W W W. S C WA . O R G
FEATURES:
- FALL ALL F LIGHT LIGHT F ORECAST ORECAST - 2013/2014 WATERFOWL ATERFOWL R EGS EGS
summer issue DEPARTMENTS 4
5
The DirecTor’s Desk 2013 A Great Year For SCWA
10
chapTer neWs Fundraising Season Is Here
6
14
member spoTlighT JASON HACKWORTH
WooD Duck nesTing program WEC Nest Box Checks Indicate Exceptional Hatch
17 corporaTe sponsors
20 camp WooDie upDaTe - A RECORD SETTING SUMMER 24
14
camp leopolD upDaTe
proDucT & ouTFiTTer revieWs Agridrain - Inlet Water Control Structure
36 The sporTing cheF - CAN’T STAND THE HEAT
40 Dog Training - TEACHING YOUR RETRIEVER NOT
by Doug Gardner.com
30
TO RUN THE BANK
in The neWs
28 Drought Monitors - North America & Canada Farm Bill Stalls Again
29 Clemson & DNR Renew Coop. Agreement 30 33rd Annual SC Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Duck Stamp Buyers Decline
32 Early Teal Season Opens Sept. 14th Late Season Migratory Bird Regs
34 Waterfowl Harvest & Hunter Activity Trends
26
FeaTures 26
Fall FlighT ForecasT - large numbers oF Ducks & geese expecTeD
on The cover:
W ilDliFe phoTographer / Film - maker D oug g arDner , capTureD This shoT oF a Drake n orThern s hovler in Full plumage .
by Ben Clewis
Camp Leopold
“Camp Leopold Excitement”
SOUTH CAROLINA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION Board of Directors
The Camp Leopold crew is fired up and ready for the 2013/2014 school year! Our team consists of: Joe Gonzalez graduate of Syracuse University in wildlife science- Adam Bedard graduate of the University of Maine in wildlife biology- Matthew Whales and Justin Grider graduates of Auburn University in wildlife ecology and management-, and Daniel Hancock graduate of the University of Georgia in wildlife ecology and management. The guys are working hard implementing their knowledge into our curriculum touching on all the different types of ecosystems across South Carolina. Our curriculum is built to comply with the national standards for 3rd through 7th grade students. During the summer we made a few changes to our facility to enhance school year programs. We added a new building increasing the overnight capacity to 136 students for our 2.5 day programs. We have had several schools getting started on the planning for this year’s trip. I encourage all the educators out there to pick your dates before they are no longer available. Also, if you would like to come to a 1 day program the sooner you book the better your chances are on getting the weekday of your choice. If you are just hearing of our school year program for the first time please check us out at www.wildlifeedcenter.org to view Camp Leopold. Also, we can be seen on facebook under “Camp Leopold”. Educators can contact me anytime from the contacts listed below to book their trip or learn more about the program. Book now- don’t miss out on the best hands on experience ever for your students!! Sincerely, Ed Paul SCWA Director of Education Programs Office: 803-452-6001 Cell: 803-600-8977 Email: epaul@scwa.org Check us out on Facebook under “Camp Leopold”
President James H. Walker Senior Vice President Philip L. Horn, Jr. Secretary/Treasurer John W. Williamson, III
Gary W. Dietrich Delbert E. Eggert Marshall J. Collins, Jr Stan Luthi Lou Tocci
Charles C. Rountree III Allen Bell John Stroud John N. McCarter
Executive Director / Head Biologist David J. Wielicki Chapter Development Mac Bagnal Data Entry Thomasyne Hipp
Fundraising & Communications Coordinator Jennifer McNeely Camp Director Ed Paul
Wildlife Biologists Adam Bedard Joe Gonzalez Daniel Hancock Justin Grider Matthew Wales
Waterfowl & Wetlands Magazine is the official quarterly publication of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association. SCWA is a state-wide, non-profit, waterfowl and wetland conservation organization based in Rimini, SC. All money raised by SCWA is spent within South Carolina on waterfowl and wetland education, management and research programs, and legislative education. All donations to SCWA beyond the retail value of the merchandise acquired are fully tax deductible under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Direct all SCWA and magazine inquiries to: 9833 Old River Road Pinewood, S.C. 29125 (803) 452-6001 Fax: (803) 452-6032 www.scwa.org
Queries for story and photo submissions should be sent directly to the editor. Photos must be released by the photographer prior to publication. SCWA assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.
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2013 A Great Year For SCWA
THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
T
BY DAVID J. WIELICKI, SCWA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
he South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) is very excited about the upcoming waterfowl season and our chapter fund raising season. I would like to thank each SCWA member for all that you do and encourage you to support and become involved with your local SCWA chapter. Thanks to your support, SCWA's waterfowl conservation and education programs have made a huge impact over the last year. With your continued support and involvement we can accomplish great things for waterfowl and wetland conservation in the coming year. Camp Woodie has completed a record summer with 595 youth attending summer camp. Due to full weeks we had to turn away over 200 children who had hoped to attend Camp Woodie. To help meet the increasing demand for SCWA's youth wildlife conservation education programs we have just completed the construction of a new 3,222 square foot, 64 bed lodging facility at the Wildlife Education Center. This new building will allow us to host up to 150 children for Camp Leopold and 80 children per week at Camp Woodie. As the Camp Woodie summer session comes to a close we are busy gearing up for Camp Leopold. We expect to host over 3,000 3rd through 7th grade students in the second year of this exciting natural resource conservation education program. This year SCWA will provide 50 Camp Leopold day camp scholarships for every $10,000 in net revenue raised by each SCWA chapter. If your local chapter has a net income of $20,000 or more the local chapter will be able to award 100 Camp Leopold day camp scholarships to schools in your chapter area. This is a great way for your chapter to make a difference in your community. On the waterfowl habitat front, abundant
WATERFOWL 5
Spring and Summer rains returned to the US and Canadian prairies, the southeast and the east coast. This badly needed rain increased the abundance and quality of wetlands and upland nesting cover in these areas and resulted in excellent waterfowl production. The wood duck hatch and brood survival has been very good in the southern and eastern states. This should all add up to an abundant Fall flight of ducks. Over the past 12 months SCWA has installed and distributed 450 wood duck nesting boxes. We have constructed an additional 300 nest boxes that will be installed over the next six months. Since 1987, SCWA has installed and distributed 21,500 wood duck nest boxes that have hatched over 900,000 wood ducks. This year landowners in the SCWA mallard release project released over 40,000 mallards across the state. This program continues to provide hunting opportunity to thousands of South Carolina hunters on an annual basis. Wintering waterfowl habitat conditions across South Carolina are greatly improved over last year. Rivers, reservoirs and beaver ponds are full and although heavy rainfall has made duck pond management difficult in certain areas, most duck impoundments should have an abundance of food. The crops at the SCWA Wildlife Education Center are excellent and the facility should winter thousands of migratory waterfowl that will provide exciting waterfowl hunts for over 120 advanced Camp Woodie campers. I look forward to seeing many of you this Fall and I wish you a safe and enjoyable waterfowl season. Thanks again for your dedicated support of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association and remember to pass on our waterfowl and wildlife heritage by introducing a young person to the great outdoors. WETLANDS
Jason Hackworth - Triple H Specialties
Member Spotlight
SCWA would like to thank Jason Hackworth and his company "Triple H Specialties" for all of their support over the past several years. Jason is from the Camden area and is an avid outdoorsmen who loves to hunt and fish with his two daughters Alexis and Lanie and his son Dalton. After serving ten years with the United States Marine Corps, Jason moved to the Camden area and started a Turkey rearing operation. He also started a successful heavy equipment business that specializes in land clearing, fish and duck pond construction. When SCWA got ready to build our new Wildlife Education Center lodging facility, Jason brought in his Caterpillar Track Hoe and Bull dozer to clear and grade the ground for the new building at no cost to SCWA. His next contribution was to help raise the 46 acre land impoundment dike in order to improve waterfowl habitat and youth hunting opportunities for Camp Woodie campers. Jason has also been an active committee member on the SCWA Greater Wateree Camden Area chapter. He is always willing to donate his time and resources especially in support of SCWA's youth education programs.
