Parks and Recreation: Hunting

The permit process for the 2022-2023 waterfowl season is CLOSED.   

Due to the narrow width and heavy residential development, there are only a small number of locations to hunt on the Tar River Water Supply Reservoir and Recreation Area.  All possible locations have blinds constructed by hunters.  

IF any blind locations become available, they will be placed on this webpage in late August, with the deadline for entry September 30.   

Waterfowl Hunting on the Tar River Water Supply Reservoir and Recreation Area 

The primary purpose of the purchase, construction and management of the Tar River Water Supply Reservoir and Recreation Area is to provide a reliable water supply to the City of Rocky Mount.  All other activities are secondary.  Hunting involves the regulation of the carry and use of shotguns on City property in a way the City of Rocky Mount approves who and where it is authorized.       

To create a municipal water supply, in 1967 the City of Rocky Mount purchased and flooded land to develop the Tar River Water Supply Reservoir and Recreation Area.  Because it is a municipal water supply, the City owns and maintains jurisdiction of all water and adjacent land to the 130’ elevation line above and below the surface of the water from approximately 0.25 of a mile downstream of Old Bailey Highway (1001) to the Reservoir dam on the Tar River and approximately .75 of a mile downstream of Batchelor Road on Sapony Creek.  It is the responsibility of the hunter to know these areas.  This can be viewed on Nash County GIS.  

Since opening in 1967, the City has allowed regulated hunting on the reservoir.  In November of 2007, the City regulated waterfowl hunting on the reservoir in a manner that has secured public access for the future.  The regulation system is based upon the practices of the NC Wildlife Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  It has been replicated by other municipalities, including the City of Wilson.     

Basic regulations include: 

1. All State and Federal hunting and non-hunting* regulations apply.  

2. City Ordinance 15-51,56 and 59 

3. Hunters must obtain a proper permit from the City. 

4. Hunters must remain 500 yards from residences, public roads and private blinds (occupied or unoccupied).  This is the limiting factor in the quantity of hunters City property can accommodate.

5. Private blinds may be built after appropriate permit has been secured.  Location is retained annually.  

6. Access is by boat or adjacent private property only.    



*The Tar River Water Supply Reservoir and Recreation Area is 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.