Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
STATE DROUGHT RESPONSE COMMITTEE UPGRADES S.C. TO \’SEVERE\’ STATUS 09-06-2007 07:40
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The state and local representatives from the Drought Response
Committee decided September 5, 2007 that conditions have continued to
deteriorate. The Committee upgraded the drought level to severe for all
counties except Beaufort and Jasper. Drought levels are declared in
four stages from incipient to moderate, severe followed by extreme. The
state has been under a moderate drought declaration since June 6, 2007.
According to Hope Mizzell, SC State Climatologist, there was
general consensus that most counties should be upgraded based on the
drought impact to agriculture, forestry, and hydrology. Beaufort and
Jasper were excluded due the heavy rainfall received over the past two
weeks. There was also discussion about the potential rainfall from the
low-pressure system off the coast; however, the committee agreed they
could not make a drought declaration based off a forecast. The committee
will closely monitor the system and if significant rain is received and
conditions improve in areas they will reconvene. Likewise local
committee members recognized that some indicators supported an extreme
declaration for portions of the upstate and this would also be monitored
closely.
While there is no recommendation for mandatory water
restrictions from the SC Drought Response Committee there may be
restrictions that result from local water system ordinances going to the
severe level. The committee does hope the upgrade will increase
awareness and water systems and industries are encouraged to closely
monitor conditions and implement their local drought plans as needed.
For more information about drought, visit the Office of State
Climatology Web site at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or contact
State Climatologist Hope Mizzell at (803) 734-9568 in Columbia.
Forestry and agriculture had reports of increasing concern about
conditions. According to David Tompkins with the S.C. Department of
Agriculture, “I’ve talked to a lot of people around the state, and few
have received adequate moisture. Especially hard hit have been soybeans
and cotton. Livestock producers are concerned about the lack of feed
and forage going into winter. We’ve got to get a long period of normal
rainfall to get back where we need to be.”
Darryl Jones, Forest Protection Chief with the S.C. Forestry
Commission stated, “The prolonged dry weather has negatively impacted
forest resources in the state. In July and August, the SC Forestry
Commission responded to 518 wildfires that burned more than 2,730 acres.
Wildfire occurrence in July and August is typically very low. Fires
have burned more intensely, requiring more personnel and equipment to
control, and the high temperatures have made it much harder on our
firefighters. Without widespread rainfall, the fall wildfire season,
which typically occurs in October and November, has the potential to be
very active.
State Hydrologist Bud Badr reported all lake levels are below
normal (except Lake Murray, which is slightly above normal). Badr
reports 12 of 17 drought-monitoring stations around the state are in a
drought category with two in Severe and ten in Extreme. David Baize with
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported that his
agency has received reports of 15 water systems with water restrictions
in place. Ten are reporting voluntary restrictions with five reporting
mandatory.
Power generating facilities have implemented their federally
approved drought protocols and plans. Water suppliers have also
implemented local drought measures. “The SC Drought Response Committee’s
decision demonstrates that coordination and consistency between local,
state, and federal drought response is important for effective drought
planning and management,” said Steve de Kozlowski of the S.C. Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) Interim Deputy Director.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Savannah River 09-04-2007 07:40
Cloudy, Winds Calm – Over 70 Degrees
We shot 11 birds on the opener. Birds seemed to be receptive to calling and flagging. Not a bad start for the season. How did everyone else do?
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Early-season migratory bird seasons approved by Natural Resources Board 08-14-2007 15:03
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The S.C. Natural Resources Board recently approved migratory bird hunting seasons for mourning doves, marsh hens (rails), woodcock, snipe, moorhens, purple gallinules, teal and an early season for Canada geese.
The Natural Resources Board set the 2007-2008 hunting seasons for these migratory game birds at its July 20 meeting in Charleston. The seasons must still meet approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and be published in the Federal Register in order to become final.
For more information, write to Early-Season Migratory Birds, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, call (803) 734-3886 in Columbia.
The 2007-2008 mourning dove season in South Carolina is Sept. 1-3 (noon until sunset); Sept. 4–Oct. 6; Nov. 17-24; and Dec. 21–Jan. 15. Legal hunting hours for mourning dove season, except for Sept. 1-3, are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. The bag limit is 12 doves per hunter per day.
