Game and Furbearer Summary Report 2025

NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION

GAME AND FURBEARER PROGRAM

Summary Report 2025

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Table of Contents Game and Furbearer Program Staff ...............................................................................................................5 Avid Rabbit Hunter Survey..............................................................................................................................7 Bear Cub Rehabilitation Program .................................................................................................................8 Bear Harvest and Mortality .............................................................................................................................9 Urban Black Bear Project Phase 2 ..............................................................................................................10 Nine-banded Armadillo Range Expansion in North Carolina ..................................................................11 Eastern North Carolina Canid Genetic Sampling.....................................................................................12 Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) Investigation.............................................................................................13 Annual Waterfowl Surveys ............................................................................................................................14 Migratory Game Bird Banding and Research ...........................................................................................15 Deer Hunter Observation Survey................................................................................................................16 Hunter Harvest Survey...................................................................................................................................17 Wild Turkey Harvest .......................................................................................................................................18 Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey ................................................................................................19 Wild Turkey Health Research Project .......................................................................................................20 Grouse Drumming Survey and Hurricane Helene Impacts ..................................................................21 Monitoring Wildlife Health in North Carolina .........................................................................................22 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Surveillance ....................................................................................23 Deer Biological Data Collection .................................................................................................................24 Deer Ecology Across an Urban-Rural Gradient .....................................................................................25

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE N.C. WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION ncwildlife.org

Opposite: Aerial view of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese during the 2024 mid-winter survey in northeast North Carolina.

HUNTER MORRIS/NCWRC

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

The Game and Furbearer Program I am very privileged to be a part of the Game & Furbearer Program and serve as its Assistant Chief. This group of outstanding biologists is a vital part of the NCWRC, working together to achieve the program’s mission of 1) ensuring the long-term viability and sustained harvest of game and furbearer populations, and 2) participating in planning and coordination of management directives based on sound science. The staff represent the agency on regional and national technical groups, often in official leadership positions. They serve as experts on the species with which they work and interact closely with the agency’s 21-member Board of Commissioners to provide the best information available for the Board to make regu- latory decisions. They design and carry out wildlife surveys and analyze reports, evaluate

Game and Furbearer Program Staff

BLAKE ANDREWS Special Projects Technician (January-May)

CAITLIN BRETT Furbearer Biologist

hunting and trapping regulations annually, and when necessary, spearhead recommendations for changes to those rules. Collectively, they interact with many constituents, including thousands of hunters and trappers each year. They routinely write professional journal articles, magazine articles, and mainstream media news releases. There is much more to their jobs, but those are the highlights. During this last year, July 2024 through June 2025, our program grew to eleven full-time, permanent posi- tions. We also rely on two temporary (i.e. seasonal) technicians that assist the full-time biologists on a variety of projects and we collaborate routinely with the agency’s Mammalogist, who is part of the Wildlife Diversity Program. In August, we established a full-time permanent Waterfowl Biologist position and hired Hunter Morris, who had previously worked as a temporary technician in the program. In January, we were fortunate to hire Cait- lin Brett as our Furbearer Biologist and Jenna Malzahn as our Black Bear Biologist, which represents a notewor- thy increase in capacity, since duties related to bears and furbearers had previously been consolidated in a single position. Unfortunately, our program suffered a great loss with the passing of Migratory Game Bird Coordinator Doug Howell in April. We will deeply miss the wealth of knowledge and experience that Doug brought to the program. We will be refilling the Migratory Game Bird position in the fall of 2025, as well as an additional Sur- veys and Data Manager position. This increase in personnel speaks to the importance of the program’s mission and the role within the NCWRC. This report highlights just a few of the program’s projects over the last year. There is not enough space in this report to touch on everything. Please take a few minutes to look through this report and don’t hesitate to reach out to me or our staff to let us know what you think.

GREGORY GODWIN Special Projects Technician (July-December)

DOUG HOWELL Migratory Game Bird Coordinator

CHRIS KREH Assistant Chief, Game and Furbearer Program

EVERETT MCATEER Special Projects Technician (January-June)

JENNA MALZAHN Black Bear Biologist

The Game & Furbearer Program gathered in January of 2025 at the 4H Center in Columbia to welcome new staff and strategically plan for critical work they do.

JONATHON GRUENKE/NCWRC

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Game and Furbearer Program Staff

Avid Rabbit Hunter Survey

DESCRIPTION: Avid rabbit hunters participate in this survey by recording information about their hunts on pre-printed post cards which they mail in at the end of the season. The information they record includes hunt location, number of hours hunted, number of rabbits jumped, and number and species of rabbits harvested.

