Publications

On this page are publications produced by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, separated by topic. Publications include books, pamphlets, fliers, fact sheets, magazines and more. Unless otherwise noted, publications are free and available for download on this page.

Agency Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain

	Understanding Our Wildlife: Collaborative Research in the Wildlife Resources Commission - 2021-22	Download PDF (~7 MB) Download PDF (~52 MBs)
	Understanding Our Wildlife: Collaborative Research in the Wildlife Resources Commission - 2020-21	Download PDF (~7 MB)
	2015 N.C. Wildlife Action Plan - is a comprehensive management tool to help conserve and enhance the state’s full array of fish and wildlife species and their habitats.	Download PDF Visit NC Wildlife Action Plan webpage

	Game & Fish Recipes - A collection of favorite recipes from employees, friends and family of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.	Download booklet
	NCWRC Geocaching Policy - A guideline to geocaching on agency game lands. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices.	Download booklet

Law Enforcement Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain
	Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact - a multi-state agreement that recognizes suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses in all Compact member states..	Download manual Visit Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact webpage
	Dove Hunting in North Carolina - a summary of regulations pertaining to dove hunting in North Carolina, including an overview of baiting.	Download pamphlet
	Hunting Incident Information for 2019-20 - a summary of hunting incidents reported to the NCWRC, including fatal and non-fatal incidents.	Download handout

Fishing Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain
	Age & Growth in Fishes - This pamphlet describes fish longevity and growth and how habitat can affect growth rate	Download pamphlet
	Snakehead and Bowfin Identification - Learn the difference between the native bowfin and the non-native, invasive snakehead.	Download handout
	Catfishes of North Carolina - Learn the identifying characteristics of North Carolina's catfishes in this one-page flier.	Download handout
	Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Western North Carolina - this pamphlet summarizes smallmouth bass distribution in several western North Carolina waters.	Download pamphlet
	Herring and Shad Identification - this flier reviews identifying characteristics of herring and shad species found in North Carolina	Download handout
	Pond Management Guide of North Carolina - This 44-page booklet contains information on how to stock and manage recreational ponds properly.	Download booklet
	Trout Fishing in North Carolina - this pamphlet describes trout fishing partnership opportunities for western NC communities	Download
	Sport Fish Restoration in North Carolina - Learn more about the Sport Fish Restoration Project and its accomplishments in this report.	Download
	N.C. Sport Fish Identification Pocket Guide - contains information on various freshwater sport fish species in NC waters.	Write: NC Wildlife Resources Commission 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1721
	Keeping Bass Alive - this guidebook, by B.A.S.S., provides information for tournament anglers and organizers on how to keep largemouth bass alive.	Download
	Ready Set Go Fishing - Coloring and activity book for children..	Write: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1721

Hunting Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain
	County Fox Harvest Seasons Legislated by the North Carolina General Assembly - general listing of current statutes pertaining to allowing the harvest of foxes by the NCGA. It includes all known “local laws” as well as a listing of those counties that fall under the fox firearms season set by G.S. 113-291-4A. “Local laws” which prohibit an activity or harvest are listed in the Regulations Digest.	Download
	Hunting with Dogs: Hunter Responsibility and Ethics - this handout provides information on how to hunt ethically and responsibly with dogs.	Download
	Fox and Coyote Population Study, 2012 - a report on regulating take of foxes and coyotes, including the Commission’s limited authority for regulating take of foxes, and the resulting significant variation in fox hunting and trapping seasons.	Download
	Tarheel Wildlife - A Guide for Managing Wildlife on Private Lands In North Carolina.	Download
	Upland Gazette - Stay up-to-date with North Carolina small game issues and wildlife habitat information in the Upland Gazette newsletter.	More Information
	Wildlife Restoration in North Carolina - Learn more about the Wildlife Restoration Program in North Carolina and its accomplishments in this report.	Download

