[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6104233,"mediaKeyId","2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5","parentId",2791818,"title","Committee advances wildlife-management-area regs; lawmakers raise safety and hog-control concerns","audioSeconds",1087,"startMs",1616855,"endMs",2704485,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5&start=1616&end=2704","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5/thumbnail_1616855.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104233/South-Carolina/Committee-advances-wildlife-management-area-regs-lawmakers-raise-safety-and-hog-control-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104233-1bbac964b98ff483960b6d9f216f91f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952917&Signature=HAaT4bBr3BF70MU-IutiXmzCVox8yEiAWO4tExO2XyIjFpfd~NK0EwPupuqK4OsazYtTcnQAayI3QkzTvUjAgKlpeXwl2ny5VZToUJg~ksiXwTjYEdX57WV3gtx~CSr0xRv84k63XqmKon~Qth3d-JTzZulNiyu2Wc4Tw5htCYiqNfXMeOL9EQr4RyMSvSR~w6EEtoZ0fV-d7MydVGqZN0cGhshay5vmQ07-rZF4G1FNdfBC1FlSw2CC9JG9eK~mnoP2df8Bt3vodq4cAhgFGpZ4D2tq1AvMsCGIewxaohzWxSTCoQicJQk612RKdBLpJBYjw7a3gxXkowNqghnWpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Carolina Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee voted to move the Department of Natural Resources\u0000 annual wildlife management area (WMA) regulations to the Senate floor, advancing changes that include a higher bear quota in Game Zone 4, turkey-season and bag-limit updates to conform with last year\u0000s statute, new public dove-field rules and additions to the WMA system.

DNR staff summarized roughly 10 annual changes. Billy Dukes, chief of wildlife for DNR, said larger items include increasing the bear quota in Game Zone 4 from 30 to 40, modifying turkey seasons and bag limits on WMAs to conform with statutory changes passed last year, establishing regulations for public dove fields and adding South Saluda WMA (about 2,000 acres in Pickens County) and Coosaheechee WMA to certain waterfowl categories.

Senators pressed DNR on safety and crowding at public dove fields, where opening-day participation can be substantial. Dukes described opening-day activity as a \"first come, first serve\" model without designated stands; he said the department conducts safety briefings, uses observers on crowded fields and has asked individuals to leave for unsafe activity. Dukes said opening-day participation was about 4,500 last year and that the department is seeking to expand public dove fields to reduce crowding.

A prolonged exchange focused on feral-hog control and weapon restrictions on WMAs. One senator argued for broader year-round options to remove hogs; DNR staff said concentrated short seasons (coupled with trapping and aerial removal) are, in DNR\u0000s view, more effective for population reduction. Senators suggested potential policy changes such as allowing rifles from elevated positions; committee members agreed to continue the conversation and noted regs can be revised by DNR and resubmitted if needed.

The committee moved WMA regulation package (regulation number 5331) to the floor with no recorded opposition; the chair and staff noted the session\u0000s shortened calendar may require agencies to withdraw and resubmit particular regs if further changes are agreed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee -- Fish, Game and Forestry Committee Wednesday, March 19, 2025 10:00 am ","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate committee advanced the Department of Natural Resources\u0000 annual changes to Wildlife Management Area regulations, including higher bear quotas, turkey-season adjustments, new public dove-field rules and two new WMA additions.","taxTitle","Senate Fish, Game and Forestry, Standing, Senate, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina","taxId",60722,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104238,"Senate committee advances S. 367 to speed removal of abandoned and derelict vessels",790,734935,1525480,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5&start=734&end=1525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5/thumbnail_734935.jpg","/articles/6104238/South-Carolina/Senate-committee-advances-S-367-to-speed-removal-of-abandoned-and-derelict-vessels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104238-59a9140d0daa9a072de9de8d38601ac2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952917&Signature=eTv53bfjSGqjKGD1Tp7u92-F0uPbVzwzOS8WQLhunuCGRyT-p0aNuTsVfUFVEA9014jFu2LQk1w2weZJUDR9fDjYyGid5mD2PvVEnOPb~RT0rHcDjGu0Bzfdgf6TxoNhX8XhPlrk8-XZnUxRMW5r~KxYhkdlQVLXHnn8UqEhz1Y07CCacVOrTjr7htWyAU0666I0u-5jfdVFEXtNho-Mbyfgmq1Hdy-wtsG5lyGmp~Tby1ovlICziUGEJAEcJVjvLdwFTFM0EzuXV6MSSZi77ycf-CKzyeONUX0xEHV2UedGwE4FAm1MMgZD9rRs0XwgEWsVUUFv1A7lK6c8lPbpoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee gave a favorable report to S. 367, a bill that establishes procedures allowing the Department of Natural Resources and other agencies to declare and remove wrecked, junked, abandoned or derelict vessels and to address sunken vessels in South Carolina waterways.