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In Memory Steve Bond 1958 - 2013
I am very sad to report that my good friend Steve Bond passed away on August 15, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. Steve was an awesome person and friend who will be greatly missed by the entire SCWA family. Steve was one of the first SCWA Life members and Board members. He also founded the successful SCWA Sumter chapter and was chairman of the chapter for many years. He was President of the SCWA Board of Directors from 1990-1994. Steve's support and guidance was instrumental in the growth of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association and our Wildlife Education Center. Steve loved the outdoors, his fellow man and most of all his wonderful wife Margaret. He had a strong faith in God and during his illness his faith grew even stronger. His testimony during that time was an inspiration to all who knew him. The entire SCWA family wishes to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Margaret and their entire family. WATERFOWL 8 WETLANDS
Now Recruiting!
SCWA would like to start a few new chapters around the state. If you would like to start a chapter in your area please call me. We currently have 27 active chapters and we could use a few more to help with our conservation efforts. We are currently recruiting new volunteers for our local chapter committees to serve in various positions including the following: Chapter Chairman Banquet Chairman Sponsor Chairman Ticket/Membership Chairman Wood Duck Chairman Youth Chairman If you are interested in participating on your local SCWA committee please contact the local chairman or me. If you would like to start a new chapter, please feel free to contact me as well. Mac Bagnal 803-452-6001 803-938-3145 mbagnal@scwa.org
You are a member of SCWA, but how about some of your buddies? You know SCWA is a quality organization, your recommendation is the best advertising we have. So, pass this membership application to a buddy and help grow SCWA along with perpetuating our waterfowl heritage. Just fill out the membership form below and mail it to: SCWA, 9833 Old River Rd. Pinewood, SC 29125
it’s easy to join!
Please sign me up as a member!
$10 Woodie Membership (up to 16 years of age) Pin & decal
________________________________________________________________ Name
________________________________________________________________ Address
$25 Regular Membership SCWA magazine & decal
________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip
$50 Contributing Membership SCWA magazine, decal & hat pin.
$100 Donor Membership SCWA magazine, donor decal, hat & hat pin $250 Sponsor Membership SCWA sponsor gift, hat, hat pin, magazine, sponsor decal, local chapter banquets couples ticket, & invitation to local sponsor events.
________________________________________________________________ County Telephone (Home) (Work)
For more information call us at (803)
$10 Woodie Membership $100 Donor Membership $25 Regular Membership $250 Sponsor Membership $50 Contributing Membership Amount Enclosed: $__________________ __Visa __ MasterCard __American Express__Discover
452-6001 or check out our website at www.scwa.org.
WATERFOWL
(#____________________________________) Expiration Date____
9
WETLANDS
SCWA Chapter News CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT
BY DIRECTOR MAC BAGNAL
Fundraising Season is Here!
E
ach and every chapter looks forward to some down time during the summer months. Most of our fundraisers are held during the months of August thru April giving some down time during the middle of the summer. I use this time of the year to help chapters with some business planning such as best date for their event, giving updates on all our programs and trying to keep up with the latest items for our raffles, live and silent auctions. This is also a great time for our chapters to host sponsor events, golf tournaments and committee get togethers. Many chapters are using these summer months to relax and recharge for the upcoming fundraising season. SCWA hosted its annual leadership meeting in mid June and had over 30 people attend from 13 chapters. I would love for this number to double, but it is hard to accommodate everyone busy schedule. Kevin Stillwell came from Lancaster and provided us with an awesome meal Friday night. Many thanks to him for his hard work and dedication to SCWA! Kevin and a group of his friends will start a chapter for SCWA in Lancaster next fall. I am looking forward to working with him and his committee to have the best event possible in their area. We had a record year at Camp Woodie this year. I cannot 2013 – 2014 Chapter Events
say enough about our Education Director Ed Paul and his staff of counselors and shooting instructors. This is by far the best year on record. I must thank all of the chapters that raise money to help with our Education efforts here at Camp. None of this would be possible without their support. We also have many chapters that have raised money with Camp Woodie cup sales, raffles, and golf tournaments. This extra income helps to send local kids from their area to camp that may not be able to afford otherwise. It is truly awesome to see all the great things going on within our organization. If you are not already involved please get involved with a local chapter to help support all of our conservation and education programs. We have a list provided to look over or you can call me at 803-4526001. SCWA Industry Sponsors
Agridrain Cypress Knee Chufa Proline Remington Shady Grove Kennels Sportsman’s Warehouse Hevi-Shot Columbia Sportswear Federal Premium
www.agridrain.com www.cypruskneechufa.com www.prolineboots.com www.remington.com www.shadygrovekennels.com www.sportmanswarehouse.com www.hevishot.com www.columbia.com www.federalpremium.com
800-232-4742 252-539-4434 800-334-4612 336-548-8560 803-892-5797 803-731-3000 541- 367-3522
As of August 26, 2013
08/09/13 08/16/13 08/24/13
Midlands Conservation Dinner – Seawell’s Banquet Center Clarendon Conservation Dinner - The Cypress Center Tri-County Conservation Dinner – Exchange Club Fair of Charleston
09/26/13 09/27/13 09/28/13
Greater Piedmont Conservation Dinner - Baxter Hood Center Anderson Conservation Dinner – Civic Center Berkeley Conservation Dinner - Shrine Club
10/12/13 10/24/13 10/26/13
Kingstree Conservation Dinner - Recreational Department Laurens Conservation Dinner – The Clinton House Beaufort Conservation Dinner – The Shed at Port Royal
11/07/13 11/15/13 11/21/13 11/22/13
Georgetown Conservation Dinner – National Guard Armory Greenville Conservation Dinner - St. George Greek Orthodox Francis Marion Conservation Dinner - SiMT Building “Fowl” 1st Season Kick Off Dinner & Auction - SCWA Wildlife Ed. Center
12/04/13 12/06/13 12/06/13 12/12/13 12/14/13
Charleston Conservation Dinner – Alhambra Hall Horry Conservation Dinner – The Boathouse “Fowl” 2nd Season Kick Off Dinner & Auction - SCWA Wildlife Ed Center Greater Wateree Conservation Dinner – Shrine Club Barnwell Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory
01/11/14 01/18/14 01/24/14 01/25/14
Black Creek Conservation Dinner - Prestwood Country Club Walterboro Conservation Dinner - National Guard Armory Sumter Conservation Dinner - Sumter County American Legion Orangeburg Conservation Dinner - The Garden Room
