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 - 2020-21 Download PDF
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

 

Careers in Wildlife Enforcement - Learn about what it takes to become a Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer, including training, certification, duties, compensation and benefits. Download booklet
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

Trapping Publications

 

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.

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