KEY RESULTS: • In 2024-25, a total of 54 hunters reported harvest- ing 1,633 rabbits during 466 hunting trips throughout 70 counties in North Carolina. • Marsh rabbits were harvested in 23 of the 70 coun- ties and accounted for 15% of the reported harvest. • The average duration of a hunt was approximately 4.5 hours, ranging from 0.5 to 9 hours. • Hunts consisted of 1 to 10 hunters and 1 to 25 dogs with the average hunt containing approximately 4.3 hunters and 8.4 dogs. • Hunters jumped approximately 1.62 rabbits per hour and harvested approximately 49% of those rabbits. • On an average hunt, 7.19 rabbits were jumped and 3.5 rabbits were harvested. The highest number of rabbits jumped on a single hunt was 50 and the highest number harvested was 21. • Hunters jumped at least one rabbit on 97.6% of the reported hunts and harvested one or more rabbits on 78.8% of the hunts.

HUNTER MORRIS Waterfowl Biologist

RYAN MYERS Surveys Biologist

COLLEEN OLFENBUTTEL Game Mammals and Surveys Team Supervisor

APRIL BOGGS POPE Deer Biologist

ANDREA SHIPLEY Mammalogist (shared staff with Wildlife Diversity Program)

HANNAH PLUMPTON Upland Game Bird Biologist

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: This survey provides insight into long-term changes in rabbit populations and hunter dynamics across North Caro- lina. It is an important way to ensure that hunting reg- ulations are appropriate to maximize hunter satisfac- tion while also safeguarding populations.

CRAIG HOLT

CHRIS TURNER Game Birds and Wildlife Health Team Supervisor

MIRANDA TURNER Wildlife Health Biologist

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Bear Cub Rehabilitation Program

Bear Harvest and Mortality

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC receives orphaned cubs from a variety of circumstances as early as January each year, though the majority arrive April through July. The cubs are placed with one of our two licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who incorpo- rate science-based protocols to provide expert care and specialized food, with limited to no human interaction. Appropriate release sites are selected that consider habitat, food availability, and proxim- ity to humans, as well as the genetics and density of black bears in the release area.

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC has annually tracked hunter reported harvest of black bears since 1977, when it became man- datory, through a variety of methods. Non-harvest mortality has been incidentally collected throughout the year as well.

COLLEEN OLFENBUTTEL/NCWRC

Rehabilitated cubs are an important way to engage the public in bear conservation.

KEY RESULTS: • During 2024-25, we rehabilitated and released 9 bear cubs (5 males; 4 females) in western North Carolina. All the cubs were released in Sep- tember and October with ear tags to identify them and 6 bear cubs were released with GPS tracking collars. • The average weight at release was 79.3 lbs. (range: 57 lbs. to 98 lbs.). • The cubs with tracking collars were monitored from when they were released in September/October 2024 until the tracking collars automati- cally dropped off in April 2025. Survivorship was 100% and the NCWRC received no reports that any of the released cubs caused conflicts with people. • Of note, 1 additional cub was collared and released into the wild the same day as capture after its mother was euthanized for forcibly entering an occupied home.

KEY RESULTS: • In 2024, statewide reported black bear harvest was 4,446, consisting of 2,623 male (59%) and 1,823 (41%) female bears. • Total statewide harvest was up 3.9% com- pared to the record harvest in 2023 and the 2024 harvest was the third season in a row in which the report harvest exceeded 4,000 bears. • All three Bear Management Units (BMUs) set record harvests and compared to the previous season, the Coastal BMU harvest increased 3%, the Mountain BMU increased 5%, and the Piedmont BMU increased 16%. • Total known 2024 black bear mortality was 4,620 bears, including a statewide harvest plus additional non-harvest mor- tality as follows: Auto=138 bears, Depreda- tion=18 bears, Illegal=6 bears, Other=8 bears, and Unknown=4 bears.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REG- ULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Age and sex information gathered from biological samples of har- vested bears is used for analyzing the age structure of the harvested population and for monitoring popu- lation growth trends. Tracking black bear harvest is critically important to safeguarding the bear popula- tion and ensuring that hunting seasons and regula- tions are appropriate.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MAN- AGEMENT: North Carolina was one of the first states to initiate a rehabilitation program for black bear cubs, starting in 1976. Traditionally, rehabilitating cubs has been an important component for bear population restoration. Today, rehabilitation is not a biological necessity for a secure species; however, it is an effective tool for managing individual animal welfare and engaging the public in conservation.

JONATHON GRUENKE/NCWRC

Released cub with GPS collar.

