The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has closed Tar River Game Land to hunting except by bow and arrow.

Wildlife Commissioners voted to allow only archery hunting this year on the Edgecombe County game land.

During a public meeting last month, local residents asked for the change.

David Cobb, chief of the Division of Wildlife Management, said Wildlife Commission biologists will study the game land with a goal of reintroducing some type of firearms hunting, perhaps as soon as next year.

The Tar River Game Land is one of nearly 70 game lands across the state managed by the Wildlife Commission for public hunting, trapping and fishing.

The property consists of 134 acres of upland pine stands, bottomland hardwoods, large clear-cut areas and lakes. It is open six days a week.

Either-sex deer hunting with bow and arrow will be allowed on Tar River Game Land during the Eastern archery season, September 10 through October 7, and during the region's gun season, October 15 through January 2.

Waterfowl hunting on the game land is limited to Tuesdays and Saturdays in season, as well as on the first and last days of the season and on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Martin Luther King days.

For more information about hunting seasons, regulations or public game lands, consult the 2005-2006 Regulations Digest or the Game Lands Map Book, both available online at www.ncwildlife.org, or wherever hunting licenses are sold.