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South Carolina Traveler
WIN A FREE FISHING TRIP! CALL
CAPT. EDDIE CAMPBELL AT 843-514-3201 FOR DETAILS!
Hunting in South Carolina
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Eutawville IGA,
http://www.eutawvilleiga.com located within minutes of Santee Cooper
Lakes parks, golf courses, and lake access to Lake Marion, The Diversion
Canal, and Lake Moultrie, year-round community support is legendary.
You can stay informed of specials, drawings, give-a-ways, try a new
recipe, or enter the shopping spree, at Eutawville IGA
http://www.eutawvilleiga.com . By joining their email list you can
look forward to the weekly newsletter in your inbox every Monday with the
updated Sales.
Join Eutawville's IGA Email Club today!
Ask DNR! -Have a question about hunting, fishing,
boating, natural resources or wildlife conservation? Submit your
question at:
www.dnr.sc.gov/dnrradio/ask_dnr.html , then listen for an
answer on "DNR Live" with host Mike Willis. Join DNR Communications
Director Mike Willis for "DNR Live" on the Clemson University radio
program "Your Day." It's all about hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife
and natural resources conservation in South Carolina. "DNR Live" can
be heard the first Wednesday in each month, noon to 1 p.m., on the
South Carolina Educational Television radio network.
WILD QUAIL MANAGEMENT
SEMINARS SET FOR 2008-Bobwhite quail populations in South
Carolina and the Southeast have been declining steadily over the past
60 years due to major land use change and reduction in suitable
habitat. The 21st Annual Wild Quail Management Seminars, sponsored by
the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the S.C. State Committee
of Quail Unlimited, are designed to instruct landowners and land
managers in the proper techniques of creating habitat that will
support native populations of bobwhite quail. Two seminars will be
conducted over a three-day period, March 6-8, 2008, at the Webb
Wildlife Center (1282 Webb Avenue, Garnett) in Hampton County. The
registration fee is $75 and includes meals, overnight accommodations
and seminar materials. Space is limited, so register early to reserve
a slot in one of the two bsessions. For more information write Quail
Management Seminars, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, or call the
DNR Small Game Project in Columbia at (803) 734-4306, or e-mail
barnesj@dnr.sc.gov .
Cast N Blast
Get the best of
fishing and hunting South Carolina by:
Cast n Blast with Fishing Guide Eddie Campbell
http://www.scbigcats.com and Wild Boar & Ram Hunting
Guide, Troy Aynor. Cast & Blast
Fishing/Hunting Adventures
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Record black bear harvest set in SC mountains
Fifty-eight black bears were harvested during the 2007 bear season, held
the last two weeks of October in Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties.
This is the highest number of bear ever harvested during the two-week
season. Eight bears were over 400 pounds with the heaviest weighing 530
pounds.
CHANGES ANNOUNCED FOR 2007-2008 SANTEE
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE HUNTING DATES
Summerton, S.C....Santee National Wildlife
Refuge announces opening of the refuge for public hunting of white-tailed
deer, mourning dove, and raccoon during the special seasons listed below.
Please note that non-toxic shot is required when hunting with shotguns.
Hunters should note that the schedule for deer hunting is a change from
past years. In previous years, the hunt schedule began with a
primitive weapons hunt on the Pine Island Unit, followed by a week long
archery hunt and a week long primitive weapons hunt on the Cuddo Unit.
Beginning with 2007, the deer hunt schedule now begins with a week long
archery hunt on Cuddo, continues with a week long primitive weapons hunt
on Pine Island, and ends with a week long primitive weapons hunt on Cuddo.
Scheduling these hunts with a week long break between the two Cuddo Unit
hunts, provides wildlife with a relief from hunting pressure and also
allows the non-hunting public an opportunity to enjoy this unit.
Refuge visitors should also note that for the protection of all visitors,
refuge units that are open to public deer hunts are closed to
general public access during designated hunt periods.
Three non-quota managed hunts for white-tailed deer will be held on the
refuge in 2007 as follows:
Cuddo Unit Archery Only October 1-6, 2007
Pine Island Unit Primitive Weapons Only October 8-13, 2007
Cuddo Unit Primitive Weapons Only October 15-20, 2007
For these hunts, long, recurved, or compound bows and muzzle loading
(black powder) rifles only are permitted. All other weapons including
handguns and crossbows are prohibited.
There is no bag limit for the non-quota deer hunts and either sex may be
taken. Antlerless deer tags will be furnished by the refuge at each check
station.
Hunters under age 16 years old are reminded that they must complete a
state approved hunter education course before they are allowed to hunt on
any National Wildlife Refuge. This requirement applies to all refuge
hunts. Evidence of successful completion of such a course will be
required.In addition, all youth hunters (under age 16) must be supervised
by an adult at least 21 years of age.
A Youth Only lottery hunt for deer will be conducted on the Bluff Unit for
three days (Thursday, September 27, Friday, September 28, and Saturday,
September 29, 2007). Youth hunters will be selected from applications
received by September 17, 2007 for this special quota hunt.
Youth hunters will only be allowed to use shotguns with slugs during these
special afternoon hunts and must be accompanied by an adult at least 21
years of age. Accompanying adults are prohibited from discharging firearms
during these Youth Only hunts. Fixed, two-person ladder stands will be
provided for Youth Only hunts.
To be eligible for Youth Deer hunts, applicants must be at least 10 years
and no more than 17 years of age and must possess a valid hunter education
certificate. Applications for Youth Only hunts may be obtained by calling
the refuge office at 803-478-2217 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until
4:30 p.m.) or by written request to Santee NWR, 2125 Fort Watson
Road,Summerton, SC 29148.
Mourning dove hunting will be allowed during the designated season on the
Cuddo Unit only. Mourning doves may be taken from September 10-21, 2007,
with a shotgun using non-toxic shot size no larger than # 5's. Ground dove
hunting is prohibited.
The refuge will also host a raccoon and opossum hunt from 6:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 through 6:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2008. No
hunting will be permitted on Sunday, March 9, 2008. Night hunting only is
permitted and special State regulations on night hunting apply. Raccoons
and opossums may be taken with a shotgun using non-toxic shot size no
larger than #4's or a .22 caliber rimfire rifle.
All hunts, except special Youth Only quota hunts on the Bluff Unit, are
open to anyone who wishes to participate. A permit is required for all
hunts. A free refuge permit allowing participation in all non-quota hunts
is included on the lower front portion of this year’s hunting
regulations brochure. A special refuge permit, signed by the hunter, along
with a valid State hunting license, and photo identification (such as a
driver's license) are required and must be in your possession while
hunting.
Camping, overnight parking, ATV’s and open fires are not permitted
during any of the hunts. Dogs may be used only for mourning dove and
raccoon and opossum hunting. Man-drives, stalk hunting and dog drives are
prohibited. Special regulations and/or restrictions apply to all refuge
hunts.
Scouting on both the Pine Island and Cuddo Units is allowed during periods
when these units are open to general public access. Vehicles are only
allowed on roads designated as open for vehicular traffic. Hunter access
roads will be opened only during each deer hunt and on the Friday and
Saturday prior to each hunt to allow hunters to place their stands on the
area. Stands may be placed on respective hunt areas on the Friday and
Saturday immediately prior to each hunt (from 8 am until 5 pm) and must be
removed by 8:30 pm on the last day of each hunt. Weapons and dogs are not
allowed during scouting.
Refuge gates for hunting areas will be open from 5 am until 8:30 pm during
designated hunt periods. All other access (i.e. scouting and
stand placement) will be limited to the refuge's normal hours of operation
(April - September: 7 am until 7 pm; October - March: 8 am until 5 pm).
Hunters are limited to one stand per person regardless of type, including
tree stands, ground blinds, and ladder stands. Deer stands on the refuge
must be clearly marked with the owner's name and telephone number.
Hunters are reminded that littering is a serious problem on the refuge.
Regulations against littering will be enforced.
Since refuge hunting regulations often include changes from years past,
hunters are advised to study a copy of current regulations before hunting
on the refuge. Any questions regarding permitted activities and all
requests for information about hunting, fishing, and other public use
programs should be directed to: Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 2125 Fort
Watson Road, Summerton, SC 29148. Information may also be obtained by
telephoning (803) 478-2217.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife
and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. The Service manages the 95 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge
System which encompasses over 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of
small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70
national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices, and 78 ecological
services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws,
administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird
populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and
restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments
with
their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that
distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and
hunting equipment to State fish and wildlife agencies.
DNR breaks ground for new facility at Francis Marion University
 DNR
and Sen. Hugh Leatherman announced plans for a new public office facility in
Florence during a groundbreaking ceremony August 24 at Francis Marion
University. The new DNR office, located in DNR Region II, will serve York,
Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Kershaw, Lee, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington,
Dillon, Florence, Marion and Williamsburg Counties.
DUCK HUNTERS FINISH WITH A FLOURISH ON DNR
WATERFOWL MANAGEMENT AREAS
Duck hunters finished the season
with a flourish on most S.C. Department of Natural Resources public
hunting lands, with a total
harvest of 4,431 birds, an average of 1.99 birds per hunter, down slightly
from the 2.2 birds per hunter reported last year. A total of
2,225 hunters participated in these popular hunts at the 15 Wildlife
Management Areas that recorded individual hunt data. Wood ducks
accounted for 30 percent of the harvest, followed by green-winged teal,
ring-necked ducks, gadwall, northern shovelers, and blue-winged teal. For
detailed reports on the recent waterfowl season, go to the Web site:
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/waterfowl/wfresults.html. "Overall, the
season for our waterfowl areas was pretty good, considering the
unseasonable weather we had in much of December," said Dean Harrigal,
wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
"The colder weather in January improved hunting conditions, especially
along the coast."
YOUTH
HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN GEORGETOWN COUNTY-
Youth hunting opportunities with the Take One Make One
mentoring program are open at Samworth Wildlife Management Area and Santee
Coastal Reserve, areas within 15 miles of Georgetown. The Take One Make
One program is a S.C. Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) youth
hunting, fishing and shooting sports mentorship and recruitment program.
The program specifically targets youth and young adults who have not
experienced a previous shooting or hunting activity. Youth are paired with
volunteer hunting club members and private landowners, who in turn sponsor
and actively participate in year-round hunting, fishing and shooting
sports mentorship. Applications for the Take One Make One Georgetown area
hunts are available at the Columbia DNR office, 1000 Assembly St., and
also online:
www.dnr.sc.gov/education/tomo/index.html. Detailed instructions and
directions to the Georgetown area hunt sites will be provided to selected
applicants. For more information about safety and supervision, contact
Willie Simmons, DNR wildlife biologist, at (803) 734-3898 in Columbia, or
SimmonsW@dnr.sc.gov.
S.C. deer hunters interested
in limit on bucks, tagging Results
of a series of pubic meetings hosted by the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources last winter indicate significant support among deer hunters for
a statewide limit on antlered bucks in South Carolina. Currently, about
half of the state has no daily or seasonal limit on bucks and although
there is a posted five-buck limit in certain game zones, these limits are
additive among game zones and the limits have never been enforceable with
something like tags.
FROZEN, MOUNTED WATERFOWL NEEDED FOR
DNR EDUCATION-
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs mounted
waterfowl, or carefully frozen waterfowl, in good mountable condition.
