Bird Checklists of the United States

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Regulations 1997-98

Creswell, North Carolina

Only the following may be hunted:

The Pungo Unit will be closed to all hunting except for limited deer hunts. New Lake is closed to all hunting.
Except for Pungo Unit, State seasons and bag limits apply.

Regulations

The refuge is open daylight hours only. Hunter access is allowed from 1 1/2 hours before until 1 1/2 hours after legal shooting hours on hunt days. Daylight use only on non-hunt days.
Night hunting for raccoon and opossum will be by special use permit only.
Firearms are prohibited except for refuge hunting activities.
During refuge hunts all weapons in vehicles and on ATV's must be unloaded and encased or dismantled.
Shotguns, muzzle-loaders, and bow and arrows only, except small game may be hunted with 22 calibre rimfire rifles.
Vehicular access is restricted to designated areas; no off road vehicular use is allowed.
The use of artificial lights(including vehicle headlights) to locate, observe or take wildlife is prohibited.
The taking or possession of bear or any parts thereof is prohibited.
The distribution of bait and/or hunting over bait are prohibited.
The use of dogs to run deer, bear or fox is prohibited. The use of dogs is restricted to retriever type dogs only(pointers, setters, beagles) for birds and small game in season only. Dog hunters are prohibited from possessing buckshot or slugs.
Camping, open fires, and littering are prohibited.
In addition to use for any waterfowl hunting, only non-toxic shot may be used for migratory game birds and upland game on refuge lands west of Evans Road.
Stopping, parking, or leaving any vehicle upon any road, trail, path or in front of a gate so as to obstruct their use by other vehicles is prohibited.
The construction and/or use of permanent blinds, platforms, and/or ladders is prohibited. Blinds and stands must be removed from the refuge after each day's hunt.
The use of nails, wire, screws(including lag-screw type steps) or bolts to attach a stand to a tree or hunting from a tree into which a metal object has been driven to support a hunter is prohibited.
Any person participating in a deer or small game hunt with a firearm must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of fluorescent orange-colored material above the waist.
Hunters utilizing the refuge are subject to inspections of licenses, hunting equipment, bag limits, vehicles and their contents during compliance checks by Refuge or State officers.
Commercial guiding is by special use permit only.
Youth hunters(ages 15 and under) must have successfully passed a State-approved hunter education course and must carry proof of certification. Youth hunters must be directly supervised by an adult(21 or over). For small game hunts, an adult may supervise up to two youth hunters; for big game, an adult may supervise only one youth hunter.
Disturbing, injuring, or destroying plants is prohibited.
In addition to these, all State and County regulations and Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations apply.

Pungo Unit Hunt - Seasons

Archery:
State season (except closed October 3-4), plus November 1-30.

Shotgun and Primitive Weapons:
October 3-4, 9-10, 16-17, 24-25, 30-31 (Either sex)

State bag limits apply.
Modern rifles and pistols prohibited.
Permits required for either-sex gun hunts.
Dogs prohibited.
No off-road travel is permitted on hunt days except by persons with a permit for that day.
For permit hunts, all deer must be checked out at the Pungo headquarters before removal from the refuge.
Hunter access is allowed from one and one-half hours before until one and one-half hours after legal shooting hours.
Stands may be erected one day prior to the 2 day Pungo gun hunts and must be removed the last day of each 2 day hunt.
Permits are required for the Pungo Unit Hunt Only. Permits will be issued for two days and are limited to one per person. Two hundred(200) permits per hunt will be issued as a result of a public drawing to be held on August 22 at 1:00 p.m. in the Pocosin Lakes refuge office in Creswell, North Carolina.

Applications for a gun permit must be obtained from refuge office. Application forms may be picked up or requested by phone or mail. Applications must be completely filled out.

Send application to:

Pocosin Lakes NWR
3255 Shore Drive
Creswell, N.C. 27928

Phone inquiries: (919) 797-4431

Up to five people may apply as a party by enclosing all applications(attached together) in one envelope marked "Party Hunt". Applications must be received in the refuge office by the drawing time. Duplicate applications will not be accepted.

Selected applicants will be notified by mail. No check-in required on Hunt days.

If you have any question as to the advisability or legality of any activity, consult the refuge manager before participating in that activity.

Hunting opportunities for individuals with disabilities are available on Pocosin Lakes NWR. Persons with disabilities may contact the refuge office prior to their arrival if special arrangements are needed. Proof of handicap status is required.

Take pride in America's wildlife resources. To report wildlife violations, call 1-800-662-7137.

For additional information, write or call:

Pocosin Lakes
National Wildlife Refuge
3255 Shore Drive
Creswell, North Carolina 27928

This resource is based on the following source:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  No date.  Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife 
     Refuge hunting regulations, 1997-98.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  
     Unpaginated.

This resource should be cited as:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  No date.  Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife 
     Refuge hunting regulations, 1997-98.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  
     Unpaginated.  Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.  
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.govpochunt.htm 
     (Version 22MAY98).

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