Archived Articles
2020
- November - December
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Window to the Past, Key to the Future
Old barns, like the small farms they supported, are part of a bygone era, but these picturesque snapshots may offer insights for the future. -
Sometimes, It’s Polite to Point
For many South Carolina quail hunters, it’s all about their dogs.
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- September - October
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Lowcountry Ghosts
On an evening stroll, there is a chance you may spot ghostly glowing lights dancing in the distance. Remain calm. Most likely, fireflies are on the move! -
Pathways to Success
For decades, the trend toward urban and suburban living in America has led to fewer people becoming involved in hunting via traditional paths. But the desire for the challenges and rewards of the hunt is still deeply ingrained in the human psyche and, as the old saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way. -
Trekking the Trail
Along the scenic highways and byways of South Carolina, there is an epic sampling of picturesque natural landscapes that you can view right out of your car window.
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- May - June
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Birds of a Feather
Partners in Flight celebrates thirty years of landbird conservation. -
Jewels in the Crown
Come with me on a pilgrimage to four of the most diverse, vast and spectacular natural areas in our state.
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- March - April
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If You Sound Like a Duck
Not just any quack can win the state's annual duck calling contest. -
The Carolina Seven
An exploratory venture into our state’s natural treasury.
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- January - February
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Carolina Back Roads: Where Beauty, Peace and History Hide
On a back road, your blood pressure goes down and your gas mileage goes up. -
Slab Happy
If you think fishing is a lazy way to spend an afternoon, then you haven’t been crappie fishing on Lake Murray. -
Hard Work and a Long To-do List
Managing SCDNR’s Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project’s 24,000+ acres has always been a tough job. Beginning in 2015, it got even tougher.
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2019
- November - December
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Blame it on Babcock
The personal journey of an outdoor writer. -
Old-time Christmas
Natural decorations can make your Yuletide traditions more meaningful. -
The Pearl of Lowcountry Cuisine
Fall leaves and chilly evening temperatures signal that it’s time for an oyster roast.
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- September - October
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Rocking the Georgia Pines
When Chuck Leavell is not on the road with the Rolling Stones, he spends his time singing the praises of forests, bobwhite quail and conservation. -
When the Wind Blows
Whether you call them September gales or hurricanes, these powerful storms barrel out of the Atlantic leaving a scarred trail of destruction that thirty years of recovery can't fully erase. -
Lillies of the Field
Once young girls draped in oversized camo, today's outdoors women are the tech-savvy guides of the future.
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- July - August
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2019-2020 SCW Calendar Gallery
Check out the 2019 photo contest entries that were chosen for the 2019-2020 SCW Calendar issue. -
SCDNR Divisions
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Director Alvin Taylor Retires
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- May - June
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Turning the Tide Against Litter
A united front against litter is gaining traction in South Carolina - linking state and local efforts to stop littering before it starts. -
Welcoming the Worm
Ongoing research and innovative practices are restoring life to agricultural soils. -
Exploring Charleston
The Holy City offers pocket-friendly adventures on land and water, if you know the path to follow.
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- March - April
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Henry Edwards Davis
A treasured turkey hunting book written by Pee Dee legend Henry E. Davis lives on through a local collector. -
Botany with a Bite: A photo essay
Ancient insect-eating plant species are revered by the scientific community as a connection to the past and future. -
After Dark
When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, night sounds cut through the silence, imaginations run wild, and it’s prime time for story-telling.
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- January - February
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Still Wild After All These Years
A journey through the years, and the pages, of South Carolina Wildlife magazine. -
Pee Dee Memoirs
Pee Dee native Lewis Rogers reflects on fishing trips with his friends during the 1950s and 60s, when improvising was the name of the game. -
Double or Nothing
Vintage shotgun aficionado Heyward Horton offers helpful tips in selecting a double gun, and sound advice for all gun owners.
