Outdoors Back to Nature

I am excited the Fall season has finally arrived!!! The North Carolina mountains are known nation wide for beautiful leaf colors during Autumn. The drought that has plagued the NC mountains this year is said to intensify the colors this season.  The timing is important to see leaves at their peak color(usually 5-10 days after the first frost). The NC tourism web site www.visitnc.com will give updates on peak color spots. If you cannot make it to the mountains, the Piedmont has great Fall color, with somewhat less in the Coastal Plain areas of the state(late October-early November). The Sugar Maples are my favorite, but the Red Maple, Sweet Gum, Black Gum, Yellow-Poplar and Cypress are also impressive.  

Wildlife Expos will be held at all four NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Education Centers around the state(Fayetteville, Corolla, Raleigh and Brevard). The expos will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 27 at 9:00 am. Activities include: fishing, archery, kayaking, an air rifle range, duck and goose calling contests, fly fishing demonstrations, live birds of prey and reptile dislpays. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is proposing some significant changes in Big Game Hunting Regulations: start a uniform Deer Season across the state(with weapon of choice on private lands), allow Sunday bowhunting and Falconry on private lands, allow Coyote hunting at night with artificial lights, open Wild Turkey season on week earlier without lengthening season and ask Legislature for authority to regulate Deer hunting with dogs. 

If you are in the mood for a canoe/kayak trip on the beautiful Black River on October 18, 2008; call Ali Turpen(Sampson County Parks&Rec)at 910-299-0924/910-990-1996. If coastal fishing is more your style; Red Drum, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Blue Fish and Wahoo are being caught in good numbers.        

It is late August, but the Fall season is fast approaching. Saltwater fishing will continue to improve along the North Carolina Coast. Especially the typical fall species: Specled Trout, Blue Fish, Tarpon, Cobia, Black Drum and Red Drum. Inland/freshwater fishing is more pleasant during the Fall season. Lake fishing in the NC Mountains and Piedmont increases in pleasure two fold thanks to the color show put on by Mother Nature and cooler weather. Speaking of mountain lakes, the variety of fish species increases. There are several fish(Northern Pike, Walleye, etc.)found in these lakes, that are native to the Northern States. The NC Wildlife Commission along with fishing clubs and residents are placing 400 “Porcupine” Fish Attractors into Lakes James, Rhodhiss, Hickory and Lookout Shoals Reservoir. Bass Pro Shops is having a great Fishing Lure Sale and a huge Clearance Sale on Outdoor Apparel. 

The Hunting Season kicks off on September 1st, with the opening day of Dove Season at Noon. The daily bag limit is 15 this year. Deer Season(Bow& Arrow) is soon to follow, opening September 8th in the Western district and September 13th in the Eastern, Central and Northwestern districts. Canada Goose season opens early this year(September 1-30), with a daily bag limit of 8(except Dare County, limit is 2).

A new ATV/MX Park has opened in Bladen County, North Carolina, just north of Elizabethtown on US 701. The privately owned Cape Fear ATV/MX Park & Family Campground. The park offers trail riding, mud pits, small dirt bike track, fishing and camping! Cost is $10.00/day and HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. For more details call 910-876-0685 or go to www.capefearatv-mx.com