2022 Wounded Nature Veterans / Sunken Boat Removal at Bennett's Point

Sunken boat raised and hauled off by Wounded Nature

The Wounded Nature nonprofit group, founded by Veterans, aims to clean up the coastal environment one project at ta time. They provide opportunities for other veterans to join in these rewarding work projects and they invite partners such as state agencies and private business to join in. Their most recent effort took place on August 16 in coastal Colleton County, near Bennett's Point boat ramp where a sunken boat was blocking the waterway.  SC Senator Chip Campsen volunteered to join Tow Boat US and SCDNR to raise the boat and float it onto the Wounded Nature trailer at the boat ramp, showing how conservation is best served when a coalition of willing partners work together. 

SC Senator Chip Campsen at the helm 

The ACE Basin watershed consists of the Ashepoo River, Combahee River and Edisto Rivers and Bennett's Point is a central to this area. The ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve monitors this area constantly, and welcomes citizen groups like Wounded Nature to provide the manpower that helps keep the environment pristine. Recreational anglers, commercial shrimpers, cruising boaters and naturalists all rely on the sustainability of these natural resources, and value protected properties like South Fenwick Island. If anyone can identify an area in coastal S.C. with need for clean-up, the Wounded Nature group is based in Charleston.

Colleton County Game Warden J.P. Jones

2022 S.C. Plantation Managers meet in Sumter / Shaw AFB

Artist Grainger McKoy with Jason Hewett,
SCPMA Past President 2014 - 2021

The annual meeting of the S.C. Plantation Managers Association (SCPMA) took place on Thursday August 4 at a protected property in Sumter County. A rural farm consisting of 694-acres has been purchased and put under conservation easement and now serves as a buffer to Shaw AFB. A new building has been built overlooking Booths Pond and a plaque reads - The Sumter Community built this facility to honor and benefit the women and men of Shaw Air Force Base. And yes, the 'Sound of Freedom' can be heard there loud and clear.

Turkey mount with superb shed antler display 

Discussions about wildlife and habitat management are the main topics that meeting speakers address, but in 2022 Sumter-native Grainger McKoy served as keynote speaker to speak as an outdoors enthusiast. SCPMA President Brad Pettus welcomed everyone on behalf of Duck Bottom Plantation, and ushered in a series of speakers including Patrick Wightman who spoke about turkey populations, Paul Grimes from Tall Timbers spoke on quail management, and Emery Tumbleston spoke on youth involvement in the outdoors. 

When McKoy took the stage he shared that he had worked on this rural farm when he was 15-years old, making a wage of $15 a week for tractor work, and that fishing in the pond was a benefit. McKoy is a die-hard quail hunter and he joked that Quail are an indicator species for him, and that if you liked to quail hunt too, then that was a good indication that you could be friends. On a serious note, he challenged the managers to think about the legacy they can leave on the lands they serve, noting that others had the job before you and someone else will hold that position after you. He cited scripture, told stories from his life, and led us in a closing prayer. For more on Grainger McKoy, click on Friends of Nemours.

Monument to Shaw Air Force Base

To view past blog entries from SCPMA click on 2021 Cherokee Plantation - 2016 Hobcaw Barony - 2015 / Walterboro - 2014 Spring Island - 2011 / Brosnan Forest - 2010 Nemours Plantation - 2009 Poco Sabo Plantation 

2022 Tarpon Bluff Invitational - Team Marsh Wear Wins

Logan Roberts, Organizer Cantey Smith, 
Kai Williams, Angler Josh Boyles and Jake Parker

On Saturday, July 30 in breezy conditions, a 15-boat fleet went fishing for tarpon out of St. Helena Island for the right to claim the hand-made wooden trophy. Event organizer Cantey Smith hosted the gathering for all anglers at the end of the day that included Smoked Marlin Dip and Beaufort Stew, and he recognized Team Marsh Wear Clothing for claiming the only tarpon release that day. In fact, the same team won the 2021 event too, and is the first back-to-back winner in the history of this event (which began in Charleston Harbor). Angler Josh Boyles was quick to tip his hat to the team in the 24-foot Explore boat with him including Logan Roberts, Kai Williams and Jake Parker.

