2018 Snow Storm in the Lowcountry

Vintage duck decoy and cap in the snow

John Deere tractor and barns covered in snow!

No matter where you are, the weather can change up in a hurry. The Lowcountry of South Carolina was experiencing another ho hum mild winter throughout November and December 2017, with little rainfall. Then came along the coastal low on January 3 that brought in the New Year with effects similar to a winter hurricane. Deep cold temps were in place for 36-hours before chances of precipitation developed, giving the Lowcountry the rare combination of having the ground frozen before any snow. Snow in the Lowcountry usually does not accumulate due to ground temps, but this 2018 snow storm was different, delivering 3 to 5-inches of snow along the Lowcountry coast.

What we experienced was the beginning of a bombogenesis system that went on to create blizzard conditions in the Northeast. While much lower than normal temps stayed in place over the Lowcountry for the next five days, the snow and ice remained on roads until they were plowed or treated with salt. Shady areas and shallow bodies of water remained until mild temps in the 60's returned to the Lowcountry on Monday, January 8. All in all it was quite the milestone experience from I-95 to the coast, with no effects felt in the Midlands or Upstate. Many compared this snow to the 1989 snow after Hurricane Hugo, but the 2018 weather event was of much longer duration.

To view past blog entries about snow in the Lowcountry click on 2010 - 2009

White out conditions in the Lowcountry

Three inches in Walterboro, South Carolina

2018 Grand American Coon Hunt - Treeing Walker Wins

Tree Talken Worm - Overall 2018 Winner!

Another successful coon hunt

When the New Year rolls around, and the weather turns really cold, then its time for coon hunters from across America to return to Orangeburg. The 2018 Grand American coon hunt will take place this weekend, January 4 – 6. The United Kennel Club (UKC) sees this event as the kick off to a nationwide calendar of coon hunt competitions. American Cooner magazine is the primary sponsor of this family-friendly event that draws large crowds to view the coon hounds and go shopping for the latest hunting gear.

The coon hunters at the Grand American are competing for some high end gear as well, with the Top 20 Cast winners receiving a cash payout based on the number of total entries. The First Place coonhound wins $1000, a tri-tronics collar, dog box, Bright Eyes light, custom jacket from Dan’s, and a Garmin tracking system. Second place wins $500, Bright Eyes light, dog box, Marshall tracking system, jacket from Dan’s and a gift certificate. Third place is good for $300 and a similar gear package, with fourth place paying $200 and some gear.

Congrats to owner Dillon Bradshaw from Connelly Springs, North Carolina. His Treeing Walker coon hound named Tree Talken Worm was the Overall Nite Hunt Winner for 2018! For all the winners click on UKC.

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

To view past blog entries from the Grand American click in 2017 - 2016- 2015 - 2014-  2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010

2017 Birding Journal Observations - November / December

Bluebirds beware of watchful raptors in Winter

The outdoor conditions for most of November and December were warmer and drier than usual. Usually November is a wet month, but we hardly saw a trace, and the rain predictions for December brought some early relief, before slowly tapering back to dry conditions.

My observations started with a BIG great-horned owl on November 2, and this bird was in flight. It made an appearance out of one tall treelike, flew across a large field at dusk, and then made an acrobatic move to land on a perch limb on another tall tree on opposite treeline. Rare sighting!

The first flock of goldfinches flitted through my yard on November 26, visiting a $3 bell-shaped seed feeder that I was testing out for the first time. Well worth the investment! Ha ha ha.

Other sightings include dove, cardinal, blue jay, tufted titmouse, Carolina chickadee, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, white-berated nuthatch, chipping sparrow, Carolina wren, bluebird, white-throated sparrow, great blue heron and Canada goose.

To view my latest birding journal observations click on September / October 2017.

To view past Birding Journal Observations for Nov. / Dec. click on  2016 -2015 - 2014 - 2013- 2012 - 2011 - 2010 

New Year's Toast to 2017

In the Field, and on the Hunt in 2017!

Cheers to the year that was 2017, inspiring my 9th annual year end post about activities and stories concerning the Lowcountry Outdoors blog. I remain thankful for the newsprint publications that continue to carry my byline including 14 years with the Charleston Mercury, and seven years with the Colletonian newspaper. Magazine publications include Tideline, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers and Guy Harvey Magazine keep me sharp on subjects ranging from saltwater fishing to farming for wildlife. I stay watchful for Field Notes along the way, and as a Field Expert for Drake Waterfowl my mission of outreach to hunters is continuous.