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2018
- November - December
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A Sweet Gift from our Ancestors
A few South Carolina families continue to grind and cook sugarcane to make syrup, using the trades and traditions passed down to them, and the savory recipes too! -
Tied and True
A fly-tying journey from South Carolina to Alaska. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Cooper’s Hawk
The Cooper’s hawk, named for William Cooper, a naturalist and one of the founders of the New York Academy of Sciences, is widely distributed, from southern Canada to Mexico.
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- September - October
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The Shell Rings of Pockoy: A Window into the Past
Archaeologists discover shell rings created by humans more than 4,000 years ago on Pockoy Island, but they must race against time to excavate as the Atlantic rises to claim these treasures. -
Winging their Way
South Carolina's Avian Conservation Center in Awendaw comes to the rescue for all species of birds. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Hummingbird Moth
Hummingbird moths, or clearwing moths, seem to mimic the hummingbird’s signature feature, albeit with four wings rather than two.
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- July - August
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“All In” for Mr. Bob
With bobwhite quail populations dipping year after year, an urgent call to action garners resounding support across the state. -
Playing Cat and Mouse, Santee Style
Big blue cats are a favorite with Santee Cooper Country anglers, and when it's time to weigh in, one local catfish guide, Captain Mouse, never comes up short. -
Winging It
How to make a wing-bone turkey call.
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- May - June
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The Stripes of Success
Ground-breaking research and round-the-clock fish rearing have generated a booming striped bass industry, and countless smiling snapshots, across the state. -
Glamour in the Maritime Forest
North America's most beautiful bird graces South Carolina's scrub-shrubs... but for how long? -
With Faith the Size of a Cotton Seed
About twenty-eight years ago, a few college friends with a propensity for hard work and big fun created a fundraising event that offers everyone involved a blast... and a barbeque.
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- March - April
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Offbeat Turkey Hunting
Talking turkey takes practice and patience. Stick to the fundamentals, but when that doesn't work, here are a few tips I learned in frustration. -
Spring in the Salkehatchie Swamp
In the obscure upper reaches of the Ace Basin, advancing spring triggers a renewal of life in the Salkehatchie Swamp. -
Tagging a Memory
SCDNR staff photographer Taylor Main joins SCDNR marine biologists on a shark tagging expedition in an effort to track the journeys of tiger sharks.
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- January - February
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The Big Bang
The SCDNR's shooting sports programs connect kids with the agency and with education. -
Drawing on Success: School Archery Program Expands Again
More than 50,000 students will take aim at 3-D archery in S.C. schools this year, adding new competition to adrenaline-filled arenas. -
Discovering your Niche: Camp Wildwood
More than a summer camp, the SCDNR's Camp Wildwood is training leaders and offering the adventure of a lifetime.
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2017
- November - December
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Scenic South Carolina: A Photographer's Journey
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The Buzz Around Town
Sparked by the success of a library's observation beehive, Calhoun County is building strong support for their pollinator cohorts in a festive way. -
The Eve of Eve
Traditions ingrained through decades of winter hunts create unforgettable memories and treasured camaraderie. -
The Christmas Kayak
"A luxury is anything a husband needs." - Anonymous
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- September - October
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From Bass Boat to Broadcast Booth
Acclaimed outdoor writer Pat Robertson talks to long-time pro angler Davy Hite about his career and plans for the future. -
In Search of "The Things with Feathers"
If you are looking for a new opportunity to give back during the holiday season, a Christmas bird count just might fit the bill. -
Safeguarding the Secrets of Butterfield
A keeper of history and nature, Lowcountry landowner Michael Finch is now part of an epic story and conservation timeline that continues to unfurl. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Eastern Oyster
The Eastern oyster's vital role in South Carolina estuaries is underscored by SCDNR Biologist Nancy Hadley, "Oysters are ecosystem engineers - they build habitat; they control water quality; they modify their environment. They are keystone species, like coral reefs.
