The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking your opinion on migratory bird hunting on Sunday. Currently Sunday hunting for migratory birds, including waterfowl, is prohibited. The Commission urges you to attend a public meeting, see listing below, and share your opinion.

The Commission has hired an independent, non-biased research firm, Responsive Management, to conduct a statewide study on attitudes toward hunting migratory birds on Sunday and develop a report outlining its social and economic impacts. The North Carolina General Assembly requires that the Commission complete a research study on the biological, economic, and social impacts of hunting birds on Sunday to the General Assembly no later than March 1, 2018.

Participate in the study by attending one of the four scheduled public meetings. Each meeting will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the following locations: 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12
GRAHAM, NC
Alamance Community College, 1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd, Graham, NC 27253
Entrance 1 from Jimmie Kerr Rd. Use parking lot H. Building B Classroom 204 (2nd Floor).

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
JACKSONVILLE, NC
Jacksonville Conference Center, 800 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
HICKORY, NC
Hickory Metro Convention Center, 1960 13th Av. Drive SE, Hickory, NC 28602

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14
COLUMBIA, NC
Tyrrell County Center/NC Cooperative Extension Building, 407 Martha Street, Columbia, NC 27925

If you would like to participate in the study and are unable to attend a meeting, please participate in the virtual town hall. 

Photo credit - USFWS

Read Summary: A Study of the Social and Economic Impacts of Hunting Migratory Birds on Sunday

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.