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The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is providing guidance to livestock owners on methods to protect their animals from becoming prey to black bears.
Wildlife agencies in all 11 southeastern states where American alligators live, including the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), have launched GatorWise, an outreach initiative that provides information to the public on avoiding human-alligator conflicts and living responsibly with alligators.
“As development continues to expand into once-remote areas where alligators live, we need to become GatorWise in order to safely share the land with this species,” said NCWRC Wildlife Biologist Alicia Wassmer.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has closed the recreational harvest of spotted seatrout in inland and joint (by hook-and-line) fishing waters from May 2 through June 30, 2025. The Commission voted to adopt a temporary rule implementing the harvest closure during its business meeting on April 17.
Alabama bass, which are invasive to North Carolina, are now in more rivers and lakes than ever before and are competing with our native fish and aquatic organisms. Biologists at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) are asking the public for help to prevent the spread and reduce the populations of this invasive species in order to protect the future of native largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) invites the public to participate in the 2025 Terrapin Tally, a volunteer-supported survey event conducted each spring to learn more about Diamondback Terrapins. These small, aquatic turtles live near coastal marshes, estuaries and tidal creeks, and are listed in North Carolina as a Species of Special Concern and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Officials at the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) report there are still areas that are unsafe to participate in water activities due to remaining debris from Hurricane Helene. Some locations are inaccessible to emergency responders in the event an incident occurs.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) recommends that homeowners check now for bats that may be getting into their home and evict them responsibly before pup-rearing season begins on May 1.
Bats are highly beneficial, offering free pest control by devouring nearly their own body weight in insects each night. Their hunger for insects peaks during pup-rearing season, which runs May 1 to July 31 across North Carolina.
As the weather becomes warmer and people become more active outdoors, encounters with bears may increase. Hibernating bears will emerge from their dens, with mothers and cubs being the last to emerge. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reminds the public to never approach or handle bear cubs.