the agency’s CWD testing webpage to find a drop-off station or check station location near you.
Join us for in-person KNOW CWD Forums
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 22: Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Center, 1450 Fairchild Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27105
Thursday, Sept. 29: Wilkes County Cooperative Extension Center, 416 Executive Dr, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Tuesday, Oct. 4: Yadkin County Cooperative Extension Center, 2051 Agricultural Way, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Submit your questions for consideration. (Portal closes Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.) Questions will also be accepted at the forums.
Forums will stream via Facebook Live and be recorded and posted to the CWD webpage if you are unable to attend.
KNOW CWD Resources:
ncwildlife.org/CWD
Interactive map of drop-off station & check station locations
View your deer’s test results
CWD Response Plan
There’s nothing like opening day of deer season. Make sure you’re prepared.
Northeastern and Southeastern Seasons
Archery: Sept. 10 – Sept. 30
Blackpowder: Oct. 1 – Oct. 14
Gun: Oct. 15 – Jan. 2
Central Season
Archery: Sept. 10 – Oct. 28
Blackpowder: Oct. 29 – Nov. 11
Gun: Nov. 12 – Jan. 2
Northwestern Season
Archery: Sept. 10 – Nov. 4
Blackpowder: Nov. 5 – Nov. 18
Gun: Nov. 19 – Jan. 2
Western Season
Archery: Sept. 10 – Oct. 2, Oct. 16 – Nov. 20, Dec. 11 – Jan. 2 (antlered only)
Blackpowder: Oct. 3 – Oct. 15
Gun: Nov. 21 – Dec. 10
Youth Day Sept. 24 (National Hunting and Fishing Day!)
Youth under the age of 18 may use any legal weapon to hunt deer of either sex.
Urban Archery Jan. 14 – Feb. 19, 2023
Over 2 million acres of game lands are available to the public for hunting. Search our interactive Game Land Maps by county, address, or filter by species or facilities. Hunting on private lands is permitted with written permission signed by the landowner or lessee.
Printable maps are available too:
Mountain Region
Piedmont Region
Coastal Region
On March 31, 2022 officials with the Wildlife Commission announced the first detection of CWD in a hunter-harvested buck from Yadkin County. On Aug. 18, a second positive deer was detected in the same area from ongoing testing on deer taken under depredation permits.
In response to the initial positive detection in the northwestern corner of the state, surveillance areas were designated, and new regulations established to address the disease. Eight counties fall partially or entirely within the Primary and Secondary CWD Surveillance Areas, marked by yellow and red outlines on this interactive map.
CWD testing is available across the state at sample drop-off stations and at Cervid Health Cooperators, which are both indicated on the interactive map.
Inside the Surveillance Areas
In both Surveillance Areas:
Outside the Surveillance Zones
Extensive testing will continue across the state. What to expect:
CWD is highly transmissible. It spreads via infected saliva, urine and feces of live deer, or the movement of deer carcasses and carcass parts. Since deer that are infected may appear healthy, it is imperative to take precautions when transporting or disposing of deer carcasses.
Responsible disposal methods:
CWD
Deer Processing Video Series
Disabled sportsmen and women have more opportunities than ever to hunt on game lands and hone their skills for hunting season at a shooting range. Hunting blinds, hunt certifications, permit hunts, Huntmaster Units and track chairs are available for hunters with limited physical mobility.
On Sept. 24, the Wildlife Commission will host two events in celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day. Join us for a day of fun with the family either at the John Lentz Hunter Education Complex or the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center doing all things related to outdoor recreation and conservation. Admission is FREE!
To report deer that appear to be sick or diseased, call 866-318-2401.
If you see a wildlife violation in progress, call 800-622-7137.
Last month, Captain Jeremy Harrill, a 19-year veteran wildlife law enforcement officer, presented an awe-inspiring history of the agency’s law enforcement division. In a span of 75 years, law enforcement has been critical in assisting each division achieve successes by enforcing the regulations set by the Wildlife Commission to conserve our state’s natural resources.
