AMMON — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host an informational workshop for private landowners and those involved with agricultural production in Bladen, Sampson and Duplin counties. Topics will include wildlife habitat management techniques, pollinator habitat, longleaf pine management and recent bobwhite quail research.

Attendees will also learn about property management assistance opportunities. The workshop will occur on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 3 to 5:45 p.m. at the Holmes Farm located on N.C. 242 approximately 1.3 miles north of the Old Fayetteville Road intersection in Ammon.

The workshop, “Wildlife and Water Quality on N.C. Farms,” is hosted by the Commission’s Private Lands Program in partnership with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and Smithfield’s Hog Production Division. A field tour of the Ammon CURE area will provide an opportunity to view an active swine farm with abundant early successional habitat and a high quail population.

Private landowners and swine farm operators may attend the workshop free of charge. Registered swine farm operators are eligible to earn two hours of Operator in Charge credits.

Registration is required by Sept. 26, 2016. Space is limited to the first 35 registrants. To register or receive additional information, contact Benjy Strope at 910-874-5562 or benjy.strope@ncwildlife.org.

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Family friendly events

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The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting or supporting several family-friendly events on Saturday to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The events, all of which are free except for two, focus on activities that highlight the state’s rich hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation heritage. Activities and exhibits vary for each event; however, all provide opportunities for participants to improve their outdoor skills and increase their knowledge of wildlife in North Carolina.

Event locations and times are:

— John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Fayetteville. The Wildlife Expo, which is free, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A few activities include: air rifle shooting, fishing, kayaking, a live animal display, aquatic insect identification and more. The N.C. Wildlife Federation is giving away a lifetime sportsman license in a random drawing at 1 p.m. Participants can pre-register online or show up the day of event. For more information, contact Thomas Carpenter, center director, at 910-868-5003 or Thomas.carpenter@ncwildlife.org.

— 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. The fee also includes lunch. For more information, contact Michael Cauley at 910-992-7113.

— Lake Raleigh on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Raleigh. This free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants can fish with the pros for catfish and largemouth bass. Lew’s Fishing and Skeeter Boats-sponsored Elite Bassmaster Pro angler Marty Robinson, who is a three-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic, Skeeter Boats-sponsored Elite Bassmaster Pro angler Shane Lineberger and local fishing pro Adam Petty will be onsite providing tips and techniques on catching fish. Other activities include tree stand safety, live reptiles and amphibians exhibit, archery, boat displays and more. No pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Cristy Bullock at 919-707-0176 or cristy.bullock@ncwildlife.org.

— Rose Hill Farms (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Nashville. The Tar River Chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation is hosting its free 15th Annual Jakes Day. The event begins at 9 a.m. Activities include an air rifle range, Labrador retriever demonstrations, rock climbing wall, zip line, a rope bridge, reptile display, shark tooth dig and more.

— Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Pisgah Forest, near Brevard. This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hands-on, interactive exhibits and demonstrations include fishing, outdoor cooking, fly casting and more. Exhibits in the center include five aquatic habitats with live fish, frogs, salamanders and snakes. For more information, contact Lee Sherrill at lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org or 828-877-4423.

— Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge (ncwildlife.org/nhfd) in Currituck County. Event begins at 8 a.m. Fishing, archery and birding opportunities will be available for all participants. The Guilford Chapter of N.C. Bowhunters Association is offering archery lessons. For $25 each, anglers ages 4 to 14 receive a rod and reel combo, bait, a t-shirt, Fish for Fun bags and a Greenwing membership. Lunch and beverages are provided for participants and their families. Pre-registration is required by calling 252-619-0575.

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