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Urban Black Bear Project Phase 2

Nine-banded Armadillo Range Expansion in North Carolina

DESCRIPTION: Research project conducted in partnership between NCWRC and North Carolina State University to eval- uate the effectiveness of a BearWise education campaign in Asheville, North Carolina. This before-after impact control study focused on assessing changes in public perceptions and behaviors toward black bears.

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC has monitored observations of nine-banded arma- dillos over the past 18 years to help track range expansion and population estab- lishment in the state. The NCWRC actively seeks observations from the public to help with this effort, and to date, has reviewed over 1,560 reports (including con- firmed, credible, and unconfirmed observations) across 84 counties.

KEY RESULTS: • The treatment group showed less support and tolerance for bears, compared to the control group. This suggests that height- ened awareness, possibly due to the BearWise campaign, may have unintentionally increased sensitivity to bear presence or fear of negative encounters. • Pre-existing attitudes were strong predictors of post-campaign responses. For example, bird feeding behavior had a stronger influence on attitudes toward bears than actual bear interactions. • Attitudes toward coexistence with bears remained high; however, behavioral changes of residents due to the campaign were limited.

KEY RESULTS: Confirmed obser- vations have now been identified in 40 counties, and breeding popula- tions are likely established across 8 contiguous counties in southwest NC. An additional 18 counties have had credible reports, and 26 coun- ties have unconfirmed reports.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: The BearWise program is designed to educate res- idents, communities, and businesses about proactive measures that reduce attractants and prevent negative interactions to foster coexis- tence between humans and bears. Understanding the impact of this outreach program informs management efforts to mitigate human- bear interactions.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REG- ULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Reports of armadillo sightings have increased significantly over the past 18 years, with over 300 observations recorded in each of the past 2 years alone. Monitor- ing the growing population allows us to identify spa- tiotemporal trends in their range expansion, antici- pate potential management concerns, and remain informed about this relatively new member of North Carolina’s wildlife community. For more information, please visit ncwildlife.gov/armadillo.

ASHLEY HOBBS/NCWRC

COLLETTE MARK

The Nine-banded Armadillo is a unique mammal, with its armor-like skin and long, scaly tail. They often travel slowly, in an erratic, wandering pattern as they forage, and sometimes can be heard grunting like a pig.

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Eastern North Carolina Canid Genetic Sampling

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) Investigation

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC is collaborating with the University of Idaho to better understand the genetic structure and hybridization of canids (coyote, red wolf, domestic dog) in eastern North Carolina.

DESCRIPTION: Outbreaks of CDV among furbearers, in particular gray foxes, can cause significant population declines. As such, NCWRC biologists coordinated with USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services and Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study staff to collect, necropsy, and analyze furbearer samples for CDV and conduct research into the prevalence and trends of CDV in North Carolina.

KEY RESULTS: • CDV was detected in 21% of furbearer species samples collected from the wild. • We documented the first report of CDV in a bobcat and opossum in the United States. • A majority (55%) of the samples collected from ani- mals submitted to us from wildlife rehabilitation facilities tested positive for CDV. • In rabies-negative furbearers collected from NC Public Heath, 49% tested positive for CDV. • CDV detection rates were lowest in the summer months compared to other seasons and highest detections occurred in the Mountain region com- pared to the Coastal Plain and Piedmont. • The study examined if a CDV field test could be developed using samples from 5 furbearer species. • Nasal swabs may be slightly more suitable than eye swabs for CDV surveillance, though both methods showed high agreement with brain tissue results.

KEY RESULTS: Sample collection is ongoing, with a target of 270 coyote samples across a 26-county area on and surrounding the Albemarle Peninsula. • Sampling protocol involves collecting either tongue (or other muscle) or hair follicle samples from live or harvested coyotes. The study will determine the following: 1. A baseline for genetic structure and diversity in coyotes and red wolves in eastern North Carolina. 2. If red wolf genetics have spread through migration or hybridiza- tion beyond the Albemarle Peninsula. 3. If there is a degree of hybridization with dogs, red wolves, and grey wolves that exists in eastern North Carolina coyote populations. 4. If coyote genetics have been altered since the introduction of red wolves using museum specimens.