02/07/14 02/08/14 02/14&15 02/21/14 TBD
Newberry Conservation Dinner - Newberry Shrine Club Spartanburg Conservation Dinner - CCC Family Room Sportsman’s Ball - Duck Shuck - Omar Shrine Center in Mt Pleasant CSRA Conservation Dinner - N. Augusta Community Center Clemson, Four Holes, Greater Wateree, Greenwood, Lancaster Pee Dee/Marlboro
Chapter (Area)
Chapter Chairman - 2013-2014
Anderson Barnwell Berkeley Black Creek (Hartsville) Charleston Clarendon CSRA Four Holes Four Holes Francis Marion Georgetown Greater Piedmont (Rock Hill) Greater Wateree (Camden) Greenville Greenwood Horry Horry Kingstree Lancaster Laurens Lowcountry (Beaufort) Midlands (Columbia) Newberry Orangeburg PeeDee/Marlboro (Bennetsville) Spartanburg Sumter TriCounty (Goose Creek) Walterboro Walterboro
Name
Phone Number
Chad Myers Carlton Wall Matt Dalton Cal Wheeler Will Freeman Pete Surette Austin Taylor Kevin Weatherford Tripp Mitchum Brad Marlowe Patrick Sports Byron Hill Jason Hackworth Stan Luthi John Alewine Phillip Richardson Larry Elvis Kevin Mouzon Kevin Stillwell Jim Watson Clay Stanley David Stanley Blair Long George Wells Jimmy Jones James Owens Ryan Steen Robbie Wright Allen Bell Jim Minor
864-226-7355 803-259-6351 843-826-2879 843-858-0766 843-270-5454 803-518-1405 803-556-9626 803-492-8280 803-664-4768 843-566-3622 843-543-4497 803-371-0141 803-427-3771 864-320-8861 864-554-1475 843-241-3851 843-254-2896 843-319-1937 704-254-2062 864-543-3717 843-258-4198 803-781-8766 803-321-6276 843-810-2453 843-454-4005 864-809-7911 803-720-8921 843-729-0630 843-893-2230 843-846-6346
For further information, please call Mac Bagnal, Chapter Developement Director at (803) 452-6001 ext.108 or Jennifer McNeely, Coordina tor ex t.109 o r visit our web site at www.scwa.org WATERFOWL 10 1 WETLANDS
Midlands Chapter
CHAPTER EVENTS
Large Prairie Honkers, Specs, Snows, Mallard, Pintail and Upland Birds
+XQW ZLWK %ODFN 'RJ 2XWĂ€WWHUV
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WATERFOWL 11 1 WETLANDS
California Waterfowl Association Leaders Visit SCWA Wildlife Education Center
In May, the President of the California Waterfowl Association (CWA), John Carlson , along with CWA's Director of Hunting Heritage Programs, George Oberstadt visited the SCWA Wildlife Education Center to learn more about SCWA's successful youth wildlife conservation education programs. CWA has received a donation of over 1,700 acres in California and is working to develop a Wildlife Education Center with education programs similar to SCWA's. According to SCWA Executive Director, David Wielicki, "We had a very productive meeting and learned a great deal from each other on how to improve and expand the education programs of both Associations. In 1986 CWA staff and past CWA Board Member, Ray Lewis provided me with tremendous assistance in establishing SCWA. It is very rewarding to partially return the favor by helping CWA expand its youth education programs." Since the founding of SCWA in 1986, both CWA and SCWA have worked closely together on critical waterfowl and wetland conservation issues. Both organizations are now taking a lead role in "John Carlson, California Waterfowl Association President enjoying South Carolina bass fishing" passing on the legacy of our wildlife heritage.
South Carolina Waterfowl Association Annual Meeting Notice
The annual meeting of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at the SCWA Wildlife Education Center Chace Lodge, 1234 Kinnette Trail Road, Pinewood, SC 29125 WATERFOWL 12 WETLANDS
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Wood Duck Nesting Program
Joe Gonzalez - Wildlife Biologist
A
SCWA’s Wildlife Education Center Nest Box Checks Indicate Exceptional 2013 Hatch
s the fall approaches, wood duck conservationists throughout the state should be performing annual nest box checks and maintenance to prepare for next year’s nesting season. Over at the South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Wildlife Education Center, wildlife biologists Adam Bedard, Daniel Hancock, Justin Grider, Joe Gonzalez, and Matt Wales recently completed maintenance and usage checks for 33 boxes located throughout the 410 acre facility. The results yielded were very rewarding. 25 wood duck nests had been initiated, of which 22 were successful. This indicates an overall usage by target species of 76%. An estimated 242 ducklings were hatched. Nests of other non-target species found include eastern bluebird, prothonotary warbler, and hooded
Official Dealer
by Doug Gardner.com
merganser. According to SCWA biologists, high levels of spring and summer precipitation may allow for an increased post-hatch survival rate. Higher levels of water will result in increases in invertebrates, which are an important food source for both young and adults. Access to additional brood habitat may also be increased by the surplus of water. As evidenced by the data, the 2013 nesting season was above average, to say the least. The most effective way to ensure maximum nest box usage and production is to maintain your boxes once a year. After the nesting season (January-June), ensure that all debris is removed from the box and replaced with fresh cedar chips. This helps to provide a foundation for the wood duck to nest on, as well as limit nest parasites and mites. Also be sure to clear all vegetation that may be growing on or around the nest box and post. This will help to limit access to the box by potential predators. Make sure that the box, predator guard, and post are intact and not dilapidated. Having wood duck nest boxes on your property can be a very rewarding experience. While providing important artificial nest sites for a beautiful waterfowl species, you can also be an important part of a nationwide wood duck conservation effort. Nest boxes are also a great way to engage children in the outdoors and teach them about their role as conservationists. If you have boxes on your property but are not able to maintain them, or you are interested in having boxes installed on your property, please contact the South Carolina Waterfowl Association (803) 452-6001.
WATERFOWL 14 WETLANDS
SCWA Adds 3 New Waterfowl Biologist To The Team Justin Grider
Matthew Wales
My name is Matthew Wales. I was born and raised in the small town of Ardmore, Alabama. There my father introduced me to the outdoors at an early age. I grew up hunting and fishing throughout North Alabama and that fueled my desire to become a wildlife biologist. I am a 2013 graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. I have a special interest in waterfowl management and conservation, so getting a job with the South Carolina Waterfowl Association was the perfect opportunity. I look forward to my time with the SCWA and the experiences that lie ahead. Daniel Hancock (photo/bio unavailable)
My name is Justin Grider and I grew up in the foothills of Tennessee in a little town known as Valley Head, Alabama. My parents, Cindy and Shane, instilled me with a good work ethic and a strong passion for the great outdoors. It's for this reason that I pursued a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University. I am very excited about the opportunity to work for the South Carolina Waterfowl Association and I look forward to becoming a part of their ever growing family.
Member Pictures
“Deek” courtesy of Matt Baxley.
“Cain” courtesy of Tyler Mayson.
