Senate committee advances Davy Hite for S.C. Department of Natural Resources board

Davy Hite, nominated to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) board by Gov. Henry McMaster, told the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee on the record that he was ‘‘born and raised in the state of South Carolina’’ and called the appointment ‘‘an opportunity of a lifetime.’’

Hite, who described more than two decades as a professional angler and service in the South Carolina Army National Guard, said habitat restoration and public access to hunting and fishing are priorities for him. The committee voted to give his nomination a favorable report to the full Senate.

Why it matters: Members said Hite’s long involvement in hunting and fishing and private land habitat work would inform the DNR board on recreational access and habitat-management questions the agency faces.

In his opening remarks, Hite thanked the governor and outlined his conservation interests, noting decades of experience as a professional angler and television host and ownership of private timberland he manages for wildlife. Senator (Greenwood) praised Hite’s background and moved to advance the nomination; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with proxies recorded in favor.

Committee members asked Hite about saltwater fishing, hunting and habitat-management experience. Hite said he has both inshore and offshore saltwater experience, bird- and deer-hunting experience and that he and his wife manage a roughly 200-acre pine plantation in Greenwood County where he follows timber- and habitat-management practices.

No written opposition or additional public testimony was recorded in the committee transcript. The committee did not take a roll-call tally in the hearing transcript; the chair announced the ayes carried and recorded that multiple proxies were cast in favor.

The nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration. No implementation dates or board-term specifics were given during the committee hearing.