END OF A DUCK HUNT. Chapter Hunting and Fishing No State in the Union, perhaps, furnishes a better variety of sport for the hunter and the fisherman than South Carolina. The fact that Grover Cleveland, that peer among huntsmen, while President of the United States, and since that time, has found his best hunting and fishing on the coast of South Carolina, and annually comes to indulge in this sport, is a guarantee that South Carolina hunting and fishing affords a variety of rare attractiveness. The further fact that many wealthy men have bought up land and established hunting preserves with club houses is indicative of the character of the sport to be had. Georgetown County abounds in game. One of the most famous gun clubs in that section is the Annandale Gun Club, located between Winyah Bay and Santee River. Here some of the most distinguished citizens of the country have hunted, including President Grover Cleveland, Admiral Robley D. Evans, Gen. Alexander, Capt. Lamberton and others too numerous to mention. A membership in this club is worth $15,000, and its membership scarcely exceeds 12 men. Another famous club is that located on Murphy's Island, about 25 miles from Georgetown, and is called the Santee Gun Club. Its membership is composed largely of Philadelphians, who also pay fancy prices for the privilege of hunting in Georgetown County. Throughout the State quail abound, and notable hunting sections are in the vicinity of Ridgeway and Ninety-Six. On the coast deer are to be found in abundance, and deer hunting in Hampton, Georgetown and other low-country counties is as good, perhaps, as anywhere in the world. Wild turkey, bear and wild duck shooting is to be had in abundance. Duck shooting is excellent, not alone on the coast, but along most of the numerous river courses in the State, extending northward above Columbia on the Broad River. Then there is the delicate and delicious rice bird found in the coast counties, particularly Georgetown. As for fishing, off the coast practically every variety of sea fish is found, save the tarpon, and rare sport is afforded the deep-sea fisherman. Black fish, whiting, sheepshead and such fish are the victims in large quantities of fishing parties that spend pleasant days in sail boats or naphtha launches. Aside from this sea-water fishing for pleasure, there is much fishing for shad for commercial purposes, and thousands of oysters, as will be seen elsewhere, are gathered for consumption and canning. It is a common thing on the coast for negroes to manage to live the entire year at practically no expense as a result of their fishing operations. Shrimp and crab are gathered freely. In the fresh water streams, lakes and ponds all over the State are to be found in abundance delicious trout, the famed pond bream, jack fish, perch, cat fish, goglies, "mollies," and many other varieties of fish that make glad the heart of the true fisherman. German carp in plenty are also to be caught. The perch and the bream are esteemed the fish de luxe, and far and wide are famed the bream caught in the great lake at Langley, not far from Aiken. From a commercial standpoint, it is impossible to give in figures an adequate idea of the salt and fresh water fish caught and sold on the market annually, as these are sold by individuals who catch the fish and peddle them. During 1905, however, on the coast something over 2,000,000 bushels of oysters were canned, worth $600,000, and about 62,000 shad were caught and shipped to market. Terrapin were trapped and raised, and about 20,000, so far as known, found their way into the exclusive markets wherein terrapin are esteemed a great delicacy. The State has, up to a few years ago, given but little attention to its fisheries and to its game, but there has recntly been an awakening along this line, and there are now game and fish wardens watching things with an eye to the future. Recently the State Audubon Society was formed, and much excellent work is being done looking to the protection of the game birds of the State. New Laws Passed in 1907.-Two Acts: Incorporating the Audubon Society of South Carolina with powers of a game commission, providing for wardens, prohibiting export except a limited amount under nonresident license, requiring the marking of packages of game, providing for a game-protection fund, substituting a $10 nonresident State license for the $25 county license and the special license for hunting on navigable waters, and lengthening the deer season in Dorchester County. Close Seasons for Game.-1902-1907: Deer (see exception), January 1-September 1; Exception, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Florence, Hampton, Horry, Kershaw, Marion and Marlboro counties, February 1-August 1. Quail, partridge, pheasant, wild turkey, woodcock (see exception), March 1-November 15; Exception, Aiken, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Fairfield, Georgetown, Hampton, Lexington, Oconce and Saluda counties, April 1-November 1. Mongolian pheasant, three years, until January 1, 1910. Export of Game Prohibited.-Deer, quail, partridge grouse, pheasant, wild turkey, woodcock, snipe and other game birds or animals. Exception: Licensee may carry openly in his hand 2 deer, 50 partridges, 12 ruffed grouse, 4 wild turkeys, 50 beach birds, 50 wild ducks and geese in a season. |