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WETLANDS
$21,000 - $30,000 C. N. Brown Plastics & Chemicals, Inc. Defender Services, Inc. Orton Foundation $10,000 - $20,999 SCANA Blanchard Machinery Co. Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. Frost Waterfowl Jackson Family Foundation Super Sod
$5,000 - $9,999 Goose Creek Heating and Air Hill Plumbing and Electrical Quality Electric Redrock Development Sportsman’s Warehouse Waste Management, Inc. $2,500 - $4,999 AAA Well Drilling, Inc. Dick’s Sporting Goods Enterprise Car Sales Robert M. Stuck Terry Anthony Tideland Utilities, Inc. Triple H Specialties
$1,000 - $2,499 A & K Mulch – Jimmy Witherspoon Black River Hunt Club Carolina Paint & Body Carrol Josey CMA Financial Services Coastal Sprinkler Company, Inc. Cross Fit of Sumter D & S Heating & Cooling Dorchester Logistics, Inc. Duraclean Systems, Inc. First Citizens Bank - Summerton Gallivan, White, & Boyd, PA Glasscock Company Guns-N-Things Jackson’s Taxidermy John Winthrop Kent Porth Nature Photography L & S Farms Linda Bush Luthi’s Sports and Pawn Martin Marietta Mattress Express Nucor Steel – Berkeley Principal Financial Group Prothro Chevrolet Real Art - Helen Bone Rhodia, Inc. Robbie Freeman Sunrise International The WM Powell Co./Starflo Corp. Thomas Jordan Todd Muckenfuss Wedgefield Meat Processing
Window World of the Upstate
$500 - $999 A & S Auto Sales Absolute Home Services Action Abatement Adam Wiant Ag South of Summerville & Walterboro Allen Ray Alveron Cookers AMCO Electric Argos Cement, LLC ATP Gun Shop Bank of Clarendon – Manning Berkeley Outdoors Billy’s Lawn and Garden Bryant Heating & Cooling Carlton Wall Carolina Air, Inc. Carolina Contracting Solutions Carolina Eastern-Aiken Carolina Orthopedic Specialists Carolina Pole, Inc. Chapman Company Charles Bostic Charles Crocker Charleston Rubber & Gasket Clover Enterprises Coastal Electric Cooperative Craig S. Heath Crossroads Archery Darrell J. McAuly David D. Douglas David Harrelson David Stanley Dilmar Oil Co., Inc. Doc's Gun Exchange Don Saturday Don’s Car Crushing Dry Tunes Dwight Stewart Eastern Electric Fantastic Floors Farmers & Merchants Bank of S.C. First National Bank of SC Flowers Farm Frank Feltham Fripp & Folly Garden Hill Photography General Shale Brick George O. Brittle Goose Creek Heating & Air Greg Myers Hemingway Wood, Inc. Holcim, Inc. Holy City Design Howard’s Liquor Jason Stapleton Jeff Barnes Jennifer Mixon Jim Hudson Lexus John Snow Jordan Scrap Metal Judy’s Electric, LLC LAD Corporation of West Columbia Land, Parker, & Welch, PA Law Firm of Shaun Kent WATERFOWL 17
WETLANDS
Lawn Consulting Services McCutcheon's Welding Michael Knight Mid Carolina Pipe & Maintenance Mitch Johnson Construction Co., Inc. Myrtle Beach Building Supply Neeley Appliance Co. Nicanor M. Aguilar Norman Wilcox Ol’ Rev’s Shooting Preserve Palmetto Putt A Round Palmetto Rural Telephone Co-op, Inc Professional Training Service Rex Thompson Homes of Charleston Robert Rodelsperger Russell Hightower Ryan Martin SAFE Federal Credit Union - Manning Schmoyer & Co., LLC, CPA’s Shawn Newsome Silver Lakes Plantation Southern Eagle Southern Welders Supply Sparrow & Kennedy Tractor State Farm Companies Foundation Steven C. Gamble Steven Seruya Sumter Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sumter Transport Company The Kuckery Tire Town Triangle Construction Company Truck Toyz Tyler Brothers Velocity Powersports Walter Woodard Will Dickens William W. Peagler Wimberly Cleaners
W W W. D o u g g a r D n e r . c o m
$30,000 - $50,000 ODell Corporation Wells Fargo
Corporate Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors as of
12/31/12
WATERFOWL 18 2 WETLANDS
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WATERFOWL 19 2 WETLANDS
A
A R ECoRD S ETTING S uMMER
ED PAUL ? CAMP DIRECTOR
CAMP WOODIE
nother Camp Woodie record setting summer has come to an end. Camp Woodie attendance set a record of 596 boys and girls who came to camp eager to learn about the great outdoors. Campers honed their outdoor skills while learning about nature, fish and wildlife conservation, shooting and hunter safety. During summer camp, 250 youth completed the South Carolina hunter safety course under the expert instruction of Larry Shontere, South Carolina's most experienced hunter safety instructor. The 250 newly added outdoorsmen and women will not only have a better understanding of the conservation of our wildlife resources, they will also enter the outdoor world equipped with the knowledge needed to be a safe, successful and ethical hunter. As an employee of SCWA it fills my heart with joy to know that society as a whole has not forgotten the importance of providing youth with the opportunity to learn about nature and develop the skills needed to practice the wise use of our natural resources. Through the 2013 summer and the rapid growth of our program we as a team have put into place a great plan of action to make the camp experience even better for the summer of 2014. We have expanded our facilities with the completion of another lodging facility and plan to expand other facilities that will allow us to increase the number of education activities and outdoor experiences we can offer campers. The programs’ unmatched success over the past few years is greatly correlated with the counselors and other staff involved. The 2013 Camp Woodie family consisted of college graduates from all over the United States who all shared a great passion for the outdoors and for passing their
knowledge on to others. The large numbers also reflect the hard work from SCWA Chapter volunteers from all over the state of South Carolina. Each chapter spends a great deal of time raising money for the cause and uses much of it to send children from their areas to Camp Woodie. The Camp Woodie team would also like to thank all of the scholarship donors who provided weeks of camp for children this past summer. Also, we would like to thank SCDNR for their involvement in referring our program to others. Special thanks also go out to Johnny and Kaki Williamson for sponsoring ten Camp Woodie scholarships for youth in the SCDNR Take One Make One Program. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with Camp Woodie and information on upcoming offers. Ed Paul SCWA "South Carolina Waterfowl Association" Director of Educational Programs" 9833 Old River Road Pinewood, SC 29125 Office: 803-452-6001 ext 106 Cell: 803-600-8977 Fax: 803-452-6032 Email: epaul@scwa.org www.wildlifeedcenter.org Facebook! under "Camp Woodie" & "Camp Leopold"
For more information on Camp Woodie call the office at (803) 452-6001 or visit our website at www.scwa.org.
South Carolina Waterfowl Association please reserve space at Camp Woodie for:
Camper’s name __________________________________male_____female_____ age Week of Choice ___________________________________ Parent’s Name Address
State/zip
Payment type (circle one):
Check
MC
Visa
Amex
Phone
Discover
Birth date
City
EMail________________________________________
expiration date Name on Card________________________________credit card # Mail this form to: SCWA Camp Woodie, 9833 Old River Road, Pinewood, SC 29125 Fax: (803) 452-6032 PH: (803) 452-6001 web site: www.scwa.org WATERFOWL 20 WETLANDS
Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week
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CAMP DATES 2014
June 1 - June 5 June 8- June 12 June 15 - June 19 June 22 - June 26 June 29 - July 3 July 6 - July 10 July 13 - July 17 July 20 – July 24 July 27 – July 31 August 3 - August 7
Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level
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Coed Coed Coed Coed Coed Coed Coed Coed Coed Coed
Level 1 (8 & 9 year olds) Level 2 (10 & 11 year olds) Level 3 (12 - 16 year olds) Level 1 & 2 is $445 per week Level 3 is $595 per week Register and Pay in Full by December 1st for a $50 discount
H OME V ISIT S PECIAL
The program works like this: a person or family serves as a host to their friends and their kids that are interested in learning more about Camp Woodie. I will come to the host house to explain the activities and goals behind Camp Woodie. All questions will be answered and a slide show will be presented. Contact Camp Woodie. 803-452-6001
New WEC Cypress Lodge
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CAMP WOODIE
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SCWA Partners with SCDNR Take one Make one Program
Thanks to a grant from Johnny and Kaki Williamson, SCWA was able to provide 10 Camp Woodie Scholarships to children in the SCDNR Take One Make One Program (TOMO). TOMO emphasizes teaching safe and ethical hunting, the conservation and responsible use of our natural resources and character education. The ten children who attended Camp Woodie had a great time learning about wildlife conservation and hunter safety. SCWA looks forward to hosting more youth from the TOMO program next year at Camp Woodie. For more information on the TOMO program contact SCDNR at 800-277-4301.
