If you're looking for something fun and free to do with your family, North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission has the perfect solution for you. National Hunting and Fishing Day, which will take place on September 26, is the perfect time to explore North Carolina's rich hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation heritage. Towards that end, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting or supporting seven family-friendly events across the state. National Hunting and Fishing Day occurs every fourth Saturday in September, and is a nationwide grassroots effort that promotes the outdoor sports and wildlife conservation.
These activities will be open to the public free of charge (with the exception of two Greenwing fishing events). Each event will feature a variety of hands-on, outdoor-related activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Activities and exhibits will vary from event to event, but all will provide opportunities for participants to connect with nature while improving outdoor skills in fishing, kayaking, archery, air rifle shooting, fly-casting, identifying aquatic insects, outdoor cooking, arrowhead making and much more.
Other activities include retrieving demonstrations by sporting dogs, live reptile and amphibian exhibits and live birds of prey exhibits. Event locations and times are:
Two additional events where Commission staff and volunteers will assist are:
Visit the Commission's National Hunting and Fishing Day page for more information on events, including activities, demonstrations and exhibits.
These activities will be open to the public free of charge (with the exception of two Greenwing fishing events). Each event will feature a variety of hands-on, outdoor-related activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Activities and exhibits will vary from event to event, but all will provide opportunities for participants to connect with nature while improving outdoor skills in fishing, kayaking, archery, air rifle shooting, fly-casting, identifying aquatic insects, outdoor cooking, arrowhead making and much more.
Other activities include retrieving demonstrations by sporting dogs, live reptile and amphibian exhibits and live birds of prey exhibits. Event locations and times are:
- John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville. The Wildlife Expo, which is free, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The N.C. Wildlife Federation is giving away a lifetime sportsman license in a random drawing at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Carpenter, center director, at [email protected]; or call (910) 858-5003, ext. 15.
- Lake Wheeler in Raleigh. Coordinated by the Commission's Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education, this free event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A drawing will be held at 1 p.m. for fishing and hunting-related prizes donated by the Wake County Wildlife Club. For more information, contact Justin Mercer, [email protected], or (919) 707-0207.
- McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery in Hoffman. The event, sponsored by the Richmond County chapter of Ducks Unlimited, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For $20, each participant will receive a rod-and-reel combo, hat, a T-shirt, duck call and a Greenwing membership, which includes a 1-year subscription to Jakes magazine. For more information, contact Michael Cauley at (910) 992-7113.
- Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest, near Brevard. This free event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Lee Sherrill at [email protected], or (828) 877-4423.
- Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla. The free event begins at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Sharon Meade at [email protected], or call (252) 453-0221, ext. 1.
Two additional events where Commission staff and volunteers will assist are:
- Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge at Knotts Island. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A $25 fee per participant includes a rod-and-reel combo, bait, a T-shirt, Fish-for-Fun bags and a Greenwing membership. For more information, call (252) 619-0575.
- Rose Hill Farms in Nashville. The Tar River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting its 12th Annual Jakes Day. The free event begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call (252) 442-0858.
Visit the Commission's National Hunting and Fishing Day page for more information on events, including activities, demonstrations and exhibits.
