SC DNR Small Game Project Ranks Top Counties for Quail and Rabbit
November 6, 2008
Survey results for the 2007-08 hunting season show Georgetown, Clarendon, Calhoun, Lee and Richland counties were the top five counties for quail, while the top five counties for rabbits jumped per hour were Saluda, Fairfield, Chester, Newberry, and Hampton, according to biologists with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 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 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.
Complete results of the Quail Hunter Survey and the Rabbit Hunter Survey are available on the DNR web site. To receive a copy of the Quail Hunter Survey report or the Rabbit Hunter Survey report or to have your name added to the list of potential cooperators, please contact the SCDNR Small Game Project at (803) 734-3609.
Statewide survey results indicate a slight decrease in the number of quail coveys flushed per hour and a slight increase in the number of rabbits jumped per hour when compared with the previous year. The quail covey flush rate was 0.58 coveys/hour during the 2006-07 season, down from 0.59 coveys/hour the previous year. Quail hunters in the top five counties reported flushing an average of 0.71 to 1.79 coveys per hour. The rabbit jumping rate increased from 1.27 to 1.37 rabbits/hour during the 2007-08 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 rate of quail finds at 0.87 coveys per hour. 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 indicated an increase in hunting success during the 2007-08 season following 3 years of declining success. A majority of rabbit hunting by survey cooperators (75 percent) occurred in the Piedmont. The Southern Coastal Plain exhibited the highest rate of rabbits jumped per hour (1.44), 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 habitat conditions for quail. Many cooperators noted that a lack of prescribed burning on public and private lands has resulted in impaired habitat quality and hunting success.Â
“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. 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.
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
Related posts
South Carolina Weekly Tidetable - 7/21/2008
July 21, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
| Location | High | Low |
| Little River (town) | +12 min. | +32 min. |
| Murrells Inlet | -2 min | +24 min. |
| Georgetown (Sampit River) | +1 hr.,25 min. | +2 hrs.,9 min. |
| McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) | +27 min. | +25 min. |
| Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) | -26 min. | -35 min. |
| Beaufort (Beaufort River) | +1 hr.,7 min. | +52 min. |
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information
for various SC stations.
MONDAY, July 14
05:27AM 4.3 H
11:40AM 0.5 L
06:19PM 5.6 H
TUESDAY, July 15
12:40AM 0.8 L
06:17AM 4.4 H
12:26PM 0.4 L
07:06PM 5.7 H
WEDNESDAY, July 16
01:24AM 0.7 L
07:05AM 4.5 H
01:11PM 0.3 L
07:50PM 5.8 H
THURSDAY, July 17
02:07AM 0.5 L
07:51AM 4.5 H
01:54PM 0.3 L
08:31PM 5.8 H
FRIDAY, July 18
02:47AM 0.4 L
08:34AM 4.6 H
02:35PM 0.3 L
09:10PM 5.8 H
SATURDAY, July 19
03:26AM 0.3 L
09:15AM 4.7 H
03:16PM 0.3 L
09:46PM 5.8 H
SUNDAY, July 20
04:03AM 0.2 L
09:54AM 4.8 H
03:58PM 0.3 L
10:21PM 5.7 H
Related posts
S.C. Weekly Tidetable - 7/7/2008
July 7, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
| Location | High | Low |
| Little River (town) | +12 min. | +32 min. |
| Murrells Inlet | -2 min | +24 min. |
| Georgetown (Sampit River) | +1 hr.,25 min. | +2 hrs.,9 min. |
| McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) | +27 min. | +25 min. |
| Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) | -26 min. | -35 min. |
| Beaufort (Beaufort River) | +1 hr.,7 min. | +52 min. |
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information for various SC stations.
