75th Ann. of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

Hardwood Bottomlands at the Webb WMA

Have you ever purchased firearms, ammunition, bow and arrows, fishing equipment and the licenses for legal hunting and fishing? If you answered YES, then you are already a part of the efforts of the conservation programs run by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program(WSFR). The WSFR is celebrating 75 years of outdoor traditions in 2012 and their efforts have resulted in millions of acres of habitat saved. Increased levels of game and fish from protected acreage give sportsmen more of the opportunities they desire in the outdoors. A review of the history of the WSFR shows contributions in South Carolina beginning n the 1940's for projects like developing the Waterhorn Tract in the Francis Marion National Forest as a turkey management unit - which of course was a Huge success. In 1941they purchased the Webb Center Wildlife Management Area, all 5837-acres of it for $37,725! The funds they administer are combined with matching dollars from each state to fund conservation, and this program remains in full blossom and deserves credit for work in all the states across the U.S.A.

To view a past blog entry about the the Ducks Unlimited 75th anniversary book click here.

Debutante Hunters Film

Lowcountry ladies armed and ready for the hunt

Several local lady hunters came together to make a short documentary film in 2011 about why they choose to hunt. The film debuted at the Terrace Theatre on James Island and is now featured at the Sundance Indie Film Festival. I am proud to have shot guns alongside Susan Frampton, a retired SEWE executive, and Sara Frampton - at Safari Club outings. The mother and daughter hunting team are just one of the storylines during the 12-minute film, that does a good job showing how some girls are comfortable in the field, as well as at home. One female hunter even has a good cry over the fact that she loves the hunt, and I just wanted to salute these Lowcountry ladies for doing a good job of promoting our outdoor traditions as honorable and worthy of their best efforts. To view the film click here.

To view past blog entries about lady hunters click here.

2011 SCDNR Weather Recap

A lack of rain made 2011 a good time to be outside with family

2011 South Carolina Weather in Review

2011 was another year of extreme weather events in South Carolina. 

June through August 2011 was the second warmest on record statewide (out of 117 years). The year’s temperature extremes ranged from a low of 5 degrees at Jocassee, Jan. 13, to the summer’s warmest temperature set at the University of South Carolina campus, 107 degrees, July 22. 

It was also another year of drought for South Carolina with portions of the state in incipient and moderate drought with six counties upgraded to severe drought in Nov. It was the driest year since records began in 1903 for Walterboro receiving only 27.78" (normal 48.5") !! 

Mount Pleasant Regional Airport recorded the state's unofficial highest accepted observed heat index value, 124 F, on July 13 at 3 p.m.  "Thankfully there were no hurricanes that made landfall for South Carolina this year," noted Assistant State Climatologist Wes Tyler, "but Hurricane Irene did bring bands of rain, gusty winds and significant beach erosion."

To view past blog entries about weather click here.

2012 SCWA Walterboro - Conservation banquet

Custom SCWA cornhole gameboards on the auction

The Walterboro Chapter of the S.C. Waterfowl Association held their annual conservation banquet on January 14 at the armory building. Funds raised go towards the Craig Crosby memorial scholarship fund which pays for youths from Colleton County to attend Camp Woodie, SCWA's environmental education facility. A large turnout of waterfowl enthusiasts enjoyed a seafood meal for dinner before partaking in silent and live auctions and special raffles too. A large number of sponsors and donors made the event a success even before the spirited bidders began to claim the merchandise, guns, duck hunts and turkey hunts that were on the menu. A special SCWA 25th anniversary Browning shotgun was just one of the unique items available, as well as the custom oyster tables and cornhole boards made by Walterboro committee members. Several youths that had already attended Camp Woodie spoke to the crowd about what they liked about their experience, and these same youths stayed front and center and engaged during the entire auction. The general raffle ended the evening on a high note when an excitable female patron won the Drake apparel package and jumped up and down with excitement and screamed loudly. Special thanks to Big Lake Duck Calls for donating calls, a lanyard and a Camp Woodie scholarship check too!

For past blog entries on the SCWA Walterboro chapter click here.

