ACCESSIBLE HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES on North Carolina National Forests (updated 12-13-10)
(This information is in lew of the old Disabled Access Program on the States National Forests in which qualified handicapped sportsmen could check out a key for certain normally closed roads. At this time, this has not affected what the NCWRC does on it's State Owned Game Lands.)
In compliance with the November 2005 USDA Final Rule for Motorized Vehicle Recreation in National Forests and Grasslands, each national forest was required to identify and designate those roads, trails and areas that are open to motor vehicle use. Some national forests, including the National Forests in North Carolina, have already established systems of roads and trails designated and managed for motorized use. The new rule did not require those units to change existing plans. However, all national forests are required to publish motor vehicle use maps (MVUMs) and make them available to the public. These maps are legal documentation displaying the roads and trails that are open to public motor vehicle use. If a road or trail does not appear on the map, it is not open to public vehicular use.
MVUMs for each ranger district are available at U.S. Forest Service offices and for download at http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/roads/roads.htm#maps. These maps are black and white and are not designed to provide detailed recreation information (hunters, hikers, etc.). Detailed recreation information, including a number of recreation brochures and trail maps, is available at http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/recreate.htm. Additional national forest maps, such as forest visitor maps or trail maps that show open and closed roads, trails (hiking, biking, horse), recreation sites, etc. are also available for sale at Forest offices and online at the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association Map Store. These maps show much greater detail than the MVUMs.
In addition to open roads displayed on local MVUMs, each Ranger District is working to provide additional opportunities for hunters with disabilities. The goal of the National Forests in North Carolina is to provide a diversity of hunting opportunities for hunters of all abilities.
Some of the opportunities listed below are permanent, developed facilities such as blinds and designated parking. Other opportunities are less permanent, and will move around the districts as wildlife habitat and hunting opportunity change. This program is a work in progress and intends to be flexible over time to accommodate public and wildlife resource needs.
FOREST UNIT |
OPPORTUNITY |
DESCRIPTION |
COASTAL PLAIN |
||
Croatan National Forest |
Ives Field |
Expanded parking with designated handicapped spots available; wheelchair access around gate. |
Croatan National Forest |
Catfish Lake Waterfowl Impoundment |
Two accessible blinds available on first-come, first-served basis; will become part of lottery hunts in the future. |
PIEDMONT |
||
Uwharrie National Forest |
Center Church Road (FSR 6751, near Eldorado) |
Opened to all hunters for spring turkey season; check with district for fall availability. |
Uwharrie National Forest |
Yates Place Road (FSR 6744 near Liberty Hill) |
Opened to all hunters for spring turkey season; check with district for fall availability. |
Uwharrie National Forest |
West Polly Branch Rd |
Opened to all hunters for spring turkey and fall seasons; check with district for fall availability. |
Uwharrie National Forest |
Cattail Branch Road (off Hwy 109) |
Opened to all hunters for fall season; check with district for spring availability. |
Uwharrie National Forest |
Yates Place Road |
Opened to all hunters for fall season; check with district for spring availability. |
MOUNTAINS |
||
Appalachian Ranger District |
Roaring Creek |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields immediately adjacent to road; be familiar with land ownership-- there are several private inholdings. |
Appalachian Ranger District |
Bowling Green (Mitchell Co., near Poplar) |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Appalachian Ranger District |
Mill Ridge |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Appalachian Ranger District |
Moye Tract |
Parking available in wide areas along roads (be sure to avoid parking on state right-of-way); fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Appalachian Ranger District |
Max Patch |
Parking available in wide areas along roads (be sure to avoid parking on state right-of-way); fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Appalachian Ranger District |
Cold Springs (Haywood Co., near Max Patch and Waynesville) |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Snowbird Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Santeetlah Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Tatham Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Long Hungry Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Farley Cove Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Big Fat Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Cheoah Ranger District |
Rattler Ford Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Grandfather Ranger District |
Jarrett Creek (McDowell Co, near Old Fort) |
Expanded parking with designated spots; wheelchair access around gate; enhanced fields. |
Grandfather Ranger District |
Lime Kiln |
Expanded parking with designated spots; wheelchair access around gate; enhanced fields. |
Grandfather Ranger District |
Dobson Knob (McDowell Co, between Marion and Morganton) |
Expanded parking with designated spots; wheelchair access around gate; enhanced fields. |
Grandfather Ranger District |
Maple Sally |
Expanded parking with designated spots; wheelchair access around gate; wheelchair ramp; enhanced fields. |
Grandfather Ranger District |
Pearcy Creek |
Expanded parking with designated spots; wheelchair access around gate; enhanced fields. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Moses Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Sugar Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Cold Springs Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Blue Valley Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Little Yellow Mountain |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Bull Pen Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Rich Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Moss Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Shingle Tree Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Board Tree Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
FS 711 |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Cowee Bald Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Connelly’s Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Upper Nantahala Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Nantahala Ranger District |
Deep Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Pisgah Ranger District |
Avery Creek Fields (off Hwy 276, near Cradle of Forestry) |
Expanded parking with designated spots; wheelchair access around gate; accessible blind available on first-come, first-served basis. |
Pisgah Ranger District |
Wolf Ford Road (Transylvania Co, FSR 476, off Yellow Gap Road) |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Pisgah Ranger District |
Lickstone Road (Haywood Co, near Sunburst) |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields immediately adjacent to road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Perry Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Deep Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Fires Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Nelson Ridge Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Tuni Gap Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Beech Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Panther Top Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Powerline Cove Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Copper Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |
Tusquitee Ranger District |
Davis Creek Road |
Parking available in wide areas along roads; fields adjacent to or short distance from road. |