Nc Wildlife Resources Commission

Efficiency when launching boat helps

Photo courtesy of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission The “Batmobile” at the newly improved boating access area in Wrightsville Beach is helping to make boaters aware that it is as important to not operate watercraft while impaired as it is to not operate a motor vehicle on the highways while impaired. A joint effort to end operating any type of vehicle while under the influence is having a good effect. As we begin to head into the prime boating season of the year thousands of boaters will be using the new and newly renovated system of boating access areas across North Carolina. These expanded facilities will certainly speed-up the launching and retrieval of boats but there are still certain rules of etiquette at a boat launching facility that can make things go more smoothly. When you’re approaching a boating access area planning to launch your boat, stop, pull off into the level preparation area and make sure everything’s ready to launch before you pull the boat and trailer to the actual ramp. Check to be sure that all your safety equipment is in order. Be sure the boat’s fuel supply is adequate and hooked-up to the motor. Be sure the boat’s registration papers are aboard and in order, the tie-down straps removed and the plugs installed in the stern of the boat. The Ice chest and fishing gear should be loaded aboard the boat at this point not after the boat is in the water. Once the boat is on the actual ramp the entire launching operation shouldn’t take more that five minutes. If there’s more than one angler involved have someone move the boat off the actual launching area while the driver moves the car and trailer into the proper parking facility. This should leave the ramp area ready for the next vehicle and boat waiting to launch. Retrieving the boat at the end of the day calls for similar common sense and good ramp etiquette. I’ve seen some real confrontations take place when boaters are in a hurry to get off the water as a storm approaches. Again, offering to lend a hand to a fellow boater when he’s needing help with the current or wind blowing the boat off center on the trailer. A little cooperation goes a long way when things get hectic around a boat ramp. Probably the number one trouble encountered at a boating access area is the question of who takes precedence at the ramp. Is it the vehicle and trailer or the boat on the water? When in the boat retrieval stage the car and trailer takes precedence over the waiting boat. It’s the only common sense way to retrieve the boat when a crowd is waiting in line to take out. The correct procedure when retrieving the boat is to let one person off to go get the car and trailer while the boat leaves the ramp clear for someone else to load. The vehicle and trailer waits in line (if there is one) for their turn and then and only then is the boat to approach the ramp to be loaded. If the boat has only one person on board the boat should be securely tied off away from the ramp while the solo boater goes to get the car and trailer. After he backs the trailer into the water he puts the vehicle into the park mode, sets the emergency brake and then goes to retrieve his boat and proceed to get it onto trailer. One of the most memorable scenes that I’ve ever encountered on a boat launching facility happened many years ago at a boating access area on the Delaware Bay. It was during the 1970s and the spring run of the huge weakfish (grey trout to us Tar Heels) was at its height. Fishermen from all over the east coast were swarming along with these magnificent fish to the major spawning water near the Brandywine Light. It was early in the morning and the anglers had their vehicles (with boat trailers attached) were lined up literally for several miles trying to launch their boats and quickly get underway to the fish several miles out into Delaware Bay. One particular boater was quite obviously not well trained at backing a boat trailer into the water and he tied up one of the ramps as he repeatedly tried to back the boat into the water, failed, pulled forward and tried to back straight in yet another failed attempt. Other boaters were gathering at the head of the ramp getting frustrated as the ramp was totally tied up while this inexperienced boater kept on trying to get the boat into the water. As the waiting boater’s tempers boiled at the delay the driver of the car also became frustrated and each of his unsuccessful attempts grew worse. This was doubly complicated by the drivers very obnoxious wife who stood by the ramp nagging the inexperienced boater with such comments as “I knew you shouldn’t have bought this boat” or “Can’t you do anything right you XO**#*###.” The more the wife screamed at her unfortunate husband to worse his attempts at launching the boat became. We're glad to give you a forum to air your point of view on issues important to this community. We just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or assail anyone's personal or religious beliefs. For anyone who can't be civil, we reserve the right to remove your material. We also reserve the right to ban users who violate our visitor's agreement.

Commission Seeking Small Game Award Nominations | Beach Carolina ...

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 15, 2011) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking nominees for its annual Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award.

Nominations for this year’s award are due Aug. 1, 2011.

The award is given to an individual and an organization whose actions significantly and positively impact North Carolina’s small game populations, including Northern bobwhite, ruffed grouse, squirrel and rabbit.

Winners receive a plaque and formal recognition at a Commission meeting and appreciation for their efforts on behalf of North Carolina small game wildlife species.

In the individual category, past award winners were landowners who improved and integrated small game habitat into their forestry or farming operations. In the organization category, past award winners included corporations, government agencies, and non-government organizations whose actions improved small game habitat. Past organizational winners included Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, The Ruffed Grouse Society, Murphy Brown, LLC, and Quail Forever, Southeast NC Chapter.

The following information is required for each nomination: Since 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org<http://www.ncwildlife.org/ >.

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