Thousands of South Carolina residents enrich their summers by feeding hummingbirds.
Most homeowners are unaware that birds were nesting inside their chimneys until the young swifts start their loud food-begging calls at two weeks of age.
A growing market continues to exist for the sale of pen-reared bobwhite quail, but state natural resources officials say a commercial quail breeder’s license is needed before opening for business.
It’s time for South Carolina hunters and anglers to purchase their 2010-2011 hunting and fishing licenses. Last season’s licenses expire June 30, 2010.
Whether it is a “roughing it” summer tent camping trip or a comfy stay at a cabin in the woods, there’s always a possibility for a black bear sighting or encounter in North Georgia. With more than 75 established campgrounds and an estimated 4,000 black bears in this part of the State, campers should always be aware and prepared for a black bear encounter. The key to preventing an unfavorable experience is to properly store food and garbage.
The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation declare boating and fishing as unmatched leisure activities that help make a true connection with family, friends and the natural environment. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division encourages people of all ages to reconnect with their families during National Fishing and Boating Week, June 5-13, 2010.
Seasonal closure of the Santee Cooper System striped bass fishery is set to begin June 1 and will extend through Sept. 30. No striped bass may be harvested or possessed for any reason during the summer months. This closure, along with the open season bag limit of three fish per day and a minimum size of 26 inches, was signed into law May 2008 to address the ailing striped bass fishery.
Beginning Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, law enforcement officers with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources will be patrolling the state’s waterways and conducting courtesy boat inspections. S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers will be focused on “saturation” patrols on lakes, rivers, reservoirs and coastal waters in an effort to reduce boating accidents, injuries and fatalities.
Georgia is home to the third best elementary school archery team in the country after this month’s National Archery in the Schools Program National Tournament. Woodlawn Elementary’s finish is the highest ever by a Georgia school competing at NASP Nationals, which saw more than 6,700 student archers from 34 states compete in the elementary, middle and high school divisions. The tournament is the largest archery competition in the world.
Add bear-proof the garbage to your spring cleaning list and feel good about taking the first step in resolving human-bear conflicts. Easily accessible garbage is irresistible to a hungry black bear and unfortunately, a major threat to its survival. By bear-proofing your garbage, you’ll not only keep your yard tidy, but more importantly, you’ll add years to the lives of some of Georgia’s magnificent wild black bears.
For each of the past eight years, the number of applicants wishing to participate in an alligator quota hunt continues to grow. In 2009, almost 6,000 hunters submitted applications. Beginning this year, 850 applicants will be selected to participate – an increase of 150 permits – in the 2010 alligator hunting season which runs Sept. 4 – Oct. 3.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division reminds hunters that June 1 is opening day of the 2010-2011 quota hunt application period for alligator, deer, State Park, turkey and waterfowl hunts. 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 website, http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com .
No injuries or deaths have been attributed to black bears in South Carolina, according to a wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. But as more people move into bear territory in South Carolina’s mountains and coastal areas, encounters between humans and bears are on the increase. Also, surveys are pointing toward an increasing bear population in South Carolina.
A long-awaited map and driving tour of Jocassee Gorges has been published by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, with funding provided by the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund.
The first tournament in the 22nd season of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series took place over the last weekend at Bohicket Marina on Seabrook Island. The Series features five tournaments along the coast and began May 12th with the Bohicket Marian Invitational Billfish Tournament and ends July 28th at the Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will conduct a public auction of surplus property and equipment on Wednesday, May 19 in West Columbia.
Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area, located in northern Floyd County, is worth the drive if you have the time. This beautiful 5,000-acre area boasts two recreational lakes, camping opportunities, swimming areas and plenty of other outdoor activities. The area is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division and funded (operational) by the property owner Oglethorpe Power. Beginning June 1, 2010, visitors who frequent the recreation area and campground (tents and recreational vehicles) will see a change in fees.
Designed with everything outdoors in mind, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division’s 3-day archery camp aims to educate and engage adventurous youth. Registration is now open for the camp, which is scheduled for June 1-3, 2010 at Laura S. Walker State Park in Waycross, Georgia.
Colder than normal weather this past winter has reduced populations of two important commercial and recreational marine species, white shrimp and spotted seatrout, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
Results of the 2009 Deer Hunter Survey conducted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources indicate that the statewide harvest of deer last season totaled 231,703, a decrease of 7 percent over last year. An estimated 120,365 bucks and 111,338 does made up this total, according to Charles Ruth, Deer and Wild Turkey Program coordinator for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
