Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Avian Influenza and Wild Birds 11-07-2005 12:35
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Not to scare anyone, but FYI
Many different avian influenza viruses (bird flu) are found in wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds. In most instances, only a small number of birds become infected and most wild birds do not exhibit observable symptoms of sickness or die. Recently a particularly virulent form of avian influenza (highly pathogenic H5N1) has emerged in Asia where the virus has primarily affected domestic poultry operations. In addition, humans in Asia have contracted the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, but there is no evidence that H5N1 infections in humans have been acquired from wild birds.
Wild migratory birds have not been documented to carry H5N1 between geographic regions. However, recent mortality events of wild birds in Europe and Asia and outbreaks of H5N1 in new regions of the two continents have raised concerns that the highly pathogenic form of H5N1 avian influenza could be spread by wild birds. Efforts to monitor wild migratory birds for H5N1 have been undertaken by federal authorities in both the U.S. and Canada. To date (November 2, 2005), the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain has not been found in North America. However, even apparently healthy birds can carry diseases other than avian influenza which can infect humans. As a result, hunters and others handling wild birds and game should follow the minimum basic precautions below.
The following advisory guidelines have been developed by the National Wildlife Health Center:
• Do not handle or eat sick game.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, and thoroughly clean knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling animals.
• All game should be thoroughly cooked (well done or 160° F). Additional information on food safety can be found at: www.who.int/entity/foodsafety/fs_management/No_02_Avianinfluenza_Dec04_en.pdf
Links for further information about Avian Influenza:
Illinois Department of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/avianflu.htm
Illinois Department of Agriculture www.agr.state.il.us/news/Special/birdflu/
National Wildlife Health Center www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/avian_influenza/avian_influenza.html
Alaska Department of Fish and Game www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/aawildlife/disease/avian_influenza.pdf
Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
World Health Organization www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
DU Events November 11-02-2005 11:26
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Marion / Mullins Membership Banquet
Date: November 2, 2005
Location: Marion
Contact: John Padgett
Phone: 843-423-8205
Blythewood Ducks Unlimited 2005 Banquet
Date: November 3, 2005
Location: Blythewood
Contact: Eric Fleming
Phone: 803-691-1572
Orangeburg County Membership Banquet
Date: November 3, 2005
Location: Orangeburg
Contact: Ken Daniels
Phone: 803-536-1711
Spartanburg Ducks Unlimited 2005 Banquet
Date: November 3, 2005
Location: Spartanburg
Contact: Craig Jacobs
Phone: 864-577-7771
Grand Strand Membership Banquet
Date: November 4, 2005
Location: Garden City
Contact: David Owens
Phone: 843-385-1417
Southern Berkeley Membership Dinner
Date: November 5, 2005
Location: Summerville
Contact: Gil Jackson
Phone: 843-297-0278
Clemson UniversityDucks Unlimited Fall 2005 Banquet
Date: November 9, 2005
Location: Clemson
Contact: Bill Middleton
Phone: 864-650-8027
Aiken Membership Banquet
Date: November 10, 2005
Location: Aiken
Contact: Mike Rearden
Phone: 803-644-7144
Greenville Ducks Unlimited Fall 2005 Banquet
Date: November 10, 2005
Location: Greenville
Contact: Jason Tyner
Phone: 864-449-6965
Ridgeland Membership Banquet
Date: November 11, 2005
Location: Davant Plantation – Ridgeland
Contact: Stan Wells
Phone: 843-726-4118
North Strand Membership Banquet
Date: November 13, 2005
Location: North Myrtle Beach
Contact: Jesse Medlock
Phone: 843-663-0001
Gaffney Ducks Unlimited 2005 Banquet
Date: November 15, 2005
Location: Gaffney
Contact: Dennis Fowler
Phone: 846-488-2248
Date: November 17, 2005
Location: Anderson Civic Center
Contact: Oscar McCurry
Phone: 864-225-8704
Email: oscarshomeoffice@earthlink.net
Anderson Ducks Unlimited 2005 Banquet
Date: November 17, 2005
Location: Anderson
Contact: Oscar McCurry
Phone: 864-225-8704
Columbia Membership Banquet
Date: November 17, 2005
Location: Columbia
Contact: Bill Short
Phone: 803-540-7823
Upper Dorchester Co. Membership Banquet
Date: November 17, 2005
Location: Holly Hill
Contact: Allen Hay
Phone: 843-531-0545
Cooper River Membership Banquet
Date: November 18, 2005
Location: North Charleston
Contact: Mark Gilmore
Phone: 843-761-2076
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Hunjting News:State Small Game Hunting Surveys Rank Top Counties For Quail, Rabbit 10-31-2005 10:05
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Survey results for the 2004-05 hunting season show Lee, Orangeburg, Horry, Sumter and Marlboro counties were the top five counties for quail, while the top five counties for rabbits jumped per hour were Lee, Saluda, Greenwood, Orangeburg and Edgefield, according to biologists with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Small Game Project.