Beaufort Stew on St. Helena Island

Speaking with Logan Roberts, he told me that they had another tarpon jump them off right at the boat. "It was windy all day, and we left from Hudson's Seafood and fished at Bay Point in 50-feet of water. The tide was slacking as it reached high tide and I had an 7-inch mullet soaking on the bottom using a Carolina rig and an 8-ought Trokar hook. The 8-foot heavy spinning rod was loaded with 80-pound fluorocarbon, which allowed me to handle the tarpon fight in about 20-minutes, and we estimated that fish to be just over 100-pounds. The release was at 9:42 in the morning, and we were all fired up about it!"

Roberts is organizing the Inaugural Holy City Tarpon Release Tourney in Charleston on August 5 and 6. Proceeds are to benefit the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, which will host another tarpon tourney in Georgetown.

To view past blog entries on tarpon click on S.C. Tarpon Law - Ultimate Tarpon Book - DOA Writer's Event - Tide magazine/ CCA article - My First Tarpon / 2010

2022 Edisto Billfish - Sportin' Life Wins; Blue Sky Takes Series

Family Time for Team Cuttin' Out

Weather played a role at the final leg of the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series at Edisto, when windy conditions and a Small Craft Advisory canceled Day One of fishing. When fishing got underway on Friday July 22, Sportin’ Life from Charleston charged out to the lead by releasing five sailfish. Owner Graham Eubank and Captain Mike Glaesner and the veteran Sportin’ Life crew released two more sailfish on Saturday, winning the Edisto Billfish Invitational. The second place and third place boats at Edisto also released seven sailfish, but Sportin’ Life takes first place based on the time of release according to Governor’s Cup rules.

Nice big HOO for Rascal

            After sweeping the first two legs of the S.C. Governor’s Cup, Georgetown-based Blue Sky was the overwhelming favorite to win the Series and Best Billfish Boat award. Owner Greg Smith has been knocking on this door for a decade, and after their third place finish on July 23 at the Edisto Billfish Invitational, Captain Jay Weaver and crew are finally the series champions. Blue Sky was greeted by SCDNR officials in Big Bay Creek and awarded a Governor’s Cup flag. Reel Hook Up finished second at Edisto for owner Michael Carter and Captain Stuart Lackey. The official awards for the Gov. Cup Series are held in September in Charleston.

Man Cave Lady Angler Sailfish Release Flags

            The meatfish bite was slow on Day Two, but the ocean was calmer on Day Three and the boats brought many more tuna and wahoo to the scales. The heaviest dolphin was caught on Day Two and weighed 24.5-pounds, brought in by angler Brian DeMille fishing on the Trash Man. The heaviest tuna, caught on Day Three was 24.4-pounds, reeled in by angler Drew Wilkinson about Anticipation. The heaviest Wahoo came on Day Three by angler Chappell Miller fishing aboard Rascal, and weighed 34.3-pounds. The top youth angler was Austin Mellichamp aboard Reel Hook Up. Kasey Goodwin was the top female angler aboard Dough Boy, with two sailfish releases.

Boats heading to the Weigh-In Scale

            
Brian Bell is the manager at the Marina at Edisto Beach. “We appreciate the continued support of the Town of Edisto Beach and all our sponsors,” said Bell. “Without their support the Edisto Invitational would not be what it is today.” Marine artist Steve Goione designs the tournament T-shirts, and he greets fans at Bay Creek Park each afternoon, when the festivities transition to the catered meals by Pressley’s and nightly live music. 

To view past blog entries from Edisto Billfish click on 2021 - 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 

2022 Coon Dog Day - Saluda, N.C.

Saluda Coon Dogs Day returned after a three-year hiatus from Covid. A full slate of events began with a fun run through town at 8 a.m. and ended with a Square Dance at 8 p.m. on Main Street. Awesome!!

To view past blog entries from Coon Dog Day click 2018 -  2016 - 2013 - 2012 

Totally Awesome way to start the Coon Dog Day

Coon Dog in Parade

Top Gun float idea in Coon Dog Day Parade

2022 Waccamaw Outdoors - Blessings of a Sporting Father

As Published in the June 2022 edition of Wacammaw Outdoors Magazine / Trilogy Media.