Chapter Co-Chair Jim Minor and the raffle girl smile in the armory

Camp Woodie alumni address the crowd

SCWA Walterboro sweeties

Sportsmen support Vick for Congress

Duck hunters who support Ted Vick for Congress with their waterfowl on January 14

Andy Lawrimore, holding his wire-haired puppy,
alongside Lee Daniel after the duck hunt

Holly, Taylor and Lee are the next generation of the Lawrimore family

Ted Vick, Kyle Daniel, Jeff Dennis and Andy Lawrimore

State Representative Ted Vick (d) has announced that he will run for the U.S. Congress, in the new district that encompasses Myrtle Beach and the Pee Dee Region. Sportsmen who support Vick, a proven outdoorsman himself, will be able to participate in fundraising options during the first quarter of 2012. With the election set for June, Vick will canvas the Lowcountry Outdoors in Georgetown, Williamsburg and Horry counties - and into the Pee Dee. Andy Lawrimore and family hosted Vick and his supporters at their private property in Johnsonville for a chance to rally other sportsman and to consult with Clive, a truster senior advisor. An afternoon hog hunt did not yield any meat, but many deer were spotted moving around due to the cold weather. An evening meal of barbecue chicken was served with the vinegar-based sauce that is a trademark of the Kingstree area. The fellowship that followed the meal inside the nostalgic confines of the renovated tobacco barn was a combination of past history and the present rural farming traditions that continue today. Representative Ted Vick is in tune with this rural way of life and understands that hunting and fishing are honorable traditions worthy of being held high in terms of public opinion. The entire extended Lawrimore family personifies these same values and their property is a perfect example of how the preservation of rural aesthetics can and should be achieved.

To view past blog entries about Ted Vick in the outdoors click here.

Charleston Mercury - Quail and Sporting Gear Story

English Setters on Point for an upland hunter

Browning's Bird'N'Lite series comes in a coat or vest

Thanks to Eddie Salter for recommending TEK4 clothing 

The fits and starts of cold weather have made the upland hunting season a challenge thus far in 2012. Timing these hunts to coincide with cold snaps is important for the dog work, and the feature article in the Charleston Mercury discusses some of the new gear to consider carrying into the woodlands. Also, be sure to check out the new look fishing reports link!

To view past blog entries about sporting gear and Eddie Salter click here.

To view past blog entries about hunting gear click here.

Lowcountry Fishing Report - 1/11/2012

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Cole and Neal Whittaker from Tennessee
Photo by AffinityCharters.com

Charleston Inshore Report:
Bart Manly at The Charleston Angler, in their new Market Street location, reports that water temps remain variable in the lower 50's - which isn't too shabby for fishing! The redfish are schooling up on the flats, following their instincts to avoid the predators which can use the clear waters of winter to their advantage. Once located, cast a Z-man Streakz curly-tail in black and gold flake at the channel bass schools. If you want to make your bait disappear quickly, ask Bart about the new Houdini paddle tails! Another bait option is the Berkeley Gulp jerk shad in sapphire shine color. Fly fisherman should continue to use darker fly patterns in hopes of not spooking the schools. A good tactic is to try and anticipate where the school will be moving to and cast there well ahead of them, then wait for a well-timed TWITCH. To target trout Bart recommends a DOA shrimp under a popping cork like the glow color with chartreuse tail. Look for strong currents that trout favor and switch to Gulp jigheads with white curly tails if you need to keep your bait down. For the latest seminar information visit their website.

Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West states that while a few bitter cold days may have slowed down the number of anglers hitting the water, it has not slowed the fish down at all. Fantastic numbers of redfish, including schools of 100 fish, have been found on low tide flats and are eager to eat an assortment of baits. Gulp jerkshads, Gulp swimming mullet, Zman paddler series, and Zman ultra shrimp with pro cure scent have all been deadly on the schooling redfish. In addtion, old standby baits such as mud minnows and cut mullet are also effective this time of year. Sheepshead are still feeding heavily along structure in 8 to 20-feet of water with fiddler crabs, oysters and barnacles the best baits. Often over-looked by anglers, black drum can often be found with consistency in the same areas that sheepshead are found. Using cut shrimp is hard to beat for black drum. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet.

Charleston Offshore Report:
Scott repeats that with grouper season closed as of January 1, opportunities for offshore anglers are fairly limited. However, good reports of triggerfish continue, especially in water 60 to 90-feet deep. The nearshore reefs can be a great option this time of year to target sheepshead, weakfish and black drum. Scott recommends the shallow reefs in 25 to 35-feet of water. Drop your favorite color 4-inch grub on a .5-ounce jighead to get on those weakfish!

Bart says there is not alot of offshore activity with the grouper and black sea bass closures. There are still a few scattered sailfish and wahoo to be found though. For sailfish, use small sea witch lures in either blue and white or pink and white combinations, paired with a dink ballyhoo. For wahoo, high-speed trolling with Black Bart san sal candy lures is always a good bet.

To view past fishing reports click here.