Learn more about hunting and fishing in North Carolina at these NCWRC-sponsored events

These hunting and fishing events are all family-friendly, and most of them are free of charge.

Events are being held across North Carolina

Learn more about fishing, hunting and wildlife conservation this weekend as nine family-friendly events supported by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission get underway. With the exception of two Greenwing fishing events, all events are free.

The events, celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day, will be held across the state on Sept. 26. Times and activities vary for each event, although each event will provide opportunities for participants to connect with nature while practicing outdoor skills in fishing, kayaking, archery, air rifle shooting, fly-casting, identifying aquatic insects, reptiles and amphibians and much more.

Other activities include outdoor cooking, lure making, retrieving demonstrations by sporting dogs and live birds of prey exhibits. Events, times and locations are:

John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville. The Wildlife Expo, which is free, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The N.C. Wildlife Federation is giving away a lifetime sportsman license in a random drawing at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Carpenter, center director, at thomas.carpenter@ncwildlife.org; or call 910-868-5003.

Lake Wheeler in Raleigh. Coordinated by the Commission’s Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education, this free event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A drawing will be held at 1 p.m. for fishing and hunting-related prizes donated by the Wake County Wildlife Club. For more information, contact Justin Mercer, justin.mercer@ncwildlife.org, or 919-707-0207.

McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery in Hoffman. The event, sponsored by the Richmond County chapter of Ducks Unlimited, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For $20, each participant will receive a rod-and-reel combo, hat, a T-shirt, duck call, and a Greenwing membership, which includes a 1-year subscription to Jakes magazine. For more information, contact Michael Cauley at 910-992-7113.

Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest, near Brevard. This free event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Lee Sherrill at lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org, or 828-877-4423.

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla. The free event begins at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Sharon Meade at sharon.meade@ncwildlife.org, or call 252-453-0221, ext. 1.

Four additional events where Commission staff and volunteers will assist are:

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge at Knotts Island. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A $25 fee per participant includes a rod-and-reel combo, bait, a T-shirt, Fish-for-Fun bags and a Greenwing membership. For more information, call 252-619-0575.

Rose Hill Farms in Nashville. The Tar River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting its 12th Annual Jakes Day. The free event begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call 252-442-0858.