The public is invited to review and provide comments on the Draft 2010 South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Plan through the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
From Feb. 12-15, the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will give everyone a chance to discover the birds in their neighborhood.
The National Wild Turkey Federation, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, S.C. Conservation Bank and The Conservation Fund have joined forces to complete the purchase and conserve historic Belfast Plantation.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will continue efforts to remove and eliminate feral hogs from North Island in Georgetown County by scheduling four hog hunts with dogs.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina 4-H program with the support of the Salkehatchie Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association will be conducting an introduction to shooting sports field day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Palachucola Shooting Range adjacent to the Webb Wildlife Center near Garnett in Hampton County.
Young waterfowl hunters across the state will enjoy special days in the field Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday Feb. 7 by participating in Youth Waterfowl Days on private lands, public waters normally open to waterfowl hunting, and on some S.C. Department of Natural Resources Waterfowl Management Areas.
Coyotes are found in every county in Georgia and their presence has hunters and wildlife biologists alike wondering how these predators are affecting white-tailed deer populations. “Since the 1960’s, Georgia’s deer population has risen from scarcity to areas of local overabundance through restocking efforts and science-based management,” says Charlie Killmaster, State Deer Project Coordinator. “The population has since declined to a healthy level; however, a better understanding of the role of coyotes in deer management is needed.”
Anticipating more than 10,000 visitors each year, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division opened a new fishing pier below the Hartwell Dam on Jan. 15, giving anglers greater access to fishing areas adjacent to the facility on the Georgia side of the Savannah River. The fishing pier includes a 400-ft boardwalk and 400-ft aluminum fishing pier that will be accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Fisheries Divisions for both Georgia and South Carolina will continue stocking trout in the tailrace in order to make for great fishing at this new facility. Restroom facilities also are under construction and are expected be completed soon.
Tax time is the perfect time to help protect South Carolina’s animal and plant species by giving to the Endangered Wildlife Fund.
One of the common themes to come from the S.C. Waterfowl Advisory Committee listening sessions was the need for better education of those participating in the sport in terms of practicing ethical behavior, especially those hunting on public waters.
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.
There is good news for the upcoming year. At SCDNR’s annual “State of the Lake” presentation at Midlands Striper Club’s December meeting, preliminary results from this winter’s sampling indicate that 2010 will be a better year for striped bass fishing on the lake.
The bald eagle population in South Carolina continues to increase, according to Midwinter Eagle Survey results from January 2009.
Youth interested in the outdoors can test their knowledge, demonstrate their skills and win various prizes at the state’s second annual Hunter Education Skills Challenge on Jan. 16 in Walton County. This is the second statewide event for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division’s Hunter Education Skills Challenge program.
Standing dead trees, or snags, may appear to be useless eyesores, but a state wildlife biologist says actually they are important components of wildlife habitat and frequently in short supply.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Heritage Trust Program will work with the S.C. Forestry Commission to conduct several prescribed burns on about 400 acres of Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County over the next few months.
Assessing the abundance and behavior of coastal fish populations presents unique challenges to marine biologists. In an attempt to address this, a collaborative effort to monitor fish recruitment to and utilization of a small artificial reef using a remote video camera system was initiated in 1999 between researchers from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SKIO).
Mobility impaired hunters watched the sun slowly rise over the frozen tree line as anxious black Labrador retrievers were poised on the edge of the “Ducktoons” on Dec. 15 and Dec. 17. It was a unique opportunity to attend two special draw waterfowl hunts in the Upstate.
With the rich bounty of the season surrounding them, people are constantly reminded of the gracious plenty of the holidays. But what of wildlife—will their holidays be merry?
The numbers of many neotropical migratory birds are declining precipitously, but a state wildlife biologist says people can help by taking some simple steps.
