Fisherman takes 10-point in Hampton County

Fred Bricketto of Mount Pleasant harvested a fine 10-point buck, his best ever, over the Thanksgiving holiday. After hunting his lease in Hampton County all season, he still had no idea that this big buck was out there. The big buck did not show up in the bottom area that Bricketto was hunting until 5:50 p.m. and he came to the sound of a grunt call and a wheeze call. The buck came in broadside and Bricketto aimed his bow using the 20 and 30 pins, and when he let the arrow fly he said it sounded like a board hitting a tree - a solid hit. His son Logan arrived shortly after dark and they tracked the buck for 25 yards and when they saw it Logan said - Dad, you just killed a monster. The symmetrical 10-point went 185-pounds and likely had slimmed down some during the rut. The buck went to DeLoach's Deer Processing and a full sneak mount has been ordered from the taxidermist. With one month left in the 2010 deer season, this hunt report should give hope to those hunters who have yet to score some venison.

To view past blog entries about fisherman tagging nice bucks click here.

PhotosByTrippBricketto: At the deer processor

Thanksgiving Driven Deer Hunt - 2010

One of the finest Thanksgiving hunting traditions, after dove hunting, is man-driving for deer. A property in Yemmasee that is under Quality Deer Management conducts a holiday man-drive in order to help thin the doe population each year. About 30 standers took up watch in the woodlands after being strung along by the plantation manager. While most hunters did not see any deer, a 6-point buck and four does were harvested before the mid-day rain settled in.

To see past blog entries about man drives click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: A hay ride wagon is perfect for putting out standers in the woodlands; a trailer full of hunters clad in orange; a buck and a doe that were harvested go for a hayride

Thanksgiving Day youth dove hunt

Thankful to enjoy a gathering of extended family for the Thanksgiving holiday, starting the day with a dove hunt seemed like the proper thing to do. A thorough safety talk was conducted before the hunters entered the field and loaded their guns. Several youths under the age of 16 carried shotguns into the dove field with anticipation of shooting some birds. As the guns fired a tradition of hunting was passed along as a symbol of something important to the next generation.

For past blog entries on dove hunting click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Two of the Hudgens boys enjoyed hunting doves together; Heyward Benton fires his great-grandfather's bolt-action shotgun during the dove hunt; The youth hunters assemble for a photo after the hunt; The Benton farmers hunt together when time allows

Houma, Louisiana Duck Hunt

A foray out of the Lowcountry Outdoors and into the Mississippi Flyway yielded two days of swamp or bayou duck hunting south of Houma. With duck camp located on a chenier (or hummock) of land 45-minutes from the boat ramp, the setting was both rustic and naturally beautiful. It was so warm that the redfish were biting really well, so a bit of a cast and blast weekend ensued, as the shorts weather persisted into late November. The locals refer to gadwall as grey ducks and there were plenty of them, and they love to come into the decoys! A flock or two of blue-winged and green-winged teal also buzzed through, offering a real test to wingshooters. There are VAST marshes, bayous and slews in SE Louisiana and the ducks will always have a place in this section of Sportsman's Paradise.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Ducks lay across the bow of the Gator-Tail boat after the hunt; Hidden in the duck blind, a South Carolina Sportsman prepares to take his best shot; Jeff shows his Day Two limit which included three green-winged teal and three grey ducks

TNC adds to Black River Preserve

The Nature Conservancy began playing a role in the protection of the Black River Conservation Area in the 1980’s, and has returned focus to the area in 2010 with the purchase of a 440-acre tract or river frontage. With another federal grant in the process, chances are that another parcel will join their conservation portfolio in 2011, further bolstering the Black River Swamp Preserve.

The initial foray by TNC in the Black River Swamp Conservation Area was a 1,296-acre tract, purchased in the 1980’s and on November 15, 2010 TNC was able to purchase an adjacent 440-acre tract that consists of mature bottomland hardwood forests. This gives TNC roughly five miles of riverfront protection between Pine Tree landing and Stump House landing.

The 440-acre tract was formerly in the hands of an industrial timber company, before being sold to a TIMO, which divested the property to TNC. The purchase was made possible by a grant from NAWCA, or North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and is just one part of a phased project to connect more than 11,000 acres in the ecologically diverse Black River and Mingo Creek corridor of the greater Winyah Bay watershed.

