Fishing regulations changes being considered
There are several things of importance occurring soon and we’ll take the opportunity this week to look at some of the issues that will impact fishermen and hunters.
First on the agenda is potential changes in fishing regulations.
While there have been several changes to fishing regulations that specifically impact local anglers on lakes Marion and Moultrie, particularly with striped bass, largemouth bass and blue catfish, other changes may also be on the way.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Freshwater Fisheries Section has announced a series of four regional public open houses to discuss proposed changes to South Carolina state statutes regulating freshwater fishing. The goals of these proposed changes are to promote consistency and modernize the regulations to ensure proper management.
Each open house will begin with a brief presentation on the proposed changes, completed actions and future steps.
Following the presentation, all attendees will be invited to discuss specific changes with SCDNR’s fisheries biologists, legal staff and law enforcement officers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide written comment.
The Chapter 13 Open Houses will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:
The two nearest Clarendon County are:
• Moncks Corner Open House, July 27, 2010, Santee Cooper Auditorium, 1 Riverwood Drive in Moncks Corner (located just off the Rembert C. Dennis Blvd.).
• Florence Open House,Aug. 17, 2010, Francis Marion University - Lee Nursing Building, 4822 East Palmetto Street in Florence.
This is your opportunity to hear what’s being planned and provide input before final decisions are made.
On another front, deer hunting season is rapidly approaching and public deer hunts are high priority considerations for a lot of hunters.
The SCDNR public deer hunt drawing deadline is approaching and now is the time to make your decisions and get your applications submitted. The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 20, for the SCDNR annual drawing for public deer hunts on eight state-managed areas. A random computer drawing utilizing a preference point system will take place at the department’s Columbia office to select successful applicants.
Hunters who applied for the hunts last year will automatically receive an application in the mail for this year’s hunts.
This year, eight management areas will be included in the SCDNR computer-drawn hunts. More than 1,400 slots for hunters are collectively available this season on the following state management areas: Webb WMA in Hampton County, Donnelley WMA and Bear Island WMA in Colleton County, Hamilton Ridge and Palachucola WMA in Hampton County, Botany Bay WMA in Charleston County, Bonneau Ferry in Berkeley County and Belfast WMA in Newberry County.
All hunters who hunt on Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lands must have in their possession a valid hunting license, big game permit and WMA permit.
A one-day WMA permit is available only for the designated hunt drawing, only to South Carolina residents and only at the time of application. The $5.50 cost of the one-day permit must be included with the hunt drawing application fee.
Applications fees are $125 per hunter for the Webb WMA Hunt and $25 per hunter for the other WMA hunts.
The SCDNR said that hunts usually conducted at Fants Grove WMA, the Webb Mobility Impaired Hunt and the Webb Women’s Hunt will not be held this year due to reduction in personnel and budget cuts. However, the one-day archery hunt with accommodations, which has been conducted in the past at the Webb Center, will be changed to a three-day hunt with no accommodations and an application fee of $50.
Applications can be obtained from DNR offices statewide by writing DNR Public Drawing Hunts, Attn: Deer Hunts, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202; telephone (803) 734-3886.
Completed applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, Aug. 20. Applications must be received through the mail or in person; no faxed applications will be accepted.
Applications may be delivered to Room 255 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St. in Columbia.
Once hunters are drawn, permits are non-transferable. Cancellations by hunters drawn will not be refunded; cancelled slots will be filled by random selection of applicants who were not drawn.
In addition to the above, here’s a unique chance to hunt an area with too many deer.
Three archery hunts will be held this year at Croft State Natural Area in Spartanburg County in an effort to improve overall herd health and reduce significant deer damage to vegetation inside the park.
Plans call for three archery hunts covering six days: Sept. 15-16, Oct. 6-7 and Oct. 20-21. Hunters are required to register in advance by sending their applications to the Columbia office of the SCDNR. A fee deposit of $15 per hunter must accompany the application. All unsuccessful applicants will receive an automatic refund. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, Aug. 20.
Detailed application packets, including hunt information, special rules and regulations, licensing and permit requirements and a map are available at the following locations: Croft State Natural Area, 450 Croft State Park Road, Spartanburg, S.C. 29302, (864) 585-1283; DNR Wildlife Region III Office, 124 Wildlife Drive (SC 49 West), Union, S.C. 29379, (864) 427-5140; and the DNR Columbia office, P.O. Box 167, 1000 Assembly St., Columbia, S.C. 29202, (803) 734-3886.
