Fishing for catfish is a summertime tradition. From the experienced angler attempting to land a new state record to the grandfather taking his grandson on a first-time fishing trip, catfishing opportunities are abundant in Georgia. With summertime near its peak, the Wildlife Resources Division highlights hot weather hot spots and offers tips on technique and equipment for anglers of all skill levels.

Landowners, farmers or sportsmen who want to increase the value and benefits of the land they own, manage or hunt should make plans now to attend the 2009 Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day set for Thursday, Sept.17 at the University of Georgia campus in Griffin, Ga.  Federal and state experts in the fields of wildlife and forest management will be on hand to present the most up-to-date research-based information. 

Whether still, stalk or squirrel dog hunting is your preference, the beginning of squirrel season is just around the corner. Often revered as a celebrated American fall tradition, squirrel hunting provides the perfect opportunity to introduce youth or a novice to the sport of hunting. Unlike some big game hunts, the pursuit of bushytails often involves more action for energetic youth, providing a greater level of interaction with the outdoors.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) reminds hunters that June 1 is opening day of the 2009-2010 quota hunt application period. Successful quota hunt applications are selected solely from the online applicant pool, so interested hunters must apply online through their personal accounts on the Division Web site, http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

The 2009-2010 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide is available online and in print announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).  This guide provides information on season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, wildlife management areas and much more and is available at http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com , WRD offices and at license vendors throughout Georgia. 

The much-anticipated start of the 2009 deer season is just around the corner and South Carolina’s deer population is healthy and the season outlook is good. Although the deer harvest has been on a downward trend the last few years indicating that population levels have moderated, hunter success and deer harvest rates remain good.

The S.C. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the University of South Carolina (USC) Dept. of Earth and Ocean Sciences and USC Earth Science Research Institute, conducted a two-mile seismic reflectivity study along Hwy. 27 north of Pringletown, in Berkeley County during the week of June 15.

The Harry Hampton Hunting & Fishing Expo is coming back to Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina. The hunting, fishing and outdoors exposition will be held Aug. 21-23 at the Spartanburg Expo Center, 6655 Pottery Road, Spartanburg (Interstate 26, Exit 17).

After the first ever state record white grunt was added to the South Carolina saltwater marine game record list, that record has now been broken a second time by a veteran Summerville angler.

Forty-six public dove fields will be available across the state during the 2009-10 season through the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Area program.

I made this recipe with the breakfast sausage we had made with our venison scraps.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will conduct a series of alligator hunting seminars around the state in the month of August for the public alligator hunt participants, hunting assistants and other interested persons.

The registration deadline for a youth deer hunt sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the Clemson University Experimental Forest is Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the U S. Forest Service will co-sponsor a youth dove hunt at the Forest Service’s Sedalia Dove Field in Union County on Saturday, Sept. 5. Preregistration is required, and the deadline for registration is Monday, Aug. 17.

The Wildlife Technical Assistance Providers List is a list of contractors who are involved in wildlife technical assistance statewide, especially those contractors who provide on-the-ground services.

Yet another amazing Italian dish. Why does Italian food and venison make sense?

Chunks of sturgeon…..or is it lobster???

The S.C. Natural Resources Board recently approved migratory bird hunting seasons for mourning doves, marsh hens (rails), woodcock, snipe, moorhens, purple gallinules, and early seasons during September for teal and Canada geese.

The most recent round of white-tailed deer antler scoring conducted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources revealed 193 new records, maintaining the trend of solid numbers seen the last few years.

The new Jocassee Gorges Visitor Center officially opened on Tuesday, July 7, at Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area just off S.C. 11 (Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway) on Lake Keowee in Pickens County.