Cherry Point hunting season kicks off

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

09.13.2014

Story by Cpl. Grace L. Waladkewics 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - The first shot has been fired and hunting season has begun. The Department of Environmental Affairs at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, wants to remind all base personnel to be alert and prepared for the 2014 hunting season, which officially began Sept. 13.

According to Eric Floyd, U.S. Conservation law enforcement officer for Cherry Point, active duty, reservist, dependents and those affiliated with the military through the Department of Defense are all eligible to hunt at the air station.

“Those who are eligible to hunt on base must have a valid North Carolina hunting license, buy a base hunting permit and attend a free hunter orientation class, before being granted access to the hunting approved areas,” said Floyd.

Hunters must check in with the Conservation Law Enforcement office on Access Road before going to their desired hunting area. A map of the six approved gun and seven bow hunting areas is available at the Environmental Affairs Department.

Cherry Point’s hunting season mirrors North Carolina’s hunting start dates, explained Floyd. There are several game species inhabiting Cherry Point for hunters. Some of the different types of hunting on base include deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit and duck. Additionally, there is a trapping season for raccoon and possum.

Safety at the air station is a top priority. The station offers archery, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle hunting, which are subject to the military training schedule and hunting season dates.

All weapons brought onto the air station for hunting purposes must be registered with the Pass and Identification Office before access will be granted.

According to Floyd, MCAS Cherry Point is unique to the rest of North Carolina due to the fact that they allow hunting with all legal weapons on Sundays, whereas public North Carolina hunting allows only archery on Sundays.

“Hunting limits aboard the installation require that the distance vary 50 acres per every 1 hunter for safety reasons,” said Alan D. Steinhauer, U.S. conservation officer for Cherry Point.

Air station order requires all hunters under the age of 16 to be supervised by an adult at all times, and those 12 and under are not authorized to carry any weapon, said Steinhauer.

“North Carolina hunting licenses are accompanied by six deer tags,” said Steinhauer. “With these tags, only four of the six deer hunted can be bucks. All six of the deer can be doe, or they can be a combination of buck and doe.”

Once hunters have completed all their requirements, they can purchase an air station hunting permit at the Marine Corps Exchange.

For more information on air station hunting regulations or rules for hunting and safety awareness contact the Environmental Affairs Department at [phone]. Weapon owners should review Air Station Order 5510.15D at http://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/Portals/86/Docs/Cherrypointorders/5510.15D.pdf.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2014
• Date Posted: 09.30.2014 10:04
• Story ID: 143751
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US