Boating Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain
	North Carolina Coastal Boating Guide - A map of the state’s coastline, along with information about boating safety, museums and parks, boating access areas, marinas, boatyards, recreation, licenses and fishing piers.	Download the 2012 large version of the Coastal Boating Guide. Download a multiple-page version of the map as it appears in the latest Spring Fishing & Boating Guide. View interactive Boating Access Area Locator!
	Vessel Operator's Guide - A convenient reference to the requirements of North Carolina boating laws and regulations.	Download the guide Download the guide-Spanish version
	Boating Accidents & Fatality Reports - These annual reports contain statistics extracted from boating accident reports submitted to the NCWRC, and boating-related information for the respective calendar year.	2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Addendum to 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Nongame Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain
	N.C. Wildlife Action Plan - is a comprehensive management tool to help conserve and enhance the state’s full array of fish and wildlife species and their habitats.	Download plan (PDF) Visit NC Wildlife Action Plan webpage
	Species Conservation Plans - plans for animals listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern include analysis of the factors that have been identified as causing the decline of the species and the measures that can be taken to restore the species.	Visit the Species Conservation Plans webpage
	Protected Wildlife Species of North Carolina - This 10-page document provide information on the wildlife species in North Carolina that are listed as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern.	Download
	Bird Houses & Feeders - This publication contains beautifully illustrated instructions for designing and constructing bird houses and feeders. Also covers improvements you can make to nesting habitats..	Download booklet
	Inviting Reptiles & Amphibians to Your Backyard - This one-page publication provides some easy-to-do suggestions to improve the quality of your yard for amphibians and reptiles.	Download the handout
	Urban Wildlife Program - an overview of the Urban Wildlife Program, which was created to promote open space conservation in the Triangle Region (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) through land use planning and land protection.	Download handout
	Birds of Green River Game Land - a checklist of bird species found on the Green River Game Land in Henderson and Polk counties.	Download the checklist
	Birds of Sandy Mush Game Land - a checklist of bird species found on the Sandy Mush Game Land in Buncombe and Madison counties.	Download checklist
	Birds of Pond Mountain Game Land - a checklist of bird species found on the Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County.	Download checklist
	Rattlesnake Sightings Wanted - this one-page handout provides information on the three rattlesnake species native to North Carolina and how to submit your sightings to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission	Download the handout

Habitat Management Publications

Publication Name	Description	How to Obtain
	Fertilizing Wildlife Food Plots - This publication, from the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, gives recommended procedures for wildlife food plots.	Download PDF
	Conservation Recommendations for Priority Terrestrial Wildlife Species & Habitats in NC - This publication is for land use planners, natural resources professionals and land managers and provides recommendations to inform conservation, land use, and land management decisions.	Download
	The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agricultural production. Enrollment options include permanent easements, 30-year easements, and restoration cost-share agreements.	Download the handout
	The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants in addressing resource concerns on eligible agricultural and forested land.	Download the handout
	The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for private and Tribal land to develop or improve high quality habitat that supports fish and wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Land eligible for WHIP includes private agricultural lands (e.g., cropland, grassland, pasture), nonindustrial private forestland, and native American land.	Download the handout
	Upland Gazette - Stay up-to-date with North Carolina small game issues and wildlife habitat information in the Upland Gazette newsletter.	More Information
	The Bird Matrix -Development of a Model for Assessing Forest Structural Needs to Maximize Bird Species Evenness and Vegetative Structural Diversity.	Download the document
	Using Fire to Improve Wildlife Habitat -This webpage explains the importance of fire-maintained habitats and provides recommendations for how to manage these habitats. Information includes when to burn, how to burn, and considerations.	Visit the webpage
	Understanding the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife in North Carolina -This 218-page report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of climate change science relevant to the state of North Carolina, the potential vulnerability of wildlife and their habitats, and the options for response through conservation planning, adaptive management, strategies, and actions..	Download the document

Other Publications

Fishing Summary Fact Sheets - Past and ongoing research studies and summaries of monitoring surveys on sport fish and other species.

Fisheries Research Reports - Reports and summaries of monitoring and research studies on sport fish and other species.

Game Harvest Reports - For black bear, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, wild boar.

Game and Furbearer Reports - Surveys, research and regulations for game and furbearer species.

Trapping Surveys and Reports - Information on trapping harvest statistics, as well as the N.C. Furbearer Management newsletters.

Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Reports - Overview of projects benefiting nongame and endangered wildlife species.

Wildlife Species Profiles - Two-page handouts on common fish and wildlife species in North Carolina

Co-Existing with Wildlife - Two-page handouts on preventing conflicts with common wildlife species in North Carolina

Learning > Publications