Croatan hunters should bring insect repellent and wear waterproof footwear. A small stool can also be helpful for keeping back pants pockets dry -- there is water everywhere. While snakes occur in the mountains and Piedmont, they can be more difficult to spot as well as more numerous in coastal habitats, so snake leggings or boots should be worn. I know of one hunter who was bitten on the thumb by a copperhead as he sat down to begin calling, so it also pays to look before you sit.

While national forests offer plenty of turkeys and are open six days per week for turkey hunting to anyone, the opposite end of the access spectrum can offer a higher rate of success. The commission has many game lands that are open for turkey hunting. Some of the best quality hunts occur on the game lands with limited access. National refuges also provide controlled access opportunities.

Pee Dee River National Wildlife Refuge offers permit turkey hunts in the Anson County portion of the refuge. There is a permit youth turkey hunt on the statewide youth turkey hunt day. There is also a one-week permit hunt the first week of the statewide general hunting season. Pee Dee River NWR has many fields planted with small grain crops to attract waterfowl and that incidentally benefit turkeys. The timber management plan includes prescribed burning, which helps open up the woods for turkeys and turkey hunters to exploit. Those fortunate enough to be drawn for this lottery hunt can look forward to a good chance of success in some of the best turkey habitat in the lower Piedmont. For information, hunters should contact the Pee Dee NWR at (704) 694-4424.

The commission's Special Hunt Opportunities booklet and the "Special Hunt Opportunities" section of its Web site list the special lottery permit turkey hunts for game lands. Being drawn for one of these lottery hunts is one of the best ways to maximize potential for harvesting a gobbler, while minimizing competition from other hunters. While the deadline for applying for permits ended March 1, hunters should make a reminder note to apply next year. They can also call the commission's License Sales at (919) 707-0391, or visit a license dealer to see if any permits are available that were not issued. The newest of these permit hunts occurs on the youth turkey hunt date, the Saturday before the regular season. Only youth hunters accompanied by a licensed adult may hunt during these special hunts. There are also regular season special permit hunts and youth-adult turkey hunts available by lottery.

In the Mountain Region, Dupont State Forest and Thurmond Chatham game lands have special permit hunts. In the Piedmont, special permit hunts are held at Butner-Falls, Caswell, Chatham, Harris, Hyco, Jordan, Mayo, Nicholson Creek, Rockfish Creek, Sandhills and Second Creek game lands. In the Coastal Plain, special permit hunts are held at Bladen Lakes, Brunswick County, J. Morgan Futch, Holly Shelter, Lantern Acres, North River, Roanoke River and Suggs Millpond game lands. Some of these game lands offer youth hunt permits only, with the remaining season dates open to all hunters with appropriate licenses, while others require permits for all turkey hunting. There are also youth-adult permit hunts at some of these game lands.