RALEIGH, N.C. – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will have a new location and new hours when it opens its N.C. State Fair exhibit in Raleigh this month.

The new location will be across from the Village of Yesteryear and between the Antique Farm Machinery building and the FAA Animal Barn. The exhibit will open from 3 to 9 p.m., on Oct. 15 and from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Oct. 16-25.

In addition to a new location and new hours, the Commission's exhibit will have new displays, such as the "Wildlife at Your House" display, which shows the do's and don'ts of living with and around raccoons, bears, deer and other wildlife that can be considered nuisance species. The agency's mascot Labrador retriever, Alvin, will be promoting boating safety and posing for photo opportunities wearing his life jacket aboard a wildlife enforcement boat. Visitors also can have their photos taken while posing next to a replica of the freshwater state record striped bass.

Animal mounts, such as deer, black bear and bobcat, will be scattered throughout the new Game Land section of the exhibit. Visitors can learn more about the bobcat, the Tar Heel state's only native wildcat, in the display.

Back by popular demand is the agency's air rifle range, staffed by wildlife enforcement officers and hunter education specialists, which gives visitors an opportunity to hone shooting skills as well as learn more about firearms safety. At the N.C. Wild Store, visitors can purchase the agency's 2016 wildlife calendar. They also can pick up a free copy of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine and subscribe to the award-winning magazine. Visitors who purchase or renew a magazine subscription will get a free Wildlife in North Carolina cap.

To complement the bobcat display, the elusive wildcat is featured on this year's Wildlife in North Carolina magazine button — a free, traditional State Fair keepsake, as well as a T-shirt, which features the agency's wildlife logo and bobcat on the front and larger bobcat image on the back. T-shirts cost $12 for youth and $15 for adults and are donated by Neuse Sport Shop of Kinston, with all proceeds benefitting the Commission's Wildlife Diversity Program.

"We designed our State Fair exhibit to show visitors all the opportunities that await them outdoors — from hunting to fishing to wildlife watching," said State Fair Committee Chair Margaret Martin. "The interactive, hands-on activities for both adults and kids at the fair showcase the many ways to enjoy our state's wildlife."

The fairgrounds are located at 1025 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh. State fair staff can be contacted at (919) 821-7400. General information is available on the N.C. State Fair Web site, www.ncstatefair.org.
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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