COLLEEN OLFENBUTTEL/NCWRC

Conservation Genetics Technician Andi Barker works in the NCWRC's lab at the state museum to extract canid DNA from tissue samples. Modern genetics work is an important tool in understanding Carolina’s wildlife species. HEATHER EVANS/NCWRC

Percent of furbearers that tested positive for Canine Distemper Virus based on source of sample. Samples from NC Public Health were rabies-negative furbearers that were submitted due to suspicion of odd behavior.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGU- LATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: The results of this study would allow the NCWRC to fill a critical knowl- edge gap concerning canid populations in eastern North Carolina, especially regarding the degree of hybridization that is (or is not) occurring on the land- scape and how management actions have affected said hybridization.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Determining the prevalence of CDV among furbearer populations, particularly in individuals showing no sign of infection, is important for understanding transmission risks and virus maintenance. This study demonstrated that the NCWRC may be able to better monitor CDV outbreaks in NC through species submitted to NC Public Health for rabies testing, as about half of animals that tested negative for rabies were positive for CDV. We also determined that nasal swabs, rather than a lung or brain sample, may be an easier and reliable tech- nique for conducting CDV surveillance. These results enable the NCWRC to provide information on the management of these species and associated pathogens.

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Annual Waterfowl Surveys

Migratory Game Bird Banding and Research

DESCRIPTION: As part of the Atlantic Flyway, the NCWRC annually carries out several waterfowl surveys on ducks and swans win- tering in coastal North Carolina. The mid-winter waterfowl survey is a fixed-wing aerial survey conducted annually in cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) that estimates numbers of wintering tundra swans and additional surveys count adult and juvenile swans to determine annual productivity. Also, NCWRC biologists collaborate with others in the Atlantic Flyway to conduct a Sea Duck Fecundity Survey, focused on areas of importance to wintering sea ducks along the coast, with survey photos used to classify birds into three cohorts: adult male, adult female, and juvenile.

DESCRIPTION: The Migratory Game Bird Coordinator and Waterfowl Biologist worked closely and collaborated with WRC staff to capture and band many species of migratory game birds. Wood ducks, mourning doves, and mallards are priority species for this work. As part of our long-term monitoring efforts, agency staff continue to capture and band wood ducks each summer, July-September. When combined with similar efforts by other state wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the data obtained from these efforts and hunter band recoveries provide critical information (harvest and survival rates) needed to monitor and manage North Carolina’s migratory game birds. KEY RESULTS:

• WRC staff captured and banded 365 wood ducks statewide. Forty-nine wood ducks banded in North Carolina were recovered this year from hunters from six states (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC). Eighty-eight percent of band recoveries were from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. • WRC staff captured and banded 1,126 mourning doves. This represents a decrease of 21% from the previous year’s total and is 16% below the annual banding goal of 1,345 doves. Most doves (82%) were banded in districts 4, 5 and 6. • Thirty-four 34 hen mallards were captured on Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in Cur- rituck County, with 21 being fitted with GPS/GSM transmitters and 4 marked with geo-locator leg bands. Eighteen of the 21 hens marked with transmitters survived the winter and migrated north in the spring to locations ranging from New Brunswick to Manitoba and throughout the states and provinces in between. This brings the total number of mallard hens marked in North Carolina during this project to 106. A fifth and final year of trapping will be conducted in 2026 with at least 10 additional transmitters to be deployed.

Mid-winter survey counts of Tundra Swans wintering in North Carolina and across the total Eastern Popula- tion Tundra Swan wintering range, 2001-2025.

Comparison of known-age banded doves: After hatch year (AHY) adults vs. Hatch year (HY) juveniles, 2003-2024.

KEY RESULTS: • Staff observed 45,000 tundra swans wintering across coastal North Carolina this year. This was 52% higher than in 2024 but 29% lower than the long-term average. The total mid-winter survey count of eastern population tundra swans in all states was 76,046, a 20% increase from the previous year’s count. • Tundra swan productivity surveys conducted in Fall 2024 estimated 10.8% young (n=18,748), which is slightly higher than the 2023 estimate (9.6%) but 17% lower than the long-term average (2001-2024: 13%). • Sea duck survey photos from North Carolina were combined with photos from other states and analyzed to generate an age-ratio for the Atlantic Flyway population of sea ducks. An average of 15,000 photos are classified annually. HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Information from these surveys is directly tied to waterfowl hunting regulations in North Carolina. The number of tundra swan hunting permits available each year in North Car- olina is determined from the 3-year average of the mid-winter survey counts. Based on the 2025 survey, the 3-year running average of tundra swans observed in the Atlantic flyway remains within the 70,000-110,000 range and so there will be no change to the num- ber of permits allocated to hunt states for the 2026-27 hunting season. Also, North Carolina’s tundra swan productivity survey serves as a long-term index of age-structure as an important population parameter for monitoring population changes. Furthermore, data from the sea duck photo survey is used in sea duck population modeling, or for use in correcting annual estimates of United States Fish and Wildlife Service Parts Collection Data, a component of the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP).

