North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission News

Wildlife Commission Schedules Free Deer Hunting and Deer Processing Seminars.  This Fall The Wildlife Commission, along with partners, is offering seven deer hunting seminars and two deer processing seminars. All seminars are free. Deer hunting seminar topics include deer biology, hunting methods and equipment, as well as field care of deer, processing and easy-to-follow recipes.

Deer processing seminars will feature video demonstrations and tips from the experts on how to process a deer from field to freezer. Topics include field dressing, skinning, safe meat handling, basic home processing and taxidermy. Get more information and registration HERE.

 Dove Hunting Season Opens Sept. 3, 2016.   Hunting season for doves opens Saturday, Sept. 3 with shooting hours beginning a half-hour before sunrise and ending at sunset for the entire season, including opening day. The daily bag limit is 15. The season is separated into two segments: Sept. 3–Oct. 8 and Nov. 21–Jan. 14. The season does not include Sundays. Hunting of migratory game birds by any method is not allowed on Sundays.

Dove Hunters Should Follow State and Federal Migratory Game Bird Laws. The Wildlife Commission is reminding dove hunters that it is a violation of state and federal law to take migratory game birds with the use or aid of salt, grain, fruit or other bait. Hunters are responsible for ensuring that they do not hunt in or over a baited field. To avoid a baiting controversy, hunters should understand dove hunting regulations fully and inspect areas to be hunted for signs of baiting. Hunters also need to be aware that an area is considered baited for 10 days following the removal of all bait.

Youth Deer Hunting Day is Sept. 24.  The Wildlife Commission has set Saturday, Sept. 24, as Youth Deer Hunting Day. On this day, hunters younger than 16 will be able to use any legal weapon to hunt deer on both private lands and public game lands. Any youth who have successfully completed and passed a hunter education course will not be required to be accompanied by an adult. Get more information HERE.

Stay Safe On the Road and On the Water this Labor Day Weekend - Don't Drink and Drive. Starting Friday, drivers and boat operators across North Carolina may encounter sobriety checkpoints and increased enforcement patrols as the Wildlife Commission and partners conclude their “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign. In North Carolina, a driver or boat operator with a blood-alcohol concentration that meets or exceeds .08 is subject to arrest.



Free, Family-Friendly Outdoor Events Scheduled for Sept. 24.  The Wildlife Commission is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 24 at six family-friendly events throughout the state. The events are free with the exception of one Greenwing fishing event. Activities vary from event to event but include air rifle range, archery, fishing, outdoor cooking, identifying insects, lure making, beekeeping, dog retrieving demonstrations and much more.

Wildlife Commission Passes Resolution Supporting Annual Funding for Wildlife Conservation.  On Aug. 25, the Wildlife Commission passed a resolution supporting bipartisan congressional legislation that would provide $1.3 billion to conserve more than 12,000 fish and wildlife species in greatest need of conservation while providing the public with more access to open spaces. The resolution supports the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (HR5650). If passed, the legislation would provide North Carolina with approximately $32.1 million annually.

The 2017 Wildlife Calendar is now available. The calendar, which makes an excellent holiday gift, features outstanding wildlife art with profiles of each artist, fishing days with moon phase information, and other information. At only $9 each, these perennially popular calendars sell quickly so get yours before they're gone. Visit the Wildlife Commission's N.C. WildStore for more information and to order.