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According to a 1947 newsletter called ‘Friend O’ Wildlife’ published by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Gov. R. Gregg Cherry announced the first appointments to the Wildlife Resources Commission on June 11. On June 18, the nine district commissioners came to Raleigh to be sworn in. Gov. Cherry then addressed the Commission, stating he wanted “the best game and fish program possible for North Carolina.”
The Commission offices were established on the 5th floor of the Education Building in Raleigh and took over the administration of the Wildlife Resources on July 1. We got a kick out of reading this piece of history and think you will too.
Lake season is here, and safety is imperative as wake sports continue to grow in popularity. When wakeboarding or wakesurfing, please follow these recommendations to “wake responsibly”:
A fishing license will not be required for anyone fishing on July 4, 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m., regardless of age. This applies to both residents and state visitors. Anglers must follow North Carolina fishing regulations, including length and daily possession limits and bait and tackle restrictions. Need equipment? Check out the Tackle Loaner Program.
Hooked already and need to renew?
Go online, call 888-248-6834 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or visit a Wildlife Service Agent.
Delayed Harvest waters are now open to trout harvest through Sept. 30. The daily creel limit is seven trout per day with no gear or bait restrictions and no minimum size limits. Trout fishing resources are on our website.
Take your career off the pavement and into wild places as a North Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer. From the mountains to the coast, our officers patrol game lands, the state’s waters and more — even by air as seen in our 2-minute video. Applications for the 59th Basic Academy are now being accepted through June 30. Apply today or contact us by email or at 919-707-0030.
Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers will be patrolling waters statewide to ensure boating safety is taken seriously over the July 4 weekend. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign that promotes sober driving while behind the wheel of a vessel. In 2021, 440 boating citations were issued and 51 people were removed from the water for boating under the influence during the holiday weekend. Designating a sober driver makes being on the water a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
The nine-banded armadillo has been confirmed in 26 North Carolina counties. In 2021, Avery, Robeson and Rowan counties were added thanks to photographs and location observations reported by the public. Continued monitoring is essential to determining the armadillo’s range expansion and population in our state. Upload your observations to the NC Armadillo project website or email us a photo (if available), the date and time of observation, the disposition (alive or dead) and location (GPS coordinates preferred).
Biologists in the field and at the NC Wildlife Helpline continue to encourage the public to implement BearWise Basics as bears become more active statewide. You can stay aware of bold bear activity by registering for the NextDoor app on your smartphone. If we get a report of concerning bear activity in your area, we’ll put out an alert.
It’s peak pup season and keeping this year’s litter well-fed and healthy is top priority for adult coyotes. Coyote parents will roam large territories to find enough food — including populated areas. To help you avoid conflict with coyotes, Extension Biologist Falyn Owens offers these tips.
Licensed hunters, including lifetime license holders, who plan to hunt migratory game birds (doves, rails, woodcock, gallinules and moorhens, snipe, or waterfowl) in 2022-2023 must renew their Federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification annually. The HIP certification is available from July 1 to April 1 and expires June 30 each year. Obtain your certification online, by calling 888-248-6834 or visit a Wildlife Service Agent.
Startown Elementary (Catawba County) took 3rd place overall at the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) National Tournament in the IBO 3D event, where competitors shoot at 3-dimensional foam animal targets from varying distances. Next stop is Worlds in Louisville, Kentucky this month.
Existing and new subscribers can now manage their Wildlife in North Carolina account easier than ever. Create an account online to update mailing addresses, check subscription expiration dates, renew subscriptions, give gift subscriptions and more. Call 800-786-2721 or email for customer assistance.
The Wildlife Diversity Program has released its 2022 first quarter report, featuring projects that target nongame animals and their habitats. Nongame species, such as deer, turkey, mountain trout and black bass, also benefit because they share many of the same habitats.
On June 3, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Honor Guard and Col. Jon Evans participated in the opening ceremony of the NC Special Olympics Summer Games. Last month at Samarcand Training Facility in Jackson Springs, the colonel, along with Lt. Mark Dutton, Lt. Forrest Orr, Samarcand staff and N.C. Wildlife Basic Training Academy recruits participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Over $8,000 has been raised for Special Olympics in North Carolina by Wildlife Commission efforts this year, and fundraising will continue through the end of 2022.
Effective April 20, 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard implemented a change in the fire extinguisher requirements for recreational vessels. If your vessel is currently required to carry a fire extinguisher, and the disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher has a date of manufacture stamped on the bottle, it is considered expired and must be removed from service if it is older than 12 years.
Pictured L to R: Cameron Ingram, Executive Director/Wildlife Commission; Monty Crump, Chairman/Wildlife Commission; Chad Thomas, Director of Development/NCMEF; and Brian McRae, Deputy Director, Operations/Wildlife Commission
A joint venture between the Wildlife Commission and the N.C. Marine and Estuary Foundation (NCMEF) will benefit boaters, anglers and commercial fishermen at the coast. Together, our agencies will work to ensure clean, safe and convenient access at five of the coast’s largest public boating facilities located in Dare, Hyde, Carteret, New Hanover and Brunswick counties.
Largemouth bass are America’s most popular game fish and for good reason —they are a lot of fun to catch. The Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville will host a three-day youth camp focusing on bass behavior, habitat and seasonal movements, as well as various bass fishing techniques. Camp is Mon., June 20 – Wed., June 22, 9 a.m. – noon. Ages 14 – 17.
Several volunteer opportunities are available this summer to establish native aquatic vegetation by planting vegetation and building fenced enclosures. The work will be in water that could reach waist height. If interested, contact the lead person listed for details on individual lakes and scheduling.
Lake Gaston: June 21 – 23
Contact: Wally Sayko, Lake Gaston Association
Oak Hollow Lake, High Point: June 27 - 30
Contact: Seth Mycko, NCWRC
Harris Lake: July 19 - 21, Aug. 1 - 3
Contact: David Belkoski, NCWRC
Hyco Lake, Person and Caswell counties, July 11 - 14
Lake Townsend, Greensboro, Aug. 15 - 16
June 24 - 26, NC Bird Atlas’ Big Atlas Weekend
August 27, Beyond BOW Shooting Sports, Durham, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Recorded Understanding our Wild Life webinar series, Largemouth Bass Movement at Lake Mattamuskeet and Associated Canals, posted June 8
Ongoing classes & podcast:
John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center, Fayetteville
Western North Carolina Fishing & Aquatics Education Opportunities, Pisgah
Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists, listen & subscribe on your favorite podcast service
The Carolina northern flying squirrel is one of two species of flying squirrel in our state and is federally and state listed as endangered. While they don’t truly fly, they do look like tiny superheroes when they leap from trees using their powerful hindquarters, stretch out their limbs and glide to the ground or a nearby tree.
Wildlife Commission biologists found breeding among the rare species this winter while checking squirrel boxes to monitor populations in high peaks forests. This month, the pups should be 2 months old and beginning to jump and glide. Though independent at 3 months, they will remain with kin in groups called “demes.”
Age is revealed by coat color and tail characteristics. Juveniles’ tails are relatively narrow with pointy tips and short, crimped gray hairs. Adults’ tails are wide with a square tip and have long, luxurious cinnamon brown hairs on top and pale chestnut hairs beneath.
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Families coming together on the water is a sign of summer. The Wildlife Commission has promoted the benefits of fishing and boating over the past 75 years. Join us at any of our upcoming free, family-friendly fishing events and enter to win awesome raffle prizes, including lifetime licenses!
Find over 200 free Boating Access Areas on over 100 bodies of water using our Boating Access Area Locator. Explore over 500 publicly accessible places to fish with any of our interactive fishing maps.
This 2 min. video will walk you through the process.
We convinced two Inland Fisheries biologists to get off the boat and step behind the mic to share their fish knowledge. ‘Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists’ drops a new episode each month!
Let’s talk fishing!
Submit questions and feedback to: 2baldbiologists@ncwildlife.org
Trout streams and lakes classified as Delayed Harvest will open for harvest on June 4. Youth 17 years old and younger can fish from 6 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. on opening day. All other anglers can drop their lines in at noon. Fishing rules and regulations are available on our website.
Several drownings have occurred in North Carolina these past few weeks. The victims were not wearing life jackets. Safety should be a top priority when recreating on water, including wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices (PFDs) when boating, swimming and fishing.
Wearing a PFD is just one of many safety measures to take when on the water.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) can cause ecological harm and devastating economic impacts on our state’s waterways. Follow these four steps to prevent the spread of ANS.
The Wildlife Commission offers fishing and aquatic education classes for people of all ages and skill levels.
FIND A FREE PUBLIC CLASS!
John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center
Western NC Fishing and Aquatic Education Classes
Nature in not a place to visit. It is a home.
- Gary Snyder
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The approved season dates, bag limits and applicable regulations for the 2022-23 waterfowl, webless migratory game bird (including doves) and extended falconry seasons have been released. Some notable changes were announced. Dates are available online and will be published in the 2022-23 Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest this August.
With 98% of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) test samples complete, no additional positive detections were reported since the announcement of the single deer in Yadkin County in March. Unfortunately, CWD is in North Carolina to stay, and immediate measures are necessary to improve testing efforts and reduce human-assisted spread of the disease. Temporary regulations for areas around Yadkin County have been proposed, and public comment will be accepted through May 20 online, by email, mail and at a public hearing on May 12 (in-person and virtual) at 7 p.m. Get to KNOW CWD with this 4-minute video.
Did you attend or watch the KNOW CWD Public Forum on May 2?
We’d like your feedback. Take 2-minute survey.
North Carolina deer hunters reported harvesting 168,427 deer during the 2021-22 hunting season — a 6.3% increase compared to the average harvest the last three seasons. Deer harvest also increased in all zones compared to a three-year average. Although the season’s harvest was just short of last year's final count of 169,973, it stayed robust, which is encouraging from a deer herd and hunter retention standpoint.
Saturday, June 4, two lakes and 34 trout streams classified as Delayed Harvest will open to trout harvest and will remain open through Sept. 30. On opening day, from 6 a.m.-11:59 a.m., youth anglers under 18 years old will be allowed to fish. Harvest opens to all anglers at noon. The daily creel limit is seven trout per day with no gear or bait restrictions and no minimum size limits. Trout fishing resources are on our website.
The Wildlife Commission, through Sport Fish Restoration program federal funding, works with cities, counties, state parks, community centers and other entities across the state to provide anglers of all skill levels loaner rods, reels and tackle free of charge at about 60 Tackle Loaner Program (TLP) sites. It works like the library system — register and receive an ID card, check out gear at a participating location, return the gear and repeat at any TLP site.
TLP sites are listed on the agency’s website and the interactive N.C. Fishing Access Maps. Anglers 16 & younger receive a free mini tackle box when they register. Adaptive fishing gear is available for disabled anglers at some sites.
We are working to expand the TLP footprint, especially in the eastern part of the state. If you’d like to bring the TLP to your community, email Madeline David.
May through June, family-friendly fishing events to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week will occur at fishing holes across the state, offering young anglers the opportunity to reel in a big one. Raffle prizes for participants will be available, including the opportunity to win a Sportsman Lifetime License from Neuse Sports Shop and Comprehensive Inland Fishing Lifetime License from Trout Unlimited.
We’ve convinced two of our Inland Fisheries biologists to get off the boat and behind the mic to share their fish knowledge. The inaugural 35-minute podcast covers all things striped bass on the Roanoke River Management Area — how to fish ‘em, why regulations have been so challenging and what’s to come. More great episodes will follow. A new episode drops each month!
Let's talk fishing! Submit questions and feedback to: 2baldbiologists@ncwildlife.org.
Most boating incidents reported to the Wildlife Commission last year happened in May, June and July. Of the 173 incidents, 19 were fatal — killing 23 people. Several of the deaths were alcohol related, and 16 people who died were not wearing personal floatation devices. Lives are saved when life jackets are worn and drinking while operating a vessel is avoided. Please practice responsible boating so we can all enjoy the water!
On the road, on the water. Don’t drink and drive.
The Wildlife Commission’s annual campaign to reduce alcohol-related incidents on the state’s roadways and waterways kicks off in advance of Memorial Day. Wildlife law enforcement officers, local and state law enforcement, NC State Highway Patrol, Alcohol Law Enforcement, NCDHHS-Forensic Test for Alcohol and Mothers Against Drunk Driving will all be working together to ensure the public remains safe this summer whether on the road or on the water. In addition, wildlife law enforcement officers will be conducting pre-launch safety checks at recreational areas around the state.
This time of year, it’s common to see baby rabbits nesting in yards, fledglings trying to fly and fawns left alone in the foliage. If you come across these cute critters, your natural response may be to want to help, but biologists urge that if you care, leave them there.
Rattlesnakes:
Timber, Carolina pigmy and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are in decline and protected by the N.C. Endangered Species Act. If you spot one of these rattlers, send an email to rattlesnake@ncwildlife.org with a photo (required), date and time the snake was observed and location (GPS coordinates preferred), or log your observation on the Herpmapper mobile app. Learn more about these ecologically important vipers.
Pine Snakes:
Pine snakes are a native, threatened species, and we’d like to know more about their distribution across the state. If you see one of these large reptiles in the wild, please send an email to pinesnake@ncwildlife.org, with a photo (required), date and time the snake was observed and location. You can also download the the HerpMapper mobile app and document your observations electronically. The agency partners with the app to track amphibian and reptile species.
Chipmunks:
Eight counties in North Carolina were added to the chipmunk’s range in 2021 thanks to observations submitted by the public. If you live in a county east of I-95 and observe a chipmunk (or, if you can't get a photo of the animal, the habitat in which you saw it), please take a picture, note the location (GPS coordinates preferred) and contact the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401.
More people are living close to or in black bear habitat, creating increased opportunities for bears to approach their property, specifically by leaving out food sources. Residents and visitors to bear country, which is over 60% of the state, are encouraged to follow the Six BearWise Basics:
Wildlife law enforcement officers have a unique job within the law enforcement community. They enforce laws that protect the public and North Carolina’s wildlife resources. Over 200 officers are committed to ‘Law Enforcement Off the Pavement,’ wearing the wildlife diamond proudly and going above and beyond to risk their safety in the interest of others and our wild places. Consider leaving a “shout out” on the agency’s Facebook page and take a moment to remember the 11 wildlife officers who died in the line of duty.
