BREVARD, N.C. (Oct. 25, 2016) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is offering 10 workshops in November. 

The workshops are free. All are open on first-come, first-serve basis and registration is required by registering online at www.ncwildlife.org/pisgah.

Nov. 1 and 2 – Hunter Education Course from 6 to 9 p.m. No minimum age. This two-day course will cover hunter responsibility and firearms and is accepted in every state in the United States. Attendees must be present both days to earn certification.

Nov. 5 – Backyard Bird Photography from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to participants 14 and older. Participants will delve into camera settings, equipment and techniques for capturing bird images, as well as learn how to identify and attract birds. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring a camera, questions and extra batteries for a morning of clicking and learning.

Nov. 5 – Introduction to Tenkara from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to participants 14 and older. Join guest presenter Jason Sparks of Appalachian Tenkara as he introduces the newly popular form of traditional Japanese fly-fishing, tenkara. Topics covered will include a history of angling style, equipment orientation, a unique perspective on Japanese flies (kebari), and tenkara methods to use in local waters. A hands-on learning session will follow the classroom instruction. Participants should bring a lunch. Limited to 15 participants.

Nov. 7 and Nov. 17 – Nature Nuts: Tracking from 9 to 11 a.m. Open to ages 4-7. Who made those tracks? What is scat? What bird left that feather? Participants will learn the answers to these and more questions as they explore the exciting world of animal tracking.

Nov. 7 and Nov. 17 – Eco Explorers: Turkey from 1 to 3 p.m. Open to ages 8-13. Join Pisgah Center staff for an exciting afternoon of learning about wild turkeys. Participants will construct their own turkey call to take home.

Nov. 10 – On the Water: Tuckasegee River from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to participants 12 and older. Participants can practice their fly-fishing skills on the Tuckasegee River under the supervision of experienced fly-fishing instructors. Participants will learn about delayed-harvest trout regulations, wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and stream entomology. Equipment and materials will be provided. Call the Pisgah Center at 828-877-4423 for directions.

Nov. 18 – Leader Building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to ages 12 and older. One often overlooked aspect of fly-fishing is the leader. In this workshop, participants will learn why different leaders make fly-fishing more effective. They will construct furled leaders and hand-tied leaders. Materials will be provided. Participants should bring a bag lunch.

Nov. 19 – Outdoor Cooking from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to ages 12 and older. Whether in a camp setting or at home, participants will learn how to prepare a tasty meal over an open wood fire or charcoal briquettes. They also will learn other novelty methods of cooking in an outdoor setting. Participants prepare and eat the food prepared in this class. They should bring a lawn chair. This workshop is open to first-time participants only.

Sign up online (www.ncwildlife.org/pisgah) for any program listed above. In addition to the public programs listed above, the Commission offers group programs for 10 or more people who call to schedule a program. Groups can schedule the date, time and topic of the program. For more information on group programs or the public programs listed above, call 828-877-4423.

The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located near Brevard, just south of Asheville, by the Davidson River in Transylvania County. The center features nature trails and five large aquariums representing aquatic mountain habitats. The center is adjacent to the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery, where trout are raised in 54 raceways. The center is open Monday through Saturday from April through November and Monday through Friday from December through March. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

For more information on the Wildlife Commission’s four wildlife education centers and other activities and events, visit www.ncwildlife.org/learning.