Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Handicap-accessible Wildlife Blind | Eastern NC Now

News Release:

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    PANTEGO, NC     The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Pamlico Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists (PAWC) cut the ribbon on a new handicap-accessible wildlife blind on Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The blind is located on DeHoog Rd. in the main part of refuge south of Lake Phelps. The blind offers opportunities for people with limited mobility to hunt or photograph whitetail deer and other wildlife. All NC hunting laws and regulations specific to Pocosin Lakes NWR apply.

    The idea for the blind came from PAWC member Doris Morris, whose brother, Edward Phelps, has used a wheelchair since 1971 due to a vehicle accident. At the time, Pocosin Lakes NWR lacked facilities for disabled hunters. The group thought the project would be a great way to bring more people onto the expansive refuge, located between Pantego and Columbia, as well as offering expanded opportunities for disabled hunters in the region. The NC Wildlife Federation (NCWF), of which PAWC is a chapter, agreed to fund the project. "PAWC knows that the only way to win conservation victories is to get people out into the wild. People protect the places they love," said Attila Nemecz, president of PAWC. "We want to see people who have traditionally not had access to the outdoors enjoy the opportunities others have taken for granted." PAWC members contributed 400 volunteer hours to build the structure.

    "Pocosin Lakes NWR is grateful to [PAWC] for their donation of a ready-to-use, disabled-accessible hunting blind," said refuge manager Howard Phillips. We're excited about the opportunity to provide disabled hunters with another high-quality recreational opportunity. Hunting is one of the "big six" priority public uses on national wildlife refuges along with fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, and interpretation. All six of these uses are compatible with the Refuge's purposes and are allowed to the extent we can properly manage them. This blind will greatly enhance the hunting program at Pocosin Lakes."

    Since forming earlier in 2015 as a new chapter of the NCWF, the Pamlico Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists have engaged with the public and public officials to help conserve the wildlife and wild places of the region. PAWC has pushed for conservation of the VOA site, supported the fight to save Blounts Creek, and supported the Red Wolf Recovery Program.

    Pocosin Lakes NWR is located in Hyde, Tyrell, and Washington Counties and headquartered in Columbia, NC. The 110,000-acre refuge is managed by the USFWS to protect migratory waterfowl, including tens of thousands of tundra swans and snow geese, as well as wood ducks, pintails and teals who winter there. The refuge is home to the only wild population of red wolves, the most critically endangered wolf in the world, and the densest population of black bears.

    Contact: Attila Nemecz, President
            Pamlico Albemarle Wildlife Conservationists

    PO Box 211  •  Washington, NC 27889
(252) 940-8672  •  pamlicowildlife@gmail.com