Considering a Career in Wildlife Law Enforcement?
Learn more at the Virtual Recruitment Event, May 26, 7 p.m.
REGISTER
Gray Stone Garnet Senior from Stanly County
Elkin Junior Wapiti from Surry County
The 2022 Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament (YHEST) state championships were held on April 30. Gray Stone Garnet Senior Team from Stanly County won the overall senior division and Elkin Junior Wapiti from Surry County won the overall junior division. Congratulations to all competitors!
McDowell County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Wildlife Commission, opened a new shooting range this week at 2880 Ashworth Road in Marion. It has four ranges: A 10 station 100-yard rifle range, a 12 station 25-yard pistol range, a practice archery range and a 3D target archery area.
A major revision to the 2015 Wildlife Action Plan has been proposed that will add plants to the list of North Carolina’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The addendum is in preparation for the anticipated passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which is proposed federal legislation with wide bi-partisan support that will include provisions for plant conservation. Public comment will be accepted through May 20.
On April 7, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) passed the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee and passed the House’s Natural Resources Committee earlier this year. Now it heads to the congressional floor. Stay informed by following #RecoverWildlife on social media or visit Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife.
In the May/June edition of Wildlife in North Carolina, volunteers are the focus of the free article, Three Cheers for Our Volunteers. The Wildlife Commission would have a hard time conducting the various studies, programs and classes offered without a network of amazing volunteers to assist. The opportunities to get involved and share your love for the outdoors are limitless.
May 11, NC Bird Atlas Info Session and Walk, Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, Corolla, 8:30 a.m.
May 12, NC Bird Atlas webinar: A Beginners Guide to Atlas Basics, 7 p.m.
May 19, NC Bird Atlas webinar: Bird Behavior Deep Dive, 7 p.m.
May 20, NC Bird Atlas Observation Walk, Scuppernong River Boardwalk, Columbia, 7:30 a.m.
Recorded Understanding our Wild Life webinar series, posted May 2: Engaging North Carolina’s Trout Anglers & Other Stakeholders to Help Conserve Eastern Hellbenders
Ongoing classes:
Western North Carolina Fishing & Aquatics Education Opportunities
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest turtle in the world and can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. Unlike other sea turtles, its carapace (shell) is a mosaic of small bones called osteoderms and is characterized by seven prominent ridges or keels, covered in a leathery skin. It feeds primarily on jellyfish and other soft-bodied prey.
Leatherbacks can occur in North Carolina’s coastal waters any time of year, but are usually observed during spring and early summer. Although they nest in larger numbers in the Caribbean, they will occasionally lay eggs at night on North Carolina’s open sandy beaches during the summer. Volunteers and cooperators with the NC Sea Turtle Project mark nests with a post, rope and signs during the two-month incubation period.
When hatchlings emerge from the nest at night, they scramble to the ocean and begin their developmental migrations until they reach maturity after 15-30 years. Help protect all sea turtles by not disturbing their incubating eggs and avoid using artificial lights at night on nesting beaches.
If you see a sick, injured or dead sea turtle in North Carolina, please call the NC Sea Turtle Hotline at 252-241-7367.
The Roanoke River Management Area opens to striped bass harvest on Saturday, April 23.
Here’s what you need to know.
Anglers will be able to harvest striped bass on the entire Roanoke River Management Area, which includes tributaries from the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to the Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers. A new creel limit of one fish per day has been instated for this season.
Harvest dates:
April 23 - 24 (Saturday & Sunday)
April 28 - 29 (Thursday & Friday)
Every week through the end of May, electrofishing for striped bass, American shad and hickory shad will take place in the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers. Sampling and creel survey results will be posted weekly.
Search our interactive NC Fishing Access Map and tutorial video (2 min.) for specific waters or regulatory classifications, select counties of interest, find driving directions and much more.
Also, several Boating Access Areas (BAA) are available to enter the Roanoke, including a new option in Jackson between Weldon and Edwards Ferry.
Research shows that special hook regulations on the Roanoke River reduce injury and stress-induced mortality of released stripers. As a result, April 1- June 30, regulations require anglers to use a single, barbless hook upstream of the US 258 bridge. Replace treble hooks with only one single hook with the same total gap width. More information is available on our website.
The 2021-22 North Carolina Regulations Digest states that anglers cannot harvest or possess blueback herring and alewife, known as “river herring,” greater than 6 inches in length in inland fishing waters of coastal rivers and their tributaries. This includes the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse, Cape Fear, Waccamaw and Pee Dee rivers up to the first impoundment of the main course of the river. Also, the Lumber River, including Drowning Creek, and all other inland fishing waters east of I-95. Contact the Division of Marine Fisheries for coastal water regulations.
The Roanoke River Striped Bass season was reduced in 2021 for both the commercial and recreational fisheries, and in 2022. Ben Ricks, the Wildlife Commission’s coastal fisheries supervisor, helps sort through the history, science and facts that led the 2022 harvest decision in this blog post.
In the March/April edition of Wildlife in North Carolina, Editor Josh Leventhal hooks up with fisheries biologists to reel in the history and tradition of striped bass fishing on the Roanoke River. He explores the science behind why tough decisions were made about harvest season dates and fish limits and explains how smart management practices now will ensure rockfish stories for years to come.
Follow these four steps to help protect North Carolina’s waters from ecological harm & devastating economic impacts by preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS).
Take in the sights and scenes of fishing the Roanoke with this video (2 min.) as you prepare for angling at the Rockfish Capital of the World.
CWD Confirmed in North Carolina
A sample from a hunter-harvested, white-tailed deer in Yadkin County has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This is the first detected case of CWD in North Carolina and is very bad news; however, the Wildlife Commission has been preparing for CWD for decades and immediately activated its CWD Response Plan (revised in 2021).
The agency’s goal is to protect North Carolina’s deer herd and deer hunting culture, while working to slow the spread of CWD. A press release issued last week stated that to achieve this goal the agency will work with constituents and partners to implement the response plan and refine the long-term deer management strategy. Continuous information will be shared with constituents as it develops.
Now is an opportunity to get to KNOW CWD. The Wildlife Commission has created a video (5 min.) to explain the disease, surveillance efforts and how hunters can help going forward. Bookmark ncwildlife.org/CWD for a wealth of resources, including FAQs.
While youth turkey hunters have been at it since April 2, this Saturday, April 9, hunters of all ages statewide will be able to take one bird (male or bearded) per day, and a season total of two birds, one which may have been taken during the youth season. Be sure to report your Big Game Harvest if you’re successful! Track real-time harvest counts via our Live Harvest Reports portal. Season ends May 7.
Whether running and gunning or sitting and waiting, understanding when and how to use decoys can contribute to your success. Wildlife in North Carolina Associate Editor Mike Zlotnicki explores the use of decoys in the March/April 2022 edition.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) mortalities have been confirmed in multiple counties and in multiple bird species in North Carolina. These deaths follow a report from the Wildlife Commission that some waterfowl had tested positive for HPAI in January. Commercial flocks are also being affected. Please report odd wild bird behavior to the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401. This includes:
The Roanoke River Management Area will be open for striped bass harvest four days this month, with a new creel limit of one fish per day. Harvest dates are:
The area includes tributaries from the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to the Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers.
Every week through the end of May, electrofishing for striped bass, American shad and hickory shad will take place in the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers. Check the Wildlife Commission website weekly for sampling and creel survey results.
An overpopulation of common carp in Lake Mattamuskeet means more bluegill are needed to help control the numbers. Last month, Wildlife Commission staff and volunteers stocked bluegill (2 – 4 inches long) prior to carp spawning. The intention is for bluegill to prey on carp eggs and larvae and possibly spawn more themselves to continue predation.
In addition, US Fish and Wildlife Service refuge staff have installed primary barriers at four water control structures that have been instrumental in keeping adult carp out. These combined strategies should slow the recruitment of common carp and improve angler satisfaction.
Approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are now open and remain open through Feb. 28, 2023. Most trout are stocked April through June, with a few streams selectively stocked in July. Overall, staff will stock nearly 964,000 trout — 96 percent of which will average 10 inches in length, with the other 4 percent exceeding 14 inches in length.
As trout waters open, people visiting mountain streams in Western North Carolina are encouraged to keep their eyes out for mudpuppies and hellbenders. Both species of aquatic salamanders are listed as species of special concern, and biologists want to know more about their distribution and populations. Contact Conservation Biologist Lori Williams, or call the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401, to provide details of your observations.
In 1975, the N.C. Museum of Natural History hosted a symposium to create the first species account for the state under the categories endangered, threatened and of special concern. In 1977, the first state listed species were published and adopted by the Wildlife Commission.
One of those animals was the brown pelican. Because of the special attention then given to the wildlife management of this bird and the banning of pesticides that harmed their eggshells, nesting brown pelicans increased from about 80 pairs in the 1970s to almost 4,500 pairs in 2014.
The brown pelican is now thriving in our state, and in 2017, agency staff, volunteers and partners banded 3,804 pelican chicks. Important work like what was done for the brown pelican continues daily at our agency. Nearly 500 at-risk species have been identified in our state.
Monitoring Waterbirds in North Carolina (2 min.) shows how our biologists conduct surveys of waterbirds each year to monitor populations and inform management plans.
Do Your Part to Protect Endangered Wildlife!
Tax Day is April 18. Please consider donating a portion of or your full state tax refund to the
N.C. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund.
Watch your steps (and your dog’s too) for bird nests found directly on the sandy beaches or islands along the sound this April thru August. Nests can be difficult to see since eggs and chicks blend in with the sand. Wildlife Commission biologists and cooperators have marked known areas with posts and signage, but some areas may not be marked. Extra caution is appreciated!
Public input is requested on two draft Species Conservation Plans to help guide efforts to maintain and increase populations of the Atlantic Pigtoe and Henlow’s Sparrow. Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 5. Staff will present the draft plans to Commissioners for final approval this summer.
Recent positive Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus – Type 2 cases in domestic rabbits in eastern states, including Georgia and Tennessee, suggest that the virus will eventually make its way to our state. Updated guidance when purchasing and caring for rabbits is now available.
North Carolina residents and visitors who snap photos of wild alligators can share their observations with Wildlife Commission biologists through the NC Alligators Project. Upload photos from a computer at iNaturalist.org or download the free iNaturalist app for Android and iPhone.
As critters become active this spring, the NC Wildlife Helpline is a valuable resource for wildlife questions and encounters. The call center is a centralized hub for the public to talk to experienced biologists about problem wildlife, animal health concerns and human-wildlife interactions (HWI). Which species get the most complaint/damage calls? In 2021, the top four calls were about fox, bear, raccoon and deer. The Helpline is available Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 866-318-2401.
An additional boat ramp and two courtesy docks, including an ADA canoe/kayak launch, were added to the boating access area at Sound Rivers in Greenville. These renovations, in partnership with the City of Greenville, should bring some relief to a congested site.
Two NC Bird Atlas (NCBA) field trips are scheduled in May at the coast. The NCBA is a five-year citizen science project that is about to enter its second year. Email Matthew Janson if you’d like to attend.
When: Wed. May 11, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, Corolla
What: Join us for a brief presentation about the NCBA and how to use the eBird app to record your sightings. Afterwards, we’ll practice atlasing at the grounds of the Wildlife Education Center and Corolla Village, then head north to the Currituck Banks Estuarine Reserve and the 4WD beach in Corolla (4WD required for driving on the beach).
When: Fri. May 20, 7:30 a.m.
Where: Scuppernong River Boardwalk, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (NCR) Visitors Center, Columbia
What: Join NCBA staff and volunteers as we observe the rich birdlife of the Scuppernong River floodplain from the elevated boardwalk at Pocosin Lakes NWR. Prothonotary and yellow-throated warblers will be nesting, and possibly woodpeckers. Seasoned atlasers and first-timers welcome!
Nominate a candidate for the Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee. Deadline is April 30.
Nominate an individual or business for the Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award. Deadline is May 1.
April 16, Basic Trapper Education Course, Durham
April 21, ForestHer NC, Conversation on Conservation Virtual Workshop
April 30, Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament State Championship, John F. Lentz Hunter Education Complex, Ellerbe
If there’s an owl in your neighborhood, it’s most likely a barred owl. This stout-looking bird is found across the state, has bold stripes (or barring, thus its name) on its throat and upper breast, a round face and dark brown- black eyes. It prefers wooded habitat, often near water, and hunts a variety of prey. Barred owl vocalizations ramp up in the spring, especially their courtship call that sounds like a monkey laugh. “Who-cooks-for-you” is another common call. They primarily nest in cavities but will also use platforms or adopt other nests made by other critters. The barred owl can live up to 18 years, grow up to 20 inches tall and has a wingspan of 42 – 44 inches.
North Carolina’s five-week wild turkey season opens in April. Review the current rules & regulations in the 2021-22 North Carolina Regulations Digest prior to heading out for the hunt.
A harvest report card is furnished with the issuance of a Big Game Hunting License, but it is valid for only one hunting season, July 1 – June 30. Harvest report cards are free and also issued to license-exempt hunters. Be sure your hunting license and report card are valid before grabbing your turkey call and camo.
Youth Turkey Season: April 2 - 8; Statewide Turkey Season: April 9 – May 7
The youth season is open to anyone under the age of 18. Hunters aged 16 and 17 must have hunting licenses. Youth under 16 are exempt from license requirements provided they are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 18 years old. Youth who have licenses or a hunter education card may hunt without adult supervision.
All hunters must report their turkey harvest on a Big Game Harvest Report Card. Hunters are limited to two turkeys for the season, only one of which may be taken during the youth season.
If 2022 is anything like the last two years, it will be active. Nearly 22,000 turkeys were harvested in 2021, just short of the all-time record set in 2020. Wildlife biologists say the state’s turkey population remains strong, around 270,000 birds, despite the increased hunting pressure and harvest. Keep up with real-time harvest results via our online portal, searchable by region and county.
The Wildlife Commission manages over 2 million acres of public game lands throughout the state. Plan your hunt with our interactive game lands map. Search by county, address, or filter by species or facilities. You can also download printable game land maps by region.
Hunter education is paramount for safety and an enjoyable experience. Free, in-person and virtual options are available for all ages.