Number of wood ducks banded pre-season in North Carolina, 1992-2024

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: NCWRC’s involvement in banding and research ensures that the agency contributes to the knowledge and management of migratory game bird populations and hunting. Data from wood duck banding provides critical information (harvest and survival rates) that is needed for monitoring wood duck pop- ulations and setting hunting regulations. Similarly, dove banding information directly informs a harvest strategy used to guide hunt- ing seasons in the Eastern Dove Management Unit, which includes all dove hunting states east of the Mississippi river. The Eastern Mallard Ecology project will continue to shed additional light on the complex reasons behind mallard declines.

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Hunter Harvest Survey

Deer Hunter Observation Survey

DESCRIPTION: The Deer Hunter Observation Survey collects daily hunting effort and wild- life observations from volunteer deer hunters. Hunters record the number of animals seen, hours hunted, county, location type, and use of bait. They are asked to report sightings of deer, squirrels, turkeys, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, bears and feral swine. Volunteer deer hunters can enter their observations on-line and by using the GoOutdoors App.

DESCRIPTION: The annual Hunter Harvest Survey estimates total hunters, hunting days and harvest for a variety of game species from a sample of North Carolina hunting license holders. The methods involve mailing a detailed survey to approx- imately 50,000 randomly selected hunters each year. The results provide annual estimates used to monitor annual hunter and harvest activity and long-term trends in the state.

% change from previous 3-year average

2024-25 Total Hunters

2024-25 Total Harvest

% change from previ- ous 3-year average

Species

KEY RESULTS: • During the 2024-25 seasons, there were an estimated 711,125 license holders with hunting privileges. Of these license holders, an esti- mated 264,123 hunters (37% of license hold- ers) actively hunted a game species during the season. • Response rate to the hunter harvest survey was 30%. • There was a 3-year average increase in esti- mated harvest of some species, including coyote, feral swine, duck, raccoon, bobcat, fox squirrel, and crow. • There was a 3-year average decrease in esti- mated harvest and hunters for ruffed grouse, woodcock, bobwhite quail, dove, rabbit, fox, and gray squirrel. HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: This survey has been conducted since 1949 and is the longest running survey of game species in North Carolina. The results provide an annual estimate of hunter and harvest estimates, which aids in monitoring impacts of regulation changes. The survey also helps us monitor long-term trends in the state, such as changes in the types of game species that hunters harvest, most notably a decline in small game hunters (e.g., squirrel, upland game birds) and an increase in big game hunters (e.g., deer, wild turkey). This annual sur- vey is a critical tool used to ensure that hunting regulations are appropriate to safeguard popula- tions and maximize hunter satisfaction.

KEY RESULTS: • During the 2024-25 deer hunting season, 1,015 volunteer deer hunters recorded wildlife observations on 17,434 hunting trips. • Over the past 11 years, statewide deer obser- vation rates have increased 2.7% annually across all 5 deer season zones with the high- est number of deer observed during the 2024-25 season. • For the 2024-25 season, the highest obser- vation rates for deer occurred in the North- eastern season (1,426 deer per 1,000 hours) and were lowest in the Western season (863 deer per 1,000 hours). • Adult does were seen at a higher rate (464 does per 1,000 hours), than either fawns (223 fawns per 1,000 hours), or antlered bucks (197 bucks per 1,000 hours). HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: While deer were the most observed animal type in 2024-25 (990 deer per 1,000 hours), this survey provides an annual index used to monitor wildlife population trends for many wildlife species. Sur- vey results are also used in conjunction with esti- mates from the agency’s other wildlife monitoring surveys (e.g., hunter and trapper harvest surveys). It offers a way to ensure that hunting regulations are appropriate, such as recent changes in fox squirrel hunting regulations that are well-sup- ported by these results (see full report at ncwild- life.gov/dhos).

Deer

-13%

188,339

-1%

204,584

Turkey (Spring 2024)

63,447

-15%

24,863

-9%

Dove Ducks

-18%

688,876 638,178 326,067 153,486 52,407 37,928 47,951 24,782 46,300 16,046

-17% 23% -13% -13% 23%

53,884 45,503 40,876 24,371 21,749 11,363

-4%

Gray Squirrel

-17% -23% -11%

Rabbit Coyote

Canada Geese

Raccoon

-13% -15% -21%

36%

7,250 5,913 5,450 5,193 5,039 3,548 2,005

Feral Swine

111%

Crow

Bobwhite Quail

-6% -5%

-38%

Fox Squirrel

6,478 3,071 7,969

Bobcat

28% -29%

43% -25%

Woodcock Fox (Gray & Red)

1,954

-20%

2,225

-12%

Ruffed Grouse

-42%

898

-25%

1,902

Deer observation rates by deer hunting season zone and statewide from 2014 through 2024.

