Deer hunting gun season began last weekend. With many other animals in season, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is warning hunters to follow the law and be aware of their surroundings.

Officer Kristin Koch, with the law enforcement division of the NCWRC, has shared the following information.

• Hunters must wear hunter orange that is visible from all sides, including deer hunters on Sunday using archery equipment.

• Hunters may harvest six deer. The season limit for antlered deer in the Central Deer Season is two.  Additional antlerless deer tags are available for purchase on private property in the maximum deer season. See regulations for details.

• Ensure all hunters have a proper license and Big Game Harvest Report Card with them during the hunt.

• It is against the law to place processed food products as bait in any area of the state with an established season for taking black bear.

• Processed food products or any food substance or flavoring that has been modified by adding ingredients or treatment to change its chemical compound or for to enhance its smell or taste.

• Hunters are allowed to place commercially available mineral supplements specifically and exclusively marketed for attracting or feeding deer anywhere in the state, except in game lands.

• If you hit a deer, or come across a road-kill deer and would like to take that deer for meat, you need to call your local wildlife officer, Highway Patrol or Sheriff’s Office to get written permission to take the deer.

• In Rowan County, a person who is hunting, fishing or trapping needs written permission from the landowner whether the property is posted or not.

A new program to stop poachers has been established, NCWILDTIP. This allows a person to send an anonymous tip for any violation. A person can get a reward of $100 to $1,000 depending on what the report is.

There are two ways to report a violation — install a free app for your phone. Search for TipSoft or TipSubmit in the Google or apple store; or send an anonymous tip through a text message. Type WILDTIP and your message, then send it to 27437 (crimes on most cell phones).

Central Deer Gun season: Now through Jan. 2, 2017.

Piedmont bear season: Now through Jan. 2, 2017.

Duck: Now through Dec. 3.

Canada goose-Southern James Bay Zone: Now through Dec. 31.

Pheasant: Now through Feb. 1, 2017.

Rabbit and quail: Nov. 19-Feb. 28, 2017.

Dove: Nov. 21-Jan. 14, 2017.

Central deer black powder season ended Nov. 11.

Raccoon and opossum: Ends Feb. 28, 2017.

Squirrel (gray and red): Ends Feb. 28, 2017.

Grouse: Ends Feb. 28, 2017.

Bobcat: Ends Feb. 28, 2017.

For any questions or concerns for the Rowan/Davidson County area, call Officer Kristine Koch at 704-431-0076 or the Wildlife violations number, 1-800-662-7137. Or visit ncwildlife.org.