Camo Coalition Lobby Day & Inaugural Legislative Alert

The South Carolina Camo Coalition, whose charter meeting was in February 2008, issued their inaugural "Legislative alert" this week in support of future funding for the S.C. Conservation Bank. Before avid Lowcountryoutdoors.com followers can utilize the alert to vouch for the conservation bank to the Ways and Means Committee members, I want to point out that careful planning on the part of the Camo Coalition Board is paying off. Nineteen member organizations that represent hunting and fishing conservation groups have agreed to speak with one voice to S.C. legislators where natural resources conservation is concerned. The Camo coalition has contracted with the "voter voice" company to use sportsmen's e-mails to contact legislators on select issues. When you register to send your message regarding the conservation bank funding, your e-mail information will be captured for future legislative alerts, but don't worry, you can always opt out at any time. The system is "working" and since the alert was issued on February 6, we know of 80 responses that have gone to numerous legislators. Leaving no stone unturned, the camo coalition also held a lobby day at the General Assembly on February 10, speaking with legislators about the conservation bank, clean water bills, and appropriate funding for SCDNR and the S.C. Forestry Commission. The Camo coalition is working for sportsman already, and all they ask in return is that concerned voters register their e-mails and take part in these legislative alerts from time to time. Lowcountryoutdoors.com is run by a Camo coalition founder, someone who spoke up during the formation process for the word "Camo" (others preferred "green", etc.), because we don't need to hide the fact that we enjoy our natural resources. Those that utilize the outdoors of S.C. are the ones that will fight to protect them, and it is through our strength in numbers and level of commitment that we will succeed. The photos depict camo writer Jeff Dennis and Representative Ted Vick on the floor of The South Carolina House of Representatives on Feb. 10, 2009 and Mr. Dennis and Rep. Vick (co-chair of the S.C. Sportsmen's Caucus) in a duck blind after a successful hunt in 2008.

To start making a difference right now for S.C. quality of life, please click on the camo link to support the future funding of the S.C. Conservation Bank.

http://votervoice.net/link/target/sccamo28788036.aspx

Camo Coalition Meeting

The S.C. Camo Coaltion held its annual membership meeting at Millaree Hunt Club near Columbia to discuss the upcoming legislative calendar year. The steering committee met before the general meeting where several politicians spoke, coming directly from a special session of the General Assembly dealing with the economic recession. Some of the priority bills that the camo coalition will be supporting is the S.452 Surface Water Permitting and Protection bill, H. 3723 the Prescribed Fire bill, and as usual full funding of the S.C. Conservation Bank will be sought. No bill for the formation of bear hunting is currently pending, but likely will be a hot topic in the near future. Most importantly, the Constitutional Amendment for the Right to Hunt and Fish is on the ballot for the Nov. 2, 2010 elections and needs to be supported by all wildlife enthusiasts. A special thanks goes to Marion Burnside for allowing the meeting to take place at the beautiful facility alongside Mill Creek.

To view past blog entries about camo coalition click here.

Photo by Jeff Dennis: Representative Jeff Duncan addresses the Camo Coalition members at Millaree Plantation, a chart of the many members of the Camo Coalition - are you present and accounted for?

Camo Coalition Update

It's time for an update on the S.C. camo coalition as published in the Charleston Mercury.

For past blog entries about the S.C. camo coalition click here.

Rural Resource Coalition values natural resources

Birdwatching, like on this DNR tour, is a good example of nature-based tourism

The first public meeting of the new Rural Resource Coalition of SC was held on Tuesday November 29. While the meeting was inside the USDA building in Allendale, the focus was on the rural counties in the Lowcountry region. The carefully crafted mission statement promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities through wise stewardship of Lowcountry land and waters.

            An array of leaders keen on rural economic development were on hand to participate in the audience discussion portion of the meeting that followed several speakers. One audience member from Bamberg County asked for help to develop their Cathedral Bay Heritage Preserve as a tourist destination.

Creating a destination for visitors was a common idea. Colleton County already has the Great Swamp preserve, but somehow the urgent need for a public education and outreach center to accompany it has not been realized. Far more grandiose plans are lined up for County Council to consider, while the Great Swamp project still needs guidance to become a first-class destination with an education building.

Charles Lane is chairman of the ACE Basin Task Force and he spoke about the need for agricultural income to rise in our region. The meeting encompassed Allendale, Hampton, Barnwell, Bamberg, Colleton and Orangeburg counties which all have a significant agricultural heritage. “A lot of ag practices have left our state, and the East Coast, but now there is more demand for locally grown food,” said Lane. “We want to create jobs that are tied to the rural community.” Lane cited much higher ag income per acre in the neighboring states of North Carolina and Georgia.

Tim Adams with the S.C. Forestry Commission spoke about the pulp and paper industry that is a large part of our regional economy. “Ag lands have decreased while forest lands have increased, and we have more wood volume now than ever,” said Adams. After showing a map of wood mills across the Lowcountry region, Adams cited the need for more ‘secondary’ mills.