The bill\u0000s sponsor and staff described S. 367 as filling a gap left by earlier legislation that provided funding for vessel removal but not a removal mechanism. The sponsor said the bill \"provides procedure for their removal, as well as for the removal of sunken vessels,\" and credited input from two Admiralty attorneys who reviewed the draft.

DNR law-enforcement Major Michael Paul Thomas said the measure \"is a great plan and a great way to to get these boats out in a quicker manner,\" adding the department needs faster tools because sinking accelerates removal difficulty. The bill as presented includes a civil fine (up to $10,000) plus reimbursement for the cost of removal.

Committee members asked several technical questions. One senator proposed changing the bill\u0000s 180-day recovery period to conform with the applicable statute of limitations; DNR\u0000s major said that longer periods are sometimes necessary because owners can be hard to locate. The committee adopted an amendment to conform the recovery period to the applicable statute of limitations (effectively three years) and also adopted an amendment removing the draft\u0000s phrase \"in a state of disrepair,\" which counsel said had no clear body of case law.

A senator noted that in some pollution or fuel-leak cases the federal Clean Water Act and related federal pollution statutes (identified in the hearing as the Federal Pollution Control Act) can be invoked; committee members said those federal tools remain available but are separate from the state removal process outlined in S. 367.

With no further amendments, the committee voted to report the bill favorably as amended. The chair described the measure as addressing a statewide problem, not just a coastal one, and recorded unanimous support including proxies from Cromer, Turner and Young.","S. 367, a bill to create procedures for declaring and removing wrecked, abandoned or sunken vessels statewide, was amended and given a favorable report by the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. The panel adopted amendments on limitation periods and removed an undefined phrase from the bill.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104241,"Senate committee forwards Hope Blackley—s nomination to DNR board after unanimous vote",745,2480,747889,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5&start=2&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5/thumbnail_2480.jpg","/articles/6104241/South-Carolina/Senate-committee-forwards-Hope-Blackleys-nomination-to-DNR-board-after-unanimous-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104241-43713387b35cfe33928ddb2af7b5eae1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952917&Signature=WlarOchkknww7taDAceP3d7imaR-gHTCTwpjLKk8sbfpBxQ7Jey3XlJbOOEGINC~o3xSHBW6HQuImPc-ZY5TCWA-pJAxECVTwy6~kaeY73giTO9XJHk6UocZKgjrSOXfJ8GiqUUnQKbkcBSpG1bmbO7NyKGPPP5t8Oe7JktB3V33rcUp4vv6Gk7Wmd1oAGOQMkIhF7mM8cBjh2HfjWJemLJvuApG0P1DYwjDDPHMwNgWH-pRfSGu~eUZo8lLDZY0DNq6tIE~H9QBP9FaK6hAJBervSu7E0Mi~KCp-j4lMSqsSuL7o05x0lEIaGnxi7imbKgX1FIED-xmocDdgdRCnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee voted unanimously to move Hope Blackley\u0000s nomination to the Department of Natural Resources board to the full Senate for confirmation following a brief confirmation hearing.

The committee\u0000s former longtime DNR board chairman Norman Pulliam testified in support of Blackley, saying he has \"known Hope for over 20 years\" and called her \"an old pro.\" Blackley told the committee, \"it is an honor and my pleasure, to go through this process, and I look forward to answering any questions that you may have of me.\"

Blackley, a Spartanburg County resident and current governmental liaison for South Carolina State University, answered routine vetting questions from staff about her background, potential conflicts and investigations. Committee staff confirmed they had received her personal data questionnaire, background check, credit report and driving record and said Blackley reported no changes.

Committee members asked about Blackley\u0000s familiarity with outdoor recreation and natural-resources issues. Blackley said she hikes and camps and that she \"used to fish when I was a little girl with my grandfather,\" adding she will rely on listening and learning in the role. Pulliam and other senators emphasized her public-service record, including prior work in Spartanburg and service under former Governor Sanford and for Congressman Timmons.

After members spoke in support and one senator moved a favorable report, the committee recorded an aye vote without opposition. The chair noted proxies from Senators Cromer, Turner and Young also voting in the affirmative.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Blackley will join the DNR board as the committee\u0000s recommended appointee. No formal questions or concerns about legal or financial conflicts were raised during the hearing.","The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee voted unanimously to give a favorable report to the nomination of Hope Blackley to the Department of Natural Resources board after a brief confirmation hearing and question-and-answer session.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104222,"Committee to withdraw and resubmit donated-deer processing regulation; processors to recoup processing fee from nonprofits",153,3626630,3780490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5&start=3626&end=3780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5/thumbnail_3626630.jpg","/articles/6104222/South-Carolina/Committee-to-withdraw-and-resubmit-donated-deer-processing-regulation-processors-to-recoup-processing-fee-from-nonprofits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104222-5bcb3c4201eab60922ec46ac9caab36d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952917&Signature=M8SfwZRM14YfgCeG8oLRJ2~SQP2ZyU~T6w2Zvj99NrKM-3dwXHlmlEFWUxcVZseAkR0ZDKQfTmvN8mqG1Nx5KbSKfVetaKL7v90A6toNpOI9Cz-n2~TOLuHJj0uh2yIg7KeT0RV3y~fOPy9JdoOcsFQ~iwzMoxwYqSYj-ksk1bA5sVEHRwX9YFuDPuqItagAfwckaJ1aai7pXURGxOIitd5ueo1ct1WNuxTbH8P~P8co7ztxwNVU9eTjYHSARn4Zec2jADpXu3hhtrVVkMYgLHL5E6I9F19SNaIhWiOiY4FaCEemUdKZpCh82cx0RJH9g9CknmNzfbtU4UFqD~5LNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee agreed to withdraw and resubmit regulation 5330, which implements statutory language allowing deer processors to recover processing fees for donated does from a person other than the donor.