Hunters are reminded that mourning dove season will open this year on Saturday, Sept. 1. Dove season traditionally opens on either the first Saturday in September or on Labor Day, whichever comes first. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, seasons for migratory game birds cannot begin before Sept. 1.
An early season for Canada geese will be Sept. 1-30. This season is statewide. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. The daily bag limit for Canada geese during this early season is 15 birds.
The two-part season for marsh hens—including king, clapper, sora and Virginia rails—and common moorhens and purple gallinules will be from Sept. 26–Oct. 1 and Oct. 24–Dec. 26. The daily bag limit for king and/or clapper rails is 15 birds per hunter and moorhens and/or purple gallinules is 15 birds per hunter. The daily limit for sora and/or Virginia rails is 25 birds per hunter. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
The 2008 South Carolina season for woodcock will run Jan. 2-31. Three birds per hunter is the daily limit for woodcock. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
The 2006-2007 season for common snipe, also called Wilson’s snipe, will be Nov. 14–Feb. 28. The daily bag limit is eight birds. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
The South Carolina early season for teal will be Sept. 21-29. The daily bag limit is four birds. Shooting hours are sunrise until sunset (not 30 minutes before sunrise, as with other migratory bird seasons).
South Carolina migratory bird hunters age 16 and older must have a state hunting license and a free migratory bird permit. Completion of an approved hunter education course is mandatory for resident and nonresident South Carolina hunters born after June 30, 1979, to purchase a license, and voluntary for older and younger hunters.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Waterfowl Advisory group will meet Aug. 14 in Columbia 08-14-2007 15:00
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The Waterfowl Advisory Committee to the S.C. Natural Resources Board will meet 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14 in Room 335 (board room) of the Rembert Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St. in Columbia.
The meeting is open to the public. Anyone with business for the advisory committee, needing the agenda or directions to the meeting place should contact Susan Johnson at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources in Columbia at (803) 734-3889. William L. “Sam” Hiott Jr. of Charleston is the chairman of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee.
Items scheduled on the agenda for the meeting of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee include:
Advisory Committee member comments
Constituent comments
DNR Board Approved 2007-08 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget
Update on Waterfowl Hunting Guide
Trends in Continental Waterfowl Populations, 1955-2007
Legislative Update
2007-08 DNR Staff Waterfowl Season Recommendation
2007-08 WAC Waterfowl Season Recommendation
Peer Review Update
Constituent – WAC Internet Communication Forum Update
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
Posted By:
J-GREIDER
Guest
Early goose season 07-28-2007 19:06
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Anyone have any news about the early goose season? Last year it was all of Sept. That is only 34 days away…I’ve already got the itch…Decoys are clean and ready to go…
Posted By:
GOOSE SLAYER22
Web Member
03-20-2007 14:33
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If anybody is looking look for a place in mantioba,canada to waerfowl hunt, i no a real good place, and they will treat you right, If you would like more information on it just pm me and will get back to you
Posted By:
hodgman
Guest
Upstate 02-18-2007 16:59
Sunny & Clear, High Winds – 35-40 Degrees
Just got back from SEWE in Charleston, SC and my father and I went to the timber to see if any new birds were down. Man were they. Approximately 100 mallards, several small flocks of blacks and a couple of pintails. Quite a few of woodies.
I sure wish season was still in!
Posted By:
J-GREIDER
Guest
The big lake 02-18-2007 15:02
Mostly Sunny, No Precipitation – 25-30 Degrees – Open Water
Managed to shoot 4 long necks on the 15th. Got my first triple! Never done that with Geese before. Should of had 5, but someone(me) forgot to eject a shell. So to the two geese that landed and flew off unharmed. Until next year.
If work permits I will get up north to kill some snows and blues.
Posted By:
hodgman
Guest
Upstate 02-11-2007 19:07
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – 35-40 Degrees
Hunted with father in private timber on 1/24/07 in a heavy rain. Worked two flocks of mallards, the largest being 15. Harvested 6 mallards some as close as 10 yds.
Hunted same area with kids again and only harvested 2 woodies.
[Edited By hodgman on 2007-02-11 19:08]
Posted By:
hodgman
Guest
Upstate 02-11-2007 18:49
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 40-45 Degrees
Hunted on 1/6/07 with 11year old son and two nephews in private timber: Harvested 4 mallards, 3 blacks, and 2 woodies. Kids had a blast calling and of course shooting!
[Edited By hodgman on 2007-02-11 19:01]
