The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 20 for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ annual drawing for public deer hunts on eight state managed areas. A random computer drawing utilizing a preference point system will take place in the department’s Columbia office to select successful applicants.
Check stations near the Francis Marion National Forest include: Dennis Wildlife Center, Elmwood Check Station, Witherbee Ranger Station, Handy Mart, Arrowhead Motel & Campground, Wambaw Ranger Station, McClellanville Feed & Seed, P&C Grocery, Buck & Boar, Village Grocery, Atlantic Game & Tackle, and Haddrell’s Point Tackle and Supply.
The preliminary 2010 statewide estimate for South Carolina this year is 4,175 turtle nests, which includes nests laid on beaches that do not have daily monitoring.
The draw requirement is an effort to improve both the quality of the hunt and the safety of the participants.
By encouraging live release, the Series has focused attention on the population status of Atlantic billfish and encouraged conservation and proper management of all marine resources.
These seminars will cover such topics as alligator capture and handling techniques, rules and regulations, alligator hunting equipment, processing, and other helpful information.
Each year the likelihood of bear sightings throughout the state, even in urbanized areas and suburbs, increases. Whether it’s a young male bear roaming across the metro Atlanta area or a hungry bear sifting through a North Georgia campsite for an easy meal, the possibility exists and residents should be aware. “A black bear sighting is something that few people ever forget – especially when it is in your backyard. Human populations have grown and expanded into areas traditionally inhabited by bears and when conflicts arise the bear is often perceived as a threat or nuisance,” says Wildlife Resources Division Assistant Game Management Chief John W. Bowers.
The 2010-2011 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations Guide is available online and in print announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. This guide provides information on season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, wildlife management areas and much more and is available to view, download and print at http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com . Printed copies are available at Wildlife Resources Game Management and Law Enforcement offices and license vendors throughout Georgia.
A two-week black bear season is held only in Game Zone 1, which consists of the northern sections of Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens counties.
A detailed list of projects funded during the 2009-10 fiscal year can now be found on the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website at: saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/report.html.
Some of the services provided by the businesses on the Wildlife Technical Assistance Providers List include: prescribed burning, food plot planting, dove field preparations, timber management and wildlife management.
Public drawings will be held at noon Tuesday, Aug. 17 to select participants for the opening day dove hunts at the Draper Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in York County.
For more information, write to Early-Season Migratory Birds, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, call (803) 734-3886 in Columbia, or visit the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting.html.
The South Carolina General Assembly recently passed a new law that allows purchase of several new types of three-year hunting and fishing licenses.
To date 1,600 crabs have been tagged and released, and the public is urged to report tagged crabs through the toll free number printed on the white button tag attached to the shell.
The South Carolina Conservation Bank Board met July 1 and funded seven grants totaling 4,100 acres of significant lands located statewide for conservation.
The South Carolina night hunting law (Section 50-11-710) was recently changed to allow for the hunting of coyotes, armadillos and hogs at night under certain conditions. The law was originally intended to protect white-tailed deer from being taken at night and it will still be illegal to take deer at night.
The goals of these proposed changes are to promote consistency and modernize the regulations to ensure proper management.
The Independence Day holiday weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year on state waters. S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boating safety and enforcement officers will perform a quick, but thorough, inspection for items such as required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration.
As of July 1, 2010 the bag limit for weakfish (also known as summer trout) in South Carolina state waters will be one fish per person per day.