MONDAY, July 7
06:08AM -0.2 L
12:26PM 5.3 H
06:23PM 0.1 L
TUESDAY, July 8
12:34AM 5.6 H
06:55AM 0.0 L
01:18PM 5.3 H
07:18PM 0.5 L
WEDNESDAY, July 9
01:20AM 5.2 H
07:41AM 0.1 L
02:10PM 5.3 H
08:14PM 0.7 L
THURSDAY, July 10
02:07AM 4.9 H
08:27AM 0.3 L
03:01PM 5.3 H
09:11PM 0.9 L
FRIDAY, July 11
02:55AM 4.6 H
09:15AM 0.4 L
03:52PM 5.3 H
10:07PM 1.0 L
SATURDAY, July 12
03:45AM 4.4 H
10:03AM 0.5 L
04:42PM 5.4 H
11:01PM 1.0 L
SUNDAY, July 13
04:36AM 4.3 H
10:51AM 0.5 L
05:31PM 5.5 H
11:52PM 0.9 L
Related posts
South Carolina Weekly Tidetable - 6/30/2008
June 30, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
| Location | High | Low |
| Little River (town) | +12 min. | +32 min. |
| Murrells Inlet | -2 min | +24 min. |
| Georgetown (Sampit River) | +1 hr.,25 min. | +2 hrs.,9 min. |
| McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) | +27 min. | +25 min. |
| Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) | -26 min. | -35 min. |
| Beaufort (Beaufort River) | +1 hr.,7 min. | +52 min. |
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information for various SC stations.
MONDAY, June 30
05:38AM 4.8 H
11:53AM -0.6 L
06:19PM 6.5 H
TUESDAY, July 1
12:56AM 0.0 L
06:41AM 4.9 H
12:52PM -0.8 L
07:20PM 6.6 H
WEDNESDAY, July 2
01:53AM -0.2 L
07:43AM 5.0 H
01:50PM -0.9 L
08:18PM 6.7 H
THURSDAY, July 3
02:48AM -0.3 L
08:43AM 5.1 H
02:46PM -0.9 L
09:14PM 6.7 H
FRIDAY, July 4
03:40AM -0.4 L
09:40AM 5.2 H
03:41PM -0.8 L
10:07PM 6.5 H
SATURDAY, July 5
04:31AM -0.4 L
10:37AM 5.3 H
04:35PM -0.5 L
10:58PM 6.3 H
SUNDAY, July 6
05:20AM -0.3 L
11:32AM 5.3 H
05:29PM -0.2 L
11:47PM 5.9 H
Related posts
South Carolina Weekly Tidetable - 6/23/2008
June 23, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
| Location | High | Low |
| Little River (town) | +12 min. | +32 min. |
| Murrells Inlet | -2 min | +24 min. |
| Georgetown (Sampit River) | +1 hr.,25 min. | +2 hrs.,9 min. |
| McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) | +27 min. | +25 min. |
| Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) | -26 min. | -35 min. |
| Beaufort (Beaufort River) | +1 hr.,7 min. | +52 min. |
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information for various SC stations.
MONDAY, June 23
05:49AM 0.3 L
11:39AM 4.6 H
05:43PM 0.6 L
TUESDAY, June 24
12:00AM 5.4 H
06:30AM 0.2 L
12:26PM 4.8 H
06:35PM 0.6 L
WEDNESDAY, June 25
12:44AM 5.2 H
07:15AM 0.1 L
01:17PM 5.0 H
07:32PM 0.7 L
THURSDAY, June 26
01:34AM 5.1 H
08:04AM 0.0 L
02:13PM 5.3 H
08:36PM 0.7 L
FRIDAY, June 27
02:30AM 4.9 H
08:57AM -0.2 L
03:13PM 5.6 H
09:44PM 0.6 L
SATURDAY, June 28
03:31AM 4.8 H
09:54AM -0.3 L
04:15PM 5.9 H
10:51PM 0.5 L
SUNDAY, June 29
04:34AM 4.8 H
10:53AM -0.5 L
05:17PM 6.2 H
11:55PM 0.2 L
Related posts
South Carolina Weekly Tidetable - 6/16/2008
June 16, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
| Location | High | Low |
| Little River (town) | +12 min. | +32 min. |
| Murrells Inlet | -2 min | +24 min. |
| Georgetown (Sampit River) | +1 hr.,25 min. | +2 hrs.,9 min. |
| McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) | +27 min. | +25 min. |
| Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) | -26 min. | -35 min. |
| Beaufort (Beaufort River) | +1 hr.,7 min. | +52 min. |
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information for various SC stations.
