The distinctive call of the coyote or “song dog” echoes across our state, from the more welcoming rural areas of wooded forests and open fields, to the less inviting backyards of metro Atlanta neighborhoods. Rapid human population growth across the state coupled with the coyote’s unique ability to adapt and thrive, contributes to today’s increased observation of coyotes in urban settings.
South Carolina’s brook trout record, which until 2010 had stood for more than 30 years, was recently broken three times in less than a week as mature brood fish from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery were stocked in Upstate streams. In all, the state’s brook trout record has been broken five times in 2010.
Beginning May 1st, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start accepting online applications for the 2010 Public Alligator Hunting season at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/alligator/index.html.
The four-month closure of fishing for shallow water groupers in federal waters off Atlantic Coast states from North Carolina through Florida will end at midnight on April 30th.
Visitors to Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County may notice certain parts of some of the large rocks were recently blackened with soot. While most other such small fires on “The Rock” have been illegally set, these specific fires were aimed at dealing with the persistent problem of graffiti.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Division is preparing for the 2010 saltwater tournament fishing season and would like to remind all Tournament Organizers of the current state regulations.
Governor Mark Sanford and the General Assembly have extended the law limiting the harvest of Arkansas blue catfish in the waters of Lake Marion, the Diversion Canal, the Rediversion Canal above St. Stephen Dam, and Lake Moultrie. Originally signed into law in 2007, this bill will be extended for three years with consideration for renewal in 2013.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources recently conducted one of the most successful youth turkey hunts in the history of the agency with eight gobblers bagged with four misses. It was all part of a Take One Make One (TOMO) hunt conducted on Youth Turkey Day on March 27.
Midlands Striper Club formally donated nearly $6000 on April 16 to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. The $5,890.42 will fund an oxygenation system for the striped bass fingerling stocking transport truck to help ensure fingerling survivability. Midlands Striper Club’s President, Cam Littlejohn of Columbia, presented a mock check during the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monthly board meeting in Columbia.
Do you fish for American or hickory shad? If so, please plan to attend a meeting at Holton’s Restaurant in Midway, Georgia at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Staff from the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will present information about recent activities of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and how those activities will affect management of Georgia’s shad fisheries.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division will hold a public hearing on April 14, 2010 for the public to comment on a proposed change to alligator hunting regulations. Those interested are encouraged to bring these meetings to the attention of others that also may be interested in participating.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources License Plate Series are specialty plates available to the general public. Each plate portrays the importance of natural resources in our state from saltwater recreational fishing and hunting opportunities to conservation of endangered and threatened species.
A new South Carolina record for brook trout was recently set on Lake Jocassee, just weeks after a 9-year-old angler tied the 30-year-old record on the South Saluda River.
The Canada goose is an adaptable bird and can live in a variety of locations, including open farmland and rural reservoirs to suburban neighborhood ponds, office complexes, parks and other developed areas. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, as the goose population increases and they become more common in urban areas so does the increase in nuisance complaints.
Taking a hunter education class in Georgia is easier than ever, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Hunters can now access three online courses (including two new approved courses), use a hunter education CD-Rom or take the traditional classroom course.
The 26th Annual Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic will be held at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia March 26-28. Doors will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 26; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 28.
The 26th Annual Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic will be held at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia March 26-28. Doors will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 26; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 28. Featured this year is Frank Addington Jr., also known as the Aspirin Buster, bringing his 2010 “Have Bow Will Travel” archery show.
The silence of a cool Lowcountry evening was broken recently by the sounds of 31 eager young coon hunters that participated in the 15th annual South Carolina Youth Raccoon Hunting Championship held at the Webb Wildlife Center in Hampton County.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is seeking information regarding alligator hunting equipment vendors and alligator processors, as plans are underway to update the South Carolina Alligator Hunting Guide and hunting information web site: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/alligator/index.html.
In addition to the current 450 acres of water open to fishing, Paradise Public Fishing Area (Berrien County) will RE-open the 46-acre Lake Paradise at sunrise on April 1, 2010 according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Lake Paradise has been closed for renovation and re-stocking since the summer of 2007. During that time, the lake was drained and major repairs made to the leaking structure. Once repairs were complete, the lake was re-stocked with bass and bream. Additionally, forage fish such as threadfin shad and other species have been stocked.
