OUTDOOR PROGRAMS
Waterfowl Hunting on the Rocky Mount Reservoir
Rules, Regulations and Map | Reservoir Hunting Permits and Fees | Private Blinds
Parks & Recreation Permit-Only Blinds

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:

  • Hunting permits (per day, per person): $5.00
  • Hunting permits (per season, per person): $25.00
Private blinds:
  • Fixed blind permits (per season) - $25.00
  • Float blind permits (per season) - $25.00
Parks and Recreation permit-only blinds:
  • Application fee - $5.00
  • Hunt fee - $45.00

Permit applications are available online 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.

Private Blinds
Private blinds may fall under either of the definitions below:

Fixed Blind means a structure erected at a fixed location either on the shore or in water for the purpose of hunting and shooting waterfowl. A stationary blind shall be (1) of such size and strength that it can be occupied by and conceal one or more hunters, or (2) large enough to accommodate and conceal a boat or skiff from which one or more hunters intend to hunt or shoot waterfowl. Fixed blind permits (per season): $25.00

* 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 a duck blind in the designated floodway and as a result additional cost or fees may be incurred. Please contact the Nash County Office of Inspections to verify compliance with any regulations under Federal Regulations CFR44-60.3 or Nash County Ordinance 12-2. You will be required, with your application, to furnish the City of Rocky Mount a letter of compliance from the Nash County Planning Office (459-1212) and if required by the Nash County Planning Office, a copy of a "no net rise" certificate. Other regulations, not administered by the City of Rocky Mount, may also apply.

Floating blind means a floating device, whether in motion or anchored, that can be occupied by and conceal one or more hunters, uses a means of concealment other than the device's paint or coloration, and is used in the water for the purpose of hunting and shooting waterfowl. Float blind permits (per season): $25.00

A permit must be secured prior to constructing a blind. Private blinds must be 500 yards from residences, roads, other hunters, other private blinds (occupied or unoccupied) and Parks and Recreation permit only blinds.

Private blind permit applications are available HERE, or may be requested by mail, applications are not available on a walk-in basis. The deadline for new blind application submittal is TBA (2009).

A lottery will be held (TBA) in the Parks and Recreation Administration office to determine order of new blind requests. Letters announcing the results of the lottery will be mailed on May 2, 2008. Construction of blinds must be completed prior to the end of the season (TBA 2009); blinds not completed by this date will be considered abandoned and the location may be placed on the alternate list.

Parks and Recreation Permit-Only Blinds

General Information
Blinds are accessible by boat only. A Parks and Recreation permit-only blinds application form, hunt dates, and hunt locations are available HERE, 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 $45.00 (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 October 31 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 must pay a $45 per party hunt fee (required) and may be accompanied by up two guests, which must have appropriate licenses and stamps. Successful applicants will receive a full-party application via mail no later than November 1. The $45 hunt fee and full application will be due no later than two weeks prior to the hunt date. Failure to do so will result in the loss of the hunt date. Once the full-party application is received a hunt permit and full information packet will be mailed to the applicant.

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.