MONDAY, June 16
01:11AM 0.5 L
06:50AM 4.4 H
12:58PM 0.3 L
07:33PM 5.8 H
TUESDAY, June 17
01:54AM 0.5 L
07:35AM 4.4 H
01:39PM 0.3 L
08:15PM 5.8 H
WEDNESDAY, June 18
02:35AM 0.4 L
08:18AM 4.4 H
02:19PM 0.3 L
08:55PM 5.8 H
THURSDAY, June 19
03:15AM 0.4 L
08:59AM 4.4 H
02:57PM 0.3 L
09:34PM 5.7 H
FRIDAY, June 20
03:54AM 0.4 L
09:39AM 4.4 H
03:36PM 0.4 L
10:10PM 5.6 H
SATURDAY, June 21
04:32AM 0.4 L
10:18AM 4.4 H
04:15PM 0.4 L
10:45PM 5.6 H
SUNDAY, June 22
05:09AM 0.3 L
10:57AM 4.5 H
04:57PM 0.5 L
11:21PM 5.5 H
Related posts
South Carolina Saltwater Fishing Trends - 6/16/2008
June 16, 2008
- Spottail Bass: Fair. Anglers are catching spottail bass along structure in the ICW, around creek mouth drains, and in the upper creeks using live mud minnows and Berkeley Gulp.
- Flounder: Excellent. Flounder continue to be caught in Cherry Grove and 53rd area creeks using mud minnows. Flounder are also being taken at the Little River jetties.
- Sheepshead: Very good. fleas and fiddler crabs are both very productive around the jetties and any inshore pilings.
- Spanish mackerel: Very good. Spanish are being caught just off the jetties in good numbers, with some nice sized fish mixed in.
- Cherry Grove Pier: Nice flounder are being caught off the pier, with occasional large spottails thrown in. The hot bite right now is black drum, and lots of nice 3 to 5 pound fish are being caught and plenty of bigger ones are breaking off.
- Spottail Bass: Good. Spottails are being caught on the flats and in the backwaters and creeks, and many drum are being caught by flounder fishermen drifting or trolling Murrells Inlet. Mud minnows, live or cut mullet, and cut shrimp are all producing.
- Trout: Good. Trout fishing is hot at the Sunset Bridge. Try Mirrolures, Gulp shrimp, or live shrimp.
- Flounder: Very good. Drift or troll live mud minnows in Murrells Inlet or the Tubbs Inlet area.
- Black Drum: Very good. Target deep holes in the creeks, such as the hole off the end of the Murrells Inlet (old Veterans) Pier. Cut shrimp, live shrimp, and crabs are all productive.
- Bluefish: Good. Some large bluefish are being caught in the creeks, and these fish seem to be here to stay for the summer as water temps are already very warm. Cut bait fished on the bottom or on “bluefish rigs” is producing.
- Sheepshead: Excellent. At both the Murrells Inlet and Georgetown jetties the sheepshead seem to be ravenous. Fiddler crabs and live or cut shrimp on a Carolina rig fished vertically are producing.
- Pompano: Very good. Fish with sand fleas in areas that have not been dredged for best results.
- Springmaid Pier: Early and late in the day Spanish are being caught. Some bluefish are still being caught, with a few good ones mixed in. No kings have been taken so far this year.
- Myrtle Beach State Park Pier: The bluefish bite has slowed down but Spanish are still being caught in good numbers by fishermen jigging.
- Apache Pier: The bluefish being caught are small now, but some nice Spanish up to 3.5 pounds are being caught.
- Surfside Pier: Occasional bluefish are still being caught, and fishermen continue to jig up some Spanish mackerel.
- Garden City Pier: While bluefish and Spanish mackerel have slowed some are still being caught. Whiting are being caught with some pompano mixed in.
- Offshore: Spadefish are prolific at the near shore reefs, such as the Sherman wreck, and large numbers are being caught using jelly ball teasers to draw the fish up and then fishing with pieces of cut jelly balls. The 3 mile reef has been very good. King and Spanish mackerel are stacked up at Belkie Bear and Paradise Reef.