In 1947, 104 wildlife protectors were hired; by 1948 a game warden was present in all 100 counties. Today, we have 210 officers across the state.
In 1950, the first class of the Wildlife Protection School graduated from formal training. Last month, 15 officers graduated from the 58th basic school and are now immersed in six months of on-the-job training before taking their final posts. With over 700 recruit applications received for the 59th basic school in 2023, the future of wildlife law enforcement is bright.
New regulations related to hunting, fishing, trapping and nongame species in North Carolina were released on Aug. 1. Hard copies of the 2022-23 Regulations Digest are now available at your local Wildlife Service Agent’s office, or you can view it online and download it as a PDF.
The 2022-23 dove hunting season will be separated into three segments:
Sept. 3 - Oct. 1
Nov. 5 - Nov. 26
Dec. 10 - Jan. 31
It is illegal to take migratory game birds with the use or aid of salt, grain, fruit or any other bait. An area is considered baited for 10 days following the removal of all salt, grain or other feed. Migratory game birds may be hunted in agricultural areas where grain has been distributed as the result of normal agricultural operations. Information regarding agriculture and planting techniques may be obtained from a local N.C. Cooperative Extension Center.
Whether you’re gearing up for hunting season or making plans to hit the water, make safety your priority while recreating. A variety of safety courses are available to ensure everyone has an enjoyable time outdoors.
On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive.
Wildlife law enforcement officers will conduct increased safety checks at recreational areas statewide over Labor Day weekend starting Sept. 2. Please designate a sober boat operator and ensure everyone has a life jacket!
All regions will open to archery deer hunting season on Sept. 10. Legal weapons include bows and arrows, crossbows and slingbows. The season and possession bag limit is six deer, two of which may be antlered, and four of which may be antlerless. There is no daily bag limit. Make sure you have your Big Game Harvest Report Card ready!
The first deer to test positive for CWD in North Carolina was harvested in Yadkin County last season. The positive detection set in motion new regulations in established surveillance areas in the northwestern region of the state. Eight counties fall within the Primary and Secondary CWD Surveillance Areas. See map.
Please note that in both Surveillance Areas (SA):
The Old Highway 601 Public Fishing Area near Dobson is the newest access site along a network of access points on the Fisher River thanks to a herculean effort from a broad coalition of partners —Surry County, the Wildlife Commission, Duke Energy, the N.C. Department of Transportation and others. In 2020, the site was days from opening when flood waters washed away the parking lot and undermined the concrete stairs. The site is fully restored with a paddle boat launch and wade fishing opportunities. (Try for smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish!) Nine standard parking spaces and one ADA-compliant parking space are available.
Reports of bears with containers stuck on their heads and around their necks and limbs have recently increased. Bears are motivated by food and food smells, like the bottom of an empty cheese ball barrel. This curiosity can get them in big trouble, causing harm and potentially ending in death. If you live or visit areas where bears reside, always secure your trash and recycling to keep bears out. Please follow the BearWise Basics at home and outdoors.
The 40th and final edition of the waterfowl print and stamp is now available while supplies lasts. The artwork features a pair of wood ducks painted by artist Ron Louque. Since 1974, Louque has received national recognition and many awards for his art. He is most revered for his record of 31 State Conservation Stamp Contest wins, and crowning achievement of winning the 2002 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest for the 2003 Federal Duck Stamp. Although it was a difficult decision, the Wildlife Commission joins many other states as they retire their waterfowl stamp programs. The print is $135 plus tax, and the stamp is $13 plus tax.
North Carolina once had two species of large woodpeckers, but now there is only one. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it was finalizing a proposal to remove the extinct ivory-billed woodpecker from the endangered species list. The ivory-billed was a magnificent, crow-sized bird that inhabited the forests of southeastern North Carolina. Unfortunately, this bird has not been seen in the state since the 1940s. However, it has a look-a-like that is still very common in our region — the pileated woodpecker. The pileated woodpecker is present in all 100 counties and just as large and magnificent as the ivory-billed.