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- July - August
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The Story behind the Cover Shot
There were lots of whistles, claps, hand signals and laughs on the sidelines as South Carolina Wildlife editor Joey Frazier positioned himself along the Lake Hartwell shoreline to capture the fantastic photograph of the five Boykin spaniels featured on the SCW July-August 2017 calendar cover. -
One for All and All for South Carolina
Tourism groups partner with the SCDNR to promote fun in the Palmetto State. -
Hunting Waterfalls in Oconee County
This adventurous guide to the scenic waterfalls of Oconee County meanders along a trail of jurassic proportions, revealing some of our state's most breathtaking gems. -
Columbia Rowing Club brings New Adventure to the scenic Broad River
There is a bustling undercurrent of activity around the I-20 bridge in Columbia, blending nature with tourism and sports through rowing's rich traditions.
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- May - June
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The Crest of Carolina: A photo essay
Winding earthen trails, colossal boulders and hand-hewn bridges provide a gateway into the Jocassee Gorges where geological formations, towering forests and plummeting waterfalls shelter countless plant and animal species - some yet to be discovered. -
Crayfish: the Lobsters of the Lowcountry
Whether you call them crayfish or crawfish, crawdads or yabbies, most folks agree these little lobsters are worth the patience of plying ebony waters to catch a pot full. This Lowcountry tale takes us from swamp to table, complete with delectable crayfish recipes. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Ruffed Grouse
A cold-weather specialist whose winterization process starts at the bottom, with fleshy, comb-like rows of bristles called pectinations that grow on its toes to help with walking on snow and clinging to icy branches.
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- March - April
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Delightful Instruments of Deceit: The Lure and Lore of Turkey Calls
Call makers create instruments that lure quarry other than gobblers as hunters are often attracted by the beautiful workmanship of intricately decorated turkey calls. -
First Catch of the Season
The "crrrrack" of a wooden bat and the "zzzzing" of a fishing line are sounds that time will stand still for here in the South. So whether you're on the field or on the water, getting away from it all is what it's all about. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Eastern Mole
The mole is a digging machine, perfectly suited to underground travel.
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- January - February
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A Growing Voice for Conservation
SCDNR outreach coordinator Alix Pedraza is forming a coalition for conservation that spans the diverse cultures and communities of the Palmetto State. -
The Farm
During bobwhite's heyday, most hunters made regular excursions to Lowcountry farms in their quest for birds and adventure. -
For Wildlife Watchers: American Woodcock
The American woodcock's mottled gray/brown plumage helps it blend in, but predator avoidance is still an issue when you spend most of your time face down. Having eyes in the back of your head wouldn't hurt.
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2016
- November - December
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Flying for the Birds
Aerial surveys of nesting areas help biologists keep track of migratory bird populations and trends. -
Angling the ACE
Oftentimes a great fishing trip can be better defined by an angler's perspective than by the fish caught, and St. Helena Sound, in the heart of the ACE Basin, offers plenty of both for those open to unseen possibilities. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Carolina Heelsplitter
Carolina heelsplitter is a mussel found exclusively in some of North and South Carolina's river systems.
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- September - October
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Derailed by Record Rains
Reflecting on the record-breaking rains of October 2015... Rebuilding with a broader perspective. -
Making it Pay
Private landowners keep minimal development as a priority while finding avenues to make idyllic large properties pay their own way. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Sturgeon
Beauty, like success, is a matter of perspective, and sometimes the concepts intertwine. At the end of a boxing match, you don't have to be pretty; you just have to be standing. On an evolutionary scale, the single best measure of success and, arguably, of beauty, is longevity.
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- July - August
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Workout on the Water
Paddle boarding offers a new kind of challenge on top of the waves. -
Bring Home the Bass
For some South Carolina communities, investments in fishing and boating facilities capable of attracting national tournaments are paying off in more outdoor recreation tourism dollars. -
The DNR in Action: In the Path of the Storm
It really didn't hit me until the very end that we had just lived through a tornado.
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- May - June
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DNR Biosphere: The Sea Turtle Cruise
The DNR's sea turtle program plays a crucial role in restoring this endangered species in the Southeastern states. -
Place Where Time Stood Still
After twenty years of archaeological field work, artifacts remaining at the DNR's Kolb archaeology site will be preserved in place for researchers to discover and interpret. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Manatee
Manatees can eat up to 10 percent of their body weight in sea grass a day.