Estimated number of bobwhite quail hunters and harvest, 1949–2024, North Caro- lina Annual Hunter Harvest Survey

Deer observation rates by county based on 5-year averages, North Carolina Deer Hunter Observation Survey, 2020-2024.

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Wild Turkey Harvest

Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC has annually tracked hunter-reported harvests since 1977, when it became mandatory, through a variety of methods including paper books, phone, internet, and most recently, the Go Outdoors North Carolina App.

DESCRIPTION: Beginning with the first survey in 1988, the WRC has coordinated a summer turkey observation survey during the months of July and August each year. Each summer, turkey sightings are collected statewide using a variety of methods, including paper postcards, internet, and mobile phone applications.

KEY RESULTS: During the summer of 2024, more than 1,200 individuals helped with the sur- vey, including a mix of NCWRC employees, National Wild Turkey Federation members, and other individuals who had participated in the survey previously. Participants recorded 7,413 unique observations totaling 38,363 turkeys. Productivity statewide was consistent across regions and estimated to be 1.5 poults/ hen, an increase from the 1.3 poults/hen recorded in 2023. Poult survival statewide was unchanged from 2023 estimates with 3.4 poults per brood. Poult survival was consistent across the mountain and piedmont regions but lower in the coastal region. Esti- mates of turkey reproduction in 2024 were con- sistent with what we have observed over the course of the last decade. HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: This annual survey provides important insight into turkey productivity, poult survival, and nest- ing success at various scales. Annual summary reports can be found on the wild turkey page of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website at ncwildlife.gov/species/wild-turkey.

CHRIS TURNER/NCWRC

KEY RESULTS: Including 2,318 birds harvested during the Youth Season, the 2025 reported spring turkey harvest was 22,736 birds. This year’s total state- wide harvest was the fourth highest year on record. The top five counties for the number of turkeys harvested were Duplin (812), Halifax (599), Pender (578), Columbus (547), and Bladen (527).

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MAN- AGEMENT: Tracking the wild turkey harvest each hunting season provides tremendous insight into changes in turkey populations and hunter success while also providing a mechanism for enforcing bag limits. Yearly wild turkey harvest reports can be found on the wild turkey page of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website at ncwildlife.gov/species/wild-turkey.

GREG LITTLE

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Wild Turkey Health Research Project

Grouse Drumming Survey and Hurricane Helene Impacts

DESCRIPTION: Staff have conducted an annual drumming survey since 2002 to monitor ruffed grouse populations in the moun- tains. Each spring (late March/early April), we listen for drumming grouse on U.S. Forest Service property, state-owned game lands, and private lands via roadside surveys, with all survey routes driven twice. These surveys are conducted annually to provide insight into changes in ruffed grouse populations across North Carolina and specifically on U.S. Forest Service property, state-owned game lands, and private lands. September 2024 brought impacts from Hurricane Helene’s rain and wind, causing significant, drastic changes to large portions of western North Carolina in the form of downed trees. For many wildlife species the changes wrought by Helene on older forests are unfavorable in the short-term. However, for many other species, these changes may provide beneficial habitat over many years. Ruffed grouse are one of the species that have the potential to profit from these variations in habitat caused by Helene. KEY RESULTS: In 2025, ruffed grouse were monitored by counting drumming males at 336 listening stations distributed across 18 routes on the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests. Seven routes were unable to be surveyed due to the impacts from Hurricane Helene. Additionally, we surveyed routes on Cold Mountain, Needmore, Sandy Mush, and Silver Game Lands (64 stations in total). On National Forest routes, 43 drumming males were heard, which is lower than the rate observed in 2024. On state-owned game lands, 19 drumming males were heard, a slightly higher number than were recorded in 2024. Five routes occurred on lightly traveled state-main- tained roads in five counties. Until recently, these areas have been underrepresented in our surveys due to the lack of national forests in that portion of the state. These routes comprised an additional 100 listening stations and yielded 1 drumming grouse detected.

