South Carolina bans both reaping and shooting jakes to protect populations 🦃

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further adieu, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Fear the reaper - SC bans reaping and shooting jakes 🦃

• Do not pass go - N.H. superintendent nailed for hunting violations 👮

• Good harvest - Pa. has record whitetail success 🦌

• Elk cuts - Wyoming is considering slashing tag allocations amid declines 📉

• Price hike - Washington eyeing 38% increase in license fees 💰

• I’m walking here! - Watch as a Florida panther darts through walkers on Florida trail 😳 

LET’S SEE IF IT WORKS
SOUTH CAROLINA BANS REAPING AND HUNTING FOR JAKES AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S OPENER

With South Carolina hunters chomping at the bit to get afield later this week, state game managers are passing along a couple of final reminders before the season kicks off on Thursday. 

Amid statewide declines of gobblers, amended regulations have been instituted to try and help struggling populations rebound across the Palmetto State. 

These changes come on the heels of declining population trends over the past few seasons that have state biologists and hunters feeling edgy about the future of turkey hunting not only in South Carolina, but across the southeast. The spring 2024 turkey harvest in the state totaled approximately 12,428 birds, showing a 5% decrease from the 2023 harvest of 13,074 turkeys…

QUICK HITS // ^{_{FROM AROUND THE WEB}}

Merrimack County Department of Corrections superintendent arrested, charged with violating state hunting laws: Cushman was charged with seven misdemeanor charges and 10 violation charges, including multiple illegal night hunting offenses, using a live action game camera to aid and assist in taking deer and illegal baiting, fish and game said.  Read the full story.

Record deer harvest in Pa. fuels community support through Hunters Sharing the Harvest program: In the 2024-25 hunting season, Pennsylvania hunters harvested over 470,000 deer. According to data collected by the PA Game commission, that number has beat out each previous season from the last 15 years.  Read the full story.

Wyoming Game and Fish eyes slashing hunting tags as iconic Jackson Elk Herd slumps: As the Jackson Elk Herd continues a multiyear slump, Wyoming wildlife officials have proposed reducing the cow harvest on the refuge, Hunt Area 77, in two ways: by limiting permission slips for license-holders from other areas to hunt on the refuge earlier in the season; and by instituting quotas later in the season. Read the full story.

WA Senate approves 38% price hike in hunting, fishing licenses — first since 2011: After more than a decade of holding steady, Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to advance a 38% “inflationary adjustment” that would raise the price of hunting and fishing licenses in Washington state if passed by the House. Read the full story.

Men accused of killing 2 hunting dogs while driving through Nassau Co. property on ATVs: Two men were arrested and charged with animal cruelty after killing two hunting dogs in Nassau County Thursday, according to the sheriff's office.  Read the full story.

VIDEO // ^{_{SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN}}

🐈 You’re wandering through one of Florida’s beautiful natural areas, and you’re thinking you’ll be safe from the wildlife atop the boardwalk when a reclusive and endangered Florida Panther comes right at you.

The cameraman certainly stood his ground.

Playing peek-a-boo with Monday.

📸 : @clayallen74

Oh, and one more thing…