RALEIGH -The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host 11 hunting mentor seminars statewide in September to network with experienced hunters and share information about mentoring new hunters.

The Wildlife Commission created the new "Hunting Mentor Seminars" to build on the popularity of free, skills-based hunting seminars that the Commission has been offering to the public since 2011. The Commission created the skill-based hunting seminars to address potential barriers to hunter recruitment and retention in North Carolina, according to Walter "Deet" James, the Commission's hunting heritage biologist.

Participants attending the hunting mentor seminars will:
• Understand why hunter recruitment and retention is important,

• Hear personal accounts from experienced mentors including mentoring tips and suggestions, and

• Learn about social networking and opportunities to connect with other hunters.

"As a resource-based agency, the Wildlife Commission tries to connect people to resources," James said. "The agency also can reinvigorate, not reinvent, hunter mentoring. These hunting mentor seminars will address informational barriers and communication barriers by connecting people to people."
The seminars are free and scheduled weekday evenings throughout North Carolina. Online registration is required. Locations, dates and times of seminars are:
• Merchants Millpond State Park: 176 Mill Pond Road, Gatesville, Sept. 3 (6-8 p.m.)

• Tidewater Research Station: 207 Research Station Road, Roper, Sept. 4 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Oak Hill Farm Shooting Preserve: 899 Warrentown Road, Snow Hill, Sept. 9 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education: 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, Sept. 10 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Allen Brothers Club House: 3062 Cabbage Road, Bladenboro, Sept. 11 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center: 7489 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, Sept. 16 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• The Fork Farm: 3200 Fork Road, Norwood, Sept. 17 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Shady Knoll Shooting Preserve: 3642 Shady Knoll Drive, Asheboro, Sept. 18 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Willow Oaks Plantation: 432 Willow Oak Drive, Eden, Sept. 23 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Hunting Creek Preserves: 300 North Meadow Road, Harmony, Sept. 24 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

• Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education: 1401 Fish Hatchery Road, Pisgah Forest, Sept. 25 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

For more information or to register, visit www.ncwildlife.org/sbs.

The seminar series is an ongoing cooperative effort between the Wildlife Resources Commission and conservation partners such as the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and the Wake County Wildlife Club.

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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