Colleton County Clemson Extension Agent Bob Franklin added that Colletonians should push for such mills. “Every County wants more industry but the focus seems to be only on high-tech jobs, when these secondary wood products industries might make more sense,” said Franklin. A secondary mill is a workplace that takes wood products and builds something of greater value. Taking boards and then making tables or furniture for sale would be a good example.

Each speaker seemed to agree that outdoor recreation is the strong suit of these rural counties. The S.C. Wildlife Federation is heading up the Rural Resource Coalition and is looking for leaders in each county to speak up. One such party represented the Savannah Riverkeeper group, which provides tours and oversight along and in the Savannah River.

Whether it’s fishing in the Salkehatchie swamp or hunting in the ACE Basin, Colleton County should continue to let our quality of life contribute towards drawing in new businesses. Historical and cultural tourism are other outlets to consider. But for people to come they will require improved rural roads, safe lodging and good restaurants.

The Rural Resource Coalition was formed with input from affordable housing, community development, conservation, forestry, and tourism when they all recognized their overlapping goals. This coalition wants to capitalize on the human and natural resources of this region to produce income from local food markets, the conservation of working farms and forests, renewable energy, and by placing a high value on wildlife habitat.

One audience member expressed concern about the rate of hardwood cutting he had witnessed recently. This rural county leader wanted to make sure that hardwoods get planted back in these areas for future markets, and not to convert them to pine stands. At some point, hardwoods stands are most valuable as a natural catalyst for water quality, which is another concern for rural populations in the future.

To view past blog entries about the camo coalition click here.

Camo Coalition Requests Action on Water Bill

The South Carolina Camo Coalition strives to be a group of like-minded outdoorsmen and conservationists that speak with one voice to our S.C. legislators. Every so often, they ask for everyday people who care about our natural resources to take action, and make a brief pause in their day to create a meaningful e-mail. Currently, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee is considering bill s.452. The S.C. Camo Coaltion is urging the Senate to pass this bill that provides additional protections for fish, wildlife, boating and sporting interests. Use the link below to have your voice join the chorus for water conservation.

http://votervoice.net/link/target/sccamo32831870.aspx

Photos by Jeff Dennis: SCDNR is responsible for fishing regulations on public waters like Lake Edgar Brown in Barnwell, humans must realize that waterfowl and wading birds are closely associated with wetlands - and demand protection for their precious water sources

Vote YES - on The Right to Hunt and Fish

In November there will be many choices for registered voters of the Palmetto State to make decisions about the political leadership, and to decide other issues and rights. One such example is the Referendum on South Carolinian's constitutional right to hunt and fish - yes, it's on the same ballot as the Governor's race. On Monday July 12 the SC Camo Coalition's steering committee (www.SCcamo.org) met in Columbia to discuss getting the word out to sportsmen, their families, and other parties that seek to hold up the right to hunt and fish in S.C. as a positive and permanent form of outdoor recreation. With only 5000 'e-mail' members and virtually no funding, this is going to be a Grass Roots campaign, and education about this upcoming vote will be a priority for LowcountryOutdoors. Whether a hunter or an angler, skeet shooter, conservationist, nature-watcher, forest landowner or mother (women are the fastest-growing subset of sporting enthusiasts) - we need to be unified come November about the Vote Yes campaign for the Right to Hunt and Fish. The National Rifle Association has begun a campaign to educate its membership via their position on the Second Ammendment, and more information may be found at www.NRA.org. Why is this referendum important? It ensures that future hunting and fishing rights are not challenged by "Anti" hunting groups. While there has not been much attention by the "Anti's" in S.C. - did you know that PETA was behind the forced curtailment of egg sales by a religious organization in Moncks Corner?

Many S.C. families owe our sporting heritage some acknowledgement for all the times that ancestors provided for loved ones from the bounty of natural resources in the Palmetto state.

Vote Yes in November to continue a responsible and sustainable harvest for all time.

For past blog entries about the camo coalition click here.

PhotoByJohnGribb: Two sportsmen share fellowship over a boykin spaniel, the S.C. state dog, while in pursuit of Gentleman Bob - the prince of gamebirds. Vote Yes to ensure moments like this in the future!

SCDNR says Green Means Green

SCDNR held a state-wide press conference today (Greenville, Columbia and Charleston) to explain why the outdoors is connected to 30 billion reasons to appreciate our natural resources. Researched by the University of South Carolina's Moore (Darla) School of Business, an Underappreciated Assets report will state the economic impact from wildlife-related activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, bird watching, outdoors tourism and forestry as being  South Carolina's leading source of income. Yet the SCDNR's state budget is one-third of one percent of the total annual budget. Groups like SCDNR and the S.C. Forestry Commission are tasked with caring for the entire state's natural resources, but their budget funding is too politicized and not fact-based enough for some groups like the Camo Coalition. When you buy your new hunting and fishing licenses in July you are supporting the management of S.C.'s Natural Resources, and we need all of our sporting citizens to be vocal about how strongly they feel about our quality of life as it relates to conservation and preservation of our surroundings.

