2017 SCDNR Free Hunting Days

Two free hunting days for some S.C. residents

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is charged with enforcing legal hunting statewide, and the state agency made history in 2017 with the implementation of a tagging program for antlered white-tailed deer. Now SCDNR is conducting outreach to recruit hunters, and future hunt license revenues, by offering free hunt licenses and deer tags for two days. Specifically, these free hunt days are only available to residents of South Carolina, and not to out-of-state hunters, and is only available for those S.C. residents who do not already have a valid hunting license.

            

The free hunting days are for any game species that is in season on December 26 and 27.  The thought process behind the SCDNR free hunting days is that the holiday provides the free time that may allow for hunting newbies to get in the field. Also, this might provide the impetus for a hunting mentor to take a friend or neighbor hunting, but there is no stipulation for experienced hunters to be a part of the free hunting day equation.

            

Hunting on private lands requires an invitation, but the SCDNR free hunting days also includes the lands they manage known as Wildlife Management Areas or WMA’s. There is real value in the free hunting days when it comes to hunting WMA’s, because WMA access requires extra fees for regular licensed hunters. Allowing this extra hunting access to WMA’s for free is commendable since SCDNR is charged with providing outdoor opportunities on these state-owned lands. Small game in season includes squirrel, rabbit and quail and these might be easy to target on WMA’s.

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

To view past blog entries on S.C. deer hunting in 2017 click on Law Enforcement Hunt - Wounded Warrior Hunt - Outdoor Dream Foundation - Inaugural Buck Tags

2017 Christmas Wish List - Bird Feeders

Cardinal carving out a cylinder feeder

The holiday season calls for family and friends to celebrate religion, and to focus on the Christmas wishes of children. Unless a specific wish list is supplied by someone to use as a shopping guide, then many will opt to give a gift of cash or perhaps even a gift card. While toys and such are still preferred for kids, it can be tougher to figure out a thoughtful gift for adults. Giving the gift of a bird feeder is a small way to increase habitat for wildlife, without breaking the bank, and it also can serve as the type of gift that keeps on giving all year long.

            

It is easy to locate bird feeders for sale, since they can be found locally at department stores, hardware stores, feed stores and even in antiques stores. The cost of a new bird feeder is not usually out of reach for gift givers, but the wide variety of feeders can sometimes make for a tough decision about which one to buy. The model of birdfeeder chosen will have some impact on the type of birdseed that will go inside to fill it up. Since the birdseed will not last forever, the birdfeeder can simply be enjoyed temporarily, or the new owner can decide to fill it up whenever they want to welcome some feathered friends to their yard.

Don’t forget that the perfect companion to birdseed for attracting backyard birds into view is a simple bird bath. Usually a shallow basin of water works best, and remember to vary its location to find out where it seems most effective. For instance, placement next to a bush that birds can scoot into for cover is always a good idea, and the closer to the ground the better. Birds come to feeders, and to water, during activity cycles that are hard to predict, which makes spotting them more of a treat. Weather changes can also make birds feed voraciously and learning to witness such events can make for memorable encounters, creating the kind of cheerful memories that Christmas gift givers hope to inspire.

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view my latest Birding Journal Observations click on September / October 2017 

2017 Law Enforcement Deer Hunt at Deux Cheneaux

The holiday season can be very busy for members of society working in law enforcement. Long hours during the Thanksgiving holiday can tax one’s spirit heading into the Christmas season. So the annual law enforcement appreciation hunt held the first weekend of December serves to provide a little rest and relaxation in the outdoors. A wide variety of federal, state and local people working throughout the justice system came to Deux Cheneaux Plantation in Green Pond to hunt, fish, eat and embrace some quality time on their day off.

Father showing son how to hold a nice bass

The 2017 edition of the law enforcement appreciation deer hunt marks the fifth anniversary of this holiday tradition. Lori Bell partners with Allen and Susan Bell to provide the opportunity to deer hunt and to go fishing in a stocked pond. One member of the FBI that attended the hunt weekend said that the invitation to come to an outdoorsman’s paradise like this property in the ACE Basin is almost too good to be true.

Lunch is served!

A few of the attendees wanted to relay their message of thanks in an anonymous fashion due to work constraints. They said that people in law enforcement aren’t making a lot of money, and that having access to a hunting property like this one is a great opportunity for them. Especially for those that don’t have much experience in the outdoors, this event pools the resources of the group so that everyone benefits. Some know more about hunting, some know more about fishing, and some come simply to eat and relax, but at its core it is a non-work event with a focus on raising spirits among the law enforcement family.

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

To view past blog entries for Deux Cheneaux click 2015 Quail - 2011 Dove - 2012 Turkey - 2012 Deer 

First deer for this 10-year old youth!!