Safety is a priority while hunting. Heed these guidelines to ensure you come Home from the Hunt.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity such as poaching or baiting may be eligible to receive a reward (up to $1,000) by reporting information that leads to a conviction to the Turn-In-Poachers program.
Whether running and gunning or sitting and waiting, understanding when and how to use decoys can contribute to your success. Wildlife in North Carolina Associate Editor Mike Zlotnicki explores the use of decoys in the March/April 2022 edition.
From 2016 – 2019, agency staff used acoustic recorders each spring to capture gobbling activity on properties where turkeys were not hunted. Over 53,900 hours of audio files revealed 113,737 gobbles. The results indicated that 25%, 60% and 15% of turkey gobbling activity occurs before, during and after the spring harvest season respectively, which means the current spring turkey hunting season offers hunters the chance to pursue turkeys at a time when substantial gobbling occurs. Bring on the spring!
The Wildlife Commission is working with NC State, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Louisiana State University on a three-year regional turkey ecology study to understand various turkey data, including hunter harvest pressure, nesting patterns and potential diseases.
Visit and bookmark the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s trout webpage for all things trout, including stocking schedules, stream conditions and trout handling advice.
There’s nothing like enjoying your favorite waters. Make sure your license is valid before you hang up the Gone Fishin’ sign!
Approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters will open on April 2 at 7 a.m. and remain open through Feb. 28, 2023. Most trout are stocked April through June, with a few streams selectively stocked in July. Overall, staff will stock nearly 964,000 trout — 96 percent of which will average 10 inches in length, with the other 4 percent exceeding 14 inches in length.
Delayed Harvest Trout Waters continue to be stocked throughout the spring as catch-and-release regulations apply until a half-hour after sunset on June 3. Anglers may begin to harvest trout on June 4, with youth opportunities (17 years old and younger) starting at 6 a.m. and all other anglers at noon.
Explore North Carolina’s Public Mountain Trout Waters with our interactive NC Fishing Areas & Trout Waters map. View all trout waters, search for specific waters or regulatory classifications, select counties of interest, find driving directions and much more. This 2 min. video will walk you through the process!
Get to know these classification signs to know what waters you’re fishing and the associated rules and regulations, such as season dates, size and creel information.
Take advantage of our state’s numerous wild trout streams with this hatch chart, developed in partnership with the North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited. It was created to help trout anglers match aquatic insect hatches in western North Carolina.
Follow these four steps to help protect North Carolina’s waters from ecological harm & devastating economic impacts by preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS).
As North Carolina’s only native trout, the Brook Trout is the official freshwater fish of North Carolina. Learn more about Brook Trout by exploring:
Support Brook Trout with a
Native Brook Trout License Plate!
Reduced Striped Bass Season on the Roanoke
The Striped Bass harvest season on the Roanoke River Management Area will be limited to four days in 2022:
The creel limit is one fish per day. The decision was announced by proclamation in February and explained in a blog post by Inland Fisheries biologist Ben Ricks. The entire Roanoke River Management Area will be open for harvest, which includes tributaries from the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to the Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers.
CWD surveillance results from Virginia’s 2021-22 hunting season indicate one deer harvested in Floyd Co. and one deer harvested in Montgomery Co. tested positive for CWD. This is the first time a CWD-positive deer has been found in Floyd Co. It was harvested approximately 28.5 miles from the North Carolina border. The Wildlife Commission’s level of CWD surveillance was amplified in 2021 in response to Virginia’s positive case reported in Montgomery Co. earlier that year, just 33 miles from the North Carolina border. Special surveillance attention was given to the four North Carolina counties closest to that case: Alleghany, Rockingham, Stokes and Surry counties. At this time, CWD has not been detected in North Carolina’s deer herd.
Research shows that special hook regulations on the Roanoke River reduce injury and stress-induced mortality of released stripers. As a result, April 1-June 30, regulations require anglers to use a single, barbless hook upstream of the US 258 bridge. Replace treble hooks with only one single hook with the same total gap width.
All 2022-23 proposed rules presented at the Feb. 24 commission meeting were passed unanimously by commissioners. Some rules were amended based on public comment, notably the rule about the import, transport, export, purchase, sale, transfer and release of Argentine Black and White Tegus. The commission also approved limited permit-only bear hunting in Panthertown-Bonas Retreat, Standing Indian and Pisgah Bear sanctuaries, which will now be named Designated Bear Management Areas for consistency with the N.C. Black Bear Management Plan. The full text of the adopted rules and exhibits are available in the meeting’s agenda package.
Wild turkey season opens next month, and if it’s anything like the last two years, it will be active. Nearly 22,000 turkeys were harvested in 2021, just short of the all-time record set in 2020. Wildlife biologists say the state’s turkey population remains strong despite the increased hunting pressure and harvest, which is good news for youth and adult hunters as they go for their two-bird limit this season.
Season dates:
Not so long ago, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and black bear populations were severely low in North Carolina. Since the Wildlife Commission's inception in 1947, agency staff have worked tirelessly to recover these game species, and all three are conservation success stories. Wildlife Management Division Chief, Brad Howard, presents the history of each species and the continuing work to ensure they will thrive in our state for future generations to enjoy. (19 min.)
This time of year, bears are very resourceful in finding shelter to raise their young. If you stumble upon a bear den occupied by a cub by its lonesome, the best action is to leave it alone. It’s likely waiting for its mother to return from foraging and exploring. However, sometimes cubs are orphaned, and our agency can help. If you suspect a bear cub has been abandoned, note the location, leave the cub and walk away. Once you are in a safe area, call the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401, or contact your local district wildlife biologist for further guidance. If it’s determined a bear cub has been orphaned, we will safely transport it to a professional bear cub rehabilitator. Check out this video to learn more! (5 min.)
March means great Hickory Shad and American Shad fishing in North Carolina’s coastal rivers. However, harvest regulations vary depending on the river you’re fishing. The following regulations apply to inland and joint waters:
Help protect North Carolina’s waters from ecological harm by preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). These four steps will go a long way to ensure our waters stay free of ANS:
Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Open April 2
Duane Raver is the 2021 recipient of the Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award, which was awarded posthumously on Feb. 24. Duane was one of the first fisheries biologists hired at the newly formed Wildlife Commission in 1950, but it was his artistic talent that advanced his career. His illustrations and paintings had a profound influence on the conservation of wildlife, exposing many people to numerous species they would otherwise be unlikely to observe. Raver was nominated for the Quay Award in 2021 by former colleagues, but died just days before the presentation of the award resolution. He will be missed and always remembered.
Bat pup rearing season begins May 1, so now is the time to responsibly relocate bats living in your home. Bat scat (guano) is an obvious indication that bats may be living in your gable vents, shutters or other nooks around your home. If they are getting inside, call a Wildlife Control Agent to safely evict them.
Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee: The Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee (NWAC) is a board of North Carolina citizens that provides advice to the Wildlife Commission on nongame wildlife conservation issues across the state. Nominations are now being accepted for advisory member seats. To learn more, visit the NWAC webpage, or download the NWAC nomination form.
Small Game Awards: Nominations are now being accepted for the Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals and organizations that have made meaningful contributions that benefit North Carolina’s small game populations and/or small game habitat. This includes efforts in habitat management, education, research and the Wildlife Commission’s Hunting Heritage Program, which promotes the recruitment and retention of hunters. More information and nomination requirements.
The Wildlife Commission’s Education Division works to cultivate and engage the next generation of outdoor recreational enthusiasts and conservationists. Here’s what’s happening with youth across our state.
Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournaments: This month, more than 3,500 students are competing in events throughout the state that will test their skills in shotgun, archery, rifle and a written hunting skills exam. Find the tournament location nearest you and plan to attend!
National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament: Over 1,000 spectators and 800 students from 31 North Carolina elementary, middle and high schools gathered at the state tournament in Winston-Salem, Feb. 25 & 26. A full report of tournament results can be found here.
Register now to attend the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Weekend, April 8 – 10 at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia (Tyrrell County). Women 18 and older will learn outdoor skills through hands-on experiences. Tracks include archery, fishing, kayaking, outdoor cooking, muzzleloading and more. More details are available online. Registration is $250. Scholarships are available.
Boater and Hunter Education: Be prepared for boating and turkey season with free boating and hunter education courses. In-person and virtual options are available. Browse available Boating Education Courses and Hunter Education Courses.
Donate On Your Tax Return: Please consider donating any portion of your state refund to the N.C. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. You can contribute by entering the amount of your donation on line 30 on your tax form, clicking “yes” at the prompt when filing electronically, or notifying your tax preparer that you’d like to donate.
Bear e-Stamp Survey: Hunters, complete the annual Bear Stamp Survey, even if you did not hunt bear in 2021. The information you provide will help guide management decisions for black bears and bear hunters and will be used to evaluate current and future regulations and statutes.
March 22, Green Growth Toolbox Webinar, Green Development Site Selection, Design & Review
Recorded Understanding our Wild Life webinar series, posted March 2, NC Bird Atlas: People Count Birds Count
Consider the luck of the Irish on your side if you find a Rough Green Snake in the wild. This slender, graceful snake’s range spans the state, but it is difficult to find this reptile because it blends in well with its environment. Green snakes are active in the daytime, feeding on insects and spiders. They are good climbers and really like vine tangles at the base of trees. They breed in spring or fall, laying three to 12 eggs in the summer. Babies look like miniature adults, but are a less vivid green. They mature to 2.25 – 3.75 feet long. As summer approaches, keep an eye out for this beautiful snake as you explore the outdoors!
Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, marked by green-and-white signs, will be closed March 1 - April 2 for stocking. In 2022, 964,000 trout will be stocked at frequent intervals March through June — 96% of which will average 10 inches in length, with the other 4% exceeding 14 inches in length. Anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limit, gear or bait restrictions.
Pictured from L to R: Tommy Fonville, Commissioner, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC); Lauren Price, President, MJ Price Construction; Joyce Buffaloe, Commissioner, Northampton County; Dr. Charles R. Tyner, Sr., Chairman, Northampton County; Bobby Drewett, Northampton County resident; Eddie Buffaloe, Secretary, Department of Public Safety; Representative Michael Wray, NC General Assembly; Erik Christofferson, Deputy Director of Operations, NCWRC; Gary Dail, Chinquapin Construction Crew Supervisor, NCWRC; Daniel Cabe, Design Engineer, NCWRC; Dick Collier, Director, Northampton County Tourism Development Authority; Gary Gardner, Chief of Engineering, NCWRC
The Odom Boating Access Area (BAA) in Jackson is now open. The new BAA is located on the Roanoke River and creates an excellent alternative access point between existing ramps in Weldon and Edwards Ferry. A special thank you to Representative Michael Wray and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for their collaboration on the project.
We are seeking important feedback from bear e-stamp holders, even if you did not hunt bear in 2021. The information you provide will help guide management decisions for black bears and bear hunters and will be used to evaluate current and future regulations and statutes.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, known as RHDV2, is a fatal disease in rabbits and is classified as a foreign animal disease in the United States. As the open season concludes this month, we encourage rabbit hunters to follow these NEW rabbit hunting best management practices.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament is Feb. 25 -26 at the Winston-Salem Fair Grounds. Over 750 elementary, middle and high school students from 30 schools statewide will compete in team and individual events. The event is open to the public with a $5 admission. Good luck, NASP competitors!
Winter is the ideal time to prepare for potential wildlife visitors to your property this spring. Foxes, skunks, squirrels, raccoons…they will all be searching for sheltered places to birth and raise their young. To avoid unwanted house guests, examine the outside of your home from top to bottom, looking for openings, loose siding, gaps and other inviting entrances.
Snakes don’t prefer to live inside occupied structures, but if hungry, they will follow chemical trails left by rodents. Check that air vents, pipes and wires are properly sealed and use screens designed to keep critters out. Your proactive planning will make for a more enjoyable spring.
Nominations for the 2022 Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award have been extended through Feb. 28. This award honors an individual who has made a significant, long-standing commitment to, and demonstrated leadership in promoting conservation of nongame species and their habitats in North Carolina.
The Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee (NWAC) is seeking nominations for its board. Nominations will be accepted through April 30, and the new terms will begin in Jan. 2023. For more information, visit the NWAC page.
The N.C. Bird Atlas is easy, fun and the subject of the free article in the January/February issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine. Read all about the citizen science program that allows anyone interested in birding to contribute observations throughout the state. For even more great wildlife-related content, subscribe to Wildlife in North Carolina for just $12.
February is Prescribed Fire Awareness Month in North Carolina. Prescribed fire is a necessary conservation method to improve ecosystem health and protect your community. Without fire, forests can develop dense undergrowth prone to uncontrolled wildfires and create an unsuitable habitat for some wildlife.
The scope of prescribed burns managed by the Wildlife Commission has significantly increased over recent years. In 1997, less than 10,000 acres were burned annually. Now, prescribed fire is conducted in 51 counties on over 35,000 acres of lands managed by the agency.
Wildlife Commission staff, past and present, have played a huge role in this conservation effort, ensuring a healthy habitat for many species that thrive from this process. New vegetation in the forest means active wildlife for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. See how it’s done in the video below (3 min.) #75wildyears
Virtual and in-person opportunities available!
Feb. 18-21, The Great Backyard Bird Count
Feb. 22, Green Growth Toolbox Webinar, Green Planning
Feb. 25-26, National Archery in the Schools Program State Championships, Winston-Salem
March 4 – 6, Wildlife Commission booth at the Dixie Deer Classic, Raleigh
March 8, Green Growth Toolbox Webinar, Greening Incentives and Ordinances
Recorded Understanding our Wild Life webinar series, posted Feb. 2: Trout Stocking and Changes in Angler Use
Check out our Regulations Digest online to see what you can hunt, fish and trap this time of year. Be sure to check dates carefully for your region.
In-Season:
Love is in the air this month, especially if you are a mink. It’s prime mating season for the seldom-seen, primarily nocturnal mustelid, which is part of the weasel family. However, mating season is the only time males and females will associate with each other; otherwise, mink are solitary animals. Minks live in a diversity of wetlands throughout North Carolina and are excellent swimmers thanks to their slightly webbed hind feet. They aren’t picky when it comes to meat-based food; they dine on all kinds of small fish, crustaceans, reptiles, small mammals and insects as they forage along streams. A contented mink will sometimes purr and they are often mistaken for long-tailed weasels or river otters. Curious to learn more? Check out the species profile below.
