NCWRC Schedules Annual Public Hearings
Friday, December 15, 2006 (01:23:58)

Posted by Admin

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 13, 2006) - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will conduct its annual series of public hearings across the state in January, asking for public comments on 73 proposed changes to hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.

After hearing public comments, the 19 members of the state Wildlife Resources Commission will meet in March and vote on whether or not to adopt the revised rules.

A proposal of interest to striped bass anglers would unify the opening and closing dates for the striped bass season in the Roanoke River to allow more opportunities for harvesting fish. Instead of staggering opening and closing dates for the lower and upper portions of the river, the Commission is proposing opening the entire Roanoke River to striped bass harvest from March 1 through April 30.

The Commission is also proposing three regulations to help restore river herring populations in North Carolina’s coastal rivers. These proposed regulations follow up on the Commission’s approved regulation last year prohibiting the taking of river herring from inland waters under its jurisdiction.

There are nine proposals this year related to deer hunting. Proposals of particular interest to deer hunters across the state include allowing bow-and-arrow as a weapon during the muzzleloading season, limiting the season bag limit of bucks to two in the entire Central Deer Season, and allowing additional antlerless report cards for use on private lands during gun either-sex seasons.

A proposal of significance to bear hunters statewide would establish guidelines prohibiting hunting bear with the aid of a baited site.