RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 11, 2017) – On Sept. 23, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host or support six family-friendly outdoor skills events to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. The events, most of which are free, offer activities and exhibits that highlight the state’s rich hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation heritage.

Activities and exhibits vary for each event; however, all provide opportunities for participants to improve their outdoor skills and increase their knowledge of wildlife in North Carolina. Event locations and times are:

John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center  in Fayetteville. The Wildlife Expo, which is free, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A few activities include: air rifle shooting, fishing, kayaking, a live animal display, fishing lure making and more. Participants can pre-register online or show up the day of event. For more information, contact Thomas Carpenter, center director, at 910-868-5003.

• Durham County Wildlife Club in Morrisville. This free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A few activities include: air rifle shooting, archery, boating safety, fishing, game recovery, tree stand safety, turkey calls/hunting tips and hunting dogs. No pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Kris Smith at 919-707-0206.
• Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest, near Brevard. This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hands-on, interactive exhibits and demonstrations include fishing, outdoor cooking, fly casting, fly tying, wild game taste sampling and more. Exhibits in the center include five aquatic habitats with live fish, frogs, salamanders and snakes. For more information, contact Lee Sherrill at 828-877-4423.
• McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery in Hoffman. Richmond County Ducks Unlimited will host its annual Greenwing Fishing Event at the Commission’s fish hatchery. Along with fishing, participants can shoot an air rifle, test their wildlife identification skills and more. Tickets are $20 per participant. For more information, visit Richmond County Greenwing Day.

Two additional events, where Commission staff is assisting, are:

• Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in Currituck County. Event begins at 8 a.m. Fishing, archery and birding opportunities will be available for all participants. The Guilford Chapter of the N.C. Bowhunters Association is offering archery lessons. For $25 each, anglers ages 4 to 14 receive a rod and reel combo, bait, a t-shirt, Fish for Fun bags and a Greenwing membership. Lunch and beverages are provided for participants and their families. Pre-registration is required by calling 252-619-0575 or 252-453-0221 ext. 8.
• Rose Hill Farms (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Nashville. The Tar River Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation is hosting its free 16^th Annual Jakes Day. The event begins at 9 a.m. Activities include an air rifle range, Labrador retriever demonstrations, rock climbing wall, zip line, a rope bridge, reptile display, shark tooth dig and more.

This year, Richard Childress, NHFD’s Honorary Chairman, is asking hunters and anglers to help create the next generation of conservationists by participating in a new NHFD challenge, “Take the Pledge.” By “pledging” to take someone hunting, fishing or target shooting from Aug. 14 through Sept. 23, 2017, participants will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a Richard Childress Racing VIP race weekend package or the Ultimate Outdoor Experience. Visit www.nhfday.org for more information.

National Hunting Fishing Day occurs every fourth Saturday in September and is a nationwide grassroots effort that promotes outdoor sports and wildlife conservation. Visit the Commission’s National Hunting and Fishing Day page for more information on events, including activities, demonstration and exhibits.