From the majestic Smokies in the west to the fragile barrier islands of the Atlantic coast, North Carolina offers many pleasures for those who love the challenges and wonders of nature. Wildlife in North Carolina is a celebration of the special relationships between North Carolinians and their land, connections that provide opportunities for both adventure and reflection. These stories and illustrations promise many hours of pleasure to readers of all ages. In these pages readers will travel to many of North Carolina's truly spectacular natural areas, unique places such as the Uwharries, the French Broad River, Lake Mattamuskeet, Stone Mountain, and the Outer Banks. They will learn about the astonishing variety of carnivorous plants that grow in the Green Swamp and the incredible migrations of monarch butterflies through North Carolina. Readers can stalk old-time varieties of apples and wild orchids, test our waters for large-mouth bass, trout, and bluefish, or top off a day of quail hunting with a country store feast. Sportsmen will enjoy the evocative stories of hunting and fishing, and the whole family will delight in the illustrations and descriptions of North Carolina's varied wildlife. There are accounts of the early hunt clubs on Currituck Sound and Horace Kephart's role in the formation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other chapters trace the origins of the state's earliest wooden boat designs and identify traditional North Carolina waterfowl decoys and their makers. Scores of lavish illustrations-150 in color-represent the finest work of outdoor artists such as Bob Dance, Larry Barton, and Duane Raver and wildlife photographers such as Jack Dermid, Ken Taylor, and Joel Arrington. This book commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine, the official publication of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The magazine has informed generations of Tar Heels by consistently publishing the work of some of the best outdoor and nature writers in the state. The articles and artwork in this volume are drawn mostly from material that has appeared in the magazine since it adopted a full-color format. Wildlife in North Carolina will be cherished by all North Carolinians and by the thousands of visitors who enjoy our mountains and coast, lakes and rivers, and who appreciate the creatures that make their homes here. By reacquainting us with the special places and habitats that distinguish North Carolina, this book reminds us all of the personal commitment required to protect the state's natural environment.
