Released by Jodie B. Owen, ncwildlife.org
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting or supporting six family-friendly events on September 24, 2016, to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day.
The events — free except for one — focus on activities that highlight the state’s rich hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation heritage. Activities and exhibits vary for each event; however, all provide opportunities for participants to improve their outdoor skills and increase their knowledge of wildlife in North Carolina. Event locations and times are:
- Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Corolla. This free event runs from 9am to 5pm. Explore the rich hunting and fishing heritage of Currituck Sound by touring the exhibit gallery and going fishing in the surrounding waters. Young participants will receive free fish-for-fun bags filled with fishing-related items. No preregistration is required. For more information, call 252.453.0221 x.1.
- John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Fayetteville. The Wildlife Expo, which is free, is scheduled from 9am to 2pm. A few activities include: air rifle shooting, fishing, kayaking, a live animal display, aquatic insect identification and more. The N.C. Wildlife Federation is giving away a lifetime sportsman license in a random drawing at 1 p.m. Participants can pre-register online or show up the day of event. For more information, contact Thomas Carpenter, center director, at 910.868.5003 or Thomas.carpenter@ncwildlife.org.
- Lake Raleigh on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Raleigh. This free event runs from 9am to 1pm. Participants can fish with the pros for catfish and largemouth bass. Lew’s Fishing and Skeeter Boats-sponsored Elite Bassmaster Pro angler Marty Robinson, who is a three-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic, Skeeter Boats-sponsored Elite Bassmaster Pro angler Shane Lineberger and local fishing pro Adam Petty will be onsite providing tips and techniques on catching fish. Other activities include tree stand safety, live reptiles and amphibians exhibit, archery, boat displays and more. No pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Cristy Bullock at 919.707.0176 or cristy.bullock@ncwildlife.org.
- Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Pisgah Forest, near Brevard. This free event runs from 10am to 3pm. Hands-on, interactive exhibits and demonstrations include fishing, outdoor cooking, fly casting and more. Exhibits in the center include five aquatic habitats with live fish, frogs, salamanders and snakes. For more information, contact Lee Sherrill at lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org or 828-877-4423.
Two additional events where Commission staff is assisting are:
- Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Currituck County. Event begins at 8am. Fishing, archery and birding opportunities will be available for all participants. The Guilford Chapter of NC Bowhunters Association is offering archery lessons. For $25 each, anglers ages 4 to 14 receive a rod and reel combo, bait, a t-shirt, Fish for Fun bags, and a Greenwing membership. Lunch and beverages are provided for participants and their families. Pre-registration is required by calling 252.619.0575.
- Rose Hill Farms (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Nashville. The Tar River Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation is hosting its free 15th Annual Jakes Day. The event begins at 9am. Activities include an air rifle range, Labrador retriever demonstrations, rock climbing wall, zip line, a rope bridge, reptile display, shark tooth dig and more.
National Hunting Fishing Day occurs every fourth Saturday in September and is a nationwide grassroots effort that promotes outdoor sports and wildlife conservation. Visit the Commission’s National Hunting and Fishing Day page (www.nhfday.org) for more information on events, including activities, demonstration and exhibits.
