The US Forest Service is planning to revise the current management plan for the Uwharrie National Forest.  The new plan will guide the Forest's management for the next 15 years.  This process is of critical importance to sportsmen and women because hunting and recreational shooting must be included in the plan in order to safeguard these activities for the future. 

Recently, the Flintlock Valley Shooting Range, a public shooting range on the Uwharrie, was closed pending a review of safety concerns.  Unless the Forest makes management of hunting and shooting a priority, we risk loss of these opportunities to competing recreational interests.  One of the plan revision themes is "Providing Outstanding and Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Recreation Opportunities, with Excellent Trails and Facilities." 

The Uwharrie will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, August 3rd at the North Carolina Zoo, Stedman Education Building in Asheboro, NC from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. This is an opportunity for the public to talk with Forest Service staff about the new management plan.  Further information about the planning process and the open house can be found at http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/uwharrie_plan.  You may also contact Ruth Berner, Forest Planner, at 828-257-4862.  

It is vitally important that hunters and shooters take the time to attend this open house and become engaged in the management planning process to ensure that you have places to hunt and shoot in the Uwharrie.