NC Commission Approves Regulation Changes

RALEIGH, NC- The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted on July 12 to take to statewide public hearings 68 proposed changes to the state's wildlife management and fishing regulations for the 2013-2014 seasons. An online comment form also will be available in early August.

The wildlife management proposals include creating a one-week Spring Youth Only Wild Turkey Season from the first Saturday in April through the following Friday. The bag limit for this entire week will be one bird. In addition, the Commission is proposing allowing an adult to accompany more than one youth during the Spring Youth Only Wild Turkey Season.

The proposals also include removing restrictions on carrying firearms during the deer bow-and-arrow season and pistols during the muzzleloader season in accordance with state law, and allowing hunting with muzzleloading pistols.

Fishing proposals include reclassifying 2.2 miles of Fires Creek in Clay County and 2.8 miles of Big Snowbird Creek in Graham County to Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.

The proposals also include adding bighead and silver carp to the list of species that are unlawful to transport, purchase, possess, sell or stock into public or private waters. In addition, another proposal reduces the possession limit of American shad in the inland fishing waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries to five fish per day within the 10-fish creel for American and hickory shad in combination.

For a complete list of the proposed regulations changes, see the Proposed Changes in Fishing and Wildlife Management Regulations for 2013-2014 for Public Notice and Presentation at Public Hearings document.

The schedule for the 2013-2014 public hearings is below. Public hearings begin at 7 p.m.

DATE
DISTRICT
CITY
LOCATION


September 11, 2012
(Tuesday)
4
Dublin
Bladen Community College


September 12, 2012
(Wednesday)
5
Graham
Courthouse


September 13, 2012
(Thursday)
6
Norwood
South Stanly High School


September 18, 2012
(Tuesday)
9
Murphy
Tri-County Community College


September 19, 2012
(Wednesday)
8
Morganton
Municipal Auditorium


September 20, 2012
(Thursday)
7
Wilkesboro
The Walker Center,
Wilkes Community College

September 25, 2012
(Tuesday)
1
Edenton
Swain Auditorium


September 26, 2012
(Wednesday)
2
New Bern
Courthouse


September 27, 2012
(Thursday)
3
Rocky Mount
Nash Community College

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.

Get N.C. Wildlife Update - news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more - delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go towww.ncwildlife.org/enews.

Contact:
Carolyn Rickard, Public Information Officer (919) 707-0124 or carolyn.rickard@ncwildlife.org