Author: Carolina Fish and Hunt

NCWRC confirms CWD in Johnston County

The following is a press release from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission from Oct. 13, 2023:

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) confirms a 3 1/2-year-old female white-tailed deer harvested in Johnston County has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The deer was hunter-harvested during archery season and represents the first detection of the disease in Johnston County since the state’s first recorded case of CWD in March 2022.

CWD is highly transmissible to other deer. It spreads through infected saliva, urine and feces of live deer and the movement of deer carcasses and carcass parts. During early stages of infection, deer may appear healthy, therefore, NCWRC stresses to hunters the importance of taking precautions when transporting or disposing of deer carcasses as this may lead to moving CWD to new locations.

Importance of testing

NCWRC’s Wildlife Management Division Chief, Brad Howard, said, although a new detection in yet another county is disappointing, it illustrates that efforts to determine the extent of the disease in North Carolina are working, including the cooperation from hunters who have submitted samples for testing of the disease.

“Now more than ever we need the cooperation of sportsmen and sportswomen. We need to continue to test as many hunter-harvested deer as possible to determine the distribution of CWD in our state and how many deer are infected,” said Howard. “It is also essential that we understand how important it is to safely dispose of deer carcasses. Deer hunters must be vigilant and mindful of carcass disposal. The last thing we want to do is inadvertently move it to a new location. We continue to stress to “don’t give it a ride.”

Howard confirmed that the current Surveillance Areas in the northwest and southeast portions of the state will remain unchanged.

“Johnston County will become a primary county. However, the realities of establishing rules and ensuring hunters are aware of the changes during an open hunting season are challenging, and so the rules will not change for this season for Johnston County,” said Howard. Hunters should still be mindful of this new confirmed detection and follow NCWRC’s carcass transportation and disposal guidelines to prevent the potential spread of the disease to other locations. NCWRC also recommends hunters submit deer harvested in Johnston and surrounding counties for testing. Hunters can use NCWRC’s interactive map for information on testing locations. Additional locations will be added to the map throughout the hunting season.

Proper disposal methods

NCWRC recommends that whole deer carcasses and high-risk carcass parts remain in Johnston County or be taken to a processor or taxidermist participating in the NCWRC’s Cervid Health Cooperator Program in an adjacent county for proper carcass disposal and test submission.

Hunters should follow one of the following disposal methods if not taken to a Cervid Health Cooperator:

– Bury the deer remains where you harvest the animal when possible.

– Double bag deer remains for disposal at the closest landfill.

– Leave the deer remains on the ground where the animal was harvested.

– Low-risk carcass parts, including boned-out meat, caped hides, antlers and cleaned skulls, cleaned jawbones and teeth, and finished taxidermy products are safe for transportation to areas outside of Johnston County.

To learn more about CWD and NCWRC’s response, visit ncwildlife.org/CWD.

Upstate hunter kills opening day buck

Brandon Pennington of Gaffney, SC got a quick start to South Carolina’s 2023 deer hunting season on opening day of gun season in Game Zone 2. And in a world of AR-15s, 6.5 Creedmoors and beanfield rifles, Pennington killed his first deer of the season with a single shot 12-gauge shotgun.

“Got in the stand late this afternoon and wasn’t even planning on hunting. Was sitting there less than 10 minutes and here he came out of the cutover to the edge of the creek. The good Lord blessed me again on opening day,” he said.

“The old single shot 12-gauge never lets me down.”

Kayaker found dead on Lake Jocassee

A kayaker who went missing this past weekend was found dead on Oct. 9 and has been identified as 23-year-old Joshua Morales of Auburn, GA.

Oconee County (SC) Coroner Karl Addis said the death was a result of accidental drowning. SCDNR divers found Morales’ body in about 46 feet of water at around 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 9.

Morales, along with a female companion and a dog, were kayaking on Lake Jocassee on Oct. 7, heading to a remote camping spot, when a wind storm caused both kayaks to capsize. The female and the dog were both rescued shortly after and treated for hypothermia.

Rescuers found belongings of Morales during the initial search, but they found no trace of him until Monday.

Kayaker missing on Lake Jocassee

According to Oconee County (SC) Emergency Services, a kayaker that went missing on Oct. 7, 2023 is still unaccounted for as of Oct. 9. The man was kayaking to a remote camping spot with a female companion when both of their kayaks were overtaken by waves and capsized on Lake Jocassee.

The female kayaker was found and hospitalized for hypothermia shortly after the mishap. She is expected to make a full recovery. According to SCDNR officials, neither of the kayakers were wearing life jackets.

Rescue crews have used sonar technology to search for the man, and have found some of his belongings. But he is still missing.

Lake Jocassee is a popular lake, located in South Carolina’s upstate region. It is known as a lake that can turn from calm to rough without warning.

Click here for an update to this story.

SC landowner kills hunting dog, threatens to kill more

On Sept. 23, 2023, William Gray of Sumter, SC said he was hunting on his property when he shot and killed a neighbor’s hunting dog that was wearing a tracking color and tags. Then he posted the following on his Facebook page:

So, whose dog was it? It was Ernest Causey’s and Garrett Williamson’s dog AnaBelle. Williamson said when the SCDNR Game Warden showed up, he seemed sympathetic to Gray. Williamson also seems to have some history with this particular Game Warden.