- Spottail Bass: Very good. Lots of fish are being caught in the ICW, creeks, and Wando River.
- Trout: Good. live bait and artificials are productive at times, and best fishing is coming to the north of Charleston.
- Black Drum: Good. A surprising number of black drum are being caught in deep holes in the creeks. Live and cut shrimp and crabs are all working.
- Flounder: Good. Target flounder using live mud minnows fished slowly on the bottom in the inlets and creeks. Giggers are reporting good numbers of fish caught.
- Sheepshead: Very good. Most any structure, from nearshore wrecks to the jetties to inshore piers and bridges, is holding sheepshead right now. Fish fiddler crabs or cut shrimp.
- Spanish Mackerel: Very good. The Harbor is full of Spanish mackerel right now and most anything shiny and fast should draw strikes.
- Folly Beach Pier: Some Spanish mackerel up to 5 pounds are being caught, as well as occasional kings. Nice black drum are being landed, and a dozen or so trout have been caught in the last week.
- Offshore: Spadefish are swarming at nearshore reefs and wrecks, and Haddrell’s Point says they’ve never seen so many jelly balls - use pieces of these for bait. Dolphin have slowed down a little bit in the last week, and some boats report having trouble finding them.
- Spottail Bass: On the incoming tide fish the edges of the grass with rattle floats and natural colored Gulp Shrimp to catch slot sized fish as well as larger ones. Also use brown Gulp Swimming Minnows, or mud minnows.
- Trout: Good. Trout fishing continues to be surprisingly strong in the marshes and backwaters. Incoming to high tide is the best time to fish. Shrimp and mud minnows fished under Cajun Thunder rattling bobbers, or Gulp grubs, are producing.
- Flounder: Fair. Anglers are catching flounder using traditional flounder rigs with a bobber to float the mud minnows off the bottom.
- Cobia: Read about cobia fishing in the Beaufort report.
- Offshore: Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and jacks are all being caught in the Gaskins Bank reef area. Troll shiny spoons and plugs or sight cast at baitfish busting the surface.
- Spottail Bass: Good. Spottails are beginning to tail in large numbers in the grass and can be sight-fished for by lure or fly fishermen. Some topwater action is also being reported.
- Flounder: Good. Flounder are in the inlets and beginning to be caught throughout the creeks. Fish mud minnows along the bottom.
- Cobia: Very good. Cobia action is still strong in the Port Royal Sound and Broad River, but since the sharks have arrived much of the action has moved towards the mouth of the sound and they are fishing on the top of the water column. Fish are being caught on all types of baits, such as menhaden, eels, squid, and whiting.
- Paradise Pier: The biggest catch is blue crabs which are being caught by the 5 gallon bucketful around low tide.
- Offshore: Black Sea bass and snapper are still available at offshore reefs, although guides report catching lots of snapper before they get a legal 20 inch keeper. Out at the 20 mile mark kings and Spanish mackerel are being caught, as well as cobia.
Related posts
Division of Fish and Wildlife Announces Sussex County Results from 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament
June 16, 2008
The first big heat wave of summer 2008 did not discourage 88 young anglers and their families who came to Ingrams Pond in Millsboro on June 7 for the 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament.
When the day was done, Hayden Smith, age 15, of Millsboro, took the title of overall Sussex County winner with 4.07 pounds of fish caught. The biggest fish of the day was a largemouth bass weighing 1.68 pounds and caught by 8-year-old Tristen Russell. All of the fish caught in the tournament were weighed and released.