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PRoDuCT REVIEW
Agri Drain Water Control Structures
W
etlands provide a wonderful wildlife habitat system. Are you effectively managing every last drop? Take the headache out of managing your wetland by using water management products from Agri Drain Corp.! A manual or automatic water level control structure is necessary to control the depth and volume of water within your wetland. There are many beneficial management opportunities when using water level control structures, such as the ability to adjust the water level based on time of year, weed control, flooding for ducks, work on duck blinds, setting or retrieving decoys, maintenance on dams, removal of silt, or repair of inlet guards or water lines. To learn more about managing your wetland with water management products from Agri Drain Corp. or to place your order, contact your local Agri Drain dealer or call Agri Drain Corp. at 1-800-232-4742 and speak with one of our friendly customer service professionals. Ag r i Drai n C orp or at i on 1 462 3 4 0t h St r eet Ada i r , IA 5 0002 Ph : ( 8 0 0) 232- 4 7 42 F ax : ( 8 0 0) 282- 3 3 53 i n f o@ ag r i dr a i n . com
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Large Fall Flight of Ducks & Geese Expected Fall Flight Forecast
T
he United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has released its waterfowl population status report for 2013. The data collected for this report is generated from the worlds' largest annual bird survey. The survey is conducted by state, federal and provincial employees and volunteers from the United States and Canada. Airplanes, helicopters and people on the ground are used to count breeding ducks and geese in both the traditional survey area and the eastern survey area. Satellite imagery is also used to analyze goose and swan breeding habitat conditions across the arctic. The traditional survey area is made up of land from the eastern Dakotas northeast through Ontario and west to Alaska and British Columbia. The eastern survey area is made up of those lands east of the Great Lakes all the way to Nova Scotia. Overall habitat conditions in the traditional survey area were improved over last year, while in the eastern survey area breeding habitat conditions were fair to good. Wetland conditions in the Southeast and many of the Atlantic states were vastly improved over last year. This resulted in an excellent wood duck hatch. In the traditional survey area abundant snow fall and ample spring rains resulted in an increase in May ponds from 5.54 million to 6.89 million. This represents a 24% increase over last year and a 35% increase over the long term average. Abundant June rainfall in many parts of the Canadian prairie pothole region resulted in a strong re-nesting effort among ducks. Total Ducks This year there were approximately 45.6 million total ducks in the traditional survey area. This is the second highest count on record since the survey began in 1955. This represents a 6% decrease from the record count of 2012 but the estimate is 33% above the long term average. In the eastern survey area the total population index for the six most abundant duck species totaled 2.98 million which was an increase from last year's estimate of 2.6 million. Mallard Mallard numbers in the traditional survey area were the fifth highest on record with approximately 10.4 million counted in the traditional survey area. This is
down from 10.6 million last year but still 36% above the long term average. The predicted fall flight of mallards from the traditional survey area is 13 million. The eastern survey area mallard estimate was 0.5 million mallards which is 25% above the long term average. Mallards represented 8% of the ducks harvested in South Carolina last season with many of those coming from the eastern Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The eastern Dakotas showed a 3% increase in breeding mallard numbers while the number of breeding mallards in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota showed a decrease of 13%. Teal In the traditional survey area, blue-winged teal estimates were 7.7 million birds which is 60% above the long term average while green-winged teal estimates were 3.1 million which is 51% above the long term average. Green-winged teal population estimates in the eastern survey area were 292,000 which is close to the long term average. Everyone should look forward to an excel-
by Ben Clewis
lent early teal season in South Carolina with high teal populations and excellent water conditions across the state. Depending on the year teal represent 10 to 20% of South Carolina's duck harvest. Abundant teal populations should result in increased hunting opportunity for South Carolina duck hunters. Gadwall Gadwall breeding populations were estimated at 3.3 million which is similar to last year and 80% above the long term average. Gadwall represent 2 to 8% of South Carolina's annual duck harvest. American Wigeon This year 2.6 million wigeon were reported in the
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by Doug Gardner.com
traditional survey area. This number is up 23% from last year and similar to the long term average. Last year wigeon represented only 1% of the South Carolina duck harvest with an estimated harvest of 2,637 wigeon. In 2012, 7,564 wigeon were harvested in South Carolina. Weather and habitat conditions can make a big difference in the number of ducks harvested each season. Northern Shoveler Shoveler numbers remain strong with a breeding population estimate of 4.8 million which is 96% above the long term average. Last season northern shovelor
by Ben Clewis
accounted for 3% of South Carolina's duck harvest with an estimated harvest of 6,857 birds. Northern Pintail Pintail numbers were 3.3 million and were similar to last year but 17% below the long term average of 4 million. Pintails represent less than 1% of South Carolina's waterfowl harvest with most pintails being harvested along coastal areas. Redhead Redheads continue to remain at high population levels with an estimated breeding population of 1.2 million ducks which is 76% above the long term average. Redheads represent less than 1% of South Carolina's annual waterfowl harvest with an estimated harvest of 791 redheads during last duck season. A large majority of redheads winter along the gulf coast of the US and
Mexico. Canvasback Canvasback numbers also remain healthy with a breeding population estimate of 787,000 which is 37% above the long term average. Canvasbacks are trophy ducks for any South Carolina duck hunter with an estimated 264 harvested last duck season. In 2011, 1,375 canvasbacks were harvested in South Carolina. Scaup (greater and lesser combined) After experiencing declines in populations for many year's scaup breeding population numbers reached 5.23 million in 2012. As a result scaup limits were increased to 4 ducks in the daily bag during last year's duck season. This year scaup breeding population numbers have fallen to 4.17 million which is 17% below the long term average. This prompted the USFWS to reduce the bag limit on scaup to 2 ducks per day for the 2013/14 waterfowl season. Hopefully scaup populations will rebound and allow for an increased bag limit in coming years. Last year lesser and greater scaup represented 5% of South Carolina's duck harvest with an estimated harvest of 12,396. Wood Duck Wood ducks are the number one duck harvested in South Carolina. Last year they made up 49% of the duck harvest in our state with a total harvest of 116,308 wood ducks. Although no accurate survey system is in place to estimate wood duck populations, 2013 should be a great year. Abundant rainfall across the Southeast and up to Virginia has resulted in an excellent wood duck hatch. SCWA’s wood duck nest box program is seeing good production from volunteer and staff maintained nest boxes. Thanks to abundant rainfall, South Carolina wetlands are over flowing. This should result in abundant wintering wood duck populations and excellent hunting. South Carolina hunters can be proud of the fact our state has done more to increase wood duck populations than any other state through the SCDNR and SCWA wood duck nest box and habitat programs. The limit on wood ducks will remain at three per day. Black Duck Black Ducks are not one of the ducks surveyed in
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Continued on page 38...
NEWS
Drought Monitors Accumulated Precipitation (National) September 1, 2012 to August 25, 2013
< 25 mm 25 - 50 mm 50 - 75 mm 75 - 100 mm 100 - 150 mm 150 - 200 mm 200 - 300 mm 300 - 400 mm 400 - 500 mm 500 - 600 mm 600 - 700 mm 700 - 800 mm 800 - 900 mm 900 - 1000 mm 1000 - 1250 mm 1250 - 1500 mm 1500 - 2000 mm > 2000 mm Extent of Agricultural Land
Produced using near real-time data that has undergone initial quality control. The map may not be accurate for all regions due to data availability and data errors.
Progress Stalls Again On Farm Bill Copyright Š 2013 Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Prepared by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Agroclimate Information Service (NAIS). Data provided through partnership with Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and many Provincial agencies.
