07-15-2010, 11:10 AM
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - At only 7 years old, Curtis Markham is an avid outdoorsman who loves to hunt and fish and now, thanks to Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston, Curtis will be able to hunt and fish in North Carolina without purchasing a license - ever.
Curtis, who is from South Mills, was one of three young anglers to take home lifetime licenses as part of a statewide drawing for participants in 46 kids' "Fish for Fun events," which were held in May and June in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week 2010. He won the grand prize, a unified lifetime sportsman/coastal recreational fishing license, valued at $450.
Curtis, along with his family, attended the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's business meeting on July 7, where Chuck Bennett, Commission Vice-Chairman, presented him with the lifetime license and certificate.
Curtis' license gives him statewide hunting privileges, including hunting for big game, hunting on game lands and waterfowl hunting, as well as fishing privileges in all public waters from the mountains to the coast.
Eight-year old Hunter Stopp, of Rockingham, and six-year old Allyssa Vestal, of Elkin, won lifetime freshwater fishing licenses, valued at $250 each. These licenses were donated by the N.C. State Council of Trout Unlimited and Bayside Marina and Grill in Edenton.
Hunter's and Allyssa's licenses give them fishing privileges in all public inland waters in North Carolina, including designated mountain trout waters, trout waters on game lands and joint waters.
Allyssa participated in the kids' fishing event at Tumbling Rock Reservoir on May 22. On June 5, Curtis participated in the Mid-Atlantic Christian University fishing event in Elizabeth City, and Hunter attended McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery kids' fishing event in Hoffman.
In addition to these three events, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with the U.S. Forest Service and Bass Pro Shops, supported 43 additional free fishing events during National Fishing and Boating Week, all aimed at promoting fishing as a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
At each event, registered participants were automatically entered into a random drawing for fishing-related prizes. Bass Pro Shops and the Wildlife Resources Commission donated rods and reels, tackle boxes, fish playing cards and spools of fishing line. A list of winners is posted on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's website, www.ncwildlife.org.
"These fish-for-fun events are great opportunities for kids and their families to learn the basics of fishing and enjoy quality time together," said Bob Curry, chief for the Commission's Division of Inland Fisheries. "The Wildlife Commission has long supported these events by supplying prizes, staffing the events and stocking fish into public waters.
"Generous donations by Neuse Sport Shop, Bayside Marina and Grill, Trout Unlimited and Bass Pro Shops, along with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service and local sponsors, have helped make these events even more fun for the entire family. We truly appreciate the support from all our partners."
For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.
About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.
Get N.C. Wildlife Update - news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more - delivered to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go towww.ncwildlife.org/enews.
Media Contact
Jodie B. Owen (919) 707-0187 or jodie.owen@ncwildlife.org
Curtis, who is from South Mills, was one of three young anglers to take home lifetime licenses as part of a statewide drawing for participants in 46 kids' "Fish for Fun events," which were held in May and June in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week 2010. He won the grand prize, a unified lifetime sportsman/coastal recreational fishing license, valued at $450.
Curtis, along with his family, attended the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's business meeting on July 7, where Chuck Bennett, Commission Vice-Chairman, presented him with the lifetime license and certificate.
Curtis' license gives him statewide hunting privileges, including hunting for big game, hunting on game lands and waterfowl hunting, as well as fishing privileges in all public waters from the mountains to the coast.
Eight-year old Hunter Stopp, of Rockingham, and six-year old Allyssa Vestal, of Elkin, won lifetime freshwater fishing licenses, valued at $250 each. These licenses were donated by the N.C. State Council of Trout Unlimited and Bayside Marina and Grill in Edenton.
Hunter's and Allyssa's licenses give them fishing privileges in all public inland waters in North Carolina, including designated mountain trout waters, trout waters on game lands and joint waters.
Allyssa participated in the kids' fishing event at Tumbling Rock Reservoir on May 22. On June 5, Curtis participated in the Mid-Atlantic Christian University fishing event in Elizabeth City, and Hunter attended McKinney Lake Fish Hatchery kids' fishing event in Hoffman.
In addition to these three events, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with the U.S. Forest Service and Bass Pro Shops, supported 43 additional free fishing events during National Fishing and Boating Week, all aimed at promoting fishing as a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
At each event, registered participants were automatically entered into a random drawing for fishing-related prizes. Bass Pro Shops and the Wildlife Resources Commission donated rods and reels, tackle boxes, fish playing cards and spools of fishing line. A list of winners is posted on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's website, www.ncwildlife.org.
"These fish-for-fun events are great opportunities for kids and their families to learn the basics of fishing and enjoy quality time together," said Bob Curry, chief for the Commission's Division of Inland Fisheries. "The Wildlife Commission has long supported these events by supplying prizes, staffing the events and stocking fish into public waters.
"Generous donations by Neuse Sport Shop, Bayside Marina and Grill, Trout Unlimited and Bass Pro Shops, along with the assistance of the U.S. Forest Service and local sponsors, have helped make these events even more fun for the entire family. We truly appreciate the support from all our partners."
For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.
About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.
Get N.C. Wildlife Update - news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more - delivered to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go towww.ncwildlife.org/enews.
Media Contact
Jodie B. Owen (919) 707-0187 or jodie.owen@ncwildlife.org