“Land protection within this watershed will help recharge groundwater, control flooding, and filter nutrient and sediment run-off,” said Eric Krueger, director of science and stewardship for TNC. “This will improve water quality and habitat for people, wildlife, and even for our oyster restoration project 20 miles downstream in Winyah Bay.

“This corridor is considered one of the most important breeding areas in South Carolina for swallow-tailed kites,” said Dr. Maria Whitehead. “The Partners in Flight bird conservation program has a goal of having thirteen sites in the Southeastern U.S. where 100,000 acres or more of hardwoods have been protected. If you look at the Savannah River Preserve, the ACE Basin and now the Winyah Bay area – then South Carolina might one day have three sites that qualify.”

It’s exciting to know that portions of the Black River corridor near Andrews are being stewarded by Charleston-based leaders like Whitehead and LeSchack. There is a conserted conservation ethic in Carolina and this work will never be done. The true beauty of reality is that there are so many places worthy of protection, which are a real part of our historical legacy, even though there is a concerted conservation ethic in Carolina, this work will never be done.

Map courtesy of TNC - CLick on it for a larger view

To view past blog entries about kites click here.

Boat Raffle to benefit S.C. Ducks Unlimited

Da Boat from SC DU is going to be a special year-end fundraiser where 100 tickets are being sold at $100 each, and the winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve. Talk about timing - just get some gas and some lucky waterfowler could be shooting ducks Christmas morning in his new rig!

Charleston Angler 2010 Spot Tail Tournament

November is the month to photo your red drum that have multiple spots on them. The Charleston Angler's annual 'most spots' contest for spot-tailed bass in underway with weekly winners. There is an entry fee involved but some of the proceeds will go towards the Harry Hampton Fund.

2010 meeting in Greenwood County

A recent meeting at The Territories, thanks to the the Greenwood Regional Tourism Bureau to visit the area. Crisp fall weather and even sharper fall foliage colors were in focus for the outdoor communicators that help cover the great outdoors all across the Palmetto State. Freshwater fishing on the Saluda River and deer hunting were the two main outdoor activities, while workshops were conducted about custom turkey call making and predator trapping techniques and tactics. SCDNR's top deer biologist also gave a report on the effects of coyote predation on deer fawns.

To view past blog entires from other conferences click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Two Custom Turkey call makers from the Greenwood area are Steve Mann and Irving Whitt; an old fire tower offered the best view of the fall foliage along the Saluda River; 

Van Liew First to South Africa in VELUX Race

Charleston sailor Brad Van Liew has sailed from La Rochelle, France to Capetown, South Africa in 28 days, 23 hours and 18 minutes - crossing the first leg finish line in first place - with the second place sailor not expected to arrive until Wednesday. Sailing from France on Oct. 17 Van Liew skirted high pressure systems and navigated in 40-knot conditions in his Le Pingouin boat. His Team Lazarus shore crew (wife Meaghan and their two children) are with him in S. Africa and they will prepare him for the next leg of the race sailing to Wellington, New Zealand. The Third leg in this VELUX 5 Oceans race stops in Charleston, South Carolina - and the Lowcountry Outdoors will be on display for race followers around the world.

To read Van Liew's blog about the first leg finish click here.

For prior Velux 5 Oceans blog entries click here.

PhotosByVelux5Oceans: The yellow boat that arrived first for Leg One of the Velux race

PGA Tour Experience in Downtown Charleston

The PGA Tour was in town to register patrons for tickets the the 2012 PGA Tour Championship that will be contested at Kiawah Island. Locals may recall that the Champions Tour PGA Championship was recently held at the Ocean Course and was a smashing success. The 2012 event should be the same except, only bigger! The PGA Experience set up shop in Marion Square Park this week and set up grandstands, a cafeteria, trophy display and ever gave out free golf lessons.

To view a past blog entry about The Masters click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Channel Five sent ace reporter Tracey Amick to cover the PGA Experience; The PGA Tour trophy is huge when seen in real person; Kiawah's logo for 2012 is all set!

