Wildlife Commission Sets Regulations for 2018-19 Seasons

The Wildlife Commission voted today to adopt rules related to wildlife, fisheries, and game lands management for the 2018-19 seasons. The effective date for these changes is Aug. 1, 2018. Read adopted rules and view 2018-2019 season dates.

Wildlife Commissioners Sign Resolution on Sunday Hunting of Migratory Birds

The N.C. General Assembly, through Session Law 2017-182, granted the Wildlife Resources Commission authority to promulgate rules legalizing hunting on Sunday for wild animals (including migratory birds) and upland game birds. In addition, the law also directed the Commission to “complete a study that includes, but is not limited to, examining biological and resource management impacts, economic impacts, and social impacts associated with hunting migratory birds on Sunday.” To complete this study, the Commission cotracted with Responsive Management to determine the economic and social impacts while Commission biologists evaluated the biological and resource management impacts. The results of the study were presented to the Commission on Feb. 27. After reviewing the study, the Wildlife Commissioners adopted a resolution, which directs agency staff to examine in greater detail the social, economic and biological impacts of Sunday hunting on migratory birds before taking any additional actions. Read the full resolution here.

Wildlife Commission Approves Coyote Management Plan

The Wildlife Commissioners approved the Coyote Management Plan at their board meeting in Raleigh today. The 200-page plan provides biological information on coyotes in North Carolina, identifies concerns about coyotes, outlines the challenges of coyote control and provides strategies to minimize impacts of coyotes. The plan also outlines statutory changes that will improve coyote management, identifies known knowledge gaps and research needs and recommends new biological and social strategies to address coyote management issues. Download the Coyote Management Plan (PDF)

Alligator Season
At their February 2018 meeting, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) adopted a rule to allow limited take of American alligators (H6) as prescribed by the North Carolina Alligator Management Plan (Plan). In accordance with the Plan, hunting for American alligators will initially be limited to population reduction hunts at the request of cities, towns, and villages within Alligator Management Unit 1 (Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Hyde, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pender counties). A municipality requesting a population reduction hunt will work with Commission staff to assess alligator numbers, define areas of public safety concern, and identify those areas where alligator take could be safely conducted by hunters.

The Commission does not plan to issue permits to take American alligators, outside of municipality requested population reduction hunts, until further research is conducted to determine the conditions under which alligator populations would be sustained while allowing limited harvest.

In addition to publication on NCWRC’s website, any opportunities that become available for hunters to apply for alligator hunting permits will be announced through NCWRC news releases and Wildlife Update emails.