RALEIGH, N.C. – On Sept. 22, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host or support four family-friendly outdoor skills events to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. The events, most of which are free, offer activities and exhibits that highlight the state’s rich hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation heritage.

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

• Durham County Wildlife Club in Wake County. This free event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include air rifle shooting, archery, boating safety, fishing, game recovery, tree stand safety, turkey calls/hunting tips and hunting dogs. No pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Cristy Bullock, at 919-707-0176.
• Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest, near Brevard. This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hands-on, interactive exhibits and demonstrations include fishing, outdoor cooking, fly casting, fly tying, wild game taste sampling and more. Exhibits in the center include five aquatic habitats with live fish, frogs, salamanders and snakes. For more information, contact Lee Sherrill at 828-877-4423.

Two additional events, the Commission is supporting, are:

• Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in Currituck County. Event begins at 8 a.m. Fishing, archery and birding opportunities will be available for all participants. The Guilford Chapter of the N.C. Bowhunters Association is offering archery lessons. For $20 each, anglers ages 4 to 14 receive a rod and reel combo, bait, Fish for Fun bags filled with wildlife-related items and a Greenwing membership. Lunch and beverages are provided for participants and their families. Pre-registration is preferred by calling 252-619-0575 or 252-453-0221 ext. 8. On-site registration is also offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Rose Hill Farms in Nash County. The Tar River Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation is hosting its free 17th Annual Jakes Day. The event begins at 9 a.m. Activities include air rifle shooting, Labrador retriever demonstrations, rock climbing wall, zip line, a rope bridge, reptile display, shark tooth dig and more.

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

About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

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