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Outdoor Programs

Waterfowl Hunting on the Rocky Mount Reservoir

Rules, Regulations and Map | Reservoir Hunting Permits and Fees | General Information

General Information

In order to create a municipal water supply, the City of Rocky Mount purchased and flooded land to develop the Rocky Mount Reservoir. The City maintains jurisdiction of all water and adjacent land to the 130' elevation line above and below the surface of the water from approximately 0.7 miles downstream of Old Bailey Highway (1001) to the Reservoir dam on the Tar River and approximately 1.25 miles upstream of West Mount / Sandy Cross Road on Sapony Creek - click HERE to view a map (1.2 MB PDF). It is the responsibility of the hunter to know these areas.

It is the intention of the City to regulate waterfowl hunting in a manner that will secure public access for the future.

Rules, Regulations and Map

Since opening in 1967, the City has allowed regulated hunting on the reservoir. In November of 2007, City Council updated CRM Ordinance Art. III Sect 15-51, 56, 59 (Waterfowl Hunting on RM Reservoir).

  1. All State and Federal regulations apply.
  2. City Ordinance 15-51,56 and 59.
  3. Hunters must obtain a proper permit.
  4. Hunters must remain 500 yards from residences, public roads, other hunters, private blinds (occupied or unoccupied) and Parks and Recreation permit only blinds. Hunters may hunt the Parks and Recreation permit only zone by permit only.
  5. Private blinds may be built after appropriate permit has been secured.
  6. Parks and Recreation blinds may be hunted by special permit only. All others are trespassing.
  7. Reservoir Hunting Zone Map (1.2 MB PDF)

Reservoir Hunting Permits and Fees

Hunting on the reservoir is by permit only. Fees are as follows:

PRIVATE BLINDS
All private blinds have been issued for the 2012-2013 season.

PARKS AND RECREATION PERMIT-ONLY BLINDS
  • Application fee - $5.00
  • Hunt fee - $10.00 per date (includes entire party for date drawn)

Permit applications are available here or may be requested by mail. Applications are not available on a walk-in basis.

* NOTE:  Some areas of the Rocky Mount Reservoir are in an area that the Federal Government has listed as "prone to flooding" and may be considered part of a designated flood-way. Certain Federal and County Regulations may require compliance if you decide to build, or maintain an existing duck blind, in the designated floodway. As a result of these requirements additional cost or fees may be incurred. Please contact the Nash County Planning Office (459-1212) to verify compliance with any regulations under Federal Regulations CFR44-60.3 and Nash County Ordinance 12-2.

General Information

Blinds are accessible by boat only. A Parks and Recreation permit-only blinds application form is available here (hunt dates and hunt locations are coming soon), or may be requested by mail. Applications are not available on a walk-in basis. You can also view the hunt locations on the interactive map below; use the controls in the upper left corner to pan and zoom on the map.

Lottery application fee $5.00 (required), if drawn party hunt fee is $10.00 per hunt date (required).

The City of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to offer these waterfowl hunting opportunities to licensed hunters. These permit-only hunts allow for managed participation and provide unique opportunities to hunt within designated blinds of the Rocky Mount Reservoir. Click HERE to view photos of Parks and Recreation permit-only blinds. * NOTE:  Blinds will be painted and brushed prior to season; blinds are ADA accessible.

The Parks and Recreation Department's overall goal is to provide quality hunting experiences to the public. All boating regulations, bag limits, possession limits and appropriate reporting requirements as outlined in the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest apply. Waterfowl hunt dates are established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in late August, the late season waterfowl hunt dates will not be available until Sept. 1.

The Parks and Recreation Department will make every effort to have the blinds accessible and in proper condition to attract waterfowl. In some years, however, drought, high water, unforeseen dam repairs and other unexpected events may result in the blinds not being ready or inaccessible by the hunt date. No refunds can be issued in these situations. Apply only if you are willing to accept this possibility.

Application Procedures
Each person wishing to participate in a Parks and Recreation Waterfowl Blind hunt must apply by the September 30 deadline and be issued a permit before participation. Permits are valid for the date, time and location listed ONLY. All other use, access or hunting is strictly prohibited and is trespassing.

Hunt dates, blind choices and applications will be available via the Internet (TBA after USFWS announces waterfowl season). Hunters must apply by mail.

The non-refundable lottery application fee is $5 (required). Successful applicants will then receive information concerning which dates that have drawn; the applicant must pay a $10 per party hunt fee (required) ) for each date they choose to retain and may be accompanied by up two guests, which must have appropriate licenses and stamps. Permit holder and guests will be required to undergo a background check. Any dates remaining after November 2 will be available on a first-pay, first-served basis at $10.00 per date per party. Two weeks notice is required.

For a left over hunt permit application click here.

Youth Hunt Day
A youth selected for the youth hunt date must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or above with appropriate license. The adult is not allowed to hunt. One adult may accompany two youth.

City of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Waterfowl Blinds Rules and Regulations
  • Hunting is by PERMIT ONLY.
  • Permits are valid for the individuals, date, times and location listed ONLY. All other use, access or hunting is strictly prohibited and considered trespassing.
  • All boating regulations, bag limits, possession limits and appropriate reporting requirements as outlined in the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest apply.
  • Hunters MUST stay within the blind during the hunt, except to arrange decoys, handle retrievers and retrieve downed birds. Absolutely NO HUNTING is permitted outside the blind. Hunters should take extreme care in chasing and dispatching cripples.
  • Hunters must check in / check out. Failure to do so may result is loss of future hunt opportunities.
  • The City of Rocky Mount and its agents reserve the right to adjust the special hunts at its discretion.

Other Notes
  • Respect private property.
  • Again, respect private property.
  • All blinds are accessible by boat only. Deep water exists in the immediate vicinity of all blinds. Please use extreme caution while wading. Use of floatation devices is strongly recommended.
  • No "skybusting".
  • Retrievers are recommended.
  • Do not cut, shake, remove or adjust vegetation or blinds.
  • Blinds are positioned to minimize the influence on nearby residents. Hunters are expected to hunt accordingly regardless of birds or wind direction.

City of Rocky Mount
Outdoor Recreation
PO Box 1180
Rocky Mount, NC, 27802-1180
Phone: (252) 972-1235
Email: david.griffin@rockymountnc.gov

We are located in the Parks and Recreation office on the third floor of City Hall.