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Croatan National Forest Alerts Hunters to Road Closures
Release Date: Oct 4, 2018
Contact(s): Timothy Evans, Alice Cohen
NEW BERN, N.C., Oct.4, 2018 – The U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are alerting hunters to hazards and closures on the Croatan National Forest as a result of Hurricane Florence in eastern North Carolina.
After the hurricane, damage assessments indicated 78 percent of the forest’s road system was minimally-to-severely impacted, prompting the closure of over 80 miles of National Forest System roads to all foot and motorized traffic, including to hunting and other recreational activities.
The Croatan National Forest is considering hunter access as a component in prioritizing crews and equipment for road clearing. However, some popular hunting areas, including Millis and Pringle Roads, have sustained significant damage and will be part of a long-term recovery effort. Hunters are urged to heed closures in these areas and not attempt to enter on foot.
“We realize that hunters are ready to enjoy the fall hunting season and are eager to pick their hunting spot,” said Brent Wilson, the Commission’s Coastal EcoRegion Supervisor. “However, hunters in eastern North Carolina will need to use extra caution to stay safe and avoid closed areas and roads. We plan to complete this clean-up work as quickly as possible to provide a safe environment for the public.”
Officials ask the public to be patient as U.S. Forest Service personnel, crews and contractors are actively working to remove hazardous trees and conduct assessments on roads, barricaded or gated, and areas within the closure order.
“The risks associated with being on closed Forest Service roads is not just the damage to the surface of roads. Overhead hazards still exist, including the potential for falling trees and branches,” said Acting District Ranger Kevin Knesek, of the Croatan National Forest. “Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service, partner agencies and contractors have people and equipment working in areas that are commonly used for hunting. For the safety of the public and our employees, it is critical that people don’t hunt in places where incident personnel are working.”
Deer muzzle loader season began this weekend and deer hunting season is scheduled to begin Oct. 13 in eastern North Carolina. The U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recognize the importance of hunting as a recreational activity and an important component of the local culture and economy.
The Croatan National Forest is updating its list of road closures daily as assessments are completed, new damage is identified and roads are cleared. For updated information on closures visit: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD597737
To report damage or for information on recovery operations, please call (252) 379-2488 or email croatanflorenceresponse@gmail.com. For information on hunting regulations in North Carolina, visit the NCWRC website at https://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Hunting-in-North-Carolina.
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