Please consider donating any portion of your refund to the N.C. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund when you file your North Carolina income taxes.
Contribute by:
Your support is the most significant funding for Wildlife Diversity projects.
This year the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Since 1947, this agency, and its employees, Commissioners, volunteers, partners and leaders, have made an incredible impact on wildlife conservation in North Carolina.
Accomplishments range from being the first state agency to establish a state-specific endangered species list, to bringing the wild turkey population back from the brink, to creating a wildlife endowment fund with lifetime licenses and offering greater accessibility to wildlife-associated recreation — we are proud of our impact and look forward to more success.
Throughout the year we will reflect on our 75 years of existence through stories told in this e-newsletter, on our social media platforms (#75wildyears) and in our redesigned magazine, Wildlife in North Carolina. Please follow along, and thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Cameron Ingram
Executive Director
A Northern shoveler has tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Hyde County. The wild duck was harvested by a hunter, and the sample was collected on Dec. 30, 2021. Officials at the Wildlife Commission have jumped into action in collaboration with the United States and North Carolina Departments of Agriculture, reminding hunters to follow best practices when handling waterfowl after harvest.
Wildlife in North Carolina magazine began as an eight-page pamphlet published in 1937 entitled Wildlife Management in North Carolina. It has since evolved and is regularly found on coffee tables and in classrooms statewide. This month we launched a sleek new design, with more stunning photography and additional wildlife content. Make it your New Year’s resolution to:
The public comment period for the proposed changes to the 2022-2023 inland fishing, hunting, trapping, game land regulations and other regulated activities will close Jan. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Comments can be submitted online, by email and by mail.
Details on the proposed regulations are available on our website. To view a pre-recorded overview of proposed changes, click the video link below (17 min.).
Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 are Youth and Veterans/Military Waterfowl Days. Both categories of hunters must follow the rules and regulations established for those days as outlined in the 2021-22 North Carolina Regulations Digest. Note: The same bag limits during the regular waterfowl season apply. Taking of Canada geese in the NE Hunt Zone is allowed with valid permit purchased prior to Jan. 31.
Results from the 2021 annual bear harvest summary are now online and show that hunters statewide recorded the second highest harvest total on record at 3,659 bears — a 2% decrease from the previous season. The Coastal Bear Management Unit (BMU) harvest increased by 6% from 2020 with a record total of 2,371 bears. The Mountain BMU experienced a 14% decline, largely due an abundance of acorns compared to 2020.
As you file your North Carolina income taxes this year, please consider donating any portion of your refund to the N.C. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. Enter the amount of your contribution on line 30 on your tax form or click “yes” when prompted when filing electronically. Your participation is crucial in securing adequate funding for research, conservation and management of our most vulnerable species.
Nominations for the 2022 Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award will be accepted through Jan. 31. This award honors an individual who has made significant, long-standing commitment to, and demonstrated leadership in promoting conservation of nongame species and their habitats in North Carolina.
A new wheelchair lift was recently installed at the Oak Island Boating Access Area in Southport. Expanded access to disabled sportsmen and women is a priority of the agency. To learn more about outdoor opportunities for the disabled community, visit:
The parking lot at Lake Waccamaw BAA in Columbus County increased to 61 trailer spaces (3 ADA) and 15 single car spaces (1 ADA).
In December, the Wildlife Commission’s Engineering Division completed parking expansion projects at two Boating Access Areas (BAA).
King’s Bridge Wildlife Conservation area is now open to the public for fishing, birding and other wildlife observation. Conserving Carolina transferred the 87 acres of land located off NC Highway 191 to the Wildlife Commission last summer. Nestled along the French Broad River, the plot will be conserved as a high-quality wildlife habitat that will benefit both terrestrial and aquatic species.
January through March is the best time of year to trap feral swine, as scarce late-winter food makes baited traps much more appealing for this intelligent but destructive species. Find guidance on effective trapping methods, especially whole-group trapping, at www.ncferalswine.org. Landowners in Anson, Davie, Haywood, Montgomery and Randolph counties can apply now to borrow a corral trap.
Wildlife in North Carolina’s Photo Competition closes Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. Amateur and professional photographers who subscribe to the magazine may submit entries. The grand prize includes $200 and your photo featured on the July/August 2022 cover of Wildlife in North Carolina. Competition rules are available online.
This month, 18 wildlife law enforcement recruits from across the country began Wildlife Basic Training. Our program has been regarded as one of the top training systems in the country since inception in 1950. Recruits engage in over 1,100 hours of instruction over 29 weeks, including North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), driving, boating, swimming, firearms, TASER, ASP, fish identification, waterfowl identification, constitutional law, and game and fish law.
Best wishes to the class of 2022!
Feb. 8, Advanced Conservation Data for Green Growth webinar, 10 – 11 a.m.
Feb. 8, Turkey Hunting webinar series #1: Biology, Regulations, Where to Hunt and Scouting, 7 – 8 p.m.
Feb. 9, Turkey Hunting webinar series #2: Firearms, Ammo, Clothing and Equipment, 7 – 8 p.m.
Feb. 10, Turkey Hunting webinar series #3: Techniques and Strategies, 7 – 8 p.m.
Recorded Understanding our Wild Life webinar series, posted Dec. 16: Genetic Applications for Conservation and Management
Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day - a day in which all eyes are on this cute critter as it awakes from hibernation and predicts an extended winter or early spring. As the largest member of the squirrel family, the groundhog is commonly seen standing upright, often standing guard at their burrow. However, groundhogs are adept climbers and may be observed on fence posts or in trees.
The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck, constructs its burrow in pastures, wooded areas, and along streams and roadway. Its range has expanded to nearly the entire state since 1985. Learn more at the species profile below.
The public comment period for the 2022-2023 proposed regulation changes related to wildlife management, inland fisheries, game lands and other regulated actives is now open through Jan. 31, 2022. Comments can be submitted online, by email, by mail and in-person at the 2022 public hearings.
Details on the proposed regulations, how to submit comments, and the public hearing schedule (in-person and virtual options) are available on our website. To learn more about the rule-making process and why it matters, check out the video presentation below (24 min.)
Front Row: Vernon (Ray) Clifton, Jr.,; Monty R. Crump, Chairman; Thomas L. Fonville, Vice-Chairman; Mark Craig; Kelly Davis, John M. Alexander, Jr.; Thomas A. Berry. Back Row: Cameron Ingram, NCWRC Executive Director; John T. Coley, IV ; Landon G. Zimmer; Brad Stanback; Wes Seegars; David Hoyle, Jr.,; Stephen L. Windham; J. Carlton (J.C). Cole; Thomas (Tom) M. Haislip, Jr.; John A. Stone; James (Jim) Ruffin. Not pictured: Michael (Mike) K. Alford and Hayden Rogers.
Four new commissioners were recognized at the agency’s Dec. 9 business meeting: John Alexander of Raleigh, Mike Alford of Jacksonville, J. Carlton “J.C.” Cole of Hertford and Tom Haislip of Sanford. In addition to the new commissioners, nine board members were re-affirmed at the October business meeting, making the 19-member board whole.
Consider gifting the wildlife enthusiast on your list a hunting or fishing license this holiday season. The Wildlife Commission offers a variety of options at different price points, including lifetime licenses.
Biologists collecting deer head samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) have reported excellent sample submission numbers from hunters, taxidermists and meat processors. Thank you! Although CWD has not been detected in North Carolina, it’s important we continue to monitor the health of our deer herd. Voluntary deer head submissions can be made at any testing drop-off station throughout the state. Learn more in the informational video below (2 min.)
Recent confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in deer in Iowa and Ohio have hunters asking if they should be concerned about COVID-19 spreading from deer to humans. The best advice at this time is to continue basic safe handling precautions when handling any harvested wild animal.
If you hunt waterfowl, don’t forget to get your Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. It’s required by law, and free to obtain online, at any Wildlife Service Agent location, or by phone at 888-248-6834, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Starting in 2022, HIP certifications will expire on June 30 after each hunting season. This change will improve federal annual estimates of waterfowl hunting activity in North Carolina, increase hunter compliance, and reduce confusion, as your certification will not potentially expire during the hunting season.
Over 150,000 white catfish were successfully produced at the Watha Hatchery and stocked at Holly Shelter Creek, Rice’s Creek and South River this fall. White catfish have been absent from rivers in southeastern North Carolina for decades, but anglers will soon be able to catch and harvest the native sport fish.
The Wildlife Commission and Dare County recently completed a new boating access area (BAA) in Rodanthe. The facility offers easy access to the Pamlico Sound and includes two concrete boat ramps, a floating dock, fixed platform dock and parking lot.
Local leaders and residents in four western North Carolina communities have initiated efforts to coexist with bears in a responsible manner. These BearWise® Recognized Communities, such as Highlands pictured here, are taking action that will benefit their communities for years to come. You can too!
Nearly 100 bird species migrate to North Carolina each winter. The NC Bird Atlas is asking birders, hunters and conservation enthusiasts to record their bird sightings now through Dec. 31 in the Ebird app as part of the Early Winter Bird Atlas.
Nominations for the 2022 Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award are now being accepted through Jan. 31, 2022. This award honors an individual who has made significant, long-standing commitment to, and demonstrated leadership in promoting conservation of nongame species and their habitats in North Carolina.
The Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee (NWAC) welcomed Dustin Smith to its board last month. Smith is the Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians and Invertebrates at the North Carolina Zoo. His expertise and knowledge are certain to be assets to the 15-member committee.
Wildlife in North Carolina’s popular Photo Contest will remain open through Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 at 5 p.m. Amateur and professional photographers can enter in a range of categories. The grand prize includes $200 and your photo featured on the July/August 2022 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina. A magazine subscription is required to enter, unless you enter as a youth photographer (17 and younger). Contest rules and past winning photos are available online.
This report highlights the studies, surveys and research conducted on North Carolina’s game and furbearer species to ensure long-term viability and sustained harvest of these populations and the planning and coordination of management directives based on sound science.
An updated list of North Carolina’s Endangered and Threated Species listings. State-listed species are separated into three categories: Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern.
This report demonstrates the breadth and depth of research efforts in five divisions across the Wildlife Commission. Results from these projects continue to be foundational in developing the sound, science-based wildlife, fisheries, and habitat management.
An overview of annual and long-term data on the abundance of important natural foods (e.g., acorns, berries) for black bears and other wildlife. The availability of these foods influences bear movements, survivorship and reproduction. The data are also used to monitor oak regeneration and habitat management efforts on public lands.
A review of projects that target nongame animals and their habitats, which also benefit game species such as deer, turkey, mountain trout and black bass.
At the October business meeting, Commissioners voted to not rebuild the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education building that was ravaged by floods in August. Instead, the agency will expand the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery and increase trout production. A new educational model will be implemented to offer programs in local schools, partner facilities and on the water along streams and rivers in the region.
Happy holidays!
‘Tis the season for hunting, fishing and gifting! Our gifts are guaranteed to make any wildlife enthusiast smile. We make it easy to shop with online offerings shipped right to your doorstep (or inbox).
NOTE: With slower than normal shipping times, we strongly encourage you to place your orders by Nov. 22 for delivery by the holidays.
Gifting a lifetime license gives your loved ones the opportunity to enjoy fishing and hunting year after year without worrying about renewing their license or increased fees. Proceeds from these special licenses support the North Carolina Wildlife Endowment Fund and programs and projects that benefit fish and wildlife. It’s the ultimate conservationist gift.
NEW! Reduced Price Resident Lifetime Licenses for Older Adults
North Carolina residents ages 50 – 69 are now eligible for a Lifetime Sportsman or Lifetime Unified Sportsman license for half the regular adult price. This new price point is a result of recent legislation and is NOT a special sale or limited time offer. Read more or buy now!
We’ve bundled our stunning 2022 Wildlife Calendar with a print subscription to our award-winning magazine, Wildlife in North Carolina. This $15 offer will make spirits bright each month with gorgeous artwork, wildlife-related dates and reminders, and in-depth articles about our state's wildlife conservation efforts. Offer ends Nov. 22 while supplies last. Includes new subscriptions and renewals. Gifting options are available.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman® (BOW) is back on the schedule for 2022. Our BOW Weekend is for women ages 18 and older interested in learning outdoor skills through hands-on experiences. Next year’s retreat will take place April 8 – 10 at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia (Tyrrell County). A gift certificate to join in the adventure is sure to be a stocking stuffer she’ll never forget!
Our beautiful 2022 Wildlife Calendar makes the perfect gift for staff, neighbors, teachers – everyone on your list! Individual and bulk pricing is available.
1 – 3, $9 each | 4 – 9, $8 each | 10 – 25, $7.50 each | 26 – 199, $7 each | 200+, $6 each
Wildlife in North Carolina is published six times a year and features informative stories and breathtaking photographs relating to North Carolina’s natural heritage and wildlife management practices. Print and digital subscriptions are available, as well as gifting options.
The blue-winged teal is the featured duck on this year’s waterfowl stamp and print. Proceeds support waterfowl conservation in North Carolina, including acquiring and improving habitat. Artist: Scot Storm, Freeport, Minnesota.
December 2021 will be your last chance to purchase the 2020 stamp and print of the tundra swan, while supplies last. Artist: Adam Grimm, Wallace, South Dakota.
There's nothing like opening day of your favorite season. Make sure you're prepared. Buy or renew a hunting and fishing license now!
Duck Hunting in North Carolina
Your 2021-22 Duck Hunting Guide
Duck Hunting Season Dates
Inland Zone
Thu, Oct. 21 – Sat, Oct. 23
Sat, Nov. 6 – Sat, Nov. 27
Sat, Dec. 18 –Mon, Jan. 31
Coastal Zone
Fri, Oct. 29 – Sat, Oct. 30
Sat, Nov. 6 – Mon, Nov. 29
Download a high-resolution version of the NC Duck Zones map above.
To hunt waterfowl in North Carolina you must have the following:
All of the above are available online, at a local wildlife service agent or by calling 888-248-6834.