To view past blog entries about the camo coalition click here.

Photo By Jeff Dennis: The bills shown here may be "scratch" to some, but if you factor in the total number of licenses purchased then you can see why Green Means Green to SCDNR

Conference at Clinton House w/VIDEO

Mike Johnson of The Clinton House

A conference at the Clinton House in Laurens County brought more hunting opportunities and some special milestones. Thanks to Cary Chamblee of the S.C. Wildlife Federation for coming to speak about the Camo Coalition and to Charles Ruth of SCDNR for coming to speak about deer and turkey management.
To view past blog entries from this conference click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Mr. & Mrs. Dean Elsey from the Lowcountry Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, An English Pointer named Maggie pointing a quail for Lowcountryoutdoors.com

VideoByJeffDennis: Willaim Terry of Legacy Game Calls performs part of his turkey calling repertoire

Awesome Bull's Island Buck - Story Link

On Monday morning November the 9th a group of bowhunters were conducting a deer population control hunt on Bull Island in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. David Shull is President of the South Carolina Bowhunters and he reports that at 7:45 a.m. this 'old' buck that was still in velvet stepped out. After the a spine shot from a bowhunter that dropped the buck in his tracks, the deer was weighed at 150-pounds - which is quite large for a barrier island buck which might suggest that he carried some age. Great work in the Lowcountry outdoors by the S.C. Bowhunters - members in the S.C. Camo Coalition.

To view more blog entries on harvesting bucks in velvet click here.

PhotoByDavidShull: A 15-point buck harvested on a bow hunt on Bull's Island

V.P. Pence attends S.C. Faith and Freedom Rally

Vice President Mike Pence in Anderson
with host Jeff Duncan

United Sates Congressman Jeff Duncan hosts the Faith and Freedom Barbecue in the city of Anderson each fall. The attendance at the 2019 event was pumped up by the presence of keynote speaker Vice-President Mike Pence. With an election year on the horizon, it is no surprise that a few other politicians decided to gather at the Anderson Civic Center. Patriotic music set the tone, while each successive speaker praised President Trump and set the stage for the keynote address.  When Mike Pence spoke, the crowd was cheering and waving Trump signs, making it clear that South Carolina is home to conservative values.

            

A packed house enjoys a conservative republican tour de force

Congressman Jeff Duncan is serving his fifth term in Washington D.C. representing the upstate counties of Anderson, Pickens and Greenville. Before that, Duncan served ten years in the South Carolina General Assembly, representing conservative politics and professing a love for the outdoors. Duncan’s favorite attire back then was cowboy boots, jeans, a button down shirt and a sport coat. As a Washington insider he now wears proper business suits, but he has never changed in regards to understanding the voters he represents.

            

Vice President Mike Pence brings 'the whole load' to S.C. voters

Congressman Jim Jordan from Ohio is good friends with Duncan in D.C. and he was slated to speak at the Faith and Freedom Barbecue before the Vice President announced he would come. Jordan is a capable speaker and a leader among conservative republicans, but when the Vice President agreed to come to Anderson, it changed the entire dynamic of the event. Senator Lindsey Graham decided to fly into town with Pence and speak. Governor Henry McMaster decided to drive up and speak, along with the Lt. Governor. And three other S.C. Congressmen also joined them on the stage to speak, surrounded by the watchful secret security detail assigned to protect the Vice President.

Mark Sanford announces a presidential run in pro-Trump territory

When Mike Pence stood at the podium, he showed the polished demeanor of a career politician, while conveying a message for the future. “I love barbecue, and I love conservatives, but I am here for one reason only. South Carolina and America need four more years of President Trump in the White House. It’s time for Round Two everybody.” At this point the appreciative crowd became effusive in their vocalization supporting President Trump. This same crowd was pro-Clemson and with the opening home game of the season just three days away, the crowd was All-In. Pence told the audience that he intended to ‘bring the whole load’ regarding the accomplishments from the past three years. Conservative judges being appointed to the bench in all areas of government, a stronger presence at the southern border with Mexico and a robust economy were just some of the highlights.

The next day Vice-President Mike Pence tweeted that "To Keep America Great we have to re-elect Lindsey Graham and Jeff Duncan back to Washington." 

President Donald Trump re-tweeted those words and added "100% Confirmed!"

To view the entire article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about Jeff Duncan click Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation 30th Anniversary - Sassafras Mountain Tower Dedication - 2012 Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniversary in D.C. - 2012 Who's Who of Congressional Saltwater Sportsmen - 2010 Belfast WMA Fundraiser - 2009 S.C. Camo Coalition at Millaree Plantation

To view past blog entries about outdoor advocacy click on 2012 National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucus / Myrtle Beach - 2012 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies / Hilton Head - 2012 Capital Hill Ducks Unlimited Diamond Dinner - 75th Anniversary of Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program - 2010 S.C. Sportsman's Caucus Foundation at Clinton House - Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation 20th Anniversary at Clinton House - 2008 National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucus at Clinton House