Winter food plot planting

Use a grain drill to get the seed into the dirt

A powerline can make an excellent food plot

Quality Seed is always a must

A good example of food plot dividends

Land managers know the value of having 'green patches' during winter to help wildlife populations remain in good shape when other food sources are scarce. The lack of rain is a concern when planting, but in general these type food plots can flourish with even a little ground moisture in the soil. Disc the ground, then apply fertilizer, and then disc the seedbed again. A mixture of oats and wheat is a good combo to capture the interest of the deer, turkeys and other non-game species that will use these food plots until spring corn crop planting begins. Remember, a working farm requires that the land be worked to some degree, and food plots are an affordable way to make that happen.

For past blog entries about land management click here.

Chas. Co driven deer hunt - 2011

Harrington Bissell, Buist River and Michael Lolich in the swamp

Standers enjoy the hunt recap in between drives

Harrington Bissell accepts payment from 
Dan Mengedoht for an errant shot

The annual end of the season driven hunt for white-tailed deer was held at a Charleston County property that practices still hunting and quality deer management. After very cold weather hunting on this annual hunt the past two years, the pendulum swing was notable with sunny skies and 70-degree temperatures in the woods. A snake was seen crossing the road and deer hunters were mindful that Mr. No Neck was still in business. The first drive of the day began with three horse drivers and a small pack of dogs. Anticipation ran high for all and when the first two does were pushed, they ran right through the three-shot barrage offered by Dan Mengedoht, making him the first to pony up for a big miss. On the second drive of the morning a different doe slipped into 'the front pocket' of Buist Rivers causing him to make a shot that did not connect with its target - chalk up another chance encounter with fate. The final drive of the day saw the driver's push up a big 8-point buck with a perfectly symmetrical rack, and although I was sitting on my lucky stand from 2009 I never saw the buck. In fact, no deer were harvested on this hunt which demonstrates that no one ever knows if they will get to shoot on a driven hunt - but they all come to enjoy the outdoors and to play their role in order to continue the heritage of hunting. A great meal in the form of mustard fried venison followed the hunt.

Henry Lowndes and Jeff Dennis after the hunt

For past blog entries about the Chas. Co. driven deer hunt 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.

Yemassee Revitalization - 2011 Plantation Tour

Happy Holidays from the 2011 Yemassee Plantation Tour

Patrons enjoyed lunch on the grounds at Richfield

Bonny Hall is home to horses and history

Yemassee's historic train station is still in use today

The Yemassee Revitalization Committee (YRC) remains on the right track as they continue toward their goal of a financially healthy community. With the renovation of the historic train depot nearly complete, revenue begins to shift towards upkeep and annual maintenance fees. The December 3 Holiday Tour showcased several plantations, the renovated train station and a home in the downtown area. The tour began with a trip to Tomotley Plantation which resides just off of the Old Sheldon Church Road in the historic planation belt. The oak avenue at Tomotley is unique in that it winds with the road as approaches the main house and guest quarters - the planing and planting of these oaks some 200 years ago shows great foresight regarding oak avenues and their aesthetic values. Lunch was served up at Richfield Plantation and tour patrons enjoyed fried fish and shrimp and grits on the front yard and grounds of Richfield. Sweet tea and sporting conversations helped to wash down the dessert course and prepare for yet another drive, this time down River Road to Bonny Hall Planation. Some might know Bonny Hall via their landmark pecan grove, but historians know that Bonny Hall was once a central piece to the rice planting culture of the Combahee River. The once-private ricefields are now part of the Combahee Unit of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge, and benefit waterfowl migration year after year. The grounds of Bonny Hall also offered a view of dog kennels, horse pastures, belted galloway cows and a three-story treehouse in a grand live oak! The Gatch house served as the 'Town' portion of the Yemassee Holiday Tour.

For past blog entries about the YRC click here.

SCWA Walterboro Chapter - Sponsor Event

Custom SCWA oyster table ready for auction

Allen Bell, sponsor gun winner Harry Hiott and Jeremy Burnham

Reaves McLeod, Miles Crosby and Calvert Huffines

Good family fun by the fire kettle at the SCWA sponsor event

The Walterboro Chapter of the S.C. Waterfowl Association is gearing up for their January 14, 2012 fundraising banquet. The sponsors of the Walterboro Chapter were treated on to an oyster roast for their continued support of the scholarship fund that will send youths from Colleton County to SCWA's Camp Woodie for summer camp. The sponsor event on Dec. 2 took place in the outdoors at Deux Cheneaux Plantation during cold weather, and the fire kettle was fired up to provide warmth. Sustenance was offered to the sponsors in the form of crab dip, local oysters, boiled shrimp and baked chicken - all of which came from separate members of the chapter's dedicated steering committee. Local conservationists and waterfowlers shucked oysters and shared stories while watching the photos by Jim Minor that were displayed via slideshow on the side of the barn. A sponsor door prize drawing helped punctuate the evening and two great SCWA framed prints were given away, and that was followed by a sponsor card deck raffle for a CZ over-and-under shotgun donated by Atlantic Game and Tackle.

To view past blog entires about SCWA click here.

Lowcountry Fishing Report - 12/2/11

The latest Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina, as published in the Charleston Mercury.
For past fishing reports click here.

My friends Capt. Danny Rourk and Scott Whitaker with a Port Royal inshore slam

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.