Committee staff said the regulation interprets an amendment to state law (cited in the hearing as \"section 50 11 19 10\") that permits the department to promulgate rules enabling processors to accept and process legally taken donated does and to recover processing costs from a nonprofit or other entity that receives the venison. The regulation as discussed would permit processors to record the donation date, donor and South Carolina Game Check confirmation number, but committee and department staff agreed to remove one subsection to address processor concerns and to make a few technical linguistic edits before resubmitting.

The committee emphasized the regulation is intended to allow processors to recoup only the processing fee and not to enable sale of venison. A staff explanation said the program supports donation programs that supply food to shelters and other nonprofits. DNR and the committee said they will continue to refine the language to strike a balance between donor protections and processors\u0000 practical needs.

After agreeing to withdraw and resubmit the regulation with the edits discussed, the committee moved the resubmitted regulation to the Senate floor by voice vote.","Regulation 5330, which would allow meat processors to recover processing fees for donated deer from nonprofits rather than the donor, will be withdrawn and resubmitted to address technical and processor concerns. The committee moved the resubmitted regulation to the floor.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104227,"Committee advances Game Check rules for electronic harvest reporting; processors raise concerns",665,2712060,3377930,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5&start=2712&end=3377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2791818-eddd48a4321bc443e60ff753397852d5/thumbnail_2712060.jpg","/articles/6104227/South-Carolina/Committee-advances-Game-Check-rules-for-electronic-harvest-reporting-processors-raise-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104227-80bd865505f4de096f8b83998a5691af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952917&Signature=WRrtaZwbMGNFKO9vQsvmvarFIRdQjSiPFgGwbzmnWHKByh7MWO6nEIoGCsLRp9E18cFrQ7le~0z5YHABArV0~uSa3phScms~JFjWiOqQWuEL9FV9L2otmD5fxp2BfuZwU~PHv1ccDWlGK62d6G5Sl~U9Yd4qsyewEHS4S5~AYkoF5eTqlGwgOzqd57pNm4AHUwVS1XTCbd63IOKTdiOMp3q9RTeWnG3y4arpIE72JD5R2vgl1SaVzihBD8POEyNl3zHKtoyofRP4VFzHEzWkzeQQc~FbLMyL5OLyFY6zaK5NvVhPVT9AQ96Zi2hpRwlw3AcWMQTqCBvIuTdVMWoqSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee advanced regulations for the South Carolina Game Check electronic harvest-reporting system, which requires hunters to report big-game harvests (deer, bear and wild turkey) through an app, website or phone number and provides a confirmation number that processors will record.

DNR staff said required harvest-report contents include time and date of harvest, county, private or public land indicator and, for public land, the name of the WMA. Optional fields include weight and inside antler spread; Charles Ruth, a DNR biologist who supervises the big-game program, said weight and antler spread are optional for hunters who can provide them.

Senators raised concerns about the burden on meat processors, who must record the hunter\u0000s Game Check confirmation number when processing donated or submitted carcasses. Senator Ott and others urged DNR to continue working with processors to secure buy-in; DNR staff said they have heard processor concerns and plan a withdraw-and-resubmit of a related donated-deer regulation to address processor issues.

DNR officials reported strong initial compliance: about 175,000 deer were reported in the first year under the harvest-reporting system, which DNR staff characterized as a successful rollout. Staff said required fields are minimal and the app\u0000s data-entry flow is designed to be quick; optional items are available for hunters who wish to provide more data.

Committee members moved the Game Check regulation package to the floor; staff and senators requested continued outreach to processors and hunters to improve user experience and compliance.","The Senate committee moved regulations implementing the South Carolina Game Check electronic harvest reporting system to the floor while senators and DNR staff discussed processor concerns and efforts to make reporting user-friendly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances wildlife-management-area regs; lawmakers raise safety and hog-control concerns

Senate committee advances S. 367 to speed removal of abandoned and derelict vessels

Senate committee forwards Hope Blackley—s nomination to DNR board after unanimous vote

Committee to withdraw and resubmit donated-deer processing regulation; processors to recoup processing fee from nonprofits

Committee advances Game Check rules for electronic harvest reporting; processors raise concerns