Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Due to COVID-19, the public comment period for the forest plan revision for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests will be extended. The U.S. Forest Service canceled six public meetings due to the pandemic. Originally scheduled to end on May 14, additional details about the extended comment period…
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On January 16, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) announced that it was gathering public input on public lands Sunday hunting via an online survey and public meetings. In 2017, the Outdoor Heritage Enhanced Act removed the prohibition against hunting with the use of firearms on public…
Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On December 18, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) submitted comments to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries’ (DMF) regarding the scoping stage of a draft Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Southern flounder is an important recreational and commercial fishery in North Carolina,…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On November 7 and 8, the 2019 Boating and Fishing Industry Summit was held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Hosted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), this first-time event brought together boating and fishing tackle manufacturers and retailers, state and federal fish and wildlife…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On October 24, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) gave approval to present a proposed rule at statewide public hearings in January 2020 that would prohibit the use of cervid urine for taking or attracting wildlife. The proposed regulation aims to protect the state’s deer and elk…
Contact: Nick Buggia, Upper Midwestern States Manager On October 7, the North Dakota Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, a bipartisan group of outdoor oriented legislators working to protect and advance North Dakota’s hunting, angling, trapping, and recreational shooting traditions, hosted its 5th Annual Legislative Clay Competition at Capitol City Sporting Clays, in Bismarck. “This event is something…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On September 7, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) presented North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Larry Yarborough with the Marine Resources Conservationist of the Year award at the 56th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards in Cary. NCWF CEO Tim Gestwicki said, “Fully understanding the value of…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager Two wildlife habitat improvement projects on National Forests in Western North Carolina are moving forward after years of planning and public input. On July 24, the U.S. Forest Service released the draft environmental assessment (EA) for the Twelve Mile Project on the Pisgah National Forest in Haywood County….
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On August 7, House Bill 597 passed its third reading in the Senate on a 30-2 vote. Sponsored by North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Michael Wray and Representative Larry Yarborough and Caucus member Representative Jay Adams, HB 597 would make a number of changes to license…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On June 20, House Bill 483 (Let Them Spawn) passed its third reading in the state’s House of Representatives on a 58-47 vote. Sponsored by North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Larry Yarborough and Representative Michael Wray and Caucus members Representatives Jason Saine and Brian Turner, HB…
Contact John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On May 22, the North Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a luncheon during the Legislative Sportsmen’s Day at the North Carolina General Assembly. More than 350 people, including more than 60 legislators and their staff, commissioners and staff from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), and representatives…
Contact: John Culclasure, Central Appalachian States Manager On April 16, two marine fisheries management reform bills reported favorably out of the North Carolina House Committee on Wildlife Resources. HB 483, Let Them Spawn, would require a minimum size limit on marine fish species to ensure seventy-five percent of the juvenile fish at the minimum size…