NWTF and Partners Add Over 400 Acres to Public Game Lands in North Carolina

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust recently purchased an over-400-acre waterfront property in Pamlico County through a partnership with the NWTF North Carolina State Chapter, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. The Coastal Land Trust then transferred the land to the state to expand the Goose Creek Game Lands.

The over-400-acre property lies along North Carolina Highway 304 and Lynch’s Beach Road between Bayboro and Vandemere. It hosts excellent habitat for wild turkey, white-tailed deer, black bear and other wildlife, with extensive forests of mixed pine-hardwoods, pocosin wetlands and longleaf pine ridges.

“This land acquisition is a win for hunters, anglers, outdoor recreationists and our natural resources in North Carolina,” said Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist for North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. “This is a shining example how different partners with common goals can collaborate for the common good.”

The property also has over four miles of frontage along the Bay River, Smith Creek and Newton Creek. Smith Creek is designated as a primary fish nursery area and Newton Creek and the Bay River are considered Shellfish Waters. All of these water bodies are classified by the state as “High Quality Waters” and “Nutrient Sensitive Waters.” This highly attractive and developable property has deep-water access on both the Bay River and Smith Creek less than 8 miles from the Pamlico Sound. The land is now conserved forever.

“This coastal waterfront property was prime for development,” said Janice Allen, director of land protection for the Coastal Land Trust. “We are so appreciative that the seller, the Bate Land Company, L.P., was willing to work with us to conserve it for its wildlife, water quality and scenic values. We also thank the National Wild Turkey Federation, Wildlife Resources Commission and Division of Coastal Management for partnering with us to conserve this special place on our coast.”

The NWTF North Carolina State Chapter raised $50,000 to help with the conservation of the Bay River property.

“Our organization believes that the most effective way to benefit wild turkeys on a scale that makes a difference is to contribute to habitat improvements and conservation,” said Luke Gibson, NWTF volunteer and NWTF Neuse Chapter representative. “Contributing to the Bay River Tract acquisition made sense to us since it will permanently conserve wild turkey habitat and make the land available to the public for hunting.”

“We were pleased to partner with the Coastal Land Trust and Wildlife Resources Commission on this coastal conservation effort,” noted Tancred Miller, policy and planning section chief, of the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. “When a funding opportunity through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s National Coastal Zone Management Program became available for coastal habitat protection, we jumped on it. The 400-acre Bay River Tract rang all the bells and whistles of the program, and we were able to secure $500,000 towards its acquisition. We especially thank the folks at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who administer this funding program for working so diligently with us to bring the project to closing.”

Additional funding for the purchase of the Bay River Tract was made possible thanks to the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stanback and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will manage the property to improve habitat for native wildlife to include prescribed burning, thinning of forest stands and creation of wildlife food plots,” stated Ben Solomon, assistant chief and land acquisition manager of the Wildlife Resources Commission. “The land will be added to the Goose Creek Game Lands, and in the future, will be open for public hunting.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale. 

2023 is the NWTF's 50^th Anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization's mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50-year celebration, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the NWTF's people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.

About the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust enriches coastal communities of North Carolina through conservation of natural areas and working lands, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship. Founded in 1992, the Coastal Land Trust has saved more than 87,000 acres of places with scenic, recreational, historic and/or ecological value, and has offices in Wilmington, New Bern and Elizabeth City. www.CoastalLandTrust.org.

About the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management

The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management works to protect, conserve and manage North Carolina’s coastal resources through an integrated program of planning, permitting, education and research.

About the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

The mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation. Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1947, the Wildlife Resources Commission now owns and/or manages over 2M acres of land for wildlife and public hunting, fishing and wildlife observation.