Hunters may apply for 11 different three-day, any-weapon hunts on any of the 12 tracts. Hunts take place during October through mid-November on all tracts. But hunts in late November through December occur only on the Beach House, Conoho Farms, Cypress Swamp, Deveraux Swamp, Odom, Pollacks Ferry and Urquart-Boone tracts.

Hunters can buy a $5 permit to bowhunt any of the tracts during the regular eastern region bow season in mid-September through the first week in October. Hunters can also buy a $5 permit to hunt any of the tracts with a muzzleloader during the regular eastern region muzzleloader season. Primitive weapons permits are unlimited in number.

Hunters are requested to scout only once before hunting to minimize disturbance. Camping is allowed within 100 yards of the Roanoke River and many hunters use boats for access. Flooding can hurt hunters' chances at some tracts during their hunt dates because much of the territory is hardwood floodplain. However, there are upland areas offering good hunting even during floods. The Roanoke River drainage includes some of the best natural habitat in the Coastal Plain and some big bucks are taken from the hunting area.

Hip boots, maps and GPS or compasses are extra gear hunters should have when hunting at Roanoke River NWR. For more information, call the NCWRC at (919) 707-0050, write to NCWRC, 1703 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1703, or visit www.ncwildlife.org.

NIQUE MOUNTAIN GAME LANDS PERMIT HUNTS
While many commission deer draw hunts are offered across the state, some of the mountain game lands offer truly unique hunting opportunities. John's River is a new game land opening in Burke County this fall. It will be a permit-only hunting area. During permit deer hunts, deer of either sex may be taken. It is also a waterfowl hunting area, with a prohibition against entry except by permit-holders for waterfowl hunts after Oct. 1.

An either-sex deer youth hunt is held at the 850-acre Warrior Creek Recreation Area in Wilkes County. Warrior Creek is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is located at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. An all-day orientation/scouting day is held the first week of November and the hunt is held the next week.

An either-sex youth deer hunt is held at an 880-acre peninsula of Duke Energy's Belews Creek Reservoir in Stoke County. An all-day orientation/scouting day is held the last week in September, with the hunt the following week.

A disabled sportsman permit hunt is held at the 10,256-acre Dupont State Forest each year. The hunt is held the second weekend of September. Limited disabled access behind closed gates can be arranged by calling (828) 877-6527.

Another disabled sportsman permit hunt is held at 11,650-acre Toxaway Game Land on the same date. Hunters must obtain keys for access to the game land at Gorges State Park at Sapphire. For information, telephone (828) 966-9099.

Information for these and other commission permit deer hunts is available online at www.ncwildlife.org. Information is also available in the Special Hunt Opportunities booklet available at license dealers or by calling the NCWRC Division of Game Management at (919) 707-0050.