NORTH CAROLINA -- The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission is urging hunters to take extra precautions this season and adhere to social distancing mandates while outdoors.

The 2020 turkey season kicks off April 11 and runs through May 9, and is preceded by a youth-only turkey season, which takes place April 4 through April 10.

The NCWRC manages roughly 2 million acres of public and private land throughout the state for public hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor activities. Anyone using the lands for outdoor activities other than hunting during turkey season is asked to wear an article of clothing featuring blaze orange.

The color will help alert hunters to their presence.

The commission is also urging the public to maintain at least six feet between themselves and others.

The NCWRC's Raleigh headquarters is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Fishing, trapping, and hunting licenses as well as vessel registrations can still be obtained at NCWildlife.org. The license, vessel registration, and wildlife helpline call centers are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information regarding coronavirus-related closings, event cancellations and postponements, visit ncwildlife.org/covid19.

For regulations and restrictions on turkey hunting, including information on youth season, refer to the 2019-2020 Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest.