$110,000 DONATED TO STATE DNR BY HARRY HAMPTON WILDLIFE FUND-On Feb.
15, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Board accepted a $110,000 donation by the Harry Hampton Fund, providing financial support for numerous projects and activities to aid in the promotion of wildlife education and conservation in South Carolina. In February 2007, the S.C. Natural Resources Board, the policy making body of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), accepted the largest donation ever by the Harry Hampton Fund at $179,425. With acceptance of the most recent donation on Feb. 15, this brings the total to $2,260,905 that the Harry Hampton Fund has donated to DNR over the years. The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation which partners with the DNR for the promotion of education, research, management and the administration of game and fish laws, which will benefit conservation of wildlife, marine and other natural resources in South Carolina. Funds are obtained solely through private donations and special promotional projects, fund-raising events and publications. Although some of the funds are donated to special projects run by the DNR, they are not used to replace any department programs already supported by appropriated money. For more information on the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, visit and the www.hamptonwildlifefund.org .

  Jocassee Gorges angler access area to be improved over next few weeks

 

   Lake Jocassee's Information Center

                                 http://www.lakejocassee.com

*Lake Jocassee Real Estate  

* Restaurants    

*Bed and Breakfast. 

*  Lake History                             

*Lake/Ecological Tours *RV/ Boat Storage

*Cabins, Pontoon Boats, &  Jet Skis Rentals     

*Travel Weather Forecast  

*Devils Fork State Park  

* Fishing & Fishing Tournament Information Forum

            

361 ACRES OF MOUNTAIN LAND ADDED TO JOCASSEE GORGES HERITAGE PRESERVE- An important addition of 361 acres has been added to the Jocassee Gorges complex in northern Pickens County. The Smoak/Cathcart Addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve is on the North Carolina state line and protects the northern boundary of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges. The 361 acres is an addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve within Jocassee Gorges. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) purchased the land from Chinquapin Hollow Inc. for $2,404,260 with funds from the Heritage Land Trust Fund.

This was below the appraised value of $2,530,000. The owners of the property were Lois Cathcart of Chapin and Copley Smoak of Arkansas, formerly of South Carolina. "I want to congratulate the DNR for its effort to acquire this property," said state Sen. Larry Martin of Pickens. "This addition to the Jocassee Gorges will allow protection of the northern boundary of Jocassee and provide the people of South Carolina more beautiful areas to enjoy." The 361-acre addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve, which features mature forests of oak, hickory, hemlock, white pine and yellow poplar, as well as the headwaters of Rock Creek, is land that was prime for development, according to DNR

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Home & Cabin Products from Cabela's 
WELCOME TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS...   361 acres of mountain land added to Jocassee Gorges Heritage Preserve

Stumphouse Mtn., Issaqueena Falls protection marks conservation milestone

 

        

       Eutaw Springs, Palmetto Trail

           Duncraft- Save up to 40-70% on Birdfeeding (125x40)

SURVEY TRACKS BALD EAGLE POPULATIONS-2007 survey results monitoring bald eagles in South Carolina continue to record eagle population success. This year, survey participants recorded 564 bald eagles, which included 497 adult bald eagles, 67 immature bald eagles and two golden eagles. This figure was down slightly from last year's tally of 581, which was attributed to the low number of immature bald eagles counted. 93% of the adult eagles counted during the survey were nesting pairs, meaning they are resident breeders in South Carolina. The nesting population in South Carolina has been increasing at a rate of 8.5% per year. For additional information on the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey, visit http://srfs.wr.usgs.gov/research/indivproj.asp?SRFSProj_ID=2 .

NEW TRAIL AT CHESTNUT RIDGE HERITAGE PRESERVE IS NOW OPEN

A new 2.75-mile hiking trail is now open at Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve in northern Greenville County. The trail at Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve is a one-way hiking footpath that ends at the South Pacolet River. Along the way, it climbs and descends Squirrel Mountain, makes its way over two footbridges and features a bench made out of native hickory. A number of noteworthy plant communities can be found along the trail, and among the more interesting plants are pink lady's slipper, switchcane and many of the early spring wildflowers like trillium, bloodroot and hepatica. Other features include boulder outcrops, mature chestnut oaks and good winter views of the surrounding mountains. Only hiking is allowed at the Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve trail-no mountain bikes or horses. Camping is also not allowed on the preserve. For more information on Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, visit the S.C.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Web site at
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage

/chestntrdg/description.html or
call the Clemson DNR office at (864) 654-6738, extension 15.

NON-NATIVE PACU FISH CAUGHT IN SAMPIT RIVER-The introduction of any species of marine or freshwater fish or invertebrate not already found in South Carolina waters is potentially dangerous to native ecosystem vitality, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. A recent catch of a red-bellied pacu in Georgetown County's upper Sampit River July 16 is one of the few recorded catches of this exotic species in an open water system in South Carolina. Another was taken in October 2004 in the Ashley River in Charleston County. The red-bellied pacu, endemic to South American rivers, is a popular aquarium pet fish that can grow up to 33 inches, much larger than the space that smaller aquarium tanks can afford. Pacu are closely related to piranha, and although a mostly herbivorous species, they may also eat fish and insects and may take natural or artificial bait. More information about nuisance aquatic plants and animals can be found at www.dnr.sc.gov/water/envaff/aquatic/index and by calling: aquatic plants, (803) 755-2836; freshwater, (803) 734-3808; saltwater: (843) 953-9390; and shellfish recycling: (843) 953-9300.

         

Lisa Markham of Blount's Landing caught her "biggest fish ever" off of Blount's Landing, Lake Marion, on June 26, 2006.A 44lb Flathead!! Blount's Bait & Tackle is under new ownership and open. Call 803-492-3377 for information.

OCEAN EXPLORATION RESEARCH UNDERWAYA two-year federally funded study to assess reef fish habitats as important spawning areas is underway off the coast of South Carolina. Biologists and geologists with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Coastal Carolina University and Scripps Institute of Oceanography will use high resolution multi-beam and side scan sonar to produce detailed maps of important fish habitats. The researchers are focusing on mapping areas along the outer continental shelf, in particular a reef that spans the South Carolina coast at a depth of 200 feet, from the North Carolina border south to Georgia. They will also look at the upper shelf of the continental slope and will map areas at depths as great as 2,000 feet. “Mapping the distribution of the reef fish and their habitats is an important step in recognizing their complex habitat and determining why reef fish choose these areas to live, feed and spawn,” said George Sedberry, DNR senior marine scientist and principal investigator on the project.. “The shelf-edge reef is a particularly important spawning ground, and we don’t fully understand what characteristics make this reef so attractive to spawning fishes.”  

 

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Celebrating a Century of Conservation~ The National Wildlife Refuge System

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DNR PURCHASES, PROTECTS 8,560 ACRES IN MARION COUNTY
 
         The Marsh Furniture Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area was dedicated in a special public ceremony on Friday, April 7, in Marion County. The Marsh tract is Marion's second such preserve owned and managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, in addition to the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. 
         Acquisition of the Marsh tract by the state of South Carolina ensures permanent protection of significant wildlife habitat on the Great Pee Dee River and protects water quality in the region.
         In December 2005, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) purchased the 8,560-acres of the Marsh tract near Marion for $7 million from Marsh Furniture Company, based in High Point, N.C. The acquisition was funded with $2 million from the S.C. Conservation Bank and $5 million from the DNR Heritage Trust program.
         Learn more about managed lands under the Heritage Trust at
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage.html and check the Conservation Bank Web site at http://sccbank.sc.gov/ for more information.
         "Since 1991, under a lease agreement, South Carolinians have enjoyed public access for hunting, fishing and other wildlife related activities on the Marsh Furniture Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Marion," according to DNR director John Frampton. "Thanks to the Marsh family's long standing commitment to conservation, this vast expanse of recreational land and important wildlife habitat is now in public hands and protected in perpetuity."
         Physical features of the property include 8.5 miles of river frontage and a significant bottomland hardwood forest on the Great Pee Dee River, which enhance and protect the water quality of the river and its tributaries. The preserve's upland areas consist primarily of various aged loblolly pine stands with great opportunities for longleaf pine restoration. The tract provides valuable habitat for deer, turkey, wood duck and quail. The Marsh tract was once known for its quail population and has tremendous restoration potential for this species. The Pee Dee River corridor provides habitat for threatened and endangered species such as wood storks and short-nosed sturgeon. Protecting the corridor is also key to sustaining the current black bear population of coastal S.C.
         "The project is especially significant because similar tracts in the area are rapidly being split and sold," according to Marvin Davant, executive director of the S.C. Conservation Bank. "The tract is located within 45 minutes of the Myrtle Beach area, one of the most rapidly developing areas in the nation. The dedication of the beautiful Marsh Furniture property is the celebration of a vision to conserve and protect our wild and natural areas, a vision that reaches well into the future."
         Davant added that, "The SC Conservation Bank was established in 2001 for the purpose of making grants and loans to public and private entities to acquire land, green space and wildlife habitat worthy of conservation, such as the Marsh tract."
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GOVERNOR SIGNS $32 MILLION CONSERVATION BOND ACT TO PROTECT 39,000 ACRES OF FORESTLAND --                        A groundbreaking new conservation deal has ensured that nearly 39,000 acres of working forestland, recreation lands and wildlife habitat in South Carolina will be protected. As part of a broad-based initiative to conserve land across the South, The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy announced they would acquire two forest parcels, known as the Woodbury and Hamilton Ridge tracts, from International Paper. The organizations have agreed to split the acquisition cost and jointly hold these properties until the land can be transferred to the public for long-term stewardship. The agreement comes just as South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford signed into law a measure that would allow the South Carolina Heritage Trust to borrow about $32 million for forest acquisition across the state. The Heritage Trust Program is a 30-year-old division of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "This bill and this land acquisition will go a long way toward preserving the way South Carolina looks and feels as a state," Sanford said. "The quality of life in our state is going to be an increasingly important part of South Carolina's competitive edge when it comes to the global race for jobs and investment. I want to thank International Paper, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy and DNR for their roles in this historic conservation initiative." The South Carolina agreement, when completed, will be the largest conservation purchase by the state in its history

Centennial of State Natural Resource Management This year marks the 100th anniversary of game and fish law enforcement by the state of South Carolina. The passage of Act 489 in 1905 provided for the appointment of game wardens by the governor, and in 1906 Act 60 created the State Board of Fisheries, beginning a century of progress in the professional management, protection and improvement of South Carolina's natural resources. These pieces of legislation also began an evolution that led to the creation of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. DNR invites its constituents, sportsmen and friends to join in the year-long commemoration of the advances made by the agency and the contributions of its current employees and those who preceded them.

 

Now, I know we've all heard of people being eaten by snakes and I bet most of us have said, "If a snake tried to eat me, I'd blah, blah, blah and get away. Well, this is a Python and they're extremely aggressive and have a few teeth that they use to hold their prey while they wrap around them and then constrict.



Could you get away if this one bit you and held on with it's "few teeth?"
Note: the wires are 10 inches apart.


Photos submitted by "Boot".

CAROLINA OUTSIDE WRITING CONTEST WINNER..................

 

 

              

    YOUNG OUTDOOR COMMUNICATORS' COMPETITION AWARDS PRESENTED -- South Carolina Wildlife Magazine has awarded the winners of the 2005-2006 Young Outdoor Communicators Competition. This year's topic was "The Importance of Water to Our Daily Lives." "South Carolina Wildlife magazine has conducted a young writers' competition for more than twenty years with the purpose of encouraging students to think about and write about natural resources issues," said Caroline Foster, South Carolina Wildlife editor. "This year, because of declining participation during the past few years, we made some changes to the competition. We added a technology component, hoping that would engage students more. Now students can enter PowerPoint projects or short videos. The purpose of the competition is the same. Through participation in the Young Outdoor Communicators Competition experience, we hope students will become better stewards of their natural resources  

        

 

 

      

 

         

 

           

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 


 


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Santee Refuge and Partners Initiate Study to Determine Movement Patterns of Migratory Canada Geese Wintering in Santee Area

Summerton, S. C..... Santee National Wildlife Refuge, the S. C. Department of Natural Resources, and Clemson University are finalizing plans for a research project to study the wintering ecology of migratory Canada geese in South Carolina. Researchers will be trying to determine the wintering range of migratory Canada geese around the Santee Refuge and will catalog the various habitats used by these birds. Satellite telemetry devices will be used to study how the South Carolina population of Southern James Bay Canada geese migrates, where they breed, and where the migration pathways are between South Carolina and their breeding grounds.

Historically, the Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis) was a common winter migrant to South Carolina and occurred in a variety of locations across the state. However, the wintering population of migratory geese in the state has declined by approximately 97 percent over the past 35 years. Canada geese observed and counted in S. C. during the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) annual mid-winter waterfowl survey declined from 44,400 in 1964 to 1,500 in 2002. These declines have occurred despite overall increases in the Atlantic Flyway Population of Canada geese. The most commonly accepted explanation for the regional decline is the access short of geese in the northern parts of the flyway. Readily available cereal grains and the intensity of waterfowl management in northern states have resulted in Canada geese remaining in the northern states instead of continuing to their ancestral wintering areas in South Carolina.

Existing data suggest that groups of migratory Canada geese that winter in S. C. originate from breeding populations in Southern James Bay and Hudson Bay, Canada. Wintering populations of these geese in S. C. are thought to be a unique subpopulation in the Atlantic Flyway. Annual waterfowl surveys indicate that the last wild flock in the state winters on the Santee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) with small groups of birds also possibly occurring on the Carolina Sandhills NWR. Regionally, a wintering population also occurs on the Pee Dee NWR in North Carolina.

Santee NWR is South Carolinas primary migratory goose wintering area and serves as the Atlantic Flyways southernmost population of Southern James Bay Canada geese. The number of Canada geese wintering at the Santee NWR has also declined over the last three decades. In 1964, around 22,500 birds wintered there. This number steadily declined to approximately 14,700 in 1969, 5,800 in 1978, and 1,000 in 1990. Current estimates are similar or only slightly higher with an estimated wintering population of 1,000-1,200 geese.

The planned Canada Goose Study seeks to collect data needed to address two wildlife management issues that have been exacerbated by the low and declining numbers of migratory geese. The first and more local issue focuses on understanding how to better manage hunting opportunities for Canada geese in S.C. Historically, sportsman placed a high trophy status on harvesting wild geese in the Santee area. Because of declines in S. C.' s wintering migratory goose numbers, the goose hunting season was closed in 1980. During the same period, there was an effort to establish resident populations of Canada geese throughout the state in order to provide goose hunting opportunities. By 1992, the resident goose population had expanded enough to allow harvest.

In order to protect the declining migratory geese from harvest, Clarendon County (which includes Santee National Wildlife Refuge) was closed to the harvest of resident geese. Area hunters have recently requested that the S. C. Department of Natural Resources reconsider opening a portion of Clarendon County for hunting of resident geese based on the assumption that migratory geese do not inhabit areas outside of the Santee Refuge boundary. Although the potential exists to expand the hunting zone without impacting migratory geese, state and federal wildlife managers must have a better understanding of the home range and habitat use of wintering migratory geese in the Santee area. These management issues require careful consideration to avoid potential adverse impacts to the last known migratory Canada goose flock wintering in South Carolina.

The second, and more long-term issue, focuses on land use changes in the South Carolina coastal plain. The continued viability of this historical wintering area for migratory Southern James Bay Geese is of great concern. Like many areas in the S. C. coastal zone, intense pressure exists to urbanize the undeveloped landscape surrounding the Santee NWR. Home range areas and habitat use of the S. C. migratory goose population is currently unknown, although general observation suggests that these geese feed and loaf on private lands adjacent to and near the refuge that are currently targeted for development. It is likely that with increasing human population growth and land use changes, disturbance factors will increase and the available habitat for migratory geese will shrink towards the boundaries of the Santee NWR. With the satellite telemetry units, researchers will be able to track geese to their breeding grounds, learn the migratory pathways they take to and from their wintering areas, and provide additional conservation recommendations to the Atlantic Flyway Council for South Carolina populations and beyond.

Data collected and analyzed during the study will be used to develop harvest strategies and habitat management recommendations aimed at providing needed habitat for wintering geese in S. C. It is possible that data detailing areas and habitats used by the wintering migratory Canada geese in and around the Santee NWR could allow for an expansion of recreational opportunities for sportsmen and assist in managing a growing local population of resident geese. Ultimately, managers and biologists will be able to use this data to make informed decisions and provide guidance to local governments, community planners, and developers on needed habitat protection, conservation and enhancement efforts for this unique subpopulation of migratory geese.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge, S. C. Department of Natural Resources, and Clemson University would like to thank the S. C. Delta Waterfowl Committees, SCDucks.com, and two private donors for providing funding support of this project.

Call Santee National Wildlife Refuge at 803-478-2217 to obtain additional information on this study or to learn about wildlife observation and public use opportunities on the refuge. National Wildlife Refuges protect some of our nations most unique, spectacular and truly wild places. Learn more about your National Wildlife Refuge System by following the links
from http://refuges.fws.gov  to find information on your favorite refuge destination.

                             Copper Water Bell Fountain

PUBLIC ASKED TO REPORT SIGHTINGS OF ENDANGERED SWALLOW-TAILED KITE-       

                  

The swallow-tailed kite is an endangered-species in South Carolina and considered a species of highest conservation concern throughout its breeding range in North America. Help the South Carolina Working Group for Swallow-tailed Kites monitor swallow-tailed kite distribution, identify important nesting and foraging areas, and promote conservation of this important species and their habitats by reporting sightings this spring and summer and contributing to the Citizen-Science for Swallow-tailed Kite database. Call toll free 1-888-296-4732 to report a swallow-tailed kite sighting or go to the form at
http://swallowtail.internationalbirdsofprey.org/  . Find out more about the kite, its range and conservation efforts at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Web site (pdf file)
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/cwcs/pdf/Swallowtailedkite.pdf .

 

LEE COUNTY LANDOWNER PRAISES BUFFER PROGRAMS FOR BOBWHITE QUAIL-Landowners may be eligible for a program to establish habitat for quail and other upland bird species. The program would require establishing or retiring a border, commonly referred to as "quail strips," around row-cropped fields. CP33 Habitat Buffers for Upland
Birds through the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program is aimed at creating 250,000 acres of habitat for the northern bobwhite quail across its range. This initiative provides an opportunity for private landowners to make a difference on the landscape and provide critical nesting and brood-rearing habitat for bobwhite quail as well as other grassland birds by establishing habitat buffers for upland birds. For more information on CP33, contact your local Farm Service Agency office, locations of which can be found at
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=sc&agency=fsa. For information on suitable habitat management for quail, contact the DNR Small Game Project at (803) 734-4306 in Columbia.

 

                       Lake Jocassee's Information Center

      *Lake Jocassee Real Estate   * Restaurants     *Bed and Breakfast.

*Lake and Ecological Tours *RV and Boat Storage

* History of the lake  *Cabins, Pontoon Boats, &  Jet Skis Rentals     

               *Travel Weather Forecast   *Devils Fork State Park  

                            http://www.lakejocassee.com

 

JOCASSEE, TURTLE ISLAND NAMED AUDUBON IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS

Two tracts have recently been designated as Important Bird Areas by Audubon South Carolina. The Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges and Turtle Island Wildlife Management Area met several of the nominating criteria to be included on the list. The Important Bird Areas Program in South Carolina, through the efforts of Audubon South Carolina, currently has 41 recognized Important Bird Areas, with all sites encompassing 1,157,365 acres. The sites span all of the major habitat types from the mountains and piedmont to the coastal plain and barrier islands from Table Rock State Park, Bomb Island in Lake Murray to Bird Key Stono. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages about 22 per cent of South Carolina's Important Bird Areas. Important Bird Areas are sites that provide essential habitat for one or more species of bird. Important Bird Areas include sites for breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. Important Bird Areas may be a few acres or thousands of
acres, but usually they are discrete sites that stand out from the surrounding landscape. Important Bird Areas may include public or private lands, or both, and they may be protected or unprotected. Find out more about Important Bird Areas from Audubon South Carolina at
http://iba.audubon.org/iba/viewState.do?state=US-SC

POPULAR JOCASSEE GORGES TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE-

The trail at Eastatoee Creek Heritage Preserve in northern Pickens County, damaged by a tropical storm nearly two years ago, has been reconstructed and is now open to hiking. The popular trail at Eastatoee (also spelled Eastatoe) Creek Heritage Preserve-part of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges and managed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR)-has been closed since September 2004 due to major damage from Hurricane Ivan. Numerous trees were toppled during the storm, and several slid down the mountain, taking the trail with it in several places. Trail re-construction was accomplished in a variety of ways: by volunteer help from Boy Scouts and the Foothills Trail Conference, by DNR staff and by a commercial trail construction outfit that was contracted to build about .7 of a mile of new trail. Trail design expert Dr. Walt Cook, retired University of Georgia forestry professor, planned the new trail route. The new trail initially follows the original trail route, but then it dramatically diverges from the original trail and eventually links hikers back to the designated primitive camping area alongside Eastatoee Creek. The length of the trail, from the gate at Horsepasture Road, was increased in the reconstruction from the original 2.25 miles to its current 2.54 miles. For more information on hiking in Jocassee Gorges, call the Clemson DNR office at (864) 654-1671, extension 22.

 

FIRST WILD WHOOPING CRANE CHICKS HATCH IN THE MIDWEST IN OVER 100 YEARS

   The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership is celebrating a milestone in its efforts to reintroduce a wild whooping crane flock in eastern North America. On June 22, two whooping crane chicks hatched at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin. This historic event marks the first time in over 100 years that a whooping crane has hatched in the wild in the Midwest.
   The two chicks are offspring of whooping crane pair 11-02 (a male) and 17-02 (a female) from the ultralight-led crane Class of 2002. The pair nested earlier this spring at the refuge, but their egg(s) were lost, likely due to predators. They re-nested and began incubating on May 23.
   For more information on the project, its partners and how you can help, visit the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) Website at http://www.bringbackthecranes.org. Educators and students are encouraged to visit Journey North for information and curriculum materials related to the whooping crane project: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/crane/index.html.
   Four cranes wintered in South Carolina in 2004 after diverting from Florida during the flock's first unassisted migration from the Wisconsin refuge. They were the first whooping cranes in South Carolina in a century and a half.
   In May of this year, another "first" occurred when two whooping crane chicks from a nest in the wild hatched in captivity.  WCEP biologists removed the two eggs from a nest at the Necedah NWR after their parents wandered away from the newly laid eggs for a long period of time.   The chicks were hatched at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland.  They will join the crane Class of 2006, which will learn the migration route between Necedah NWR and Chassahowitzka NWR in Florida this fall by following Operation Migration's ultralight aircraft.
   Biologists from the International Crane Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have also begun releasing additional chicks into the company of older birds in the fall at Necedah NWR.  These chicks will learn the migration route from adult whooping cranes or sandhill cranes.
   WCEP is using this "direct autumn release" technique to complement the known success of the ultralight-led migrations. Chicks for direct autumn release will be reared in the field and released with older birds after fledging, or developing their flight feathers. This method of reintroduction has been extensively tested with sandhill cranes and proven successful. Four whooping cranes were released by this method in the fall of 2005.
   WCEP asks anyone who encounters whooping cranes in the wild to please give them the respect and distance they need to remain wild.
       * Do not approach birds on foot within 600 feet and try to remain in your vehicle.
       * Do not approach cranes in a vehicle within 600 feet or, if on a public road, within 300 feet.
       * Remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you.
       * Do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view whooping cranes.
   In 2001, Operation Migration's pilots first led whooping crane chicks conditioned to follow their ultralight surrogates south from Necedah NWR to Chassahowitzka NWR. Each subsequent year, WCEP biologists and pilots have conditioned and guided additional groups of juvenile cranes to Chassahowitzka NWR.
   Project staff from the International Crane Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service track and monitor north- and southbound cranes in an effort to learn as much as possible about their unassisted migrations and the habitat choices they make along the way. ICF and FWS biologists, along with Wisconsin DNR biologists, and continue to monitor the birds while they are in their summer locations.
   Whooping cranes were on the verge of extinction in the 1940s. Today, only about 300 birds exist in the wild. Aside from the 63 Wisconsin-Florida birds, the only other migrating population of whooping cranes nests at the Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories of Canada and winters at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Gulf Coast. A non-migrating flock of approximately 60 birds lives year-round in the central Florida Kissimmee region.
   Whooping cranes, named for their loud and penetrating unison calls, live and breed in wetlands, where they feed on crabs, clams, frogs and aquatic plants. They are distinctive animals, standing five feet tall, with white bodies, black wing tips and red crowns on their heads.
   Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership founding members are the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration Inc., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and National Wildlife Health Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.
   Many other states, provinces, private individuals and conservation groups have joined forces with and support WCEP by donating resources, funding and personnel. More than 60 percent of the project's budget comes from private sources in the form of grants, donations and corporate sponsors.
 

 

BIOLOGIST SAYS PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO CO-EXIST WITH BLACK BEARS

    Many new homes are built in occupied bear range each year, according to
state natural resources officials. Despite people moving into bear territory,
bear numbers have increased over the last 10 to 15 years, and as a result, bears and people are coming into contact with each other more frequently than before. Both bear and people are expanding their ranges throughout the eastern United States, and especially in the Southeast.
    "Many people in South Carolina want to see bears continue to thrive in the
state," said Skip Still, black bear biologist with the S.C. Department of
Natural Resources based in Clemson. "Therefore, the challenge is to learn how
problems with bears can be avoided in residential areas that are in or near bear
habitat."
    For more information on black bears in South Carolina, visit the DNR black
bear Web site at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/bear/index.html.
    Most injuries associated with bear/human encounters are the result of people
feeding bears or when bears are feeding on human sources of food, according to
Still. No one has been injured by a black bear in South Carolina in recorded
history, and only two deaths to humans have been attributed to bears in the
Southeast during the last 100 years. People often feed bears indirectly by
leaving trash, pet food, and other enticing items in places easily accessible to
bear,. Simply observing a bear walking through a yard is not cause for alarm and
should be viewed as a positive experience. Make sure all garbage is stored or
handled as described below and do not provoke or feed the bear. Alert others in
the area and request that everyone follow the same procedures.
    What attracts bears into a residential area? Often, houses are located near
areas already occupied by bears. Bears will naturally investigate food odors and
are attracted to many different foods such as garbage, bird seed and suet, pet
foods, compost piles, and grease on barbecue grills. Bear have a very keen since of smell. Once a bear receives a "reward," such as one of these foods, it may return to the same area several times (even after food is removed) or search
around the general area for similar foods. Some bears become fairly tolerant of
humans in these situations and appear tame. Remember, Still said, bears are wild animals and are unpredictable. Therefore, the solution to most bear problems is to remove the source of attraction before conflicts occur. In South Carolina, it is illegal to entice bears by any means. The law states that you must take away the attractants when bears are coming to your yard.
    Most bear problems in residential areas are temporary and usually occur in
the spring and summer months. Between the times bears emerge from their dens and summer foods such as berries ripen, natural food supplies are low and not very nutritious. This causes bears to travel more in search of food. Also, breeding season occurs from June to August, and male bears tend to roam more in search of mates. Finally, during this same time period, young males are dispersing to new territories and often wander into residential areas. Usually, dispersing bears remain in an area less than two weeks. By keeping food away from bears during those times of increased travel, many problems may be avoided.
    "People often ask us, 'Why not just move problem bears?'" Still said. "There
are several reasons why moving problem bears is not an option. First and
foremost, moving a bear does not address the problem. If the problem is not
fixed, other bears will move in to take advantage of the food source, or the
bear that was moved may return to become a problem once more. Second, catching a wild animal such as a bear puts both bears and people at risk of injury, especially in residential areas. Third, most people wish to keep bears as a viable species in South Carolina, and if bear and humans are going to coexist,
human attitudes and habits must change. After all, humans are the top of the
food chain. Finally, there are no longer areas that are sufficiently remote to
ensure that a relocated bear would not encounter other residences and possibly
become a nuisance there."
    So how are bear problems best handled? Many things can be done to minimize or eliminate the chances that bears will get into garbage or become a problem in an area. Any of the methods described below work best if implemented as soon as the problem starts, or better still, before problems occur. Once a bear establishes a feeding pattern, it will take longer to encourage the bear to move on. By following some of the tips listed below, residents can usually prevent the bear from being rewarded the first time.
        * Do not allow bears access to garbage or other food. Store garbage
inside buildings or other areas that bears cannot get to. Do not feed bears
under any circumstances. If the area is served by a garbage collection service,
place garbage out only during the day of collection. Under no circumstances
should garbage be left out overnight. Keep all garbage sites clean. Do not leave
pet foods out overnight. If a bear has visited bird feeders, stop feeding birds
for one to two weeks. Persons living in bear range should install "bear-proof"
containers or use dumpsters with heavy gauge metal lids as a long-term solution to bear problems.
        * Repellents. No repellents are registered for use on bears. Some have
found that sprinkling ammonia or other strong disinfectants on garbage can mask the odor of food.
        * Exclusion. The following tips have helped to prevent bear damage. Make
sure dumpsters are bolted and locked and chain down heavy metal garbage cans and secure the lids. Wood or plastic dumpster lids do not keep bears out. Replace these with metal lids that can be locked and make sure sliding side doors can be latched so only humans can open them. Fencing around dumpsters or garbage collection areas can be very effective. A chain link fence with a barbwire overhang can work well. An electric fence powered with a high-voltage, low-impedance charger can exclude bears; however, this should only be done if safety precautions can be implemented to protect children and adults. A local DNR biologist can provide several electric fence designs if this measure is
deemed appropriate.
        * Frightening or scaring the bear. Shouting, clapping, blasting a car
horn or motion-sensitive lights may scare off a bear temporarily. Do not taunt a
bear if it fails to respond to your efforts to frighten it. These methods are
only temporary solutions.
        * Crowd control. Sometimes when a bear is sighted, crowds may gather.
This seemingly harmless situation can be aggravated or became potentially
harmful as the crowd grows. People can cause bears to display unpredictable
behavior. Law enforcement personnel should disperse crowds and allow the bear to exit without interference.
    Black bears once roamed the entire state of South Carolina and most of North America. Due to a number of factors, resident bear populations are found only in the mountains and upper coastal counties of South Carolina.
    "Black bears are an important part of South Carolina's natural heritage,"
Still said. "As people move into bear country in increasing numbers, it is
ultimately human attitudes toward bears that will determine whether bears will
continue to exist in the state. Unfortunately, bears are viewed either as
dangerous animals or cuddly pets. It is best to avoid these extreme views and
instead show a healthy respect for this magnificent forest animal. The DNR has
provided some simple, common-sense steps you can take to do your part in
ensuring that bears and people can live together. As a temporary or permanent
resident in bear country, take these steps to avoid attracting bears and to
prevent conflicts from occurring. Remember, prevention is the best medicine!"
 


 

PAINTED BUNTING OBSERVER TEAM SEEKS HELP FROM CITIZEN SCIENTISTS-

The Painted Bunting Observer Team at the University of North Carolina
Wilmington is seeking help from volunteer citizens to support a research
study in South Carolina and North Carolina to develop strategies to
sustain and increase the numbers of these brightly colored migratory
birds. To become a Painted Bunting Observer Team volunteer member or to
learn more about the project, contact: Dr. Jamie Rotenberg, University
of North Carolina Wilmington ornithologist, at pbot@uncw.edu . Rotenberg
can also be reached at (910) 962-7675 in Wilmington, N.C. Rotenberg and
colleague Laurel Barnhill, bird conservation coordinator for the S.C.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will evaluate whether backyard
bird feeders help breeding buntings as compared to their cousins that
only use natural areas for their food supply, such as state parks and
reserves. Barnhill and Rotenberg hope that their efforts, along with the
help of hundreds of citizen scientists, will begin the foundations of
recovery for one of our area's most beautiful birds.

 


 

CITIZENS CAN HELP DNR MATCH FEDERAL FUNDS FOR WILDLIFE-South Carolina can earn millions more federal dollars for wildlife management. Federal wildlife management funding is based on state sport license sales. So if more Palmetto State wildlife conservationists, even those who do not consider themselves hunters or anglers, purchase South Carolina hunting and fishing licenses, then the state earns more federal wildlife conservation funds. Urge all of your wildlife-watching friends to support wildlife conservation. It's as easy as visiting https://www.greatlodge.com/sc/welcome. Click on "Purchase a Fishing/Hunting License" to purchase a license and start protecting South Carolina's wildlife today. You can also purchase a license by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-888-434-7472.

BLUEBIRD BOXES CAN BRING ENJOYMENT TO BIRD LOVERS
 
         Nesting activities begin early for the beautiful and beneficial bluebird, a voracious insect eater that can bring a splash of color and a lyrical song to many homesteads.
         If you haven't done it already, now is the time to clean, repair or put up new homes for bluebirds, one of our most beloved wildlife species, said Laurel Barnhill, wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
         "Each pair of bluebirds can produce up to two or three broods per year," Barnhill said. "Adults start looking for a nesting cavity in February or early March, so there's no time to waste in getting nest boxes built and in place, or in cleaning out existing boxes." Bluebirds cannot construct their own nesting cavities, as is the practice of woodpeckers.
         For more information on bluebirds or for nest box plans, write Bluebirds, DNR Wildlife Section, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202 or call (803) 734-3886 in Columbia.
         In the mid-1960s, people discovered that a simple bird box of proper dimensions in the right habitat could aid in reversing the bluebird's population decline which was likely caused by pesticides, the widespread development of rural land after World War II, and competition from house (English) sparrows and starlings.
         Bluebird numbers in the state and nation have been climbing in recent years. "During the past 20 years, thousands of bluebird boxes have been put up across the country, and this simple, inexpensive and rewarding hobby has probably been responsible for much of the turnaround in bluebird numbers," Barnhill said.
         Grasslands and large open areas near forest edges are ideal for bluebird habitat. Since bluebirds do not nest in woods or deep shade, place boxes in open areas with scattered trees, away from buildings. Pastures, large lawns, cemeteries and golf courses are good locations. Bluebirds prefer close-cropped grasslands with limbs, wires or other perches from which to spot insects.
         "Because bluebirds are territorial, bluebird boxes should be placed at least 100 yards apart," Barnhill said. "Boxes can be placed closer together if you want to attract chickadees, wrens or titmice, because bluebirds won't defend their territory against other species of birds." The round entrance hole of the bluebird box should be no larger than 10 inches in diameter to prevent starlings from entering.
         When mounting bluebird boxes, a smooth metal post such as a galvanized pipe, rather than a wooden post, offers better protection from predators such as cats, raccoons and snakes. A galvanized pipe threaded at one end can be obtained from a hardware store and attached to the bottom of the box with a pipe flange.
         Coating the post with soft grease while bluebirds are nesting may help to deter predators, but attaching a predator guard below the box is best. A 15- to 18-inch-wide strip of aluminum flashing wrapped around the post may also work. Set boxes about 4 feet above the ground or at eye level, and about 25 to 100 feet away from a tree, shrub or fence to help young birds survive their first flight by providing a safe landing place.
         One of the most rewarding aspects of maintaining bluebird houses is periodically inspecting them during the nesting season, according to Barnhill. At least once a week, check each box for nest building, eggs or young. Tap on the side to allow the bluebird on the nest to exit before opening the box. By taking notes on the eggs and young, bluebird enthusiasts will learn how long it takes for the nest to be built, for eggs to hatch and for young to grow large enough to leave the nest.
         After the young bluebirds have left their nest for good, clear out the old nest to increase the chances for second and third broods being raised in the same box. To discourage parasites that live in nest material, spread on the bottom of the box a layer of diatomaceous earth, a natural material that is abrasive to insect exoskeletons.
 

 

SMALL ALLIGATORS ARE NOT A PROBLEM
 
         Most alligator complaints involve animals too small to present a threat to people or pets, according to an alligator biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
         If an alligator is causing problems, contact the nearest S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office. For an after-hours emergency, call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-922-5431. Call the following numbers if you have a nuisance alligator during normal business hours:
         * (843) 953-9856 (in Charleston) 
              Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties 
         * (843) 546-8119 (in Georgetown) 
              Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter and Williamsburg counties 
         * (803) 734-3898 (in Columbia) 
              Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington and Richland counties 
         * (843) 844-8957 (in Green Pond) 
              Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties
         Of the more than 750 alligator complaints investigated by the DNR each season, more than half involve small alligators less than 5 feet in length, according to Walt Rhodes, Alligator Project biologist with the DNR based at the Santee Coastal Reserve in McClellanville. Alligators of this size feed on crawfish, aquatic insects, small snakes, frogs and turtles. The average body weight of alligators 3 feet in length is not quite 4 pounds. Four-foot alligators average about 11 pounds, while gators measuring 5 feet average only about 22 pounds. Children and dogs that exceed these body weights by a factor of several times are not in danger. 
         "For many out-of-state visitors and some native South Carolinians, an alligator is an alligator, and they are all viewed as a creature that does nothing but eat children and pets," said Rhodes. "Nothing could be further from the truth."
         Alligators are shy animals that prefer to keep their distance from humans. However, alligators that are fed by humans lose their wariness. For this reason, it is illegal to feed alligators in South Carolina.
         "Alligators are large, powerful animals," Rhodes said, "and people should keep their distance from them as well keep their pets out of the water. We also suggest that people not swim in areas frequented by alligators, especially around sunrise and sunset, periods when alligators are active. It is important to use common sense in areas inhabited by alligators."
 

 



USC STUDENTS WORK TO ENHANCE CONGAREE BLUFFS HERITAGE PRESERVE -- University of South Carolina students recently worked to enhance the safety, usability and cleanliness of Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve in Calhoun County. Students from the University of South Carolina Columbia campus recently sacrificed a Saturday during Saint Patrick's Day weekend to help the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation with a cooperative effort to create a third hiking trail, improve the safety of an existing observation deck and pick up trash at Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve. For more information on Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve, visit the Web site http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage/congbluffs/description.html or call the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-3886.

South Carolina Native Plant Society Symposium

 

America's Forests: Not for Sale!  Sign the Sierra Club's petition opposing the billion-dollar public land sell-off scheme.
President Bush's proposed 2007 budget flies in the face of widespread opposition to recent proposals to privatize some of this country's most treasured public lands. Ignoring the recent defeat of similar proposals in Congress, the President is proposing to sell off 800,000 acres of National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands to raise money for the federal treasury. Sign the Sierra Club's petition opposing the billion-dollar public land sell-off scheme and learn more.                   

 

 

 

VIEW 'SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE' TELEVISION SHOW SEGMENTS ONLINE -- You can now view segments from the latest episode of "South Carolina Wildlife" television show on the Web. Viewers will see a variety of outdoor pastimes and places, and get close-up views of some special plants and animals occurring in the Palmetto State. "South Carolina Wildlife" is a production of S.C Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and South Carolina Educational Television and airs the second Saturday of each month at 6:30 p.m., but check your local listings. A recent "South Carolina Wildlife" show visited Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve in Aiken County and the Reedy River near Greenville. You can view the Reedy River video at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/videoReedy.html. The size of the mpg file is 24M and is 7:20 minutes long. You can also see the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve video at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/videoGopher.html. The size of the mpg file is 29M and is 8:36 minutes long.

 

 

USER-FRIENDLY WEATHER A GOAL OF ON-LINE SITE -- Up-to-date weather information and data is now easily accessible to the public from the Southeast Regional Climate Center Web site at www.sercc.net/. Online services offered through the Web site provide clients with the ability to access information and products 24 hours a day. Offline services are normally handled via telephone requests (toll free 1-866-845-1553) and allows the center to process many custom orders, from small one-time data requests that are filled the same day to large specialized orders that require extensive planning and computer programming time. The center, which is housed within the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), may be contacted via e-mail at sercc@dnr.sc.gov

 

 

  

  HELPING YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH THE 

                          GREAT OUTDOORS
 

         Outdoor Electronics      

                     http://www.oegps.com
 We sell GarminMagellan and Lowrance GPS systems and fishfinders at discount prices.
 

STATE'S PLANT ATLAS FEATURED ON WEB SITE -- Nature and gardening enthusiasts on the Internet can now learn about South Carolina's native and introduced plant "citizens" through county distribution maps and photos posted on a regularly updated plant atlas Web site. Nearly 3,000 species of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals-some illustrated by color photographs-from the wilds of South Carolina and their county distributions can be found inside the South Carolina Plant Atlas on the Internet. Species are listed by scientific or Latin name. The South Carolina Plant Atlas Web at http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/herb/ will be useful to those interested in natural history, botany or horticulture. Important geographical information on the state's indigenous and exotic flora is just a click away. 


 


 

In Remembrance of Native American Month  

 Read about The Chicora Indians   

                              Gene   

                  Chief Igmu Tanka Sutanaji

 

The closest thing to real mountain biking you will find along Carolina's Coast is:

 The Swamp Fox Passage of The Palmetto Trail

 

Heritage Trust Protects State's Oldest Bridge

 

 

               South Carolina Traveler~   

    

                                        Lake Marion  

    Freelance Writer ~ Carole Lee Hinten

   Services include:

                * Press Release  * Advertising             * Media Contact * Website Design

 Call~ 803-492-7554  lakewindone@yahoo.com

 

 

 

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" I found another interesting city to explore, rich in history and southern charm..  I learned  about sides of the War Between the States that they didn't tell me about in school and about southern pride, low country cooking, and oyster roasts."

           Skip Randall

         Lake Marion  @ www.sctraveler.com