Mounts will be loaned to S.C. schools to help students better compete in
the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. Please contact the DNR Education
Staff at (803) 734-3885 or email South Carolina's Junior Duck Stamp
Coordinator Steve Bates at
BatesS@dnr.sc.gov for more information. Find out more about the S. C.
Junior Duck Stamp Program at
http://www.jrduckstamp.com/.
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WHAT HUNTERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AVIAN INFLUENZA
-- S. C. Department of Natural Resources has received several contacts over
the last few weeks concerning avian influenza. There has been a lot of
speculation and hype about the possibility of avian influenza, often referred
to as bird flu, reaching the United States. Waterfowl hunters and the public
in general should note that as of November 2005, H5N1 avian influenza has not
been found in North America and there is no record of positive tests in wild
or domestic birds, and no known human cases of illness. For more information
on avian influenza and hunting, call the Columbia DNR office at (803)
734-3886.
Somewhere near
Rochester, New York, Ed set out to bag his buck at 5:30 a.m. By 11:30 a.m., he
was exhausted and hungry--and still no buck. At 12 noon, the mighty hunter Ed
guards the remains of his lunch while a passerby snaps a quiet photo while
trying not to startle the deer with a belly laugh.
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STATE SMALL GAME HUNTING
SURVEYS RANK TOP COUNTIES FOR QUAIL, RABBIT
Through intensive field
observations, South Carolina quail and rabbit hunters maintained detailed
records of their hunting excursions throughout the year and provided the
data to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Small Game Project
for analysis. Hunting data compiled included the number of quail coveys
flushed, covey size, number of rabbits jumped, the dates and counties
where hunts occurred, and the amount of time expended in pursuit of these
species. The S.C. State Council of Quail Unlimited assists with funding
for the supplies necessary to conduct the surveys.
To receive copies of the Quail Hunter Survey report or the Rabbit
Hunter Survey report or to have your name added to the list of potential
cooperators, contact the DNR Small Game Project in Columbia at (803)
734-3609.
Statewide survey results indicate a slight increase in the number of
quail coveys flushed per hour and an increase the number of rabbits jumped
per hour when compared with the previous year. The quail covey flush rate
was 0.54 coveys/hour during the 2004-05 season, up from 0.53 coveys/hour
the previous year. Quail hunters in the top five counties reported
flushing an average of 0.94 to 0.74 coveys per hour. The rabbit-jumping
rate increased slightly from 1.48 to 1.57 rabbits/hour during the 2004-05
season.
The Northern Coastal Plain, defined as a seven-county area from the
Charleston-Georgetown county line north to the North Carolina line and
inland to Dillon, Florence, and Clarendon counties, claimed the highest
rates of quail finds. Piedmont quail hunters had significantly less
success than those hunting in other regions of the state, said Billy
Dukes, DNR Small Game Project supervisor.
The Rabbit Hunter Survey has shown stable populations and hunting
success during the past four years. A majority of rabbit hunting (78
percent) by survey cooperators occurred in the Piedmont. The Lowcountry
exhibited the highest rate of rabbits jumped per hour (2.01), among
regions with a minimum of 25 hunts, said Judy Barnes, wildlife biologist
with the DNR Small Game Project.
Written comments from hunters in the surveys provided some excellent
field observations, particularly on food items of quail. The preferred
foods reported for quail were soybeans, lespedeza and partridge pea. Other
food items such as green vegetation, native weed seed and acorns were also
reported.
"To ensure continued accuracy and usefulness of future small game
surveys, the Small Game Project would like to increase the number of
hunters participating this coming season," Dukes said. Avid quail and
rabbit hunters across the state who are willing to assist by taking
careful notes on their hunts should write to DNR Small Game Project, PO
Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202 or call (803) 734-3609 in Columbia. Indicate
whether you are interested in participating in the Quail Hunter Survey,
the Rabbit Hunter Survey, or both. Survey materials will be mailed to
cooperators in mid-November, just prior to the opening of statewide quail
and rabbit seasons.
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