Congress is currently in the midst of a five-week recess, leaving many pieces of legislation unfinished including a new Farm Bill, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. In July, the House passed their version of a Farm Bill but could only do so after removing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the bill. Their version of the legislation deals only with farm-related programs. The Senate passed a comprehensive Farm Bill, including nutrition programs, in June and Senate Farm Bill leaders have said that they would not accept a final bill without the nutrition provisions. The next step is for the Senate and the House to establish a Conference Committee to work out the differences between the two bills and negotiate a final package that can pass both chambers and be signed into law by the President. The Senate has designated their Conference Committee representatives: Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Patrick
Created: 08/26/13 www.agr.gc.ca/drought
Leahy of Vermont, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Max Baucus of Montana, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, John Boozman of Arkansas and John Hoeven of North Dakota. The House failed to appoint their conferees prior to adjourning for the August recess. Most farm programs are currently operating as a result of an extension of the 2008 Farm Bill. That extension expires on September 30 this year. There are just nine working days available for Congress to conduct business before the end of September. Given that and the widely varying views between conservative and liberal lawmakers as to what should be authorized in the Farm Bill and the level of funding for those programs, another extension of the 2008 legislation appears to be likely. (pmr) Article Courtesy of Wildlife Management Institute
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Clemson University, DNR renew cooperative agreement
Clemson University and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently renewed their “Cooperative Agreement” during recent meetings in Clemson. The agreement strengthens a more than 31-year collaboration between the two entities by codifying the process of sharing assets and exchanging personnel in natural resources and wildlife conservation teaching, research and extension. “This agreement has enabled the DNR and Clemson to work together in research, outreach and teaching in natural resources conservation, and to collaborate in maintaining a healthy environment and high quality of life for our citizens, especially those that enjoy the outdoors. Clemson’s programs have been crucial in training students to take on leadership roles in the natural resources field, many of whom have gone on to have careers with our agency,” said Alvin Taylor, director of the DNR. This most recent agreement forms a cooperative program committee made up of five representatives each from Clemson and DNR. The committee will meet regularly to evaluate cooperative programs, make recommendations for improvement and assess current and future areas of collaboration. 'The citizens and natural resources of South Carolina have benefitted greatly over the years from the collaborative efforts of Clemson and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This agreement allows us to work together even more efficiently to meet the natural resources and environmental challenges and needs of the citizens of this state," said Greg Yarrow, chairman of the natural resources division of Clemson's
School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences (SAFES). Since the 1970s, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Clemson's programs in wildlife and fisheries biology, environmental and natural resources and forest resource management have collaborated on efforts to protect, maintain and grow the state’s $54 billion annual natural resources economy. Through student internship programs, applied research efforts, and outreach programs the cooperative programs have provided critical answers to some of the state’s most pressing natural resources and environmental challenges. Most recently, Clemson researchers and DNR began working together to design an adaptive conservation and management strategy for the state’s alligator population with the goal of adjusting harvest numbers annually so that alligators remain an economic and ecological asset to the citizens of South Carolina. Clemson and DNR also work together in such areas as architecture, engineering, economics, geology, hydrology and water resources. “This agreement helps ensure the future health and vitality of South Carolina’s natural resources which are so critical for the economic and recreational wellbeing of our citizens,” said Patricia Layton, director of SAFES. The new agreement will run for a period of 10 years until June 30, 2023. Article Courtesy of SC DNR
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NEWS
33rd Annual SC Migratory Waterfowl Stamp
The 2013 South Carolina Duck Stamp print features Jim Killen’s painting of the black duck species as well as the Boykin spaniel, the South Carolina state dog. The 2013-14 print is the seventh in a series commissioned by the S.C. Migratory Waterfowl Committee from nationally acclaimed wildlife artist Jim Killen, already a nine time artist for the state's Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp and Print Program. Funds derived from the sale of stamps, art prints and related artwork are used as specified in state law. The program, now in its 33rd year, is administered by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Fifty percent of the total revenue from stamp and print sales is transferred to the SCDNR for use in its specified projects. The remainder of
funds derived by the sale of prints is disbursed to a nonprofit organization for the development of waterfowl propagation projects within Canada. The projects must specifically provide waterfowl for the Atlantic Flyway and must be able to demonstrate evidence that the projects are acceptable to the appropriate governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the project areas.
The 2013-2014 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – better known as the Duck Stamp – went on sale on June 28. This year’s stamp, painted by Robert Steiner of San Francisco, California, depicts a drake common goldeneye and is available for purchase for $15 at many sporting goods and retail stores, at some post offices and national wildlife refuges, and online. While electronic stamps are available through a pilot program, a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representative in early June will make duck stamps permanently available for purchase online. However, research included in the Summer 2013 edition of The Wildlife Professional describes how the sale of Duck Stamps has declined in recent years indicating fewer duck hunters and resulting in a potentially significant loss in conservation funding, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. Duck Stamps have long provided an
important revenue stream for the conservation of habitats for waterfowl and other birds. Almost all of the proceeds from the sale of the $15 stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which is used to acquire wetlands habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. However, in an article entitled “As Waterfowl Hunters Decline… So Do Revenues for Wetlands Conservation” published recently in The Wildlife Professional (adapted from a study published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin), researchers outlined the current decline in sales of duck stamps and the potential ramifications for habitat conservation. The study, led by Mark Vrtiska with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, evaluated trends in duck populations and noted the general increase in populations of breeding ducks, at the same time as the number of duck hunters has gradually decreased. The slow
As Duck Stamp Goes on Sale, New Research Spotlights Decline of Buyers
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decline of waterfowl hunters from an average of 2.2 million stamps sold during the 1970’s to an average of 1.4 million stamps sold each year between 2004-2008 equates to a loss of approximately $9 million per year (not adjusted for inflation). “Waterfowl hunter numbers, as indicated by the sale of Duck Stamps, have historically fluctuated congruently with breeding duck populations,” the authors wrote. “However, our evaluation found that the relationship between breeding duck populations and waterfowl hunters has weakened considerably. Although duck populations have increased, hunter numbers have not. If the consistent relationship that once existed between hunter numbers and duck population size had continued through the 1995-2008 period, approximately 600,000 more Duck Stamps would have been sold per year, with estimated revenue of $126 million.” The authors of the study encouraged a number of potential actions to recruit new waterfowl hunters and to increase the revenues from the stamps. Part of their recommendations include completing and implementing a Waterfowl Hunter Recruitment Strategy, increasing the cost of the stamp since the $15 price tag hasn’t changed since 1991, and expanding public hunting access. The authors also encourage broadening the base of people buying the stamp by requiring everyone who recreates on National Wildlife Refuges or Waterfowl Production Areas to purchase a stamp. Making the stamp readily available to purchase online would also facilitate sales, and bipartisan legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June would do that. The bill would provide immediate proof of purchase of a Duck Stamp to hunters who would then receive the traditional paper stamp in the mail. This will allow hunters to fulfill the
obligation of having a Duck Stamp, even if the decision to hunt was made after local sporting goods stores closed for the evening. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is currently considering a companion bill, S. 738, introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) and cosponsored by Sens. Max Baucus (MT), Thad Cochran (MS) and Mark Pryor (AR). “There is no cost to the taxpayers, there is broad bipartisan support for this innovative idea and this convenient twenty-first century delivery system will be utilized by thousands of American sportsmen in the future. Allowing the purchase of duck stamps online is an important technological advancement and it is time to make this a permanent feature of federal law,” said Rep. Rob Wittman from Virginia, a leading sponsor in the House along with Rep. Ron Kind from Wisconsin. “This is a small but common-sense step to making government work more efficiently for citizens.” With the increased cost of habitat conservation coupled with the declining number of stamps being purchased, it is clear that some changes are essential in order to meet the future conservation needs. In the near term, everyone who cares about bird conservation should head out and purchase the 2013-2014 Stamp. (jas) Article Courtesy of Wildlife Management Institute
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Early Teal Season opens September 14th
NEWS
RULES AND REGULATIONS
New Bag and Possession Limits
South Carolina's early teal season is set for September 14 through September 29. Thanks to abundant blue-winged teal populations and low harvest pressure, early season teal limits have been increased from 4 to 6 teal. Blue-winged teal begin migrating south in August with the main migration occurring in September. By the time the regular duck season opens in November the vast majority of blue-wings have already left the lower 48 and are on their wintering grounds in Central and South America. This migration pattern greatly reduces the amount of hunting pressure on blue-wings which are one of the most abundant species of waterfowl. This year the breeding population of blue-winged teal was estimated at 7.7 million birds. Excellent water conditions on the breeding grounds should result in a Fall flight of
blue-winged teal in excess of 10 million birds. This year we have abundant water throughout South Carolina. Many corn fields across the midlands are partially flooded. These areas should attract migrating teal. The bulk of migrating blue-wings are attracted to South Carolina's coastal marshes and waterfowl impoundments. Several landowners in the midlands have started planting and flooding rice and jap millet to attract early migrating teal and are experienced success with this management technique. This should be a great teal season. Another change to the migratory bird regulations for this season includes an increase in possession limits for migratory birds from a two day limit to a three day limit. The possession limit for ducks has been increased from 12 to 18.