The expiration of HIP certificates has changed. Instead of a 365-day issuance period, certification will now expire on June 30 after each hunting season. This change will improve federal annual estimates of waterfowl hunting activity in North Carolina, improve hunter compliance and reduce confusion, as your certification will not potentially expire during the course of the hunting season.
When hunting from a vessel, basic safety precautions could save your life. Of the 24 people who died on the water in 2020, 19 were not wearing a life vest. The Wildlife Commission’s Home from the Hunt campaign recommends waterfowl hunters to:
Bear Hunting Season Opens Soon!
A guide to bear hunting in North Carolina 2021-22
With support from local and statewide bear hunting organizations, bear tooth submission is now mandatory for all hunter harvested bears. Mandatory tooth submission will help biologists more accurately model bear population trends at both the bear management unit level and the zone level.
Any hunter who harvests a bear this season is required to submit at least one premolar tooth to the Wildlife Commission no later than Jan. 31, 2022. We will send you a complimentary North Carolina Black Bear Cooperator ball cap and an age report for your bear in September 2022. For more information, please visit our website.
You can view a list of your previous big game harvests with bear age results, authorization numbers and more by logging onto our website and entering your last name and WRC customer number. You can also use your Big Game Harvest records to check the status of the bear tooth you submit this season. Status updates are posted approximately 10 days after your bear tooth is received. You can also print a personalized harvest certificate for display.
Did you know you can monitor the big game harvest during the hunting season on our website? You can even compare the current season with previous seasons for bear, deer and wild turkey, and monitor the harvest by county or management unit!
If you’re in a tree stand, bears may investigate. Don’t confuse curiosity with aggression. A bear’s inquisitiveness, especially through its nose, drives it to inspect tree stands, ATVs, trucks and all manner of equipment. If you are taking a break from bear hunting to hunt deer or other game, BearWise.org offers these tips to avoid encounters with bears while in a tree stand:
Check out these other bear safety tips while hunting other game species.
Know before you go! Always check to see if the bear hunting season is open in the area you are hunting, as the bear season dates are often different than other game hunting season dates. The 2021-22 North Carolina Regulations Digest is a great resource for determining hunting seasons in your area.
All hunters, including those that are license exempt, are required to carry a valid Big Game Harvest Report Card while hunting bear. Before moving the bear from the site of the harvest, a successful hunter must validate the Big Game Harvest Report Card by cutting or punching out the corresponding day and month the harvest occurred.
It is also required to register your harvested bear (and deer and wild turkey) BEFORE any of the following occur:
Report your harvest by calling 800-I-GOT-ONE (800-446-8663) or clicking Report a Harvest located on the Wildlife Commission’s homepage.
Want to see how your harvest is helping shape black bear conservation in North Carolina? Read our annual report.
Fall is officially here! Check out our Regulations Digest online to see what you can hunt, fish and trap this time of year. Be sure to check dates carefully for your region.
Coming up this month:
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) remains a looming threat to the state’s white-tailed deer population and our deer hunting traditions. Although CWD has not been detected in North Carolina, we’re introducing new monitoring initiatives this season to continue our proactive surveillance approach. Self-serve sample drop-off stations have been placed throughout the state so hunters can voluntarily submit their deer heads for testing. The agency’s CWD webpage features an interactive map of the drop-off station locations and allows hunters to view their deer’s test results.
Nine North Carolina members of congress co-sponsored the RAWA bill to express their support, including both Senator Tillis and Senator Burr. Their support of the greatest conservation bill in history sends a message to other law makers that this bill is crucial to the future of wildlife. Learn how you can share your support at OurNatureUSA.com and follow #RecoverWildlife on any social media platform.
Wildlife biologists are asking the public to continue to help them monitor the potential spread of a deadly rabbit disease not yet observed in North Carolina’s rabbit populations. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 2 (RHDV2) is a fatal disease that affects both domestic and wild rabbits. If you find a dead rabbit where cause of death is not apparent, or if you see rabbits with blood around their nose, mouth or rectum, contact the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401. Public input will help biologists determine if the disease has entered our state.
Our Home from the Hunt campaign reminds hunters to always positively identify their target before pulling the trigger of their firearm and to be aware of their surroundings. The four primary rules of firearms safety are:
If you’d like to practice before the hunt, shooting ranges provide a safe, controlled environment. Staff are available to help choose the best firearm for you and review safety tips.
Blaze orange is required to be worn by deer hunters any time a firearms season is open. Non-hunters using game lands, such as hikers and birders, are also encouraged to wear blaze orange so they can easily be seen by hunters and other users. Hats and vests are great options for increased visibility.
Data compiled by agency staff on piping plover this past breeding season revealed that breeding success remains below management goals. Statewide there were 39 pairs, an increase from the previous three years, but only 17 chicks fledged. Wildlife biologists and partner agencies are working to recover the species by protecting nesting habitat, monitoring potential predators and minimizing disturbance to nesting birds. You can help too by sharing the shore.
Entries are now being accepted for amateur and professional photos of North Carolina wildlife. Our popular contest offers a range of categories and a $200 grand prize. The winning photo will also be published on the cover of the July/August 2022 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina. You must have a subscription to the magazine or be younger than 18 to participate. Contest rules and past winning photos are available online.
During the 2020-21 trapping season, trapping license sales were up 10%, and 26% of trapping licenses issued were to new trappers. This increase was the largest increase since the 2013-14 season when pelt prices were high. Pelt prices have remained stable, leading to the assumption that license sales increased due to the COVID-effect and more people choosing to recreate outdoors.
Bear Hunters: With support from local and statewide bear hunting organizations, bear tooth submission is now mandatory for all hunter harvested bears. Any hunter who harvests a bear is required to submit at least one premolar tooth to the Commission no later than January 31st, 2022. For more information, including an instructional video, please visit our Black Bear Cooperator webpage.
Fox Season: As of Oct. 4, no new counties opened up to fox trapping during the current legislative session. Legal descriptions of applicable regulations and session laws that apply to each county, as well as the annual fox season publication can be found on our website.
Controlled Rabbit Hunting Preserves: The Wildlife Commission has initiated rulemaking for 15A NCAC 10H.1601 – Controlled Rabbit Hunting Preserves. Public comments will be accepted by email, online, or by mail through Nov. 30. An online public hearing will be held on Oct. 26, 6 p.m. Registration is required.
From left to right: Connor Ball, Reece Hagwood, Marshall Wells, Mattie Wells, Caleb Hemric
Congratulations to the students at Elkin High School who competed this summer at the 2021 Central Region Youth Hunter Education Challenge in Lonoke, Arkansas. They represented North Carolina well, taking 1st in Archery Team and earning high scores in multiple other team categories. Individual winners were Marshall Wells, who took 1st in Rifle, and Connor Ball, who took 1st in Safety Trail.
The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is elevating its commitment to increased fishing activity in scouting by offering Fishing Merit Badge Workshops and A Bear Goes Fishing Adventures. Several of the center’s staff and volunteers are Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Certified Angling Instructors and Merit Badge Counselors for fishing and fly fishing.
Oct. 14 - 24, N.C. State Fair, Wildlife Law Enforcement Booth in Safety City. Officers will be distributing the 2020 and 2021 State Fair buttons. The agency will also have an open air exhibit across from the Village of Yesteryear, however no staff will be present.
Pisgah is Back! Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education has resumed classes at off-site locations while the center remains under construction.
Pre-recorded Understanding our Wild Life Webinar Series, posted Oct. 1: A Balance of Craft and Best Available Science: Important Considerations for Survey Research
Field Observations from Deer Hunters Requested! If you hunt deer still or from a stand, we’d like to know about your wildlife observations. Log observations online or email us for a paper survey. Thank you in advance for providing valuable data for state wildlife management survey projects.
Have Chipmunks Gone Coastal? If you observe a chipmunk or its burrow in New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, Duplin, Sampson, Bladen, Cumberland, Moore, Montgomery, Anson, Richmond and Robeson counties, please take a picture (required), note the location, date and time, and contact the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401. A confirmed chipmunk sighting last spring outside of its known range continues to peak biologists’ curiosity.
The Eastern hellbender is the largest aquatic salamander in North America, averaging 16 to 17 inches long. It has a flat, broad head and flattened body, is brown and sometimes mottled with dark splotches, and has wrinkly skin on its sides which help it breathe. Because hellbenders breathe through their skin, they are very sensitive to water pollution and, thus, are considered a “bio-indicator” of stream health. Hellbenders are typically only found in fast moving, clean mountain streams; however, their populations have decreased mainly due to declining water quality, sedimentation, habitat degradation and ill treatment from anglers who mistakenly think they decrease trout populations. The latter is not true; however, hellbenders may go after fish on a line or stringer when scavenging for an easy meal.
Their main source of prey is crayfish, but they will also eat minnows, snails, tadpoles, worms, discarded bait or other injured or dead animals. Game fish, like trout and bass, will eat young or larval hellbenders. The hellbender is not poisonous, venomous, toxic or harmful to humans, although they may try to bite as a defensive reaction if handled.
This species is of special concern in North Carolina. Seeing a hellbender is the wild is special, but not unheard of. If you see one, let us know! As a reminder, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell hellbenders, or attempt to do so.
Archery hunting for deer opened statewide on Saturday, Sept. 11. In addition, Youth Deer Hunting Day is Saturday, Sept. 25. Be prepared for the hunt!
Last fall, our agency received reports of 10 tree stand incidents — one of which was fatal. In all instances, the individuals were not wearing a safety harness. Unfortunately, this doesn’t account for the tree stand incidents that were never reported. If you hunt from a tree stand, please follow these simple safety tips.
If you hunt deer still or from a stand, we’d like to know about your wildlife observations. The information you log provides trend data beneficial for state wildlife management survey projects. Participants are encouraged to submit their sightings of game and furbearer species online via the link below. Paper surveys are also available by contacting Ryan Myers.
On Aug. 26, Commissioners voted to notice a temporary rule change for the 2022 striped bass harvest season in the Roanoke River Management Area. The change to rule 15A NCAC 10C .0314 - Striped Bass was recommended by agency staff to maintain harvest within the quota set for 2022.
Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 24. Comments can be:
Rulemaking was initiated by the Wildlife Commission for technical changes to rules regarding Hunting and Trapping and Inland Fishing. The comment period is open now through Nov. 1. Online public hearings will be held on Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. (Hunting and Trapping) and Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. (Inland Fishing). Pre-registration is required.
Two Wildlife Commission facilities were severely impacted by the flash flooding caused by Tropical Depression Fred in western North Carolina in August. The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is currently closed to the public, and all classes are suspended until further notice. The Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery remains operational but closed to the public. Thankfully all staff, volunteers and visitors were safe during the storm. Hopes are they will both reopen to the public soon.
Although the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery remains operational after severe flooding from Tropical Depression Fred, a substantial number of trout were lost. The agency is mitigating those losses by obtaining replacement trout from various sources and expects to stock all Delayed Harvest locations as scheduled beginning Oct. 1. Information about other flood-related trout stocking changes can be found on our website.
Thanks in part to several conservation partners and donors, the Wildlife Commission purchased 2,424 acres of land in the Piedmont along the eastern shore of Tuckertown Reservoir in Davidson and Montgomery counties. The lands will now be called the Yadkin River Game Land (formerly Alcoa Game Land) to reflect the vicinity of the game land to the Yadkin River and will continue to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife-associated recreation.
“Conserving these lands for public access, water quality and wildlife habitat perfectly aligns with our agency’s mission to protect our state’s natural resources.” – Cameron Ingram, Executive Director, Wildlife Commission
Wildlife Commission biologists, in conjunction with Grandfather Mountain Park officials, have confirmed the successful nesting of two peregrine falcons — the first successful attempt on the mountain since 2008. The state averages only 15 – 20 breeding pairs of peregrine falcons a year, which means this is big news.
Throughout history hunters have learned to quickly identify several species of birds — wild turkey, ducks, owls, hawks and more — and have contributed to bird conservation through habitat and species protection. Wildlife biologists are asking hunters to put their knowledge to work by participating in the citizen science project, NC Bird Atlas (NCBA). Hunters can get involved by logging their field observations in the eBird app on their phones. More information specifically for hunters is available at the NCBA hunter webpage.
The 2022 Wildlife Calendar is now available, featuring stunning wildlife art and important dates related to wildlife, hunting and fishing. At just $9 a calendar, it makes a great gift for any outdoor recreational enthusiast!
Sept. 16, Practical Deer Processing: From Field to Freezer webinar
Pre-recorded Understanding our Wild Life Webinar Series, posted Sept. 3: Paradigm Shift: Striped Bass Management in the Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers
The following scheduling changes were announced due to public safety concerns due to the COVID-19 delta variant:
CANCELLED: Sept. 25, National Hunting and Fishing Day events, John F. Lentz Hunter Education Complex and Shooting Range
LIMITED STAFF: Oct. 14 - 24, N.C. State Fair, Wildlife Law Enforcement Recruitment Booth in Safety City. Officers will be distributing the 2020 and 2021 State Fair buttons. The Wildlife Commission will also have an agency exhibit, however no staff will be present.
We know a lot about the white-tailed deer, but there’s more we have to discover as it relates to the fatal Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is the most serious wildlife disease affecting our country’s cervid populations (deer, elk, moose and reindeer/caribou). CWD has not been detected in North Carolina, but this spring a case was found just over 30 miles north of the border in Virginia.
Wildlife Commission biologists have been monitoring for CWD since 1999 through coordinated statewide surveillance. Samples from over 15,000 deer have been tested, and increased testing opportunities will be available this hunting season. Hunters should expect:
If CWD is detected in North Carolina, the agency stands ready to activate its CWD Response Plan immediately.
Want to read more about CWD?
“On Alert: North Carolina Continues to Monitor the Threat of Chronic Wasting Disease” is the free article featured in the Sept/Oct edition Wildlife in North Carolina. Contributor Sydney Brown explains what chronic waiting disease is and the threat it presents to North Carolina’s deer herd.
There's nothing like opening day of your favorite hunting season. Make sure you're prepared.
