Summary
Located in eastern North Carolina, the game land covers over 26,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and open fields.
One of the main attractions of Pungo River Game Land is the abundance of waterfowl, including ducks and geese, that migrate through the area each year. Visitors can participate in waterfowl hunting during the hunting season.
The game land also offers opportunities for fishing, with several bodies of water available for fishing, including the Pungo River, Goose Creek, and Alligator Creek.
Hiking and wildlife viewing are also popular activities at Pungo River Game Land. Visitors can view a variety of animals, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and red wolves. The game land is home to the largest population of red wolves in the world, making it a unique destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
The best time to visit Pungo River Game Land is during the fall and winter months, when waterfowl hunting is in season and the red wolves are most active. However, visitors should be aware of hunting seasons and regulations before planning their trip.
Overall, Pungo River Game Land is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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