Travel stories opportunities arise right here at home in the Lowcountry, and across the Southeast. Thanks to all the PR agencies, CVB's, Auto Manufacturers and resort properties that partner with Lowcountry Outdoors! For the 2017 visits click on New Orleans Insectarium - South Florida -

Back On The Saltwater TOO!!

Barnsley Resort - Quail Hollow / Charlotte - Pigeon Forge / Tennessee - Augusta / Georgia - Barnwell State Park

I look forward to working in 2018 towards more blog entries about sporting tales from the outdoors, and I remain ever grateful to those who share their stories during outdoor pursuits. Live well in 2018, and keep one's health and reputation in mind at times!

To view past blog entries from my New Year's Eve Toast click 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009  

Field Notes and Photos - December 2017

Crazy looking caterpillar !

Field Notes is a column I began fourteen years ago in the Charleston Mercury newspaper, but as the amount of newsprint space in the 'salmon sheets' has diminished, so has the space for my nature photography. Now when I have a fresh batch of observations I share them via Lowcountry Outdoors. 

To view past blog Field Notes click September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 -  September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011    

The great Guinea Round-Up

Honey Bees Raiding the Jelly Feeder

Pine Tree Top that Tomahawked -
Look Out Below!!

2017 Driven Hunt For Deer - Three Shots and a Miss

My three spent shells and a shed antler

The last day of whitetail deer hunting season in South Carolina is January 1, and deer drivers will spend lots of time and energy during the final days, beating the bushes looking for big game. While these driven hunts are traditional, they are still evolving too, such as when regulations change and invasive critters appear. Bringing home some meat for the freezer is always the goal, but simply getting in the field and on the hunt are the true dividends. A New Year’s Day man drive for deer on a Lowcountry plantation is my last shot at deer hunting glory this year, or else I will have to live with the three shots and a miss I recorded in December.

            

Driven hunts for deer are those that use dogs or horses or manpower (or any combination thereof) to motivate the deer to break cover and get up and run. Standers are prepositioned at locations where they are likely to view any game before taking aim with a shotgun and firing shells loaded with buckshot towards the target. Antler restrictions on bucks and size restrictions on does are longtime constraints, but now one must factor in the new SCDNR buck tags too. Most driven hunts today also include the opportunity to open fire at wild pigs, coyotes and armadillos if they are encountered.

            
The setting for a many driven hunts involves large-acreage tracts of land with a pack of deer hounds that are under the control of a huntmaster and other drivers. However, it is becoming more common to go on a driven hunt where no dogs are deployed, instead horseback drivers ride through the woods whooping and hollering as they execute a plan to drive a certain block of woods. And of course a man drive for deer can actually be productive with only two drivers, but for covering any large acreage it is helpful to enlist ten standers or more.

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

To view past blog entries about Driven Hunts for Deer click on New Year's Day 2013 - 2012 - 2011 

To view past blog entries about Driven Hunts for Deer click on Santee Delta - Middleton Hunt Club - Savannah River Site - Bang Bang Bang Bang

2017 Gamekeepers / Fall - Planning Tree Plots

Fall 2017 Issue - Cover Image

Many times the most revealing habitat management advice comes from someone who is visiting your property, inadvertently providing a fresh look at current conditions on the ground. In the big picture, the rural landscape in the Southeast is changing, with a distinctive lean towards pine plantations, sometimes including hardwood conversion. Planting a hardwood tree plot makes a commitment toward a long-term annual mast crop, and creates some piece of mind that game animals seeking hardwood shelter won’t pass over your habitat.

Why plant trees when the proverbial low-hanging fruit would be more traditional agricultural plantings? That is a tough question to answer and from my point of view the answer came after years of tweaking management plans. I have shared with Gamekeepers before that a trial and error should play out in whatever you are managing for, as it’s a surefire method to find out what works and what doesn’t work.

Seedlings I started out in planting pots

Having experimented in the past with random hardwood plantings in woodland areas where I thought they would look nice, I found out the hard way that the soil must have include a certain level of moisture content, or else you invite failure. So the first step to identifying a good area for a tree plot might be to work adjacent to or inside a hardwood bottomland area. Many counties offer GIS mapping references online now, and simply clicking on the topography link allows you to view a historical depiction of these areas on your property.

Always advocating for hardwoods!

To join the Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Club and receive a free hat, Biologic samples  and a magazine subscription click here.

To View past blog entries from Mossy Oak Gamekeepers Magazine click Spring 2016 - Winter 2016 - Fall 2015 - Summer 2015 - Spring 2015 - Winter 2015 - Fall 2014 - Summer 2014 - Spring 2014 - Winter 2013