The S.C. Natural Resources Board, the policy-making body of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), recently approved the 2013-2014 late migratory bird seasons and regulations from a framework set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The season and bag limit selections must be approved by the Service and published in the Federal Register. The 2013-14 migratory bird brochure will be available soon. DuCKS (Excluding Sea Ducks) - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 23--Dec. 1; Dec. 7--Jan. 26 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 6 total, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 2
pintails, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 1 black-bellied whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup and either 1 black duck or 1 mottled duck. - Possession limit: 18 total, including no more than 12 mallards (6 hens), 6 pintails, 3 fulvous whistling ducks, 3 black-bellied whistling ducks, 9 wood ducks, 6 redheads, 6 canvasbacks, 6 scaup and any combination of 3 total for mottled ducks and/or black ducks. MERGANSERS - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 23--Dec. 1; Dec. 7--Jan. 26 Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 5 (not to include more than 1 Hooded Merganser) - Possession limit: 15 (not
Late-season Migratory Bird Regs
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RULES AND REGULATIONS
to include more than 3 Hooded Mergansers). SEA DuCKS (eiders, scoters, long-tailed ducks) - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Oct. 12--Jan. 26 - Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 7 (Not to include more than 4 scoters) - Possession limit: 21 (Not to include more than 12 scoters) -- Sea ducks taken outside of the regular duck season may be hunted only in Atlantic Ocean waters separated from any shore, island or emergent vegetation by at least one mile of open water. CooTS - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 23--Dec. 1; Dec. 7--Jan. 26 Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 15 - Possession limit: 45. CANADA GEESE/WHITE FRoNTED GEESE (Late Seasons) - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 23--Dec. 1; Dec. 7—Jan. 26, Feb. 6—Feb. 15- Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 5 (not to include more than 2 white-fronted geese) Possession limit: 15 (not to include more than 6 white-fronted geese). This excludes all of
by Ben Clewis
Clarendon County, that portion of Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and that portion of Berkeley County north of SC Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and that portion west of the Santee Dam. BLuE and SNoW GEESE - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Nov. 23--Dec. 1; Dec. 7—Jan. 26 Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 25 Possession limit: No limit. BRANT - Open Dates (All Dates Inclusive): Dec. 28—Jan. 26 Hunting hours: 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset - Bag limit: 2 Possession limit: 6. There is no open season on harle-
quin ducks. Nov. 16, 2013 and Feb. 1, 2014 are Federal Youth Days. Only hunters 15 years of age or younger may hunt waterfowl (ducks and geese) on these days. The youth(s) must be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age. The adult is not allowed to carry a gun or hunt, and does not have to be licensed. The regular duck season limits apply. Shooting hours for late season duck hunting are uniform statewide. Hunters should take notice that DNR law enforcement officers will pay special attention to "late shooting violations" throughout South Carolina. Check local newspapers for sunrise and sunset times. Any South Carolina hunter born after June 30, 1979, must complete an approved hunter education course to purchase a hunting license. Federally approved nontoxic shot (such as steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron or tungstenpolymer) is required for all waterfowl hunting. The possession of lead shot is prohibited for all waterfowl hunting statewide.
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SC Waterfowl Harvest & Hunter Activity Trends
NEWS
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has published its annual report on the preliminary estimates of waterfowl harvest and hunter activity for the Atlantic Flyway for the 2011 and 2012 waterfowl seasons. Estimated duck harvest in the Atlantic Flyway increased from 1,672,900 in 2011 to 1,872,300 in 2012. Goose harvest in the Atlantic Flyway increased from 580,400 in 2011 to 764,800 in 2012. The estimated number of active waterfowl hunters in the Atlantic Flyway increased from 232,500 in 2011 to 238,100 in 2012. In South Carolina the duck harvest increased from an estimated number of 216,100 in 2011 to 235,500 in 2012. The South Carolina estimated goose harvest increased from 17,250 in 2011 to 39,700 in 2012. The estimated number of active waterfowl hunters declined slightly from 21,300 in 2011 to 21,200 in 2012. The wood duck still remains the number one duck harvested in South Carolina representing 49% of the
G UN D OG P HOTOGRAPHY PAMELA O. K ADLEC
ducks harvested in 2012. The average number of ducks harvested per hunter was 11.5 ducks in 2012. Total estimated duck harvest in the United States declined from 15,931,200 in 2011 to 15,704,500 in 2012. Total goose harvest increased from 2,879,900 in 2011 to 3,191,200 in 2012. The total estimated number of active waterfowl hunters in the United States fell from 1.2 million hunters in 2011 to approximately 1.1 million waterfowl hunters in 2012. South Carolina estimated duck harvest for the top 6 species harvested: Duck Species 2011 2012 Wood Duck Ring-Necked Duck Mallard Scaup(Lesser & Greater) Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal
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88,931 3,896 24,754 8,710 17,190 20,628
116,308 26,637 19,780 12,132 11,341 9,231
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Can’t Stand The Heat? THE SPORTING CHEF
BY SCOTT LEYSATH
Did you ever wonder why some people can chomp into a hot pepper without so much as a bead of sweat while others act as if they just swallowed a mouthful of lava? How well you can handle the heat of spicy foods says more about your genetic make-up than how tough you are. Although you’re supposed to be able to build up a tolerance to hot foods by slowly building up a regular diet of peppers, I’m not sure why that would be a good idea. Most of us know someone who can’t eat a piece of meat without adding a splash or two of hot sauce. I like spicy foods, but my palate is more suited for jalapeno, not habanero peppers. Tempered with something sweet like sugar, preserves, honey or agave nectar, fresh jalapeno peppers won’t set most mouths on fire. I usually keep a jar of store-bought pickled sliced jalapeno peppers on hand, but I pour out half of the pickling juice and add a half cup or so of brown sugar for a sweet-hot condiment that’s great on cooked meats. When dining on grilled split or whole ducks, notice how little of the legs are actually eaten. While split duck breasts are great on the grill, tougher duck legs and thighs are better prepared “low and slow.” I prefer to give them a good head start before putting the split breasts to the flame. *Marinate for several hours before baking, covered, in a 300 degree oven with about an inch of liquid – stock, wine, beer, etc. – in a pan. In about 2
to 3 hours, they will be ready to add to the grill for a falloff-the-bone appetizer. If your ducks have the skin intact, slice through the skin in a crisscross pattern to scorn the skin and make it crispier when cooked. A good marinade will enhance, not mask the flavor of the cooked meat. If you need to make the meat taste like something other than what it is, then it’s probably best to pick another meat. I’ve met many waterfowlers who much prefer the shooting over the eating of ducks. As it turns out, most of their minds can be changed with a taste of a properly prepared duck rather than one that is overcooked, leathery and livery. OK, as much as I like eating duck, I guess I’d still rather be part of a great duck hunt than a sensational duck dinner. Sweet Jalapeno Grilled Duck Don’t let the number of peppers scare you. The cooked marinated duck will be milder than you might think. If you want to lower the heat factor, avoid the top part of the pepper, the area closest to the stem where the heat is more concentrated. 4 servings 4 whole ducks Marinade 2 cups water 2 cups orange juice concentrate 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 6 jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced widthwise 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 6 garlic cloves, minced 1. To prepare ducks, place breast side up on a firm surface. With a sharp, thin-bladed knife, slice along each side of the breastbone to remove the breasts from the carcass. Work the knife towards the back of each side and remove the legs at the joint where the thighs connect to the body. 2. Combine marinade ingredients in a large non-reactive bowl (plastic, ceramic or glass). Reserve 1 cup of marinade to use as a baste while grilling. Place ducks in remaining marinade and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours, turning occasionally. 3. Remove ducks from marinade. NOTE: For tender duck legs, prepare as per instructions above* and bake for 2 to 3 hours before grilling breasts. 4. Place breasts, skin side down (if skin is intact), on a medium-hot grill for approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. If legs were oven-baked in advance, grill with breasts until browned. While grilling, baste with reserved marinade. 5. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serving Suggestion – serve with warm flour or corn tortillas and mild tomato salsa.