Canada Goose (September season) - Wednesday, Sept. 1
Doves (Mourning & White-winged) and various other webless migratory game birds - Saturday, Sept. 4
(See three-season dove schedule online)
White-tailed Deer - Saturday, Sept. 11 (Archery), Saturday, Sept. 25 (Youth Day)
(See Blackpowder, Gun and Urban Archery dates online for your region)
Check out the Wildlife Commission’s interactive Game Land Maps with Dove Fields. Search by county, address, or filter by species or facilities.
Printable Game Land Maps:
Mountain Region
Piedmont Region
Coastal Region
More Migratory Game Bird Regulations
Deer Regulations
Free Deer Hunting and Processing Webinars
Introduction to Deer Hunting
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 – 8 p.m.
Practical Deer Processing: From Field to Freezer
Thursday, Sept. 16, 7 – 8 p.m.
The statutory limitations for Sunday hunting, prohibiting hunting with a firearm between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., using firearms to hunt deer with the use of dogs, and hunting with a firearm within 500 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof will also apply on game lands. Additionally, hunting migratory game birds on Sunday is prohibited statewide.
Home from the Hunt Reminders
Dove
Deer-Archery
Tree Stand Safety Brings You Home from the Hunt
Increased Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Monitoring
We’ve been monitoring for CWD since 1999 through coordinated statewide surveillance. Samples from over 15,000 deer have been tested to date, and fortunately none were infected with CWD.
However, with new CWD cases reported in surrounding states, the agency is increasing surveillance efforts this season and is urging hunters to cooperate and help Keep CWD out of NC.
What to expect:
Our agency is also in frequent communication with the N.C. Department of Agriculture (NCDA) regarding the management of farmed cervids.
Should there be a CWD case in North Carolina,
WE ARE PREPARED.
To report deer that appear to be sick or diseased, call 866-318-2401.
If you see a wildlife violation in progress, call 800-622-7137.
Hunters can purchase or renew their license and obtain their Federal Harvest Informational Program (HIP) Certification online for immediate use in the field. Licenses can also be purchased by visiting a local wildlife service agent or by calling 1-888-248-6834, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
The hunting season for mourning and white-winged doves will be separated into three segments: Sept. 4 through Oct. 2, Nov. 6 through Nov. 27 and Dec. 9 through Jan. 31. Here are a few things to remember as you head out into the field:
The Wildlife Commission offers a variety of hunter safety courses to ensure everyone comes home from the hunt. Safety tips to keep top of mind this dove season include:
On Aug. 1, new rules and regulations related to hunting, fishing, trapping and nongame species were published in the 2021-22 North Carolina Regulations Digest. The digest is now available online and to download and is a fantastic resource for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy wildlife-associated recreational activities.
Opening day for upcoming seasons:
From left to right: David Hoyle, former Commission chair; Monty Crump; Thomas Fonville; Cameron Ingram, executive director
Wildlife Commissioners recently voted a new chairman and vice chairman to the board. Monty R. Crump and Thomas L. Fonville will serve two years in their new roles respectively. Both look forward to working with their fellow commissioners and agency staff to continue to be good stewards of the state’s wildlife resources.
The last official weekend of summer means more boats on the water. Wildlife law enforcement officers will begin an increased number of safety checks at recreational areas across the state starting Sept. 3 as part of its On the Road, On the Water campaign over Labor Day weekend. Please designate a sober boat operator and make sure everyone has a life jacket for an enjoyable and safe experience for all.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) Update: Senate Bill S.2372 was introduced in the Senate on July 15 as a complementary bill to House Bill H.2773 that was introduced on Earth Day, April 22. A press release was issued from the US Senate outlining how transformative passing RAWA would be for wildlife resources across our state and country. Last week our Commissioners approved a resolution that is being mailed to NC’s Congressional delegation this week urging them to support this legislation. Learn how you can offer your support at OurNatureUSA.com and follow #RecoverWildlife on any social media platform.
David Hoyle (left) former Commission chair, Ned Jones of Trout Unlimited and Cameron Ingram (far right), Commission executive director, present 6-year-old Skyler Cadwallader, of Jacksonville, with her lifetime fishing license, which was generously donated by Trout Unlimited.
In June, the Wildlife Commission celebrated National Fishing and Boating Week with 25 fishing events across the state. Children could fish and register to win prizes just for attending. The grand prize was a Lifetime Sportsman License generously donated by Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston and first place prize was Lifetime Comprehensive Inland Fishing License donated by North Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited.
Congratulations to Rocky Baker of Four Oaks (far left) who caught a record-breaking 127-pound, 1-ounce blue catfish at on Roanoke River on July 10. The bait used was gizzard shad. A week later, on July 17, Taner Rudolph of Hubert (far right) reeled in a state record channel catfish on the Neuse River weighing 26 pounds and caught with cut bait. Way to hook ‘em!
Whether you caught the fish or bought the fish, knowing how to cook it is a must. Check out this delectable recipe for Catfish and Chips featured in the latest issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine.
The Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville is offering fishing merit badge clinic for scouts on Aug. 28. The workshop is led by Boy Scout of America Certified Angling Instructors and volunteers who guide the scouts through all the requirements needed to earn their Fishing Merit Badge. The clinic is free, but limited to 50 scouts. Scout leaders must contact the center director by email or by phone, 910-868-5003, to register their troops.
Sept. 11, Introduction to Falconry Workshop, Raleigh
Sept. 14, Introduction to Deer Hunting webinar
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, Pisgah Forest
National Hunting and Fishing Day
September 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
John F. Lentz Hunter Education Complex and Shooting Range, Ellerbe
The fall edition of the Upland Gazette features articles about turkey research, the pros and cons of private land management, a Sampson County landowner balancing the economics of growing cattle with managing quality wildlife habitat, conservation and management efforts of milkweed and more related to small game, songbird and other game and non-game species and their habitats.
The beaver is the largest North American rodent and are found statewide. They provide many positive benefits to people; their ponds help control erosion and sedimentation, recharge groundwater resources and provides valuable habitat for waterfowl, herons and other wetland wildlife.
However, beavers’ dams can also cause flooding in agricultural fields and residential areas. They can also destroy timber by chewing on or felling trees.
The best way to prevent conflicts with beavers is to manage their population by letting licensed trappers remove them during the regulated trapping season (Nov. 1 through March 31 statewide), when they can be used as a renewable natural resource for pelt, meat and castor oil.
To learn more about how the commission manages beavers, check out our video about the Beaver Management Assistance Program (BMAP):
Applications for permitted hunting opportunities are now available. These hunts provide unique opportunities for special areas or species. Applications are available online, in-person at a Wildlife Service Agent or by calling 888-248-6834, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Application deadlines vary starting in August.
Hunters recorded the second highest wild turkey harvest on record in 2021 with 21,974 birds. The total falls just short of the all-time record set last year of 23,341 birds. More information about this year’s turkey harvest organized by county, game land, hunting implement and youth hunt is now available on our website.
Wildlife biologists are seeking the public’s assistance in reporting observations of wild turkey now through Aug. 31. The information you submit will provide insight into turkey population trends to help improve species management decisions, as noted in the 2020 Observation Survey Report.
South Mountains Game Land is an excellent birding destination that flies under the radar of most bird enthusiasts. Located in the western Piedmont, this 21,647-acre game land’s mountain topography supports a mix of bird species. Special finds include Kentucky warbler, Swainson's warbler and red-headed woodpecker.
Wildlife Diversity biologists compiled a 4-season bird checklist that includes 134 species of birds documented by agency biologists, including over a dozen Species of Greatest Conservation Need (see North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan). Birders can find early fall migrants on the game land in late August and early September, and breeding birds can be seen mid-May - June. So grab your blaze orange, clean your binoculars and start your checklist – and save the date; staff will host a bird walk on Aug. 28. Details will be released next month.
Note: South Mountains Game Lands is a popular hunting destination for deer, turkey and small game.
Be aware of hunting season dates and always wear blaze orange.
The blue-winged teal, submitted by Scot Storm of Freeport, Minn., is the featured duck on this year’s waterfowl stamp and print, available now at the N.C. Wild Store. Proceeds support waterfowl conservation in our state, including acquiring and improving habitat. The 2020 stamp and print of the tundra swan will remain available through December while supplies lasts.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is a bipartisan bill that, if passed, would dedicate over $20 million annually to conserve and restore nearly 500 nongame fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need in N.C. Without this secured funding, many of these species will not get the conservation work needed to keep them off the federal list. Help us to keep common species common. Learn how you can share your support at OurNatureUSA.com and follow #RecoverWildlife on any social media platform.
Every month, Wildlife Commission staff share their expertise, insight and experiences from the field through a webinar series called Science Communication: Understanding our Wild Life. The primary purpose of the series is to understand how science drives the decisions agency staff make to conserve the state’s natural resources and improve the state’s fishing, hunting and wildlife-watching opportunities.
This informative series was developed internally for staff to learn about their colleagues’ work but is also a fantastic resource for the public. View the webinar series on YouTube anytime.
National Geographic recently posted a story about the mysterious decline of Allegheny woodrats, a species our wildlife biologists have been researching. In 2020, Wildlife Management biologists launched a survey of woodrat colony sites and joined a small working group of regional wildlife agencies to learn more about these curious critters. The hope is that a multifaceted approach will help increase their numbers in the wild.
Foothills Public Shooting Complex Now the Largest in the Carolinas – A skeet range, two combination skeet and trap ranges, and a 5-stand range opened to the public on June 23 as part of a $1.3 million shooting complex expansion in Cleveland County. Learn more.
Snow Hill Boat Access Area – Construction of a concreate boat ramp, 30-foot fishing pier, floating boat dock, handicap accessibility and a resurfaced gravel and concrete driveway is now complete in Snow Hill. See all N.C. Boat Access Areas.
Haven’s Garden and Mason’s Landing Kayak Launches – New ADA-compliant kayak launches were recently installed in Washington. A third launch will be constructed this fall in Greenville to improve accessibility and safety for paddlers. Read more.
Foxes – Decks, raised porches and crawlspaces offer protection from the elements and make the perfect location for a fox pair to raise their young. If you’ve found a fox den on your property and need advice, Extension Biologist Falyn Owens offers tips and options.
Fawns - Each year, well-intentioned people “rescue” healthy fawns they mistake as orphaned or abandoned, though this is usually not the case. Biologists urge the public to leave fawns where they were found and contact a permitted fawn rehabilitator. Leaving a fawn alone significantly increases its chances of survival. Read more.
Bears – Black bears in N.C. live mainly in the Mountains and Coastal Plain, but do pass through the Piedmont, usually in May - July. This is when young, “transient” bears are looking for a new home after leaving their mothers’ care and striking out on their own. Remember to follow these six BearWise Basics to prevent conflicts between people and bears.
Our state offers some of the nation’s best inland and coastal fishing with abundant species and game fish. Anglers are encouraged to save time by purchasing fishing licenses online. A fishing license is required for anyone 16 years and older to fish recreationally in public waters. Learn more about fishing at our website.
The Wildlife Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education started hosting a monthly drop-in Fly Fishing Expo this spring, and it’s popularity among visitors has organizers excited about continuing the expo through the fall. Folks can practice holding a fly rod, receive casting instruction and learn to tie a fly. The next event is July 21, and mores dates will be posted online as they confirmed.
Wildlife Commission Fisheries Biologist Ben Ricks offers simple step by step instructions in the Wildlife in North Carolina July/August issue about cleaning and preparing fish so you can enjoy the rewards of your efforts. Read the article.
The American alligator makes its home along the N.C. coast and southeastern border in freshwater swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes and the backwaters of large rivers. It has a broad snout, short neck and legs, and only its upper teeth show when its mouth is closed. Male gators in N.C. can reach 13 feet and 500 pounds. Females grow less than 9 feet and can weigh up to 200 pounds. Adults range in color from black or dark gray to olive. Juveniles are born with bright yellowish-white bands that encircle their bodies and gradually fade over time.
Mating occurs May – June. The average clutch size is 30 – 45 eggs. After laying eggs in a mound-like nest of natural debris, the female is the only reptile in N.C. to protect her young after hatching – for up to two years! Gators can live up to 40 years, eating fish, snakes, frogs, turtles, birds and small mammals. However, humans have begun feeding alligators, both intentionally and unintentionally. This has created dangerous scenarios as alligators become more comfortable around people. Seeing a gator in the wild is exciting, but please remain a safe distance away and do not feed them or other wildlife that live in their habitat. For more information, read the American Alligator Wildlife Profile.
We hope you’ll enjoy the many outdoor wildlife-associated recreational activities our state has to offer this coming holiday weekend.
Anyone in North Carolina may fish for free on July 4, 12 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., regardless of age – no license required! This applies to residents and out-of-state visitors alike.
All anglers, whether fishing for free on the 4th or otherwise, must follow North Carolina fishing regulations, including length and daily possession limits, and bait and tackle restrictions. So, grab a friend or a family member, get out on the water and make some memories!
Helpful links to get you started:
Interactive fishing maps
Interactive boating maps
Stocking information
Tackle Loaner Program
Don’t waste time, buy online!
Purchasing a fishing license is quick and easy.
Contact a Wildlife Commission customer service agent at 888-248-6834,
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit a local Wildlife Service Agent.
The fourth of July weekend is traditionally the busiest weekend on the water and can be the most dangerous. July 2 – 4, wildlife officials will be promoting sobriety while boating through a nationwide campaign called Operation Dry Water. Last year, the agency issued 371 citations and removed 59 people from the water for boating under the influence over the holiday weekend. Don’t be alarmed if you notice an increased presence of wildlife law enforcement officers patrolling the waters and performing sobriety and safety checks, but do be prepared! Our website is full of resources to ensure you have an enjoyable weekend on the water.
The seconds it takes to put on a life jacket may be the difference between life and death. And it's the law. Anyone younger than 13 MUST wear an appropriate life jacket when on a recreational vessel. Read more
Vessel registrations in North Carolina have increased significantly over the past year. With more boaters on the water this summer, safety is imperative. When wakeboarding, please follow these recommendations to “wake responsibly” and help create an environment everyone on the water can enjoy:
The Wildlife Commission will open 34 trout streams and two lakes classified as Delayed Harvest to trout harvest June 5 - Sept. 30. From 6 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on opening day, Delayed Harvest waters are open only to anglers 17 years old and younger. At noon, waters open to all anglers. During this time, anglers can keep up to seven trout per day — with no gear or bait restrictions and no minimum size limits. A list of Delayed Harvest trout waters, regulation information and trout maps can be found at ncwildlife.org/trout.