The other winners, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were:
Ages 4 to 7
           First place – Kevin Reddy, age 6, of Millsboro, 1.2 pounds
           Second place – Julia Ballard, age 5, of Millsboro, 1.15 pounds
           Third place – Jessica Ballard, age 4, of Millsboro, 1.10 pounds
Ages 8 to 11
           First place – Kevin Bailey, age 8, of Georgetown, 3.96 pounds
           Second place – Hunter Lied, age 9, of Millsboro, 1.89 pounds
           Third place – Tristen Russell, age 8, of Laurel, 1.83 pounds
Ages 12 to 15
           First place – Brian Keech, age 14, of Rehoboth Beach, 3.99 pounds
           Second place – Joe Garvilla, age 14, of Georgetown, 1.44 pounds
           Third place – Kali Griffith, age 13, of Frankford, 1.17 pounds
The winners received fishing poles and tackle boxes as well as trophies, and all the participants received prizes donated by area tackle shops. The county winners will be presented their trophies at the DNREC Awards ceremony on Governors Day, Thursday, July 24 at the 2008 Delaware State Fair in Harrington.        Â
The Youth Fishing Tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation. The free tournament, held annually in June, is open to youth ages 4 to 15.
For more information on the Youth Fishing Tournament, please call 302-739-9913 or visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Info/YouthFishing.htm.
Please note, Kent and New Castle tournament results have been issued separately.
Related posts
South Carolina Weekly Tidetable - 6/9/2008
June 9, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
| Location | High | Low |
| Little River (town) | +12 min. | +32 min. |
| Murrells Inlet | -2 min | +24 min. |
| Georgetown (Sampit River) | +1 hr.,25 min. | +2 hrs.,9 min. |
| McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) | +27 min. | +25 min. |
| Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) | -26 min. | -35 min. |
| Beaufort (Beaufort River) | +1 hr.,7 min. | +52 min. |
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information for various SC stations.
MONDAY, June 9
01:06AM 5.7 H
07:29AM 0.0 L
01:49PM 5.1 H
07:46PM 0.4 L
TUESDAY, June 10
01:58AM 5.4 H
08:21AM 0.1 L
02:46PM 5.2 H
08:46PM 0.6 L
WEDNESDAY, June 11
02:49AM 5.0 H
09:11AM 0.2 L
03:40PM 5.3 H
09:46PM 0.7 L
THURSDAY, June 12
03:38AM 4.8 H
10:00AM 0.2 L
04:31PM 5.4 H
10:43PM 0.7 L
FRIDAY, June 13
04:28AM 4.6 H
10:47AM 0.3 L
05:20PM 5.5 H
11:36PM 0.7 L
SATURDAY, June 14
05:16AM 4.5 H
11:32AM 0.3 L
06:06PM 5.6 H
SUNDAY, June 15
12:25AM 0.6 L
06:04AM 4.5 H
12:16PM 0.3 L
06:50PM 5.7 H
Related posts
South Carolina Weekly Tidetable - 6/2/2008
June 2, 2008
To find times of low and high water for other coastal areas add or subtract as indicated as tides are calculated from the Charleston Customhouse Wharf:
Location High Low
Little River (town) +12 min. +32 min.
Murrells Inlet -2 min +24 min.Â
Georgetown (Sampit River) +1 hr.,25 min. +2 hrs.,9 min.Â
McClellanville (Jeremy Creek) +27 min. +25 min.Â
Edisto Beach (Edisto Island) -26 min. -35 min.Â
Beaufort (Beaufort River) +1 hr.,7 min. +52 min.Â
Tides at Charleston (Customhouse Wharf)
Get specific tide information for various SC stations.
MONDAY, June 2
01:13AM -0.2 L
07:02AM 5.1 H
01:11PM -0.8 L
07:34PM 6.8 H
TUESDAY, June 3
02:09AM -0.4 L
08:00AM 5.1 H
02:06PM -0.9 L
08:31PM 6.9 H
WEDNESDAY, June 4
03:04AM -0.5 L
08:58AM 5.1 H
03:01PM -0.9 L
09:27PM 6.8 H
THURSDAY, June 5
03:58AM -0.5 L
09:56AM 5.1 H
03:56PM -0.8 L
10:23PM 6.7 H
FRIDAY, June 6
04:51AM -0.4 L
10:54AM 5.1 H
04:51PM -0.6 L
11:19PM 6.4 H
SATURDAY, June 7
05:44AM -0.3 L
11:52AM 5.1 H
05:48PM -0.3 L
SUNDAY, June 8
12:13AM 6.1 H
06:37AM -0.1 L
12:51PM 5.1 H
06:46PM 0.1 L
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