By S.C. DNR Mike Creel
Posted Friday, June 24, 2005
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* HUNTING, FISHING LICENSES ARE UP FOR RENEWAL IN S.C. -- It's time for
South Carolina sportsmen and sportswomen to renew their annual hunting
and fishing licenses for the 2005-2006 season. Last season's licenses
expire officially on June 30. The prices of most hunting and fishing
licenses for the upcoming 2005-2006 South Carolina hunting season remain
the same as last season. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
sells hunting and fishing licenses at its Columbia headquarters in the
Rembert Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St., DNR field offices
statewide and through many retail businesses across the state. Licenses
for the upcoming 2005-2006 season went on sale June 16 and are valid
immediately after purchase. #05-119
* BOATING SAFETY ENFORCEMENT STEPPED UP OVER JULY 4 HOLIDAY -- The S.C.
Department of Natural Resources will be out in force patrolling the
state's waterways this July 4 holiday weekend, traditionally the busiest
boating time of the year in South Carolina. DNR law enforcement officers
patrolling the state's waterways over the long July 4 holiday weekend
will be on the lookout for dangerous boating behavior, such as negligent
or reckless operation and boating under the influence; major causes of
boating accidents, injuries and fatalities. So far this year, seven
people have died in boating accidents in South Carolina. There were a
total of 13 boating deaths in 2004, 33 deaths in 2003, 14 in 2002, 18 in
2001 and 15 in 2000. #05-120
* DEAD SHAD IN SANTEE COOPER SYSTEM A NATURAL OCCURRENCE -- Boaters on
the Santee Cooper lakes and in the upper Santee, Congaree and Wateree
rivers may notice numbers of dead or dying American shad in the water
during late spring and early summer. This is a result of the natural
life cycle of these fish rather than a mysterious fish kill. Anyone
with questions concerning dead American shad in the lakes or rivers
should contact the DNR Dennis Wildlife Center at (843) 825-3388 in
Bonneau in Berkeley County near Moncks Corner. #05-121
* CHECK STATIONS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR SOUTH CAROLINA TURKEY HUNTERS --
Though turkey hunters in South Carolina will still be required to
possess and use turkey tags, taking harvested turkeys to check stations
will not be required in the future. At the request of the S.C.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the South Carolina General
Assembly recently amended the law specifying that all harvested turkeys
must be checked at an official check station on the day the turkey is
harvested. DNR's decision to request this change came after several
years of study and for several reasons, according to Charles Ruth Jr.,
DNR Deer/Turkey Project supervisor. #05-122
* CRESCENT RESOURCES REPAIRS JOCASSEE GORGES ACCESS ROADS -- The
Musterground area of the Jocassee Gorges is much more accessible thanks
to Crescent Resources. Crescent Resources, a Duke Energy company,
recently repaired more than 12 miles of roads that provide seasonal
public access to the area. The Mustergound area of the Jocassee Gorges
in Oconee County is open from March 20 until May 10 and Sept. 15 thru
Jan 1 of each year for public access. The northern portion of the area
is owned by Crescent Resources and leased to the S.C. Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) as a Wildlife Management Area for public
recreation. The southern portion of the area is owned by DNR as part of
the Jocassee Gorges tract. The roads through the Crescent Resources
portion provide access for the entire area. #05-123
* ADULT AND YOUTH DOVE HUNTS SET AT DRAPER WMA IN YORK COUNTY --
Applications are due Aug. 19 for an opening-day dove hunt and youth dove
hunt at Draper Wildlife Management Area in York County. Public drawings
will be held at noon Monday, Aug. 22 to select participants for the
opening-day dove hunts at the Draper Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in
York County. This year on opening day, a special youth dove hunt will be
held in addition to the regular public dove hunt at Draper WMA. Dove
season opens this year on Saturday, Sept. 3. Contact the York S.C.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Office at (803) 684-4078 or by fax
at (803) 628-1023 for additional information about the public dove hunts
at the Draper WMA or other public dove hunting opportunities. #05-124
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