2010 Sea Island CCA conservation banquet

The Sea Island Chapter, led by President John Barham, convened once again at Founder's Hall, the state-of-the-art meeting facility at Charles Towne Landing. Food by Charleston Bay Gourmet nourished the anglers who came to raise some funds for the state chapter of CCA, and the Black Tie bartenders pitched in a wee bit too. The silent auction went off without a hitch and the bidding wars during the live auction were at a fever pitch, especially when Ellis, the german short-haired pointer puppy was sold! A Florida fishing trip, a North Carolina quail hunt, a Lake Marion duck hunt and much more were offered as temptation for sportsman.

To view past blog entries about the CCA Sea Island chapter click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Richey Almes does not miss the Sea Island event and brought sweetie Melissa Albers; Raffle tickets go in the buckets at the CCA table; Russ Perkins and Ritt Ritter were representing J.I. at the banquet; Laura Stephens looked after Ellis the dog while Jonathan Harpe and the Charleston Angler gang had front row seats

2010 SCI Wounded Warrior and Wheelchair Hunt

The 6th annual Wounded Warrior and Wheelchair hunt sponsored by the Lowcountry Chapter of Safari Club International was held November 8 & 9 just ahead of Veterans Day. Cool weather aided hunters by keeping the deer stirring and several hunters were able to harvest some venison. Saluting the veterans of our armed forces is always a great thing, but when Wounded Warriors choose to spend their time in the Lowcountry Outdoors is search of fellowship and wild game, it just feels right. Thanks to ALL the vets who have served the country so that freedom may be preserved!

PhotosByJeffDennis: Disabled hunter Bobby Harrell visits with the members of the QDMA ACE Basin branch that supported the SCI event; Beau Mattioda is a marine who served as a hunt guide next to Jeff D. - SCI's David Watson and Gen. Padilla of Parris Island Marin Base; Take a good look at all the people that make time for this special veteran's hunt; John Franco stands with Hallie Seibels and Congressman Joe Wilson at Nemours Plantation

To view my blog entry and photos from the 2009 SCI hunt click here.

VideoByJeffDennis: John Rackley of Renegade Wheelchairs

2010 Tall Timbers Field Day / Scotswood Plantation

The inaugural S.C. Quail Project field day was held at Mount Pleasant Plantation in Georgetown County, and the 2010 edition was held at Scotswood Plantation in Williamsburg County. The Horry-Georgetown Technical College serves this vicinity of the Lowcountry and Wildlife Professor Jim Westerhold spoke about their internship program. Tall Timbers is continuing its work in the Palmetto State to benefit wild quail populations, and dog men and bird hunters all over the state are wishing them well.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Shane Wallendorf, Lane Green and Vann Middleton of Tall Timbers made the trip from Tallahassee to the Lowcountry for the 2010 field day at Scotswood Plantation; A trapping station from wildlife biologist Brad Mueller and his American Wildlife Enterprises - just one of the vendors attending the Field Day; A feed trail implement is just one part of the quail management techniques that Tall Timbers is bringing to South Carolina

To view past blog entries from the Tall Timbers Field Day click  2013 - 2011  or Independent Quail Workshop 2014

To view past blog entries from the Savannah River Turkey Invitational click 2013 - 2012 - 2011 

2010 Jasper County dog drive

With the vote on the amendment to hunt and fish a resounding YES, I joined a group of driven hunt enthusiasts in Jasper County in pursuit of white-tailed deer.....

To view a past blog entry about QDMA in this area click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: A fine 8-point from the Lowcountry Outdoors; Alan Linkous and Jeff Dennis are happy after a mid-day meal; the guns are stored in a rack for safety when the standers return to deer camp; a houndsman loads his beagles into the dog box at the conclusion of the drive

CCA 30 day tagged fish tourney

This November CCA members are eligible to enter the 2nd annual Lowcountry tagged redfish tournament, to look for the five redfish in the waters surrounding Beaufort that have been tagged with special CCA South Carolina tags.

PhotoByJeffDennis: Jon Wood and Danny Rourk of Tail Wind Charters are fishing for the tagged CCA redfish in Beaufort, seen here pre-fishing 10/30