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Reduced striped bass season on the Roanoke: The striped bass harvest season on the Roanoke River Management Area will be limited to four days in 2022: April 23 – 24 (Saturday & Sunday) and April 28 – 29 (Thursday & Friday).

The creel limit is one fish per day. The entire Roanoke River Management Area will be open for harvest, which includes tributaries from the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam downstream to the Albemarle Sound, including the Cashie, Middle and Eastmost rivers.

It’s time for turkey season: Wild turkey season runs through, and if it’s anything like the last two years, it will be active. Nearly 22,000 turkeys were harvested in 2021, just short of the all-time record set in 2020. Wildlife biologists say the state’s turkey population remains strong despite the increased hunting pressure and harvest, which is good news for youth and adult hunters as they go for their two-bird limit this season.

Be bear den aware: This time of year, bears are very resourceful in finding shelter to raise their young. If you stumble upon a bear den occupied by a cub by its lonesome, the best action is to leave it alone. It’s likely waiting for its mother to return from foraging and exploring. However, sometimes cubs are orphaned, and our agency can help. If you suspect a bear cub has been abandoned, note the location, leave the cub and walk away. Once you are in a safe area, call the NC Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401, or contact your local district wildlife biologist for further guidance. If it’s determined a bear cub has been orphaned, we will safely transport it to a professional bear cub rehabilitator.