Through intensive field observations, South Carolina quail and rabbit hunters maintained detailed records of their hunting excursions throughout the year and provided the data to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Small Game Project for analysis. Hunting data compiled included the number of quail coveys flushed, covey size, number of rabbits jumped, the dates and counties where hunts occurred, and the amount of time expended in pursuit of these species. The S.C. State Council of Quail Unlimited assists with funding for the supplies necessary to conduct the surveys.
To receive copies of the Quail Hunter Survey report or the Rabbit Hunter Survey report or to have your name added to the list of potential cooperators, contact the DNR Small Game Project in Columbia at (803) 734-3609.
Statewide survey results indicate a slight increase in the number of quail coveys flushed per hour and an increase the number of rabbits jumped per hour when compared with the previous year. The quail covey flush rate was 0.54 coveys/hour during the 2004-05 season, up from 0.53 coveys/hour the previous year. Quail hunters in the top five counties reported flushing an average of 0.94 to 0.74 coveys per hour. The rabbit-jumping rate increased slightly from 1.48 to 1.57 rabbits/hour during the 2004-05 season.
The Northern Coastal Plain, defined as a seven-county area from the Charleston-Georgetown county line north to the North Carolina line and inland to Dillon, Florence, and Clarendon counties, claimed the highest rates of quail finds. Piedmont quail hunters had significantly less success than those hunting in other regions of the state, said Billy Dukes, DNR Small Game Project supervisor.
The Rabbit Hunter Survey has shown stable populations and hunting success during the past four years. A majority of rabbit hunting (78 percent) by survey cooperators occurred in the Piedmont. The Lowcountry exhibited the highest rate of rabbits jumped per hour (2.01), among regions with a minimum of 25 hunts, said Judy Barnes, wildlife biologist with the DNR Small Game Project.
Written comments from hunters in the surveys provided some excellent field observations, particularly on food items of quail. The preferred foods reported for quail were soybeans, lespedeza and partridge pea. Other food items such as green vegetation, native weed seed and acorns were also reported.
“To ensure continued accuracy and usefulness of future small game surveys, the Small Game Project would like to increase the number of hunters participating this coming season,” Dukes said. Avid quail and rabbit hunters across the state who are willing to assist by taking careful notes on their hunts should write to DNR Small Game Project, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202 or call (803) 734-3609 in Columbia. Indicate whether you are interested in participating in the Quail Hunter Survey, the Rabbit Hunter Survey, or both. Survey materials will be mailed to cooperators in mid-November, just prior to the opening of statewide quail and rabbit seasons.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Youth Waterfowl Hunt 10-31-2005 09:49
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NOV. 19: A youth waterfowl hunt will be held at Richard Russell Lake, beginning with check-in at 5:15 a.m. Ten slots are available through advance drawing. A parent or guardian must accompany each successful applicant. Hunters must request an application by Nov. 7 by calling (800) 944-7207, ext. 3405.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Wingshooters News 10-27-2005 09:57
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McBee, Webb Quail Hunt Applications Due Nov. 4– Applications are now available for public quail hunts to be conducted at Webb Wildlife Center in Hampton County and McBee Wildlife Management Area in Chesterfield County. Hunters who want an application for the Webb or McBee quail hunts should visit their local DNR office or write: Quail Hunts, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202. Applications are also available on the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting/huntapp.html, or by calling the DNR office in Columbia at (803) 734-3886. Webb and McBee quail hunt applications are due in the Columbia office by 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, and should be mailed to the Columbia DNR address or delivered to Room 255 in the Rembert Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St. in Columbia.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
State Seeking Nominations For Environmental Award 10-27-2005 09:56
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Any leaders associated with SC waterfowl issues we can nominate?
The S.C. Environmental Awareness Award, now in its 14th year, was established by the S.C. General Assembly during the 1992 legislative session to recognize outstanding contributions made toward the protection, conservation and improvement of South Carolina’s natural resources. The state of South Carolina is seeking nominations for this award to recognize individuals who are doing extraordinary work for the natural environment. Each year the public is invited to submit nominations that are then reviewed by an awards committee, which includes representatives from the state’s environmental and natural resource agencies. In judging nominees, the committee considers excellence in innovation, leadership and accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting the natural environment. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 15. Nomination guidelines and forms are available on the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Web site at http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/awards/environmental.html; call (803) 734-9093 in Columbia; or e-mail: enviroaward@dnr.sc.gov.
