RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 9, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved proposed changes to the state’s hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.

Following a process of reviewing public comments received online, by letter and at nine public hearings across the state, the Commission voted on the proposed regulation changes at its Nov. 4 meeting.

The proposals presented at the public hearings were adopted by the Commission with a few minor changes, which included:

• Clarifying language in rules that define various types of traps and trapping equipment.
• In response to public comment, changing the times and adding limited months into a rule that will create a class of roads on game lands that are open only from 5 am to 10 pm during the months of June, July and August. These roads shall be posted with the opening and closing times.
• Approving an adjustment to the downstream boundary of the Delayed Harvest portion of the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County as a result of considerable public opposition to the originally proposed boundary at the US 23-441 bridge.  The new boundary is proposed to be the falls located approximately 275 yards upstream of the US 23-441 bridge and just upstream of site of the demolished Dillsboro dam.  The boundary will be conspicuously marked by a sign on each bank.

The Commission also approved an increase in the minimum size limit for spotted sea trout in inland fishing waters from 12 inches to 14 inches; the daily creel limit remains 10 fish per day.  In addition, a 12-inch minimum size limit and a one fish daily creel limit were established for gray trout in inland fishing waters.

Other hunting, fishing and trapping proposals were adopted as presented at the public hearings in September.

For the full text of the original proposals download the 2010-11 Public Hearings booklet. For more information on the rulemaking process, download “From Proposal to Regulation.”