North Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement

09/04/2026

On the Road, On the Water – Don’t Drink and Drive has been our motto every Labor Day Weekend for the past 16 years, and it remains as important as ever. In partnership with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol our officers will be out across North Carolina working to keep the public safe. Whether you’re behind the wheel or at the helm, always choose a sober operator, follow safety guidelines, and help protect everyone on our state’s roads and waterways.

Together we can prevent impaired driving on both land and water.

09/03/2026

How do you celebrate bringing home the Stanley Cup? If you’re Carolina Hurricanes Coach Chris Huffine, you grab your family, hook up to your bass boat, and head for Falls Lake to reel in bass like it's game seven.

An avid angler and outdoorsman, Coach Huffine invited members of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Law Enforcement Division and agency staff to join him and his family for an unforgettable day with the Cup, and to celebrate something else close to his heart: North Carolina’s great outdoors.

It was an honor to share in such a special part of the Canes’ championship celebration and to connect over a shared appreciation for the wild places, waters and wildlife that make North Carolina so special.

We hope Coach Huffine’s day on Falls Lake inspires a few more North Carolinians to cast a line, get outside and discover something worth protecting.

Congratulations, Coach Huffine and the Carolina Hurricanes! Thanks for bringing the Cup along for one unforgettable day on the water.

Go Canes!

09/02/2026

Dove season is almost here, North Carolina! As hunters head into the fields, our Wildlife Officers will be out ensuring everyone enjoys a safe, respectful, and legal hunt. Dove season is a cherished tradition that brings families, friends, and communities together, and we’re proud to support responsible sportsmanship across the state.

Please review important season dates, limits, and field regulations below. A safe hunt is a successful hunt. Thank you for doing your part.

2026 Dove Season Dates
Sept. 5 – Oct. 10
Nov. 7 – Nov. 28
Dec. 16 – Jan. 30

Daily Limit: 15 (aggregate for mourning and white-winged doves)
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
Sunday dove hunting is prohibited.

As always, our Wildlife Officers are here to help. If you have questions in the field or want clarification on regulations, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Let’s work together to ensure a safe, ethical, and enjoyable season for everyone.

Check out the full-length On Patrol video at https://bit.ly/4d37Eoy

09/01/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and fellow officers of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor.

Officer Taylor’s courage and selfless commitment to helping others is a powerful reminder of the risks conservation law enforcement officers face while serving their communities.

We honor his service and stand beside our federal partners during this difficult time.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is mourning federal wildlife officer David Taylor, 38 of Scio, Oregon, who is believed to have died while helping evacuate residents threatened by the Railroad South Fire.

Officer Taylor was going door to door alongside local emergency crews helping families get to safety. His last contact with dispatch came while he was helping a family evacuate their home. Evidence recovered from a structure where he was working to help a resident escape indicates that he died during the evacuation effort. Formal identification remains pending with the medical examiner.

Everything we know about David's actions reflects extraordinary courage, selflessness and devotion to duty.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, fellow officers and all who served alongside him. We will never forget his service.

09/01/2026

Apply NOW @ https://bit.ly/4qQC1EH

Learn more about NC Wildlife LE careers by visiting our website https://www.ncwildlife.gov/enforcement/law-enforcement-careers or email [email protected] with any questions.

08/31/2026

Partnership in action: NC Wildlife Resources Commission's Law Enforcement Division and the NC SBI’s K9 Program recently joined together for a NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course. We are proud to work alongside dedicated professionals committed to serving North Carolina.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

08/28/2026

We are excited to announce that applications for our 62nd Basic Academy Accelerated Program will be open September 1–15, 2026. This program is designed for current NC law enforcement who are ready to advance their careers and serve their communities in conservation law enforcement.

Applicants must hold a current, valid General Law Enforcement Certification issued by the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission and have at least one year of NC sworn law enforcement experience, or meet this requirement by their hire date.

Check back on September 1st for the NC Workday application link. Learn more about NC Wildlife LE careers by visiting our website https://www.ncwildlife.gov/enforcement/law-enforcement-careers or email [email protected] with any questions.

08/25/2026

On August 24, 2026, Quinten Kight was sentenced in Chatham County Superior Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including Second-Degree Murder and Felony Boating While Impaired involving Serious Injury, for the 2025 Harris Lake incident that killed 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll and seriously injured Jenifer Stehle.

Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour imposed:
• 144–185 months for Second-Degree Murder
• 19–35 months for Felony Boating While Impaired involving Serious Injury

Kight will then serve 24 months of supervised probation and is prohibited from operating any boat, watercraft, or motor vehicle during that period.

Lead investigator Officer Jacob Pattison and several NC Wildlife Officers attended in support of the families. “This preventable tragedy is a reminder of how someone’s actions can have lasting effects,” Pattison said. “Because of the courage of the families involved, this case will have a direct impact on impaired driving deterrence on our state’s waterways.”

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident.

Thank you North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Chatham County Sheriff's Office-NC District Attorney Jeff Nieman MADD North Carolina for your assistance during this investigation.

Read the full response at https://bit.ly/4zE7ygM

08/22/2026

Our Wildlife Officers showed up in full force this month at the Battle of the Badges first responder softball tournament, an event hosted by the Burlington Sock Puppets at Burlington Athletic Stadium in Burlington, NC. This annual tournament brings first responders together for friendly competition while supporting a meaningful cause: the Dream Hunt & Fishing Program.

We’re proud to share that team "Green Jeans" represented the division with grit and teamwork, bringing home some hardware.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and cheered from the stands. Your support helps make a real impact on the communities we serve.

Check out highlights from the tournament below!

08/20/2026

This weekend marks the first expanded deer hunting opportunity within the CWD Management Areas, and our officers have been receiving a number of questions from hunters preparing for the season.

Here are answers to the most common questions:

▪️Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin are the only counties included in the CWD Management Area.
▪️Only antlered deer may be harvested, and no additional tags are issued.
▪️Any legal method of take is authorized - bow, muzzleloader, or firearm.
▪️ Blaze orange is required for all hunters.
▪️ Only portions of game lands located within these seven counties are open.
▪️Taking deer ran by dogs is permitted only on Saturday, August 22 in Sampson and Cumberland counties.

For the complete list of regulations and additional information, be sure to review our regulations digest. https://bit.ly/4gGUsbb

Stay safe, stay aware, and stay hydrated if you plan to hunt this weekend. Our officers will be in the field and available should you need assistance or have questions.