The hunter should write down the item number for the hunt selected and for as many backup choices for hunt dates as that particular hunt allows. He may apply only once for each item number, but each number represents a different set of hunt dates.

Then the hunter should take the booklet and item number to a license agent or call (888) 248-6834 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. with the number and booklet in hand. Also, he should be prepared to give the agent his date of birth, WRC Customer ID number or North Carolina driver’s license number, and telephone number.

Party hunts are allowed for most special hunts, with varying numbers in the party allowed. For deer hunts, the maximum party size is five hunters. The party is established by the first person to apply for the hunt. All that is necessary is for the hunter to give the application number to other hunters and they can join the party at that time or at a later time by using the same Party ID Number.

A hunter making a special hunt application will be asked if he wants to “join an existing party.” If he does, he must give the Party ID Number. The odds of being drawn for a party hunt are no different from being drawn as an individual. While fewer than the maximum number of hunters can join a party, more than the maximum cannot apply within the same party: Anytime too many applications for a party hunt are received, all the applications are disqualified.

Those who are selected will be notified before their hunt dates, while those who are unsuccessful will not be notified. A new feature of the commission’s Web site is that hunters can go online to see if they have been drawn for a permit hunt. This eliminates the waiting and wondering if their notification has been lost or delayed in the U.S. mail, perhaps even tossed away inadvertently with junk mail. In addition, the entire special hunts opportunity can be viewed on the Web site, along with a special section showing the species available at each game land. This makes it especially easy for deer hunters to find special hunts for their chosen game in the regions they want to hunt.

Here’s the rundown on commission permit hunts by region.

COASTAL REGION
Brunswick County Game Land covers 1,139 acres of upland and swamp along Town Creek near Southport. Vehicle access is restricted. To minimize disturbance, hunters are asked to scout only once before their hunt. Hip boots may be necessary and much of the game land is accessible by boat. Most of the cover is very thick, with young mixed pine and hardwood forests.

Rhodes Pond is a 455-acre cypress-studded millpond with some adjoining uplands located in Cumberland County. There is a small amount of hardwood forest and farm fields adjoining the property. It is near Dunn and accessed by U.S. 301. The best access is by small boat, with a canoe an excellent choice.

Suggs Millpond in Bladen County includes 7,970 acres of upland pine ridges and heavy pocosin surrounding Horseshoe Lake. There is good access on the sandy roads. Hound hunts are common at this game land, but tree stands are also popular.

Eubanks Farms has 1,753 acres of restored wetlands located in Jones County. It is a working farm with many acres of agricultural crops.

Roanoke River Refuge and Roanoke River Wetlands game lands include several tracts totaling 31,100 acres owned by the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Wildlife Commission, with all permit hunts administered by the commission. These tracts are located in Bertie, Halifax, Northampton and Martin counties. Game lands are located along the Roanoke River near Scotland Neck, Hamilton, Williamston and Plymouth. Habitat is bottomland hardwoods, cypress-tupelo swamps and some uplands with agricultural fields.

A stable boat is required for access to many of the tracts. Some of the areas are flooded intermittently, so familiarity with local conditions is necessary. Sometimes, especially following hurricane strikes, much of the properties become inaccessible.