Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we ask that you recreate responsibly.

  • Check alerts and local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information. Operations vary based on local public health conditions.
  • Consistent with CDC recommendations, all visitors (age 2 and older), who are fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask inside of federal buildings in areas of substantial or high community transmission.. All visitors who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick and continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.


Features

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    Looking for an Internship?

    Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and other refuges in eastern North Carolina offer internship experiences rivaled by no others.

    Learn More about Internships

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    Gateway to eastern NC Refuges

    The National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on Roanoke Island is open daily, year-round, is FREE, and offers the experience of a lifetime!

    National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center

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    Hunting

    The refuge allows gun hunting for deer on the Pungo Unit by special permit only and issues a limited amount of applications.

    Learn More

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    Wildlife Observation

    Bear and deer can often be observed along refuge roads or feeding in farm fields in the Pungo Unit.

    Learn More

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    Walter B Jones Sr Center for the Sounds

    Stop by the Refuge Visitor Center for warm, friendly greetings and current information. Open 9-4, Tuesday-Sunday, April though November.

Headlines! Read all about it!

Migratory Birds

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Pocosin Lakes is a great place for birding. Fall and winter are the best times for waterfowl numbers, but there are incredible birding opportunities year round.

Birds

Black Bear

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Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge has what is believed to be one of the largest concentrations of black bear found in the southeastern United States. Limiting factors on black bear on the refuge have been identified as the amount of blackgum mast, habitat disturbance, and availability of escape cover. (photo courtesy of Beryl Ivens)

Learn More

Information Bulletins

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Keep up with current information for NC National Wildlife Refuges!

What's in the News??

We Manage Habitat

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Many young people think Wildlife Biologists handle baby animals all day. On the contrary, our claim to fame is we manage DIRT! Often, the closest we get to wildlife is seeing tracks or scat they leave behind... or feathers! 8-17-21, Pocosin Lakes Refuge Stakeholder Informational Meeting 3. Highlight (copy) the following link and paste it into your browser address bar to watch video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD4kLO2NORQ

Resource Management
Check it Out!

Current HUNT LEAFLET and PERMIT

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Download your leaflet here, or drop by the refuge to pick up a paper copy! The downloaded leaflet will print on 4 8.5 X 11 sheets.

Download now

About the Complex

North Carolina Coastal Plain National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the North Carolina Coastal Plain National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online