Tyrrell County has a wealth of unexplored assets.

Many activities and projects go unnoticed outside the town limits.

The J Morgan Futch Game Lands Restoration Project offers an opportunity to explore nature for the average person and hunting opportunities for the avid sportsman.

North American Wetlands Conservation Council(NAWCC) funds helped purchase and develop the property.

Ducks Unlimited also helped with acquisition and DU engineers designed and oversaw new construction and upgrades to the impoundments.

“The Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid Wildlife Restoration Program (Pittman-Robertson Act) is an excise tax on hunting equipment and ammunition.  A portion of that money returns back to the state for habitat work. This is our main funding source to maintain and manage the property,” said David Turner,Northern Coastal Management Biologist ,with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Habitat work at Futch Gamelands includes administering a cooperative farming program that aligns with habitat goals.

Habitat work includes: administering a cooperative farming program that aligns with habitat goals, managing moist soil vegetation units to provide a natural, high quality food source for waterfowl, providing submerged aquatic vegetation units to mitigate the loss of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Albemarle and Currituck Sounds, and managing the property to provide migrating, wintering, and in some cases nesting habitats for waterfowl, migrating shorebirds, and wading birds.

Turner emphasized the primary purpose of Futch Gamelands is for hunting through the Commission permit system.

“Birdwatchers and hikers are welcome pending they follow regulations limiting them to the “Scouting Only Zones” during specified dates.  See NC Inland Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Regulations Digest for dates.  Permits are also issued to trappers.  This annual regulation digest covers the rules for game lands across the state and is a great resource to the public,” said Turner.

Futch now provides 500 acres of managed wetland habitats.  The property helps mitigate the loss of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Albemarle and Currituck Sounds, provides the opportunity to manage for moist soil vegetation in prior converted wetlands, allows managers the opportunity to mix farming practices with wetland management, and provide habitats for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds. Priority waterfowl that have benefited from acquisition include northern pintail,American black duck and mallard