[Edited By PJ-Perea on 2005-10-27 09:58]
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
SCDU INSHORE FISHING TOURNAMENT 10-21-2005 11:01
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Announcing the first annual SCDU State Inshore Fishing Tournament Saturday, October 29, 2005 in Georgetown, SC. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in what promises to be one of the best-paying inshore tournaments in South Carolina and a great banquet to go along with it on Friday night!
The Georgetown Chapter has been hard at work planning one of this year’s most unique fundraising events. They’ve coupled a high-stakes inshore fishing tournament with a Friday Night Tournament Banquet that promises to be one of the best events in the state. Whether you choose to fish or not, Friday night’s banquet is open to anyone interested, so please make plans to come join us for a wild-game feast as well as auctions and raffles. Tickets for Friday night are only $65.00 per couple and $40.00 per individual.
For those interested in fishing, the tournament entry fee is only $100 per two-man team, and that includes two tickets to the Friday Night Tournament Banquet. To register for the tournament, or to find out more information about the weekend, please contact Michael Toemmes at 843-833-5415. Everyone is welcome, so come join us.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
SCDNR news 10-21-2005 10:56
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Bear Island Wildlife Area changes visitation period
In order to provide a quality experience for all user groups as well as minimize disturbance to numerous wildlife species, Bear Island Wildlife Management Area in Colleton County has changed its visitation days to Feb. 1 through Oct. 14. This began Saturday, Oct. 15 with a closure for upcoming rifle deer season and will extend through the end of waterfowl season.
From Oct. 15 to Jan. 31, the Bear Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be open only for those individuals participating in scheduled hunts for deer, waterfowl and doves.
“Entry of the general public onto Bear Island during the closed period can cause safety problems and unnecessary disturbance to wildlife,” said Dean Harrigal, wildlife biologist and ACE Basin coordinator with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “We are trying to ensure that all visitors have a quality outdoors experience, while at the same time meeting our wildlife conservation goals.”
Even during the closure the general public can view the house pond and utilize an observation blind, both just off Bennett’s Point Road.
For more information on Bear Island WMA, call the DNR office at Donnelley WMA near Green Pond at (843) 844-8957.
The Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin of South Carolina is a largely undeveloped landscape consisting of extensive, diverse habitats, such as saltwater and brackish-water marshes, maritime forests, upland pines, and bottomland hardwoods. These ecologically important attributes, coupled with management goals that balance conservation of natural resources with economic development and population growth, have made the ACE Basin the focus of national attention.
A number of organizations and local citizens have been instrumental in the conservation of the ACE Basin, including DNR, The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Colleton County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Through these and other organizations, nearly 10 percent of the upland and wetland habitats in the ACE Basin have been permanently protected by purchase and conservation easements.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
The flyfwayfoundation.org news 10-21-2005 10:53
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Great Lakes Mallard Nesting Project
Extensive banding data has been researched to determine the nesting location of a remnant population of mallards migrating to South Carolina. The majority were found to come from the great lakes area.
“Based on examining banding data, we are in complete agreement that most mallards wintering in SC are coming from this area and westward.” Bob Perry Waterfowl Biologist with SCDNR.
The Flyway Foundation is happy to announce that we have reached agreements with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Delta Waterfowl on a project in North West Pennsylvania to install 300 mallard nesting structures.
The Flyway Foundation will be constructing and providing the nesting structures. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be providing most of the installation and long term maintenace of the hen houses.
Delta Waterfowl will be providing technical assistance of the installation and also assigning a graduate student for record keeping and scientific validation. Whistling Wings of Pennsylvania and the NW Pennsylvania Waterfowl Association will also be providing assistance to the Penn Game Commission and the Flyway Foundation with this project.
We hope this partnership is the first of many projects in the Great Lakes Area for improving nesting success. Delta Waterfowl studies have shown that with the use of hen houses, nesting success can average around 80%. Nesting success of 15% is needed just to break even.
Posted By:
PJ-Perea
Guest
Delta Waterfowl Events November 10-21-2005 10:51
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November 4, 2005 Midlands Dinner
Columbia, SC – Jamil Shrine Temple 206 Jamil Rd. – Social 6pm Dinner 7pm
For more information please contact Bill Bennett (803) 767-8246
November 12, 2005 Coastal Palmetto Dinner
Conway, SC – SC National Guard Armory 16th Ave. – Social 5:30pm Dinner 7pm
For more information please contact Jason Wallace (843) 229-4344
