Executive Director Gordon Myers Opens up District 3 Public Hearing
Last evening I attended the NCWRC District 3 public hearing in Rocky Mount about the proposed hunting, fishing and trapping rules for next year. In the past these hearings have taken place in January but the fight over the crossbow a few years ago and the use of the 10 letter rule to delay implementation of rules has lead to an earlier date for public hearings. Turnout was pretty light with about 25 people showing up whether it was the earlier date or the lack of any really controversial rules changes being proposed was unclear. It was probably a combination of both those things but there was ample NCWRC commissioners as well as staff on hand to hear feedback from the public and to answer any questions people might of had.
Most of the discussion that took place was around changes to falconry rules, and there will be an extended meeting on that next week in Raleigh (7pm 28th Sept NCWRC Headquarters Centennial Campus), expanding of the bear season and feral hogs. In regards to the bears the population appears to be increasing and they are expanding their range getting ever closer to some of the major human population areas of the state. This will mean more bear hunting opportunities as additional counties are added to those that already have an established bear season.
Feral hog hunting as of October 1st will be managed and regulated by the NCWRC. These are an evasive specie not native to the state and if left unchecked could do significant harm to other natural resources and wildlife in the state as well as impact agriculture. In the past NCWRC has managed the wild boar in the mountains of North Carolina as of October 1st the wild boar will be classified as feral hog and not reported on a hunters big game report card.
If you missed the district hearings there is still time for you to give the NCWRC feedback on the proposed changes by doing it on line . You have until October 2nd to respond via the internet.
Additionally on the feral hog, anyone hunting them here in North Carolina the Department of Agriculture is interested in getting samples for testing for swine brucellosis.
A free, pre-paid mailer for submitting feral swine samples to the state diagnostic lab for swine brucellosis testing is available by calling the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Veterinary Division, at 919-733-7601.