Scott Leysath is The Sporting Chef America’s Premier Wild Game Chef
Scott's TV show, HuntFishCook can be seen on Comcast Sports Southeast(CSS) every Sunday AM and nationwide on The Sportsman Channel. He also appears each week on Ducks unlimited TV on oLN. Check out his website, SportingChef.com, for more information and great fish and game recipes.
WATERFOWL 36 6 WETLANDS
Fall Flight Forecast....from page 27
by Ben Clewis
the traditional survey area. They are however surveyed in the eastern survey area as they are the second most abundant duck in the survey on the east coast. This year black duck numbers were estimated at 621,000. Black duck populations are healthy, however, due to short stopping most black ducks and mallards tend to winter farther north than South Carolina. It is estimated that only 527 black ducks were harvested in South Carolina last season. Ring-necked Ducks Ring-necks are also not surveyed in the traditional survey area but they are one of the most abundant ducks here on the east coast. Last season ring-necks ranked as the second most harvested duck in South Carolina with an estimate of 26,637 ring-necks harvested by duck hunters. This year 630,000 ring-necks were counted during the breeding ground survey which is up from 506,000 last year. High water levels should mean increased wintering ring-neck populations for the coming South Carolina duck season. Total Geese and Swans This year across North America, primary goose population indexes for 11 goose populations increased while 11 goose populations decreased. Across North America overall goose and swan populations remain healthy. The eastern and western populations of Tundra swans remain healthy and stable with Eastern population
estimates at 107,000. Depending on the year 200 to 1,000 tundra swans winter in South Carolina. It is not legal to harvest a swan in South Carolina, however, you can apply for a permit to harvest a swan in North Carolina where over 90% of the eastern population winters. There are three populations of Canada geese that winter in South Carolina. These include resident giant Canada geese, Atlantic population Canada geese and James Bay population Canada geese. The resident Canada goose population continues to increase and is estimated at up to 100,000 geese across South Carolina. SCWA biologists have observed a good hatch for 2013 which will result in a productive early September and regular goose season. Last year the USFWS estimated a statewide harvest of approximately 39,000 Canada geese with the vast majority of geese harvested being resident Canada geese. The Atlantic Population of Canada geese winter from New England to South Carolina. This population is healthy but is predicted to have lower than average production for 2013. The James Bay Population has declined over the past few years to an estimate of 64,000 breeding birds. Due to short stopping only 1,000 to 2,000 of these geese winter in South Carolina with most of the geese wintering on the Santee National Wildlife Refuge near Santee. The James Bay and Atlantic population Canada geese are an insignificant part of South Carolina's annual goose harvest. A very limited number of mid-continent lesser snow and blue geese winter in South Carolina. In some years up to 2,000 of these geese will winter in South Carolina's coastal marshes. Most of these geese winter in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. The mid-continent population of snow geese is at a record high of 4.6 million geese. This year's waterfowl season is shaping up to be a good one. Higher than average duck and goose numbers and abundant water in South Carolina should result in an exciting waterfowl season. As always weather will play a big factor in the number of waterfowl wintering in South Carolina and the resulting quality of waterfowl hunting.
by Doug Gardner.com
WATERFOWL 38 WETLANDS
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by Doug Gardner.com
WATERFOWL 39 WETLANDS
Aw Ma, Do I Have To?
DOG TRAINING
F
BY PAMELA O. KADLEC
Teaching Your Retriever Not to Run the Bank
or the average retriever used for hunting the occasional duck or bird that happens to fall in the water, how the dog gets to and from the bird is not important. The fact that he retrieves in water is. So what if he runs along the bank, jumps in, retrieves the bird, swims to the closest shore and runs around to deliver the bird? He got the job done, didn't he? Personally, I like my dogs to learn to come and go by water even if they won't be campaigned in field trials. It teaches consistency. You go straight there and straight back. If I allow sloppy deliveries then it is only a matter of time before I allow sloppy fetches. If I allow sloppy fetches then maybe I won't mind if he drops his birds on delivery. Okay, maybe it's a Leo thing. It's definitely a lot cleaner looking and often less time-consuming than the pup looking for an easy way back rather than the straight line through the water. Pup needs to learn to 'look at you'. Watch your pup. If he looks to the bank and you can get eye contact then you can get pup to steer in your direction. If you maintain direct eye contact the dog will follow his eyes as if by an invisible thread, drawing him in to you. This is easiest taught with treats and can be done in the house as well as in the yard. Use pup's breakfast and a few minutes each morning before you go to work. Hold the food bowl and when pup looks at you say, "Good look" and give him some kibble. If he looks away say, "Look at me" and when he does, treat him. Gradually delay the treats until pup will hold your gaze for at least five seconds. This is a great drill and one you will be glad you taught when it comes to teaching blind retrieves. If pup won't look at you how can he take directions? Okay. Now we have a retriever who will look us in the eye and who
comes when called. The best way is to start pup off never learning that he can run the bank. Think before you throw the first bumper. Look around and see if there is a point of land sticking out or a low area that might suck the puppy in away from you. Start your throw from the most enticing area and pup will come back to you. With all dog training, show and tell is the key. Show your pup in gradual steps what you expect. First throw in a direct line in front of you, then gradually change the throws to slight angles to the left and then to the right. Keep your throws about 30 yards out for now so that pup can do several retrieves before he gets tired. Limit to a maximum of ten throws and always end on a positive note. These first lessons are easy and positive to keep pup turning and coming straight back. As pup learns the game, start sending pup from further back on land. Back up five yards and start the whole concept from the beginning. Then, back up another five yards. Keep backing up until you can send pup from 40 yards from the water's edge and pup will maintain a straight line. If pup takes a bad line, ease up and make the throws straighter or move closer to the water so pup is encouraged to maintain the line.
LAND/WATER/LAND
Now that pup will take and maintain a good line there and back, it's time to add another wrinkle to the game. Find a channel, a catfish pond, or a narrow end of a pond about 30-40 yards across. The ideal pond is one that is wider in the middle and gradually narrows. The banks should be clear of tall grasses so that you can keep track of pup's movements. It is recommended to have help to assist if pup tries to run the bank. Put your helper on the corner of the pond so WATERFOWL 40 6 WETLANDS
that she can stop the pup if he tries to run the bank. Start right at the edge of the pond with your throws going straight into the water. You will be throwing far enough down the pond that pup is not tempted to go to the opposite shore about 30 yards from the corner and at least 20 yards from the opposite shore. As pup is successful, move closer to the corner and make your throws closer to land on the other side. You want pup to learn to fetch and spin around, returning the exact same way he came. If pup keeps going towards land, NO him and try to turn him. If he reaches the other shore, keep calling. If he won't turn and come back have your helper run to the pup (or block his return), take the bumper out of his mouth without making him sit and without fanfare. The helper tosses the bumper back in the water towards you. You constantly call pup to you. Try again and when pup 'gets it' and comes to you, praise the heck out of him like he'd won the lottery. Move back to the wider part of the pond and work on spinning and returning straight back. Work your way back to the narrow end and try throwing right at the edge of the water. As pup understands the game, keep moving to the end of the pond until pup will maintain the straight line even when the bumper or bird is on land. Gradually have the throws further away on the opposite shore. As long as pup is keeping his line, keep adding elements. Once pup has straight land - water - land understood then back up your starting line. Pup will learn to start from 40 yards from the water's edge, take a straight line into the water, swim across, touch land and go another 40 yards to the bird, turn around and come straight back to you. Happy training. Pam
BY PAMELA O. KADLEC
WATERFOWL 41 6 WETLANDS