If I can shoot the wings off a dragonfly with a BB gun today, then that’s because my father took me dove hunting when I was little. I’m not even too sure how young I was, but I remember that a single-shot 20-gauge shotgun was a load to tote in and out the dove field. Those dang doves were tough, flying high or in flocks with twisting paths. But when that first dove folded and fell to earth, there was no tally of all the missed shots, it was simply that Jeff had shot a dove on the wing. Many others on the hunt that day reaffirmed that this was a milestone, and that success lies solely with the blessing of having a sporting father. 

(Just click on image for a larger version)

Dr. Patrick Dennis Sr. is a retired eye doctor who served the Charleston community for more than 30 years, but his rural upbringing along the Lynches River was never forgotten. Each Thanksgiving we traveled back to Lynchburg to gather with extended family, but also to hit a couple of dove hunts too. Bishopville, Timmonsville, and every ‘Ville in that zip code got a visit from our crew over the years. These hunts provided me the lessons that hunting was also a social occasion because we all looked forward to these times. Plus back then some important college football games were played on Thanksgiving, so listening to a radio broadcast on the tailgate was a part of the experience beyond aiming for a limit of doves.

            

After college, I went on to hone my skills as a woodsman, which included big game hunting. I became a self-taught turkey hunter by making lots of calls to jakes and learning what they responded to, and what they frowned upon. After I became a veteran gobbler slayer, it was time to return the favor and take Dad on the hunt. He had seen the toms of the Lynches River, but his upbringing was more about the small game like doves, rabbits and quail that flourished then. He had never hunted or harvested a wild turkey, and when he did connect, that first bird went directly to the taxidermist. 

New Owners Englis Glover and Stephen Goldfinch

            

Amazingly, we went on to a run of several years of opening day success with turkeys, partly because their numbers were healthy. But we weren’t fairweather turkey hunters either, and I remember one opening morning we hunted in a downpour and the tom was waterlogged, providing a robust weight for us to celebrate. There was failure too, like the time we had three toms in front of us and tried for two kills, but that coordination was not meant to be. But that’s hunting, and we had one turkey for our annual photo, and today those pictures speak to the continued blessings of having a sporting father. 

To view past blog entries about Father / Son Outdoor Blessings click on Bull Reds at Lake Calcasieu - 

2022 I Love Edisto Auction - Edisto Island Open Land Trust

Kelly and Mike Southgate

After a brief hiatus due to Covid-19, the Edisto Land Trust resumed the I Love Edisto Auction at Bay Creek Park on Saturday June 18 from 5 - 8. A raffle and wine pull, plus silent and live auction items were the tools that conservationists could utilize to raise funds for the mission of preserving Edisto Island. Those who could attend dined on lavish foods provided by local restaurateurs at Ella and Ollie's and the Briny Swine, such as caviar and oysters! The Mix team provided the open bar, plus there were 100 bottles of wine that patrons claimed form the Wine Pull. The next EIOLT fundraiser is coming this Fall with resumption of their annual Oyster Roast!

The Conservation Crowd is Happy to support
The 2022 I Love Edisto Auction

Director John Girault spoke from the stage at Bay Creek Park, and it was ironic that past conservation efforts had paved the way for this very event. The S.C. Conservation Bank placed an easement on this property several years ago when they secured it from the Bell Buoy seafood company, to be utilized by the Town of Edisto Beach. Now EILOT is raising money at this very location, in order to preserve history on Edisto such as the Hutchinson House, and to seek new leads on how to preserve even more acreage on Edisto Island. The Live Auction items that fetched top dollar included a Gullah Geechee supper with author Emily Meggett and a fossil hunting adventure with Ashby Gale.

The Land is protected, The Food is Not! YUM!! 

Kaye Duck with Ron and Vicki Bailey

Wine Pull Fun - those Winning Smiles!

To view past blog entries from EIOLT click 2021 Queen Quet Gullah Blessing / Hutchinson House - 2018 I Love Edisto Auction - 2018 Coastal Geology Lecture - 2017 Oyster Roast - 2017 Lowcountry Landscape Lecture with Richard Porcher - 2017 I Love Edisto Auction - 2017 Tomato Open - 2016 Oyster Roast - 2014 Oyster Roast - 2014 Spring Birding - 2013 Oyster Roast - 2012 ACE Basin Mtg. - 2009 Spring Birding with Patrick McMillan