Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances wildlife-management-area regs; lawmakers raise safety and hog-control concerns
Summary
The Senate committee advanced the Department of Natural Resources annual changes to Wildlife Management Area regulations, including higher bear quotas, turkey-season adjustments, new public dove-field rules and two new WMA additions.
The Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee voted to move the Department of Natural Resources 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 years 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 DNRs 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 sessions shortened calendar may require agencies to withdraw and resubmit particular regs if further changes are agreed.
