Email Update: Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 8) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved the season dates for dove and other webless migratory The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved the season dates for dove and other webless migratory game birds, as well as September seasons for Canada geese and teal.

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides frameworks from which to choose the seasons and the Commission selects the actual dates within these guidelines. The Commission allowed public input on the seasons throughout June on its website, www.ncwildlife.org.

The 2010–11 seasons for webless migratory game birds and waterfowl early seasons are:

• Mourning and white-winged dove: Sept. 4 – Oct 9; Nov. 22 – Nov. 27; and Dec. 18 – Jan. 14; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• King and clapper rails: Sept. 4 – Nov. 12; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• Sora and Virginia rails: Sept. 4 – Nov. 12; daily bag of 25 and possession limit of 25
• Gallinule and moorhens: Sept. 4 – Nov. 12; daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• Woodcock: Dec 31 – Jan. 29; daily bag of three and possession limit of six
• Common snipe: Nov. 12 – Feb. 26; daily bag of eight and possession limit of 16
• Canada goose: Sept. 1 – 30 (statewide); daily bag of 15 and possession limit of 30
• September teal season:  Sept. 11 – 29 (East of U.S. 17 only); daily bag of four and possession limit of eight. Species include green-winged, blue-winged and cinnamon teal.

With several exceptions, shooting hours for all species are from a half hour before sunrise until sunset. For doves, shooting hours are from noon until sunset on Sept. 4 only and from a half hour before sunrise until sunset thereafter. For Canada geese, only during the month of September and only in that area west of U.S. Hwy. 17, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. In addition to the extended shooting hours for Canada geese, unplugged guns and electronic calls will be allowed for Canada geese in that area west of U.S. Hwy. 17 and only during the month of September.

The Commission also approved 2010–11 extended falconry season dates for webless species, which are:

• Dove: Oct. 16 – Nov. 20
• King, clapper, sora and Virginia rails: Nov. 20 – Dec. 25
• Gallinule and moorhens: Nov. 20 – Dec. 25
• Woodcock: Nov. 13 – Dec. 30 and Jan. 31 – Feb. 26.

Falconry hours for all species are from a half hour before sunrise until sunset, except doves on Sept. 4, when falconry hours run from noon until sunset. Falconers are permitted to take a daily bag of three migratory game birds and may also hunt during the applicable gun seasons.

In late August, the Commission will establish regular waterfowl seasons for ducks, geese and swans.

Email Update: N.C. Wildlife News Brief

2010-11 Regulations Digest and Season Information

Beginning this year, the inland fishing, hunting and trapping regulations digest, as well as season dates, will be effective Aug. 1 to July 31, instead of July 1 to June 30.
The 2009-10 regulations and season dates will remain in effect until July 31.
The 2010-2011 N.C. Inland Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Regulations Digests will be available Aug.1.
These changes are the result of the agency’s adoption of a new rulemaking cycle schedule. For more information, see the New Rulemaking Cycle FAQ.

Boating

Operation Dry Water, a national weekend of boating sobriety detection and enforcement aimed at reducing alcohol-related accidents and fatalities, is June 25-27. In North Carolina, a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is against the law and carries a maximum penalty of $1,000 and possible jail time.
Operation Dry Water is organized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, assisted by partner law enforcement agencies, leads the North Carolina campaign.
Throughout the summer, wildlife enforcement officers will conduct an ongoing “Boat Safe, Boat Sober” campaign to increase public awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption on the water and enforce boating sobriety laws.

Fishing
Purchase Fishing License
If you’re headed to the coast, particularly for the popular and busy July 4 week, you should purchase your saltwater fishing license before you leave home to avoid potential long lines at tackle and bait shops, sporting good stores and other wildlife service agent locations along the coast.
You can purchase a license by:
Calling the Wildlife Resources Commission at (888) 248-6834. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week.
Going to the Wildlife Resources Commission’s website, www.ncwildlife.org, and clicking on the yellow “Purchase License” button at the top left side of the page.
Visiting a local Wildlife Service Agent. Most are located in bait-and-tackle shops, hunting and sporting good stores and larger chain stores.
Free Fishing Day
July 4 is designated as a free fishing day in North Carolina, meaning anyone —resident or non-resident — can fish for free in any public water, including coastal waters, without a license. All other fishing regulations, including length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions, apply.
To find a fishing spot near you, visit the Commission's website for a list of more than 500 free fishing-access areas across the state.

Hunting
Small Game Awards
Do you know a person or organization whose actions have positively impacted North Carolina’s small game population? Nominate them for the annual Diedrick Small Game award.
In the individual category, previous award winners were landowners who improved and integrated small game habitat into their forestry or farming operations. In the organization category, award winners have included corporations, government agencies, and non-government organizations whose actions improved small game habitat.
For more information on how to nominate someone, see the press release on our website.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The Commission has completed work on the Chowan River Bridge Public Fishing and Boating Access Area, and scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for 10:30 a.m. June 18 at the bridge. The media and public are invited to attend.