Thieves rob Wildlife Commission and sportsmen

In this era of conspicuous overspending by state government, there is at least one agency that stands out for its thriftiness. It's the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The professional staff of the NCWRC have a well-deserved reputation for saving, scrounging and sacrificing in an effort to get the most out of the limited funds that they are allotted. It's ironic then, and especially galling, that one or more thieves broke into the Wildlife Commission Brice's Creek depot last weekend and made off with equipment that is used to enhance the state's wildlife resources. The thief or thieves robbed not only the professionals who use the equipment but all of the state's sportsmen who are beneficiaries of the Wildlife Commission's efforts.

Sometime during the nights of Oct. 3 or 4, someone broke into the gated compound where the Wildlife Commission stores equipment and supplies that are used in maintaining game lands and waterfowl impoundments in this area. According to Tommy Hughes, supervising NCWRC biologist, the theft appeared to involve more than one person and resulted in the loss of equipment that is integral to the work done for wildlife in Eastern N.C.

Items taken in the theft included a:

- Yamaha Big Bear 4x4 ATV (red) - serial #JY44WUWOXXA060563

- Honda FourTrax Foreman ATV (red) - serial #478TE220X34406607

- Honda 400 ATV (red) - serial #478TE2009VA221407

- Honda 300 FourTrax ATV (green) - serial #478TE1500VA816472

- 5 ½ ton Hooper tandem axle trailer - serial #4T0FB162041002100

- Stihl 009 chainsaw - serial #235561657

Anyone having information that may be relative to the thefts should phone Craven County Crime Stoppers at (252) 633-5141.

Annual Kids Wildlife Art Competition Announced by Magazine

Wildlife in North Carolina magazine is sponsoring an art contest for children to encourage them to observe and appreciate native wildlife as an inspiration for art and science. Students attending kindergarten through eighth grade in North Carolina are eligible to enter an original work of a wild fish, bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian or invertebrate native to the state. The 12 winners will receive $100 each, have their work published in a 2010 calendar, which will be for sale to the public, and get free copies of the calendar.

"Inspiration can be found while looking out a window, on a walk with your parents, or from a favorite book or magazine," said Greg Jenkins, editor of "Wildlife in North Carolina" magazine. "An artist, no matter how young, wants to capture an image, and that requires knowledge. Creativity is a great way to spark learning."

Entry requirements are:

- An original composition on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, viewed horizontally. High-quality color copies will be accepted.

- The child's name, age, address, phone number, grade in school, school name and the image subject listed on the back of the artwork.

- Entries must be received by March 2, 2009.

- Mail entries to Kids Wildlife Art Competition, P.O. Box 12089, Raleigh, NC 27605.

- Entries will not be returned except for winners.

Submissions will be judged and winners contacted by May 1, 2009. More information about the competition is available online at www.ncwildlife.org or by email at competition@ncwildlife.org.

Public School Archery Program Expands in North Carolina

After a successful pilot phase in North Carolina, the National Archery in the Schools Program is now being expanded statewide. The program, which is being offered through physical education classes for grades 4-12, students learn Olympics-style archery skills with special backdrops and safety restraints. The National Archery in the Schools Program is based on a safety curriculum, with adjustable equipment that allows all students to participate.

"Students maintain an interest because archery is exciting and fun," said Travis Casper with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and the National Archery in the Schools coordinator for North Carolina. "Teachers like it because it builds math skills, teaches history and culture, stresses responsibility, and encourages social interaction."

"The archery program, as part of the regular physical education curriculum here, has had a huge impact," said Dave Edwards, coach and Physical Education teacher at Gates County High School, one of the first schools involved in the program.

More information about the National Archery in the Schools Program can be secured by phone at (919)707-0337.

Hunters Should be Aware of CWD Regulations

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking those who hunt in other states to help prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) from infiltrating North Carolina's whitetail deer population. Currently, there is no known incidence of CWD in this state, it can be imported. Hunters harvesting deer, elk or moose from states or provinces with CWD should be aware that there are restrictions on carcass parts that can be imported into North Carolina.

Only the following deer, elk, or moose carcass parts harvested in areas with CWD are allowed into North Carolina:

- Meat that is cut and wrapped

- Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached

- Meat that has been boned out

- Caped hides

- Cleaned skull plates

- Antlers

- Cleaned teeth

- Finished taxidermy products

These carcass parts of their containers must be labeled with the hunter's name and address; state or province of origin; date the animal was killed; the hunter's out-of-state hunting license number; and the destination of the carcass parts or containers.

States with documented cases of CWD include: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. CWD has also been reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.

Calendar

Oct. 14 - The Twin Rivers Paddle Club will hold their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners' Room of the Craven County Administration Building on Craven Street in New Bern. Go online to www.twinriverspaddleclub.org for additional details.

Oct. 15 - Staff from the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort will lead a trek to Shackleford Banks' west end. Participants will observe the barrier island's unique ecology, wildlife and history from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations and a $20 fee are required. Phone (252)728-7317.

Oct. 17-18 - The deadline to register for the 2008 Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament is Oct. 16. Contact Vaughan Branch at 1(800)545-3940 or go online to www.abkmt.com for more information.

Oct. 17-19 - The N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores will host its annual Surf Fishing Workshop. Instruction will cover tackle selection, knots, baits, reading the surf, and much more. The course is designed primarily for beginners but is a great refresher for persons of all skill levels. The course is limited to 30 participants and has a registration fee of $150. Phone (252)247-4003 for information or to sign up.

Oct. 18-Nov.29 - Weigh-in for the 6^th Annual Gordie McAdams Speckled Trout Surf Fishing Tournament will be at Reel Outdoors in Emerald Isle. Information is available online at www.emeraldisle-nc.org/eiprd or by phone at (252)354-6350.

Oct. 25-26 - The Hunter Safety Course, required of all newly-licensed hunters by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, will be offered at the EMS building on Hwy. 58 in Trenton, NC. For specific times or to sign up go online to www.ncwildlife.org. Click on the "Hunting/Trapping" heading and then the "Hunter Safety Course" tab, or phone (910)324-3176.

Oct. 31-Nov.1 - Registration for the 16^th Annual Pollocksville Rotary Club's Big Game Hunting Tournament will close at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. Hunting will take place on the following two days. More information is available by phone at (252)224-1956 or online at www.pollocksvillerotary.org.