Recreational use of Public Lands

Admin · Joined: Posts: 68

North Carolina currently has roughly 2,000,000 acres of public lands designated as Game Lands. "Entry on game lands for purposes other than hunting, trapping and fishing is subject to the control of the landowners. Written permission of the landowner is required to remove any plant or other materials". Hunting, fishing (in some cases), and trapping require a game lands permit for which the sportsmen of North Carolina pay for. The state of NC has recently announced its intention to purchase 77,000 acres of additional lands from International Paper Corporation and most, if not all, are designated to become Game Lands.

Yet, other activities are allowed on Game Lands, namely horseback riding, hiking, and others. These activities do not require a Game Lands use permit. Is it time to consider altering the intended use of North Carolina Game Lands from almost exclusively hunting to more recreational uses like camping and atv operation? By increasing the number of people using public lands and requiring a game lands use permit for all activities, this would increase the income generated from the property and thus increase the value or importance of such property to all citizens of North Carolina.

280AI · Joined: Posts: 12 Location: Western, North Carolina

Why shouldn't other users of Gamelands purchase some sort of recreation use permit? Let's be fair here,Hunters are probally a minority on most Gamelands these days and We're required to purchase a Gamelands Use Permit before We can legally hunt Gamelands.The NCWRC should either do away with the Gamelands Use Permit for Hunters or start fairly charging other groups that use them.Sure we take game from Gamelands, but we take nothing that nature doesn't replace.

Hawgnman · Joined: Posts: 6 Location: NC

As soon as others start to pay an entry fee, they are going to want a say in how the gamelands are managed.

We hunters must bear the burden alone.

280AI · Joined: Posts: 12 Location: Western, North Carolina

Their voice is already being heard!