Canada Goose – (September season) - Thursday, Sept. 1
Doves - Saturday, Sept. 3
King & Clapper Rails, Sora & Virginia Rails, Gallinule & Moorhens - Saturday, Sept. 3
September Teal - Tuesday, Sept. 13
White-tailed deer (archery) - Saturday, Sept. 10
Save the date for the Wildlife Commission’s National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrations on Saturday, Sept. 24. A full day of family-friendly activities are planned at both the newly renovated John Lentz Hunter Education Complex (Ellerbe) and the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center (Fayetteville). More details will be shared as the date nears. Stay tuned!
The Family Fishing Workshop at the Pechmann Fishing Education Center teaches families with children the basic skills needed to go fishing, from casting to catching and cleaning your fish. Whether you’re a first-timer or expert angler, the workshop immerses everyone in a hands-on learning experience that will create life-long memories. Register now for the next workshop on Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 a.m. – noon.
Aug. 9, Introduction to Deer Hunting, webinar, 7 – 8 p.m.
Aug. 11, Practical Deer Processing: From Field to Freezer, webinar, 7 – 8 p.m.
Free Public Fishing Classes for All Ages and Abilities, Statewide
(Left) Wildlife Conservation Technician Clifton Avery works up a golden-winged warbler; (right) A tagged golden-winged warbler before being released
This spring, wildlife diversity staff captured and color-banded 22 golden-winged warblers in the Cheoah Mountains (Graham County) for a study led by the University of Maine to better understand annual survival of this rapidly declining migratory bird.
Between summer jaunts to western North Carolina to nest in brushy field habitat or patches of recently logged forest, golden-winged warblers make a 2,000-mile trip to their wintering grounds in the Andes Mountains of northern South America. Quality habitat is needed at each leg of the journey.
Wildlife Commission staff deployed 12 birds with nanotags, a type of coded radio transmitters that are detectable on the Motus Wildlife Tracking Network. Hopefully the tagged birds are picked up on Motus receiver stations during migration and at their overwintering sites in Colombia and Venezuela. Staff will search for both tagged and color-banded golden-wings next year when the birds return to nest in the Cheoah Mountains. The data collected will help to determine whether to federally list the species. It’s already a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in North Carolina. This 5-minute video by SELVA, a partner organization, provides a peak into their journey. Enable English subtitles under settings.
The 2022-23 dove season (includes mourning and white-winged doves) opens on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Dove Season Dates
Dove season will be separated into three segments:
Make sure you're prepared!
* Wildlife Service Agents may apply a $2 processing fee.
Dove Bag Limits and Regulations
It is illegal to take migratory game birds with the use or aid of salt, grain, fruit or any other bait. An area is considered baited for 10 days following the removal of all salt, grain or other feed. Migratory game birds may be hunted in agricultural areas where grain has been distributed as the result of normal agricultural operations. Information regarding agriculture and planting techniques may be obtained from a local N.C. Cooperative Extension Center.
New this year, HIP certification is available July 1 – April 1 and will expire June 30 annually. Migratory game bird hunters, including lifetime license holders, are required to register in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP). HIP is a survey method developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to collect more reliable estimates of migratory game bird harvests throughout the country.
To locate dove fields on game lands, you can search the Wildlife Commission’s interactive Game Land Maps by county and address, and filter them by species or facilities. Printable maps are also available.
Game Land PDF Maps:
Thursday, Sept. 1
Saturday, Sept. 3
Tuesday, Sept. 13
To report wild animals that appear to be sick or diseased, call the NC Wildlife Helpline
From the agency’s inception, Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers knew they had an advantage enforcing hunting, boating, trapping and fishing regulations with a bird’s eye view. Aircraft technology has greatly advanced since the first agency pilots took to the sky, and the Wildlife Commission continues to invest in tools to ensure officers can cover a large area in a short amount of time. Officers in the air use radio equipment, night vision and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology to guide officers on the ground in their enforcement and rescue efforts.