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- March - April
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Coming Home
In the strange case of Lake Murray's disappearing (and reappearing) purple martins, many questions remain. -
"Dem Bones, Dem Bones"
Recreational divers immerse themselves in natural history to find fossils and adventure on the bottom of South Carolina's blackwater rivers. But how did the fossils get there in the first place? -
For Wildlife Watchers: House Fly
A single fly can carry more than a million microbes.
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- January - February
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A Walk in the Woods
We all know walking is good for what ails you, but a walk in the woods? That takes it to a whole other level. -
Tale of Two Great Canoeists
The epic voyages of two late 19th century maritime adventurers both included stops at Murphy Island, today a part of the DNR-managed Santee Coastal Reserve WMA. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Palm Warbler
Palm warblers can be found in brushy thickets, weedy fields, forest edges, fence rows, savannas and dune habitat. -
2015 South Carolina Wildlife-Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund Photo Contest
These images from the 2015 SCW/Hampton Fund Photo Contest offer viewers an opportunity to experience the beauty of South Carolina's natural world as seen through the lenses of these gifted artists.
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2015
- November - December
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Revisiting Herron
George Herron is South Carolina's most renowned maker of custom knives, but have you ever heard the story behind the design of his "interframe" folding model? -
Coastal Plain Waterfowl 101
Five time-proven lessons for pursuing "puddle ducks" in South Carolina's storied coastal plain rivers. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Great White Shark
Great whites cruise at ten to fifteen miles per hour and can accelerate to thirty-five.
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- September - October
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Coyote Science
The scientific evidence that coyotes are affecting deer populations in South Carolina is solid, and limiting doe harvests may be the only viable strategy for keeping deer numbers stable. -
Odd Birds
American woodcock and Wilson's snipe provide uniquely challenging targets for the offbeat wing shooters who faithfully pursue them. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Wood Stork
Sometimes, survival hinges on being out of fashion. In the late 19th century, herons, egrets and many other shorebirds were slaughtered by the thousands for their plumes, which were treasured by the makers and wearers of ladies hats. But consider the wood stork, lacking in distinctive breeding plumage and therefore relatively safe.
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- July - August
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Take the 365-day Deer Hunting Challenge
Every once in awhile, bagging a big buck in October might be a matter of luck - right place, right time - but more likely, it's the result of hours of planning and work in the "off" season. -
Pintail Partners
Cooperation, not competition, was the name of the game when the "Pintail Partners," a coalition made up of duck hunters, advocacy organizations and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, worked together to provide a standout waterfowl hunt for youth hunters this past January. -
Stingray Dos and Don'ts
Finding yourself on the receiving end of a stingray barb will probably necessitate a trip to the emergency room. But some easy first-aid tips can save you a lot of pain on the way.
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- May - June
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A Lowcountry Birder's Bonanza
Roxbury Park, one of the newest public spaces in the ACE Basin, provides visitors with easy access to a wide variety of wildlife species. -
Unwelcome Visitors
"South Carolina Native" isn't just a bumper sticker slogan for folks intent on letting the drivers behind them know where they were born; for the members of the South Carolina Native Plant Society, it's a serious topic that involves fighting real threats to our indigenous flora. -
Quest For The Golden Cannas
Bear Island WMA is known as a haven for waterfowl and other birds, but in this case, it's the search for an interesting piece of flora that prompts an early summer visit. -
Fish Like A Pro
Professional bass fishing is growing by leaps and bounds, with all the money and attention that entails, but for these three pros with South Carolina roots, family, community and getting more young people into the sport is still the name of the game. -
For Wildlife Watchers: Red Paper Wasp
Wasps of all kinds have earned the respect of humans (as well as some degree of fear), and our awe hasn't diminished.
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- March - April
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Between A Rock and A Wet Place
Rapids and rocky shoals, once impediments to river travel, were instrumental in the development of South Carolina's Fall Line cities. -
River Run
The spring spawning run of striped bass up the Congaree River gets the hearts of dedicated river anglers pumping, and better fishing over the last few seasons, the result of stakeholder-initiated harvest restrictions, is generating new buzz about this unique fishery. -
Redefining "Run And Gun"
It might not be as catchy, but for success in spring turkey hunting, you might be better served to "Walk and Listen." -
For Wildlife Watchers: Earthworm
Earthworms are sold as fish bait and pet food, and for composting and gardening.
