SC North Island hog hunts with dogs to remove destructive feral hogs

[Fishing Report]

North Island hog hunts with dogs to remove destructive feral hogs

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will continue efforts to remove and eliminate feral hogs from North Island in Georgetown County by scheduling three hog hunts with dogs.

"Feral hogs have continued to multiply on the island, causing destruction to the landscape and native plants, jeopardizing the nesting success of ground-nesting birds as well as sea turtle nests scattered along the beaches of this barrier island," said Jamie Dozier, wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These hunts are part of an overall hog removal project on the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve in Georgetown County.

For more information on the hog hunts, contact the Yawkey Wildlife Center at (843) 546-6814.

In order to help remove the destructive feral hogs, DNR will allow three hog hunts with dogs to take place on North Island only. The hunts are scheduled for the Fridays and Saturdays of February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 from sunrise to sunset only. North Island is only accessible after crossing Winyah Bay by boat and contains 1,410 acres of uplands and 1,703 acres of marsh.

Hunters must comply with the following guidelines in order to participate in the North Island hog hunts with dogs:

* No more than four bay or catch dogs per party.

* No still or stalk hunting is allowed.

* One shotgun permitted per party (buckshot only), and sidearms will also be permitted.

* Hog hunters must have in their possession a valid South Carolina hunting license.

* All hunters are required to wear a hat, coat, or vest of solid international orange while hunting.

* Hogs may not be removed from North Island alive.

Hunters must launch and return with any harvested hogs to the South Island Ferry Landing. DNR staff will periodically be on site to collect pertinent information.

[Bert Rodgers]

Sounds like a good opportunity , I don't get the gun and dog restrictions though.
Of course regulators justt can't help themselves.

Bert

[weekender]

They are setting this up as a strickly dog hunt. Definately more productive as far as dead hogs than any other method of daylight hunting. Banning still and stalk hunting cuts down on arguments and makes the woods much safer for the dog handlers and dogs. I am not a dog hunter but respect their right to have a shot. This may be the first hunt I have ever heard of that is strickly for them.

[seapower]

Other area's of SC. One place I know of is going on now. Dog hunting, or hunting with handguns only. SC is one of those States that you really have to watch what you're doing and where. It may just be me, Frank

[weekender]

for a removal tool via any daylight hunting method, I don't think you can be more productive than the dogs. Wish they had just called me before it got out of hand and I would have........ enjoyed myself ....... maybe scared a few hogs.