The agency employs two pilots who fly Cessna 206H and a Maule MX-7-180. Not only do these officers assist in enforcing regulations and search and rescue efforts, but they also assist in assessing storm damage to game lands, conducting wildlife species counts and educational events.
Applications for permit hunting opportunities are now available. These hunts provide unique opportunities for special areas and species. Apply online or in-person at a Wildlife Service Agent. Application deadlines vary starting in August.
The 2022-23 Regulations Digest will be released in a few short weeks. In the meantime, we’ve posted the most popular season dates on our website.
Deer Bear Turkey Other Species
The Wildlife Commission is seeking the public’s assistance in reporting observations of wild turkey now through Aug. 31. The information from this survey provides insight into turkey reproductive success and population trends. Survey results from previous years can be found on the turkey webpage.
The annual Bear e-Stamp Holder Survey will conclude Aug. 15. If you are a hunter, please complete the survey, even if you did not hunt bear in 2021. The information you provide will help guide management decisions for black bears and bear hunters and will be used to evaluate current and future regulations and statutes.
The winning image of the 2021-22 Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition is of two male hooded mergansers vying for the attention of a nearby female. The photograph was taken at Lake Betz in Morrisville by Jian Zheng of Cary. Out of 1,800 entries, Zheng took home the grand prize: $200 and the cover of the July/August magazine.
An accessible and ADA-compliant kayak launch is complete at the Sutton Lake Boating Access Area in New Hanover County. This popular site now has a concrete accessible walkway, concrete abutment, floating dock and a vendor-supplied canoe/kayak launch. A 12-foot wide floating dock was specially constructed to allow for additional space for maneuverability and safety. A vendor-supplied launch and transfer bench were attached to the floating dock to allow for easier transfers for individuals with disabilities. Two additional accessible parking spots were added to the site, increasing the total number to four.
Elsa Vue, from Connelly Springs (l ) and Carson Gates, from Kinston, (r) smile big after reeling in some nice catches during National Fishing and Boating Week.
Children across the state dropped their lines in the water at over 20 National Fishing & Boating Week events with the hopes of catching a big one — and big prizes! Congratulations to Elsa Vue, an 8-year-old from Connelly Springs, winner of a Lifetime Unified Sportsman License donated by Neuse Sport Shop; and kudos to Carson Gates, a 9-year-old from Kinston, who won a Lifetime Comprehensive Inland License donated by Trout Unlimited. Hopefully we’ve hooked a new generation of anglers!
Although a fishing license is NOT required for youth 15 & under, anglers who do need a license are encouraged to save time by purchasing fishing licenses online.
Each year, well-intentioned people “rescue” healthy young wildlife they mistake as orphaned or abandoned. If you find an animal that you feel needs help, leave it where you found it and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator first. It is illegal in North Carolina to keep most wildlife species without a permit, and expert care (or often no care!) greatly increases a critter’s chance of survival. You can also contact the NC Wildlife Helpline, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-318-2401 for advice.
ForestHer NC is an organization that engages women in woodland stewardship. The first two presentations of its 2022 webinar series, ‘Conservation in NC’, are available on YouTube: ‘Conversation on Conservation’ and ‘How your Land Matters in Conservation’. Two more webinars in the series will be held later this year: ‘Conservation in Practice’ (Sept. 8), and ‘Taking Action: Where to Start’ (Dec. 8).
Two free hunting-related webinars will be offered in August that will be especially beneficial for individuals who are new to hunting and lack the social support for hunting: ‘Introduction to Deer Hunting’ on Aug. 9, and ‘Practical Deer Processing: From Field to Freezer’ on Aug. 11. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and new regulations will be addressed, but not the main focus. To learn more about CWD, watch this 4-minute video, and visit ncwildlife.org/CWD.
July 19, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary Bird Walk, Corolla, 8 – 10 a.m.
Aug. 27, Introduction to Falconry Workshop, Raleigh, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Recorded Understanding our Wild Life webinar series, Public Policy in Conservation & Wildlife Management (Because Animals Don’t Listen), posted June 24