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- January - February
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Clemson's Ecological Treasure Chest
During the Great Depression, thousands of acres of Upstate farmland, worn out and eroded from years of cotton farming, were rescued by a "New Deal" program. Eight decades later, careful stewardship of this public resource by Clemson University and the DNR has yielded a scientific and recreational bonanza for Palmetto State citizens. -
Georgetown's Green Wall
A seemingly minor incident involving the 24th president of the United States and a muddy duck hunt led to the long-term preservation of tens of thousands of acres of wild lands and waters along the South Carolina Coast. -
For Wildlife Watchers: American Robin
The robin is among the most abundant bird species on the continent, with a population estimated at more than three hundred million. -
2014 South Carolina Wildlife-Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund Photo Contest
If it's January, it must be time to showcase the winners of the 2014 South Carolina Wildlife-Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund Photo Contest and Exhibition at the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic.
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2014
- November - December
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Decking the Halls - Naturally
Whether indoors or out, nature abides a welcome guest in every part of these homes during the holiday season. -
Outtakes
"Imagine 2,000 evocative images, generated from numerous road trips along miles and miles of South Carolina highways and back roads. -
Remembering Havilah Babcock
"Forever old and forever new, a sunrise is always and never the same." - Havilah Babcock -
For Wildlife Watchers: Big Brown Bat
Sometimes bats catch insects in their mouths. More often, they catch them with their tail membranes, which act as a scoop or net.
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- September - October
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Island of the Bobcats
X marks the spot for bobcats on South Carolina's Kiawah Island. -
Splendid Isolation
"...the tide is quite high and it brings with it a full moon, and a gentle south breeze coming in over the water renders the atmosphere altogether delightful." - John A. Warren, circa 1858 -
My Nature: Telling You True
Rich man, poor man, we all have a place to hunt.
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- July - August
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Saltwater License Proves Its Worth
Licensing anglers to fish in the ocean seemed a novel idea twenty-five years ago, but it has greatly benefited both fish and fishermen. -
Let's Take It Outside, South Carolina
We're taking it outside and into the great South Carolina outdoors, and so should you. -
Natural Music
Mastering the ancient art of calling game is like making it to Carnegie Hall . . . there's only way to get there.
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2013
- May - June
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- Paint Box Bright: Those Colorful Buntings
- How's the Fishing?
- Economic Impact of Fishing
- For Wildlife Watchers: American Goldfinch
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
- November - December
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- Hunter's Harvest: From Field to Table
- For Wildlife Watchers: Indigo bunting
- Field Trip - Congaree Bluff Heritage Preserve
- July - August
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- The Nature-Child Connection
- We All Have A Story to Tell
- Field Trip - Berkeley County Blueways: Santee Canal Trail
- Aquatic Invasive Species Supplement
2006
- July - August
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- South Carolina's Magic Dragons
- For Wildlife Watchers - Garden Snail
- Field Trip - Dreher Island State Recreation Area
- May - June
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- ACE Basin Boulevard
- For Wildlife Watchers - Luna Moth
- Field Trip - Natural Bridge Trail at Keowee-Toxaway
- Hurricane Warning -
Storms on the Horizon
- A Tropical Brew...Hurricane Season Here to Stay?
- Measuring the Storm: The Saffir-Simpson Scale
- Flood Insurance: Not Just for the Coast
- Dangers Developing: S.C. Growth Raises Bar for Safety from Storms
- Before the Storm and After: DNR Officers Provide Crucial Help
- Unexpected Consequences: Fruits(and Vegetables) of Disaster
- Climatologist Helps Weathermen, Emergency Planners Make the Call
- SERCC Helps Track Storms of the Past
- In Case of a Hurricane(Tips from FEMA)
- At Your Fingertips: Info for Weather Watches, Hurricane Preparedness