Vessel registrations in North Carolina have increased 10 percent since January. With more boaters on the water this spring, summer and fall, safety is imperative. When wakeboarding, please follow these recommendations to “wake responsibly” and help create an environment everyone on the water can enjoy:
The reported bear harvest for the 2020-21 bear hunting season increased by 8 percent statewide and is the highest harvest on record, totaling 3,748 bears. Over half of the bears harvested were in the Coastal Bear Management Unit, and the number of successful still hunters continues to increase. Browse season totals and harvest summaries here. A full 2020-21 season report, including results of harvested bear ages and weights, will be published in the fall in the bear annual report.
It’s common this time of year to see baby rabbits nesting in yards, fledglings growing into their wings, and fawns “hiding” in the foliage. Many North Carolinians wonder how to help the baby wildlife they’ve found. In most instances, the answer is “enjoy the view and then walk away.” Extension Biologist, Falyn Owens, explains why.
Barn Owl Nests: If you see an active nest or other evidence of a barn owl on your property, biologists would like to install nest boxes to monitor owl nest success and other life habits. Contact Allison Medford,
910-975-9393. Learn what to look for here.
Rattlesnakes: The timber, the Carolina pigmy and the eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are in decline and protected by the N.C. Endangered Species Act. If you spot one of these rattlers, send an email to rattlesnake@ncwildlife.org with a photo (required), date and time the snake was observed and location (GPS coordinates preferred), or log your observation on the Herpmapper mobile app. Learn more about these ecologically important vipers.
Pine Snakes: Pine snakes are a native, threatened species, and we’d like to know more about their distribution across the state. If you see one of these large reptiles in the wild, please send an email to pinesnake@ncwildlife.org with a photo (required), date and time the snake was observed and location. You can also download the the HerpMapper mobile app and document your observations electronically. The agency partners with the app to track amphibian and reptile species.
Chipmunks: A recent photograph from a Wilmington resident has biologists curious about chipmunks’ range, which has traditionally been north and west of Wake County. If you observe a chipmunk or its burrow in New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, Duplin, Sampson, Bladen, Cumberland, Moore, Montgomery, Anson, Richmond or Robeson counties, take a picture (required), note the location, date and time the chipmunk was seen and contact the NC Wildlife Helpline, 866-318-2401.
In May, former N.C. Wildlife Commissioner Eddie Bridges passed away. Bridges served two six-year terms starting in 1977 and was the force behind creating the agency’s Lifetime License program and subsequently, the N.C. Wildlife Endowment Fund. He also played a role in proposing the North Carolina Waterfowl Stamp and Tax Check-off program, both which raise money for wildlife conservation. He will be remembered as a stellar philanthropist and passionate conservationist with a legacy that will last many lifetimes.
It’s always a good time to purchase or renew your hunting and fishing license. This video, “Conservation, Let’s Target Outdoors,” highlights how your support contributes to the conservation and management of North Carolina’s wildlife resources through the Wildlife Restoration Program.
Even the most experienced hunters can get turned around in the woods. On Dec. 17, 2020, Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Justin St. Onge participated in the search and rescue of a lost hunter in the Uwharrie National Forest in Montgomery County. Watch how the rescue unfolded and the lessons learned.
On May 21, Wildlife Commission staff and commissioners, local officials, state dignitaries and Cumberland County residents gathered in Dunn to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Rhodes Pond Dam Spillway and Impoundment Restoration Project. The project has experienced years of delays due to weather events and funding challenges but now is on track to be completed in late 2022.
Volunteers are needed June 15 - 17 for the annual habitat enhancement project supported by the Wildlife Commission, Lake Gaston Association, NC State University, Lake Gaston Weed Control Council and the Virginia DWR. Volunteer help is critical to creating a better habitat for animals, fishing, swimming, boating and all recreational activities on the water. Contact Jeff Zimmer to get involved.
While populations of North Carolina's six venomous snakes have largely declined due to habitat loss and persecution, the copperhead has persisted and even thrived. How is that so? Read our free article, "The Copperhead's Road," in the latest issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine to find out more.
Upcoming Classes, Workshops & Programs:
June 5 - 13, National Fishing and Boating Week, Youth Fishing Events, statewide
June 10, ForestHer NC, Protecting Your Woods Webinar Series #3: Forest certification & cost-share programs
Species Spotlight // Least Tern
The least tern, the smallest American tern averaging 8 to 9 inches, is found along our coastline and inland waterways. It prefers to nest in colonies or occasionally as an individual pair on sandy or shelly beaches, and even gravel rooftops. Its diet consists of small fish, crustaceans and insects. The least tern will hover over the water searching for prey and dive to catch fish or catch insects while flying.
Least terns have breeding and nonbreeding plumage. During the breeding season, least terns have a black cap that ends with a white forehead and a black stripe through the eye ending at the beak. Beaks are yellow with a black tip. Outside the breeding season, they have a black eye stripe that goes toward the back of the head, the top of their head is white, and they have black bills.
Least terns are a species of special concern in North Carolina, primarily because they require quiet beaches, undisturbed by tourists, and they are vulnerable to predators such as foxes, raccoons, coyotes, free-roaming domestic cats, and rambunctious, well-intentioned dogs. It’s important that we share the shore with least terns and other beach-nesting seabirds and shorebirds. For more information, read the Least Tern Wildlife Profile.
Hunters across the state reported harvesting 169,973 deer during the 2020-21 hunting season — a 9.1 percent increase compared to the average harvest the last three seasons. Earlier this year, Wildlife Commission Biologist Jon Shaw conducted a webinar Managing NC’s Deer Herd: A Look at Databases & Key Metrics explaining in detail how the Commission uses the reported harvest and other data to monitor the herd. The reported harvest is likely influenced by both increased deer numbers and hunter effort. “The pandemic resulted in more time at home and opportunity to engage in outdoor activities for lots of people. The increase in new hunters and overall hunter participation is an encouraging trend that we hope will continue in the future,” Shaw said.
Good news!
No Chronic Wasting Disease detected in NC deer herd. Learn more.
The Wildlife Commission has approved season dates, bag limits and applicable regulations for the 2021-22 waterfowl, webless migratory game bird (including doves), and extended waterfowl seasons. A notable change is duck seasons are now established within two duck hunting zones, Coastal and Inland, which are separated by Interstate 95. Up to three season segments are allowed in each zone and can change annually. Federal frameworks require the zones to remain in place through the 2025-26 season. Daily bag limits will be the same in both zones.
During its business meeting on April 22, the Wildlife Commission voted to notice a temporary rule for the 2021-22 hunting season. The rule (15A NCAC 10D .0103) was adopted by the agency in February but received objections. By law, this rule is subject to legislative review, which will not be completed before the 2021-22 hunting season regulations are published on Aug. 1. Enacting a temporary rule will help avoid public confusion when the season starts. Proposed temporary amendments to the rule include all previously adopted changes except for the prohibition of horseback riding on William H. Silver Game Land and the name change of Alcoa Game Land to Yadkin River Game Land. An online public hearing will be held May 13 at 6 p.m.
Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers have a unique job within the law enforcement community. They not only enforce the laws that protect the public, but also N.C.’s wildlife resources. Please join the Commission in honoring its 200+ officers who wear the uniform proudly and go above and beyond to risk their safety in the interest of others and our wild places. Give them a “shout out” on the agency’s Facebook page and take a moment to remember the 11 wildlife officers who have died in the line of duty.
The Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program conducts projects that target nongame animals and their habitats. Oftentimes game species —such as deer, turkey, mountain trout and black bass — also benefit from this work because they share many of the same habitats. The recently published 2020 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report provides an overview of these vital projects and the species they benefit.
REMINDER! Donate a portion of your NC tax refund to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund.
Simply check line 30 on your state income tax by May 17.
Efforts to protect sea turtle nests and nesting areas along the N.C. coast are showing positive results in the loggerhead sea turtle population. Sea turtles nest individually on ocean facing beaches from May through August. Hatchlings emerge from the nests between July and November. If you’re heading to the beach, stay alert for sea turtle nests, as well as posted and protected areas. Your courtesy and caution are appreciated.
Whether you are operating a vessel or vehicle, please don’t drink and drive. The Wildlife Commission urges the public to be responsible while enjoying the road and the water through its annual On the Road, On the Water campaign. Safety checks and events will kick off on May 28 at Lake Chatuge and other recreational areas across the state in cooperation with local police and sheriffs’ offices, State Highway Patrol and partner organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Also consider these boating safety best practices:
May 1 marked the first day of pup rearing for bats. If you suspect bats may be living in your home, leave them be until the end of July so they can rear their young. In the meantime, wildlife biologists suggest contacting a Wildlife Control Agent who can seal off any entryways that lead into your living space to minimize the chance of human interaction. Bats return to the same roost each spring, so if you’d like to offer an alternative roost for them next year, consider installing a bat house.
The Wildlife Commission is already seeing a spike in black bear reports this spring due to the state’s growing residential footprint and people moving closer to bear habitat. Remember these six BearWise Basics:
For questions regarding bears and other human-wildlife interactions, contact the Commission’s NC Wildlife Helpline, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., at 866-318-2401 or email anytime at HWI@ncwildlife.org.
BearWise biologists and Audubon North Carolina recommend growing native plants to attract birds as an alternative to hanging bird feeders. Native plants provide the full range of healthy foods birds need year-round and are more naturally spread across the landscape. Not only does this prevent the spread of bird diseases like salmonellosis, but it also removes artificial feeders, which encourages visits by wildlife like bears, coyotes and raccoons.
The 2021 Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament (YHEST) state championships were held on April 24. Elkin High Elks team won the overall senior division and Gray Stone Middle team won the overall junior division. View all the results on the YHEST webpage.
On Earth Day, April 22, the 2020 Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award was presented to Allen Boynton of Troutdale, Virginia. Boynton’s nomination was submitted by colleagues who acknowledged Boynton’s outstanding achievements throughout his 40-year career in wildlife conservation. Read the full press release here.
Sometimes Fishing Isn't Just About Fishing!
Opportunities Await, Renew or Purchase Your Fishing License Today.
Your license provides you access to fish our state’s beautiful lakes, rivers and streams. The fees from your license renewal, 100% in fact, are re-invested in conservation across our great state to ensure healthy fish populations and make these opportunities possible.
Your fishing license is just a click away!
Virtual and in-person opportunities are available!
May 13, ForestHer NC, Protecting Your Woods Webinar Series #2: Non-timber income and agritourism
May 19, NC Bird Atlas: Beginner’s Guide, An Introduction to NC Bird Atlas for new birders and altasers
May 29, Beyond BOW, Introduction to Kayak Fishing for Women
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, Corolla
Species Spotlight // Red Crossbill
The red crossbill is part of the finch family and listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina, indicating a need for monitoring. But monitoring is challenging because flocks are nomadic, covering long distances in search of the next big conifer cone crop. That challenge made finding an active red crossbill nest in the DuPont State Recreational Forest a very exciting project for a couple of our wildlife diversity staff. Read their story and learn more about the red crossbill on our blog.
Wild turkey hunting season opened on April 3 with one week dedicated to youth hunting. The statewide season runs April 10 – May 8. Hopes are high that it will be another impressive harvest season, as the turkey population remains robust.
Last month, the agency published a gobbling chronology report summarizing the findings of a four-year study that tracked wild turkey gobbling activity across the state. The data confirmed high levels of gobbling activity in April and May, likely leading to high levels of hunter satisfaction.
Hunters are limited to two turkeys for the season, only one of which may be taken during the youth season. As you prepare for your hunt, please remember our Home from the Hunt safety tips and to report your turkey harvest on a Big Game Harvest Report Card.
Approximately 900 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are now open in western N.C. until Feb. 28, 2022. Staff will continue to stock the waters with nearly 787,000 trout through August — 96% of which will average 10 inches in length, with the other 4% exceeding 14 inches in length. Anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limit or bait restriction. Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are open to public fishing, however many of those miles are privately owned. Please respect the property where you fish. Read our guidelines here.
The striped bass harvest season in the Roanoke River Management Area opens Saturday and will run:
Fishing reports from the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers will be posted weekly on the agency’s Coastal Rivers Fisheries Reports webpage, providing data from springtime electrofishing sampling and creel survey updates for striped bass, American shad and hickory shad.
Increased songbird chatter and swirling pollen mean spring is here. As critters emerge from their winter habitats and forage for food, please remember to leave wildlife alone. Wild parents often go exploring, leaving their young behind for both short and long periods of time. Fight the urge to handle, remove or feed young animals that you think are orphaned. Instead, call the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401. A wildlife biologist will help to assess the situation and determine next steps.
Wildlife Enforcement Officer Performs Lifesaving Mission
Last month, Master Officer David Ritzheimer assisted in the rescue of a kayaker who had turned his vessel over on Falls Reservoir and had been underwater for several minutes. Ritzheimer and a deputy from the Stanly County Sheriff's Office took turns performing CPR for multiple minutes before the kayaker was revived and able to breath on his own. The kayaker was then taken to the hospital for treatment.
An act of heroism like this makes being a wildlife enforcement officer rewarding and unique. If you have a passion for the outdoors and want to serve your community like Officer Ritzheimer, a career in our law enforcement division may be right for you.
Keep an eye out for bird nests found directly on the sandy beaches or islands along the sound this April through August. Nests are difficult to see since eggs and chicks blend in with the sand. Wildlife Commission biologists and cooperators have marked known areas with posts and signage, but some areas may not be marked. Extra caution is appreciated!
We Make Great Neighbors
The Wildlife Commission has recently partnered with the Nextdoor social platform, which gives us the ability to reach more N.C. residents than ever before. We’ll have the ability to target information by region, county and even neighborhood. We look forward to using Nextdoor in exciting new ways, such as region-specific, wildlife-related alerts including prescribed burns on game lands and bear interactions, to statewide information such as hunting and fishing season dates and regulations.
Wildlife in North Carolina's new YouTube channel will complement magazine articles with additional video footage. Featured content will include "Wild & Tasty" recipes, on-the-scene coverage, interviews, how-to demonstrations, promotional information and more.