“He (the Game Warden) has voiced his distaste about dog hunting and houndsmen for years now,” said Williamson.

Here is the Williamson’s side of the story, just as he posted it on Facebook:

Hunting with dogs is somewhat controversial, with landowners calling for their property to be respected, and dog hunters often stating that they can’t control where their dogs run. Either way you look at it, in the state of South Carolina, killing a hunting dog, even when it’s on your property, is illegal. And removing the collar of a hunting dog is illegal as well.

Let’s take a look at exactly what South Carolina law says concerning hunting dogs:

We’re not lawyers, but from what we see reading these laws, Gray should have been charged more than $125, and should spend a minimum of 30 days in jail as well.

What do you think should happen in this case?

Tyler Harkey’s Union County (NC) trophy buck

Tracking dog Stella found Harkey’s deer 800 yards away

Tyler Harkey killed a trophy buck while bowhunting on opening day, Sept. 9, 2023, of North Carolina’s archery season. But he lost track of the buck after finding only a little blood, along with his arrow, which was still intact.

Not long after giving up the search, rain pounded the area, dumping 4 inches onto the ground. About 18 hours later, Harkey went to look again, but this time he called Craig Beachum, who brought his tracking dog Stella along.

Despite all the rain and the time that had passed, Stella led the men about 800 yards to the deer’s body. Unfortunately, the buck had been ravaged by coyotes. But the head and antlers were still in fine form and will make a great trophy to help Harkey remember the hunt, and the recovery of the deer.

“I’m at a loss for words, as there is no way I would have found the deer with them,” said Harkey.

Grilled dove with rosemary lemon marinade

Here’s a great dove recipe!

It’s tough to beat a good dove shoot, but if one thing can do it, it’s eating the fruits of the day’s bounty. Dove aren’t just fun to shoot, they’re also great to eat.

Dove hunting season is a time-honored tradition for many, and preparing these game birds can be a delicious experience. This recipe for grilled dove with a rosemary lemon marinade is a perfect way to showcase the delicate flavors of these birds and create a memorable meal for your family and friends.

Ingredients:

  • 12 fresh dove breasts
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions:

1. Clean and Prepare the Dove Breasts:

Start by plucking any remaining feathers from the dove breasts. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water and pat them dry with paper towels. Make sure to remove any shot pellets if present.

2. Create the Marinade:

In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. This marinade will infuse the dove breasts with a delightful blend of flavors.

3. Marinate the Dove Breasts:

Place the cleaned dove breasts in a shallow dish or a large resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over them, making sure each breast is well-coated. Seal the bag (or cover the dish) and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

4. Preheat the Grill:

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 350-400°F (175-200°C). Make sure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

5. Skewer the Dove Breasts:

Thread the marinated dove breasts onto the soaked wooden skewers. This not only makes them easier to handle on the grill but also imparts a rustic presentation.

6. Grill the Dove Breasts:

Place the skewers of dove breasts on the preheated grill. Grill for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the meat is cooked to medium-rare, which should be about 135°F (57°C) internally. Be careful not to overcook, as dove meat can quickly become dry.

7. Rest and Serve:

Remove the skewers from the grill and let the dove breasts rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat tender.

8. Garnish and Enjoy:

Serve the grilled dove breasts hot, garnished with additional fresh rosemary and lemon wedges for squeezing. Pair them with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, a crisp salad, or garlic mashed potatoes.

This grilled dove recipe offers a delectable combination of flavors, with the earthy richness of rosemary and the bright zing of lemon complementing the tender dove meat. It’s a perfect dish for a memorable outdoor feast, celebrating the joys of hunting and cooking together.

Mackenzie’s Fisherman Hand Scrub

Got smelly hands? Mackenzie’s Fisherman Hand Scrub has the cure!

Was a time when I kept a tube of toothpaste at my fish-cleaning station. But it wasn’t for brushing my teeth. I used it to rub thoroughly into my hands after I’d washed them, attempting to cover the fish smell that even soap couldn’t get rid of.

But you won’t find toothpaste there any longer. Or bars of soap for that matter. Mackenzie’s Fisherman Hand Scrub is what I use now, and it’s pretty much a miracle product in my estimation.

Once I’m done cleaning fish, sealing up the fillets and tossing out the bones and such, I run a little warm water, squirt a dab of Mackenzie’s on the palm of one hand, then rub it and scrub it in with the other hand.

This is a true scrub, with particles embedded into soap, so as you rub it in, it doesn’t just clean; it deep cleans. And that’s what you need after cleaning piles of slimy, smelly fish. You might call it a harsh scrub, but it’s only harsh where it needs to be. And it leaves your hands not only clean, but also feeling refreshed and invigorated.

That comes from its ingredients, like coconut husks, pumice, lemon essential oils, coconut oil and red palm oil. It’s all a part of the perfect combination needed to give your hands a deep clean, while also keeping those hands moisturized, smooth and fresh.

It’s a great gift for yourself, or for anyone you know who loves to fish or do any type of outdoor chores. Bonus tip: if you hire a charter guide, he’ll never forget who gifted him some Mackenzie’s Fisherman Hand Scrub.

Click here to order some hand scrub and check out all the other fine products at fishermanhandscrub.com.