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC is collaborating with the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study to further evaluate the dis- ease results from the statewide wild turkey ecology project, providing insight into the prevalence of diseases and pathogens in North Carolina’s turkey population. This current project is taking those results one step further and will provide an in-depth anal- ysis of how the various diseases and pathogens may be impacting turkey survival, nesting success, habitat use, or even routine turkey movements. KEY RESULTS: Healthy-looking turkeys that were captured during the statewide turkey ecology project had samples collected through oropharyngeal swabs, cloacal swabs, blood (whole blood and serum), and fresh feces. These samples were tested for the presence of eleven different pathogens. Results showed that 52% of the wild turkeys that tested positive for one pathogen actually had multiple pathogens detected. The majority of the cases had two or three co-infections but as many as five co-infections were detected in 2 turkeys.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULA- TIONS AND MANAGEMENT: • While multiple southeastern states have been document- ing various levels of wild turkey population declines over several years, the specific causes of these declines are complex and currently uncertain. • While North Carolina’s turkey population is currently doing well, we continue to explore the potential population-level impacts of diseases and pathogens. • Preliminary results show that the prevalence of patho- gens was not significant in relating to male survival, female survival, probability of a female nesting, or nest success.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: • The biggest factor in the declining ruffed grouse populations in North Carolina is the limited amount of young forests (stands of trees, 20 years of age or younger) across the western part of the state. It is this habitat that ruffed grouse need to survive that is lacking across the landscape. • Many larger, old trees fell from the wind and rain brought by Helene, which will enable the opportunity for new trees to take their place. As forest stands regenerate, grouse will likely ben- efit from this significant disturbance. • Surveys over the next few years will bring greater insight into how the ruffed grouse populations in western North Carolina respond to all the new vegetation and different forest composi- tion on the landscape post-Helene.

DAVID BRISLANCE

NWTF

Male grouse "drum" to establish their territory, making a sound that similar to an engine trying to start.

Drawing blood from a captured wild turkey hen. A soft cotton sock is used to cover the hen's eyes, thereby reducing stress during the han- dling process.

BRANDON BRIDGES/NCWRC

Hurricane Helene impacted many acres of forests in west- ern North Carolina in September of 2024.

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Monitoring Wildlife Health in North Carolina

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Surveillance

DESCRIPTION: To increase our understanding of diseases in wildlife, we routinely submit sick wild animals as reported by the public to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) for evaluation and diagnoses. We also cooperate with multiple academic and laboratory partners by contributing samples to a variety of wildlife health-related research projects.

DESCRIPTION: During 2024-25, the NCWRC continued its statewide Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) surveillance. We partnered with a variety of state and federal agencies, including the USDA, to accomplish HPAI testing while also communi- cating with the public about HPAI in wild birds.

KEY RESULTS: • Seventy-eight new HPAI positive birds of 19 different species were confirmed, predominantly waterfowl species. Our sampling aligns with nationwide findings showing that waterfowl, raptors, and shorebirds continue to contribute the most HPAI detections. • Over the last three years, a total of 32 of our 100 counties have confirmed positive detections from the mountains to the coast. • No new cases of HPAI in wild mammals were found, leaving the singular black bear detection in 2023 as North Carolina’s only wild mammal case to date.

KEY RESULTS: • Staff submitted 80 specimens in 2024. Necropsy reports were returned for 32 different species, including 15 white-tailed deer, 8 black bears, 7 raccoons, and 6 Chimney Swifts. Based on these submissions, the main causes of death included trauma, canine distemper virus (CDV), and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Samples from six black bears were also submitted for the SCWDS multi-species mange surveillance project. The NCWRC has recently committed to expanding our participation in this project. • During the 2024-25 CWD surveillance season, staff collected 23,795 CWD samples from white-tailed deer. Ten new CWD-pos- itive detections were documented, all of which were from counties already known to have CWD. One deer was the youngest positive deer found in the state so far, a doe aged at 0.5 years old. The Cervid Health Cooperator (CHC) Program provided 83% (19,717) of the samples collected and was responsible for finding 70% (7) of the new CWD positive deer documented this sea- son. Additional information is available at https://www.ncwildlife.org/connect/have-wildlife-problem/common-wildlife-diseases/ deer-diseases/chronic-wasting-disease

HPAI Cases per Year in NC

HPAI Detections in NC Wild Birds in FY 2024-25

250

200

150

100

passerine raptor

shorebird waterfowl

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGU- LATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: By working closely with SCWDS and other diagnostic laboratories, the day-to-day wildlife disease questions posed by the public can be answered while also continuing to build on the knowledge critical for understanding and man- aging long-term disease impacts in native wildlife. Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance information is directly used to develop appropriate deer hunting reg- ulations and the CHC program is an excellent way to involve the public in our disease surveillance efforts. Finding only 10 new CWD positive deer out of 23,795 deer sampled indicates that North Carolina likely still has a very low percentage of deer with CWD. However, the discovery of a positive 0.5-year-old doe for the first time is a concerning sign of vertical transmission (i.e. mother to offspring) of CWD within the deer herd.

CHRIS TURNER/NCWRC Sick turkey in Chowan County yard. A necropsy demonstrated likely poisoning from ingesting too many Nandina bush berries at a residence.