Reminders
New Guidance on Zebra Mussels: The Wildlife Commission continues to monitor the zebra mussel situation in N.C., as the invasive species was found in aquatic moss balls sold throughout the country and the state. If you’ve purchased moss balls since Feb. 1, please review our new informational video and updated alert about the 3 Ds. DESTROY. DISPOSE. DISINFECT.
Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee Seeking Members: Nominations for expert and at-large seats. Individuals should apply by April 30.
Nominate an Individual or Organization for the Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award: Nominations for both the individual and organization categories are being accepted through May 1. View nomination procedures here.
Tax Deadline Extended May 17: Donate a portion or all of your refund to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. Simply check line 30 on your state income tax form or tell you tax preparer you’d like to donate. If you’re e-filing, check the box to donate when prompted.
Already filed? Give year-round to the N.C. Wildlife Diversity Endowment Fund or register for a Wildlife Conservation license plate.
NC Bird Atlas Surveying has Begun: Follow the program as it takes flight on Facebook and Twitter.
Wildlife Recreation Guide
Curious about what you can hunt, fish and trap this time of year? Check out our Regulations Digest online.
Inland Fishing
Wild Turkey
Your license is just a click away!
Beyond BOW, Fly-Fishing Basics for Women, April 17
ForestHer NC, Protecting Your Woods Webinar Series #2: Non-timber income and agritourism, May 13
Species Spotlight // Feral Swine
Feral swine are non-native invaders, capable of severe impacts on native wildlife and plants. They tend to be covered in stiff, bristly hair and can be white, black, brown or red in color. Feral swine can be up to 6 feet long, 40 inches tall and between 150 – 220 pounds. Although shy and elusive, they can thrive in urban, suburban and rural areas across N.C.
Feral swine forage by digging up soil. This rooting behavior causes at least $1.5 billion in damage annually to stream banks, crops, landscaping, etc. across the U.S. Due to this behavior and the diseases they can transmit, they are deemed highly destructive and should be removed wherever they occur. Trapping of entire groups with corral-style traps followed by targeted removal of any remaining pigs is the best method of control. Read more about feral swine here.
To address the harmful impacts of feral swine to wildlife and natural resources, the Wildlife Commission is part of the NC Feral Swine Task Force, a partnership with the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, N.C. Department of Health & Human Services and N.C. Cooperative Extension. The Task Force works closely with landowners to measure damages caused by feral swine and establish a collaborative, effective strategy to remove them from the landscape. Check out the task force's website to learn about managing and reporting feral swine.
2021-2022 Rules & Regulations Updates
On. Feb. 25, the Wildlife Commission held its first business meeting of the year (agenda). Commissioners accepted 40 of the proposed rule changes related to wildlife management, inland fisheries and game lands for the 2021-22 seasons. The effective date for these regulations is Aug. 1, 2021.
Highlights of what was adopted by the Wildlife Commission include changes related to:
Hatchery Supported Trout Waters Closed Until April 3
Approximately 1,000 miles of Hatchery Supported Trout Waters are closed until April 3 at 7 a.m. Wildlife Commission personnel will stock approximately 960,000 trout — 96% of which will average 10 inches in length, with the other 4% exceeding 14 inches in length. These waters, marked by green-and-white signs, will be stocked frequently this spring and early summer. Anglers can harvest a maximum of seven trout per day, with no minimum size limit or bait restriction.
Striped Bass Harvest Questions Answered
In January, we announced the reduced striped bass harvest season in the Roanoke River Management Area. This caught a lot of anglers off guard and angered many others. Chad Thomas, the Wildlife Commission’s coastal fisheries supervisor, helps sort through the history, science and facts that led the Wildlife Commission to make such a difficult decision.
Get credit for catching “the big one” with N.C. Angler Recognition Program.
Learn more about this prestigious certificate program on our website.
Consumer Alert: Aquarium Moss Balls May Contain Invasive Zebra Mussels
If you’ve recently purchased aquarium moss balls from a local retailer or pet store, they may contain tiny zebra mussels, an invasive species that not only causes harm to other aquatic wildlife, but can also do extensive damage to pipes and water systems. If you have purchased moss balls in the past month, please carefully destroy and discard them immediately.
Protect Vulnerable Wildlife in North Carolina
It’s tax time, which means North Carolinians have the opportunity to donate a portion or all of their tax refund to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. Tax donations are the most significant source of non-federal funding that supports projects that benefit nongame wildlife and endangered wildlife. Check line 30 on your N.C. state income tax form or tell your tax preparer you’d like to donate. If you’re e-filing, check the box to donate when prompted.
Read about the projects and wildlife, like the woodrat pictured above, which your donation supports in the recently published Wildlife Diversity Report.
Salmonellosis Likely Linked to Bird Feeders
A concerning number of dead goldfinches and pine siskins have been reported in yards across the state. In response, Wildlife Commission biologists had multiple carcasses tested by the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study laboratory. The preliminary cause of death was diagnosed as salmonellosis, a common bacterial disease often fatal in songbirds that frequent bird feeders. This diagnosis has shown up in other bird fatality reports too. The Wildlife Commission is urging the public to clean feeders frequently and remove them immediately for 2 – 3 weeks if disease is suspected.
If you suspect salmonellosis, contact the Commission’s Wildlife Helpline at 1-866-318-2401, HWI@ncwildlife.org.
Archery Tournament Hits Bullseye
It looked different from past years, but the North Carolina Virtual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Tournament took place in schools across the state Feb. 20 – 27. The student archers and coaches did a tremendous job hosting the events and following the state health department’s COVID-19 guidelines.
This shrimp trawler, stranded in Queen’s Creek near Swansboro, was the first vessel removed by the NCWRC.
Ahoy, Abandoned Vessels Removed
Wildlife Commission law enforcement officers and environmental specialists are putting appropriated funds from the N.C. Legislature to good work. Officers assessed and stickered over 70 abandoned and derelict vessels littering our waterways and marshes because of Hurricane Florence and other circumstances. These vessels have been an ongoing problem for municipalities and the public, and for the first time in the agency’s history, staff are able to help. Removal of the vessels will ensure protection of valuable natural resources and enhance the beauty of our waterways.
See A Bear Den? Leave It Alone!
Black bears are very resourceful in finding places to shelter late December through April. Dens may be found in rock cavities, brush piles, tree cavities, under fallen trees, ground nests, under decks and in crawlspaces. If you find a den, either on private or public property, do not panic. Leave the area quickly and quietly, do not disturb the den for the rest of the winter season, and feel free to contact your district wildlife biologist for further guidance.
NCWRC Education Centers: A Spring Break Destination
This spring break, plan a family road trip to one of our three education centers. We’ve got the mountains, piedmont and coast covered with the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. You’ll be amazed by the variety of FREE classes for folks of all ages.
The March/April issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine is now available. Subscribe now for just $12 a year to get your copy, which includes a how-to article on fishing for redfin pickerel, an up-close examination of a fire ant's sting and a guide for buying a hunting dog. As a bonus, read our free article about lessons learned after an experienced turkey hunter's challenging season.
Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee Seeking Members
The Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee, a board of North Carolina citizens that provides advice to the Wildlife Commission on nongame wildlife conservation issues across the state, is accepting nominations for expert and at-large seats. Individuals should apply by April 30.
Nominate an Individual or Organization for Small Game Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award. This prestigious honor recognizes meaningful contributions of an individual or organization that benefit North Carolina’s small game populations and/or small game habitat. Nominations for both individuals and organization categories are now being accepted through May 1.
Read about our state’s wildlife species and habitats in spring edition of The Upland Gazette.
NC Bird Atlas 101 Workshop
Join us for a virtual NC Bird Atlas workshop on Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Learn all the information you need to get started on this state-wide community science survey. Bird watchers of all levels are welcome.
Bear e-Stamp Survey Reminder
The agency continues to seek feedback from bear e-stamp holders. The information gathered will guide the Wildlife Commission’s management decisions for black bears and bear hunters, and be used to evaluate current and future regulations and statutes. Please complete our online questionnaire, even if you did not hunt for bears during the 2020 season.
Public Comment Period for Waterfowl, Webless and Extended Falconry Seasons
Each year, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provides season date frameworks from which the Wildlife Commission may choose hunting season dates within the established guidelines. March 12 – 29, the agency is seeking public comment on the 2021-22 season dates under various species categories. It’s important that you review the changes proposed and that we hear from you. Thank you!
Light Geese (conservation order season, by permit only)
Coming up:
Need a license? It’s just a click away!
Upcoming FREE Classes, Workshops & Programs:
Changes to the 2021 Striped Bass Harvest Season on the Roanoke
In mid-January, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) issued a proclamation outlining significant changes to the 2021 striped bass harvest season in the Roanoke River Management Area.
The 2021 harvest dates will be:
The harvest reduction was deemed a necessary conservation action intended to rebuild the striped bass population after results from a 2020 stock assessment indicated that the stock was overfished, and overfishing was occurring.
Read more about the changes to the 2021 Roanoke River striped bass harvest season here.
View map of impacted areas here.
Watch NCWRC’s webinar “Cooperating, Collaborating and Planning for Coastal Striped Bass Management” presented by Research Director David Cobb and Anadromous Research Coordinator Jeremey McCargo for a deep dive into striped bass management efforts.
Wildlife Diversity Award Nominations Close Jan. 31
Now is the time to submit your nomination for the 2021 Thomas L. Quay Wildlife Diversity Award that honors an individual who has made a significant commitment to, and provided leadership in, the promotion the conservation of nongame species and their habitats in North Carolina. The award recipient will be announced this summer.
Make Your Voice Heard Now
The public comment period for proposed changes to the 2021-2022 inland fishing, hunting, trapping and game land regulations will close on Monday, Feb. 1 at 11:59 p.m. If you haven’t had the opportunity to review the proposals a pre-recorded overview is available.
We want to hear from you! Please submit your comments on the agency’s online portal, by email or by mail to Rule-Making Coordinator, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1700.
Stunning Portrait of Common Grackle Wins Photo Competition
Matt Cuda of Tobaccoville, a 48-year-old software developer who has been dabbling in amateur photography since 1995, won the grand prize in the 2020 Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition. The winning image, a portrait shot of a common grackle, was featured on the January/February 2021 edition of Wildlife in North Carolina and earned Cuda $200.
Read more about Cuda’s submission and the other category winners at WINC online, or consider a subscription to WINC —available in print and digital editions.
NCWRC improvements to the Lake Hinson Park project included a rebuild of the public fishing pier, a new retaining wall, a new concrete boat ramp, two new floating docks and major repairs to the facility’s walkways.
Division Spotlight: NCWRC Engineering Team Restores Hinson Lake Boat Ramp
NCWRC has a team of 22 engineers and construction technicians dedicated to improving facilities to better serve you. They are constantly improving water access areas, public wildlife and fishing facilities, and supporting game lands maintenance and NCWRC’s infrastructure across the state.
In January, the team completed the reconstruction of Hinson Lake Park Boating Access Area in Rockingham. Thanks to the hard work of NCWRC’s engineers and construction crew, and Rockingham county partners, this facility can once again be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts for many years to come.
Bird Programs Ready To Take Flight
Whether you are an experienced birder, or simply enjoy bird watching in your yard, check out these exciting opportunities for you to take part in avian conservation.
Helpful birding resources: NCBirdingTrail.org, Top 5 Bird Identification Resources.
Donate to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund at Tax Time
Individuals will be able to start filing their income taxes on Feb. 12. If you expect to receive a refund, please consider donating it to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. This can be done by checking the box on line 30 on your tax form or clicking “yes” when asked the question when filing with electronically. Your participation is crucial in securing adequate funding to protect the future of nongame and endangered species.
If you do not expect a refund, but want to support nongame wildlife, please consider a direct gift to the N.C. Wildlife Diversity Endowment Fund.
Feedback Needed from Hunters for Annual Bear e-Stamp Survey
NCWRC is seeking important feedback from bear e-stamp holders so agency staff can determine:
This information will guide the NCWRC’s management decisions for Black Bears and bear hunters, and be used to evaluate current and future regulations and statutes. Please complete our online questionnaire, even if you did not hunt for bears during the 2020 season. Your immediate response is appreciated.
Prescribed Burns Likely Coming to a Game Land Near You
Each winter, NCWRC staff begin to conduct a series of prescribed burns throughout the state. The agency is scheduled to burn approximately 35,000 acres January-July, so don’t be alarmed if you see smoke on a game land near you.
§ Special note: Youth & Veterans/Military Waterfowl Days are Feb. 6 & Feb. 13
Were you new to hunting or fishing in 2020? If so, the Wildlife Commission's Education Division would love to hear your story!
Email us at wrceducation@ncwildlife.org with a few details about your new hunting or fishing experience, including how you got started, where you went and how you did.
ForestHer NC, Enjoying your Woods Webinar #2, Recreational Trails & Aesthetic Forestry
Turkey Hunting Skills Based Seminars, Statewide
Species Spotlight // The Nine-banded Armadillo
The cute, yet not so cuddly, Nine-banded Armadillo arrived in N.C. in the late 2000s, and is primarily observed in the western part of the state, although statewide sightings are increasing. They are classified in the same order as anteaters and sloths, and are the only mammals that have a shell, which consists of hardened skin plates covering their bodies.
The “armored pig” forages the forest floor with its long snout and long, sticky and flexible tongue for grubs, termites, fire ants and worms —usually alone at night, but also during the day in the winter. Their tell-tale sign is multiple shallow holes in the yard. Their digging habits have been known to dismantle gardens, flower beds and lawns.
Armadillos can be trapped during the regulated trapping season (Nov. 1 through the end of Feb.) or with a depredation permit. They can also be hunted year-round. It is illegal to relocate or poison an armadillo. If you observe an armadillo, call the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 or email NCWRC.
Fact or fiction? Armadillos carry leprosy.
Research provided by Colleen Olfenbuttel, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 2019.
Give the Gift of the Outdoors to the Nature Lovers in Your Life.
For Valentine's Day, receive two digital subscriptions to Wildlife in North Carolina for just $10. Named the best state wildlife magazine in the nation six times, each issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine features informative and entertaining stories about hunting, fishing, conservation, species, wildlife photography and much more. The digital edition of Wildlife in North Carolina is conveniently delivered directly to your inbox. Order today.
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