North Carolina Chapter of the Wildlife Society

09/29/2026

🌲Professional Development Opportunity🌲

Have you ever wondered how drones are used for wildlife and habitat management? Join Andrew Zachman from the Carolina Drone Lab, UNC-Chapel Hill, for a workshop on Thursday, October 8th! The workshop will be held from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM in Randolph County. The exact address will be shared with those who register for the event.

To reserve your spot for the workshop and to learn more about the topics being covered, copy and paste the following link into your web browser: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-use-of-drones-in-wildlife-and-land-management-tickets-2001400888935?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/27/2026

🐾Free Wildlife Lecture Alert🐾

North Carolina State University will be holding its annual Frederick and Joan Barkalow Distinguished Conservationist Lecture on October 7th, 2026, from 3:00-5:00. This year’s speaker is Dr. Chris Wilmers from the University of California, Santa Cruz, speaking on the topic of “Fear and Sprawl: Large Carnivores at the Wildland-Urban Interface”.

This event can be attended both in person at the NC State McKimmon Center and online. Doors open at 3:00, with the lecture beginning at 3:30.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at go.ncsu.edu/barkalow-rsvp or scan the QR code on this post!

09/17/2026

📅Save the Date!📅

The NCTWS Annual Meeting will be held from February 9th through February 11th, 2027, at the Hawthorne Inn & Conference Center in Winston-Salem, NC. This year’s plenary session theme is “New and Emerging Technologies in Wildlife Monitoring”.

Be on the lookout for more information as we get closer to February! We’re looking forward to seeing you in the Piedmont!

09/04/2026

Earlier this week, the NCTWS COWCH Committee interviewed Ken Knight - a retired wildlife professional who worked as a biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

The COWCH Committee, with COWCH standing for "Conserving Our Wildlife Conservation Heritage", aims to preserve the history and experience of wildlife professionals through video interviews to provide insights and advice for current and aspiring wildlife professionals. The committee members are excited to keep the ball rolling and conduct more interviews in the months ahead.

Look out for the interview with Ken, which will be posted on the NCTWS COWCH YouTube channel in the coming weeks!

09/01/2026

🌿Professional Development Opportunity!🌿

Have you ever wondered what species of plants grow in a regularly burned longleaf pine stand? Here is your chance!

Join NC Wildlife Resource Commission's Wildlife Biologist, Benjy Strope, on a fun and easy hike around the Suggs Mill Campground on September 10th, 2026 at 1:00pm to learn more. No RSVP is required.

08/13/2026

📣Attention, members of The North Carolina Chapter of the Wildlife Society!📣

NCTWS is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2026 TWS Conference Grant. One applicant will be chosen for a $1,000 grant to cover travel expenses and registration for the annual TWS conference located in Des Moines, Iowa, November 1st-5th. Preference for funding will be given to applicants who have been members of the NCTWS for at least 5 years, and/or who are, or have been, actively involved in the Chapter (e.g., officers, committee members, etc.). Current NCTWS members have received the application for this grant in their email.

For more information or further inquiries, please contact James Sasser at [email protected]

08/13/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXuGNFHANhl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Have you heard the latest news? We're now on Instagram! Give us a follow to learn more about professional development opportunities, grants, member spotlights, and all things NCTWS!

12/02/2025

Biologists with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission say there’s an annual peak of reported coyote sightings this time of year, typically from people who are concerned about the dangers resident coyotes could pose. But these secretive canines are not generally a threat to humans and the chances are very good that they have been in the area for some time.

Tips to make homes and neighborhoods less attractive to coyotes:
- Always supervise small pets when they’re outside, and especially around dawn and dusk
- Keep cats indoors and poultry in a predator-proof run
- Feed pets indoors or remove all food when a pet is finished eating outside
- Store food waste in secure containers with tight-fitting lids
- Keep birdseed off the ground around feeders, or attract birds with seed-bearing wildflowers in lieu of feeders
- If you see a coyote around your home and feel safe to do so, scare it off by making loud noises, throwing small objects in their direction or spraying it with a water hose.

📸: moosehenderson

11/07/2025

Check out NCTWS member, April Boggs Pope, as she discusses deer and gardens in Hillsborough!

Join us on November 16th for a free DIG DEEPER talk with deer biologist April Boggs Pope from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission!

As Master Gardener volunteers, we hear questions about deer all year long — they nibble on nearly everyone’s landscape, no matter where you live! 🌿😅

This presentation, “Dealing With Deer,” will offer practical tips, science-based insights, and realistic expectations (because if deer are hungry enough… they’ll eat just about anything!).

📍 Orange County Public Library – Main Library
📅 Sunday, November 16th
⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM
📫 137 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Bring a gardening buddy! We hope to see you there! 💚🌱

11/05/2025

Unfortunately, a new county has been found to have a presumptive positive CWD. If you harvest deer, in this county or surrounding counties, we encourage you to get your deer tested. Hit the link to find a drop-off freezer or cervid health cooperator.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reporting the first presumptive detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Edgecombe County. We have received a preliminary positive test result on a 3 ½ year-old male white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter in the eastern corner of the county.

The Wildlife Commission asks hunters to submit deer harvested in Edgecombe and surrounding counties for testing as a critical part of annual surveillance activities.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/49IqKzo