Fish and Wildlife
Management
Atsadi Unisduhv nole Inagei Anehi
ᎠᏣᏗ ᎤᏂᏍᏚᎲ & ᎢᎾᎨᎢ ᎠᏁᎯ
How We Conserve Fish and Wildlife
Tribal offices responsible for the management of fish and wildlife resources include EBCI Fisheries and Wildlife Management and EBCI Natural Resources Enforcement. Legal guidelines relating to fisheries and wildlife conservation include Tribal hunting, fishing, and water quality protection ordinances, BIA Forest Management Plan regulations, and the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Cherokee lands and waters support diverse communities of fish, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. This biological diversity is intricately tied to Cherokee culture with thousands of species playing critical roles in subsistence, arts, medicine, ceremonies, and stories. Animals continue to play a critical role in Cherokee identity with hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing traditions remaining strong.
Sustaining fish and wildlife populations and their interrelationships with the environment in a changing world is an integral part of maintaining Cherokee livelihood. Major threats to fish and wildlife include habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species and disease, pollution, over-exploitation, and climate change. Meeting these modern challenges through the implementation of strategic conservation planning initiatives will be critical for maintaining both ecologically and culturally significant fish and wildlife populations and habitats into the future.
Conservation Targets
Our program works to inventory, study and manage a variety of game and non-game fish and wildlife to benefit the Cherokee people of western North Carolina. Whether it’s a census of sensitive fish or calculating the density of turkey is sustainable for harvest, we work in a variety of environments year-round. Through preserving and restoring these resources, we promote the connection between conservation and cultural values.
MAMMALS
Click links below for more information:
American Black Bear
Bat Diversity
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
Coyote
Elk
Wild Hog
White-tailed Deer
Trout Management
We are responsible for the Tribal Fisheries and Hatchery program. We stock over 250,000 trout per year on the Qualla Boundary to provide the most accessible and productive fishing destination. Tribal Enterprise Waters are a precious natural resource that consists of 30 miles of freestone streams connected to one another including 2.2 miles of fly-fishing Catch & Release waters. They run through secluded forests, suburban roadside areas and even through downtown Cherokee.
Our streams are stocked predominately with Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Golden Trout and Rainbow Trout. We also plan and conduct numerous fishing tournaments open to the public throughout the year and manage the tribal fishing permitting program and regulation. For more information on tournament schedules, obtaining a fishing permit or other information please visit www.fishcherokee.com.
Rainbow trout. Credit: Mark Lisac/USFWS
Wildlife Conflicts
Wildlife on Your Property
If you are having wildlife issues on your property such as bees, snakes, birds, bats, squirrels, skunks, rats, coyote, etc., contact our office at 828-359-6108 for an evaluation. Depending on the type of critter or service requested, the Fish and Wildlife Management office may refer you to a third-party local wildlife service provider, or you may contact the third party service provider directly by emailing Kenneth.whelpley@trutechinc.com or by calling Trutech Wildlife Service, at (803) 230-4944, fees may apply.
The EBCI Fisheries & Wildlife Management office is not responsible for the work, any associated fee(s), parts, equipment, products, labor, travel, or damages to persons, pets, children or property under the services provided by third-party service providers
Human-Wildlife Conflicts
For other nuisance wildlife questions, consult our page on Human-Wildlife Conflicts.
Contact Fish & Wildlife Staff
For a complete staff directory click here.
Fly-Fishing Miles
Types of Trout Stocked
Fish Stocked Annually
Miles of Streams Stocked
©EBCI OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES. BRANDING AND WEB DESIGN BY INSIGHT MARKETING