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For up-to-date information on North Carolina licenses, regulations and other wildlife resources, please visit the agency’s website NCWildlife.org.
RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 1, 2016) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will conduct nine public hearings in January 2017 on proposed changes to 39 agency regulations related to wildlife management, fisheries and game lands for the 2017-18 seasons.
Three proposed regulations would redefine youth as anyone under 18 years old and allow them to participate during the youth either-sex deer hunts (H2), Youth Deer Hunting Day (H2), Spring Youth-only Wild Turkey Season (H2), Youth-only Delayed Harvest Trout Water Season (F9), and any youth hunts on game lands (G2). Under these proposals, licensing requirements would not change.
Proposed regulation (D1) would establish guidelines and set standards for the Commission to carry out the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (WVC). The North Carolina General Assembly adopted the WVC in 2008, which creates a way for member states to: (1) Promote compliance of hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations in their respective states; and (2) Provide for the fair and impartial treatment of persons committing wildlife violations in member states. The WVC requires the Wildlife Resources Commission and Marine Fisheries Commission to adopt rules necessary to carry out its purpose.
Among the wildlife management-related proposed changes is one that would eliminate the use of paper Big Game Harvest Record sheets (H7). Hunters would report their big game harvest either by phone or Internet. If passed, this proposal would complete the conversion of big game harvest reporting from paper to an electronic registration system, which began with turkey harvest reporting in 2003.
Four game land proposals would add nearly 7,300 acres to the Commission’s Game Lands Program. If passed:
More information on all of the proposed regulations to the agency’s wildlife management, game lands, fishing and other agency regulations for the 2017-18 seasons can be found online.
The comment period for the proposed regulation will run through February 1, 2017. Comments on the proposed changes may be submitted online, at the public hearing, emailed to regulations@ncwildlife.org or mailed to:
Rules Coordinator N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission 1701 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701
After collecting and considering all public comments, the 19 wildlife commissioners will meet on Feb. 16, 2017 to decide whether to adopt the proposals. Approved proposals will take effect Aug. 1, 2017. The public hearing booklet can be accessed online. The schedule for the 2017-18 public hearings is below. Public hearings begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
DATE
DISTRICT
CITY
LOCATION
Jan. 10, 2017 (Tues.)
4
Dublin
Bladen Community College Auditorium 7418 N.C. Hwy. 41W Dublin, N.C. 28332
Jan. 11, 2017 (Wed.)
5
Graham
Southern Alamance High School 631 Southern High School Road Graham, N.C. 27253
Jan. 12, 2017 (Thurs.)
6
Albemarle
Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032-B Newt Road Albemarle, N.C. 28001
Jan. 17, 2017 (Tues.)
9
Clyde
Haywood Community College Auditorium 185 Freelander Drive Clyde, N.C.
Jan. 18, 2017 (Wed.)
8
Morganton
Western Piedmont Community College Leviton Auditorium, Moore Hall 1001 Burkemont Ave. Morganton, N.C. 28655
Jan. 19, 2017 (Thurs.)
7
Elkin
Elkin High School 334 Elk Spur Street Elkin, N.C. 28621
Jan. 24, 2017 (Tues.)
1
Edenton
Chowan County Public Safety Center 305 W. Freemason Street Edenton, N.C. 27932
Jan. 25, 2017 (Wed.)
2
New Bern
Craven Community College Orringer Auditorium 800 College Court New Bern, N.C. 28562
Jan. 26, 2017 (Thurs.)
3
Rocky Mount
Nash Community College Brown Auditorium 522 N. Old Carriage Road Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804
Jodie B. Owen 919-707-0187 jodie.owen@ncwildlife.org