BREVARD, N.C. (Oct. 26, 2017) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is offering free outdoor-related workshops for people of all ages and skill levels throughout the month of November. Online registration is required for the workshops, which are open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nov. 3 - Introduction to Fly Fishing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Join our experienced instructors for a day of fun as you learn the basics of fly-fishing. Topics include appropriate equipment, knots, casting techniques and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials provided. Attendees should bring a lunch and non-slip shoes or waders.

Nov. 6 and Nov. 16 – Nature Nuts: Foxes from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Open to ages four through seven. Is it a cat or a dog? Can they climb trees? Is there more than one species of fox living in N.C.? Learn the answer to these questions and more as we spend the morning learning all about foxes.

Nov. 6 and Nov. 16 – Eco Explorers: GPS for Wildlife from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Open to ages eight through 13. Whether you are on a hunt, out fishing or exploring the forest, you need to know how to navigate your way in the world. Come join Pisgah Center staff as we learn the fundamentals of using a hand-held GPS unit while learning about wildlife.

Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 - Hunter Education Course from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Everyone must successfully complete a hunter education course before hunting in N.C. This all-ages course, which covers hunter responsibility and firearms, is accepted in every state in the U.S. This course is offered over a two-day period and attendees must be present both days.

Nov. 9 - On the Water: Tuckasegee River from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Practice your fly fishing skills on the Tuckasegee River under the supervision of our instructors. Learn about Delayed Harvest regulations, wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and stream entomology during a fun, relaxing morning of fishing. Equipment and materials are provided.

Nov. 15 - On the Water: North Fork Mills River from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Practice your fly fishing skills on the North Fork Mills River under the supervision of our  instructors. Learn about Delayed Harvest regulations, wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and stream entomology during a fun, relaxing morning of fishing. Equipment and materials are provided.

Nov. 17 – Leader Building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. One often overlooked aspect of fly fishing is the leader. In this workshop, you’ll learn why different leaders make your fly fishing more effective. You’ll also be able to try your hand at constructing your own furled and hand-tied leaders for fly fishing. 

Nov. 18 – Outdoor Cooking from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Whether in a camp setting or at home, you can learn how to prepare a tasty meal over an open wood fire or charcoal briquettes. Participants help prepare and eat the food created in this class.

In addition to the open-enrollment programs listed above, the Commission offers group programs. Groups of 10 or more can schedule the date, time and topic of the program by calling 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 open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday from December through March, and Monday through Saturday from April through November.

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