LINDSAY ADDISON/NC AUDUBON SOCIETY

HUNTER MORRIS/NCWRC

Brown pelican trapping with HPAI disease samples taken.

Wood duck trapping with HPAI disease samples taken.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Continued HPAI surveillance and monitor- ing contributes to our understanding of the status of the disease in North Carolina. Accurate information is critical for continuing to answer questions from the public regarding the status of some wildlife populations, human health concerns, and the long-term out- look of this disease. The annual number of HPAI cases seen in wildlife varies on the local scale. This is likely dependent on the larg- er-scale variability in the number of animals that have developed antibodies that make them resistant to the virus as well as variable transmission rates from year to year during the fall and spring bird migratory seasons. Research continues to show increased pres- ence of HPAI antibodies in wild avian species, indicating that birds are now overall developing some resistance to the HPAI virus. At the local scale, certain bird populations may still not have high immunity, allowing local disease events to occur.

Emaciated white- tailed deer with scouring (severe diarrhea) found in a flower bed, Per- quimans County.

CHRIS TURNER/NCWRC

Game and Furbearer Program Summary Report – 2025

Deer Biological Data Collection

Deer Ecology Across an Urban-Rural Gradient

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC annually collects and monitors deer data from four primary sources: 1) mandatory big game har- vest reporting system, 2) biological harvest data collected by staff and cooperators, 3) hunter harvest survey, and 4) deer hunter wildlife observation survey. Biological data collected includes age, sex, weight, antler measurements, and fetal/reproductive information. The NCWRC relies on these databases to provide technical guidance to landowners, assess the current condition of the herd, and evaluate proposed deer rules relative to statewide biological objectives. KEY RESULTS: • A near-record harvest of 188,800 deer was reported for the 2024-2025 deer season, with 98,466 antlered bucks, 8,191 antler- less males, and 82,143 does harvested. This was the 2nd highest harvest since 1976, when harvest reporting became mandatory. • Estimated ages were collected from 5,532 males and 3,995 females; a plurality of deer (34%) sampled from the harvest were 2.5 years old.

DESCRIPTION: The NCWRC is collaborating with North Carolina State University to answer questions about deer landscape use, productivity, mortality, density, and public opinions of deer across an urban to rural gradient. The project collected data via three components: deer capture and tracking, public opinion surveys, and deer fecal surveys. The project will be completed by June 2026. KEY RESULTS: • From 2022 through 2024, we captured 247 non-neonate (adults, yearlings, and fawns from the previous summer) deer and 112 neonate (0-16 weeks old) deer in Durham and Orange counties. • The leading cause of adult deer mortality was vehicle-collisions (36 deer), with legal hunter harvest close behind at 35 deer. • As urbanization increased, survival decreased for neonate deer and fawns. In more urban areas, neonate mortality was largely due to predation, while vehicle-collisions were largely responsible for fawn mortalities. • Regardless of their location on the urbanization gradient, deer selected areas with lower impervious surfaces (i.e. paved or developed areas). • Fecal DNA analysis estimated the average deer density in Durham County to be 12 deer/mi2, with higher densities in the rural portions of the study area. • Small property size and public safety-related variables with hunting were the largest perceived barriers to hunting access.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REG- ULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: This informa- tion is used to evaluate the status of deer populations in relation to habitat, reproductive output, and current hunting season frameworks. It was recently used in developing season changes for the western zone deer season.

Estimated age composition of the sampled harvest of white-tailed deer during 2024-25 season.

APRIL BOGGS POPE/NCWRC

Jared Lamb, an NC State Masters student, watches over a doe as she recovers from a capture.

HOW IS THIS INFORMATION USED FOR REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT: Information from this project will be used to help the NCWRC manage deer in urban and rural areas. Results will inform management decisions regarding harvest, human-deer interactions, and habitat and landscape management. To see updates from the Urban Deer Ecology team, please visit facebook. com/NCurbandeerstudy.

Huntable lands probability map for Durham County and areas into adjacent counties. This map used road density, housing density, and parcel size to estimate probability a parcel was hunted.

COLLEEN OLFENBUTTEL/NCWRC

NCWRC District Wildlife Biologist John Henry Harrelson and Conservation Tech- nican II Thad Watkins age a buck at the John E. Pechmann check station in No- vember 2024.

Estimated peak conception dates updated with reproductive data collected during the 2024-25 season. The precision of the estimated peak conception date for any given county can be influenced by the number of samples collected, with less confidence in estimates that are based on few samples. Little variation exists in peak breeding activity from one year to the next within a given area as doe estrus cycles are triggered by shortening day length during the fall, rather than weather events, including moon phase.

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