Plans for establishing a “no-hunting” zone on and around the Mackays Island National Wildlife Refuge in Currituck County, North Carolina and Princess Anne County Virginia, were announced today by the Department of the Interior.
Both North Carolina and Virginia have regulations permitting the establishment of offshore hunting blinds through a licensing system administered locally. Such blinds on the tidal waters adjoining the refuge would greatly reduce its value for waterfowl, the Department believes. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Fish and wildlife Service, has recommended closing an area to hunting to solve this particular problem.
The new closed area would include part of the land acquired for the refuge, 70 acres of privately owned land within the refuge boundaries, a strip of water in Currituck Sound and North Landing River adjoin the south and west boundaries of the refuge, and a part of Barleys Bay, on the northwest corner of the refuge.
The Mackays Island National Wildlife Refuge was established December 20, 1960, and includes 6,538 acres of acquired lands. The refuge is west of Knotts Island and between Currituck Sound, in north Carolina, and Barleys Bay, in Virginia. It is an important wintering area of waterfowl, including greater snow geese and ducks. Future development will provide more food for waterfowl.
The Department said the closing action would further the conservation program of the Migratory Bird Treaties with great Britain and Mexico, obligating the United States to take measures to insure the preservation of migratory birds and establish refuge areas where the taking of migratory birds would be prohibited.
Notice of intention to close the area is being published in the Federal Register. A 30-day period for public discussion is provided in the official notice. Final decision and action will follow that waiting period.
