South Carolinians find pandemic relief in fishing, hunting

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BY SCOTT KEEPFER, The Greenville News GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — It appears that the recommendation to remain inside has driven many of us outside.These adventurous forays are not so much to visit the limited number of retailers that remain open for business during the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather those places where maintaining proper social distancing comes easily – namely, the woods and waters of the Upstate.Many people who heretofore had limited opportunities to fish and hunt now find themselves renewing their forgotten love affairs with the outdoors or discovering these pastimes for the first time.The latter was the case for Zoe Kiraly, a 10-year-old from Greenville who recently reeled in the first bass of her life while casting in a local pond with her parents.“She was never really into fishing until the whole lockdown started,” said Zoe’s mother, Tabatha. “But we have gone each night since the lockdown, from the time we get home until dark. Fishing has become her happy place.”She’s not alone.According to data supplied by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR), sales of resident fishing and hunting licenses in March were up significantly over the same month a year ago.Resident freshwater fishing license sales in March totaled 26,858 – an increase of 5,533 over the 21,325 sold in March of 2019.Although not as dramatic, sales of hunting licenses in March ahead of last month’s wild turkey season also surged, totaling 7,050 compared to 5,643 the previous March.“People are looking for something to do,” said DNR spokesperson Greg Lucas. “They’ve been out on the lakes a lot, and we’ve never received so many fishing-related questions.”Brian Welch, a DNR law enforcement officer in Pickens and Oconee counties, has seen tangible evidence of increased activity on Upstate lakes as well as on public-access lands.“We all assumed with so many people being out of work we’d see a pretty large increase and we have, no doubt,” Welch said. “We’ve seen a big increase in public land use. The good thing is everybody’s doing exactly what they should be doing – it’s all individuals or families and they’re keeping good distances.“I’ve seen a lot of vehicles in the Jocassee Gorges, but there were no issues. They weren’t all together. Some folks just want to get out and ride around or take a short hike and have a picnic and see the lake.”Gov. Henry McMaster ordered all public access to beaches, boat ramps and lake and river landings closed on March 30, but Welch said plenty of residents still were able to access waterways via private docks and ramps.“Typically the boating season doesn’t start until May, but it definitely got a jump start this year,” Welch said. “Whether it’s because of people being out of work or because of the pretty weather or the long, wet winter we had, the lake activity has increased tenfold over a typical April.“People have told me that they’re glad the lakes are open because it’s keeping them sane and getting the kids outside. Everybody’s getting outside, and it’s good to see them.”Public landings and ramps reopened with some restrictions a couple of weeks ago, which has added to the visitation – and people’s sanity.“Throughout our history, South Carolina has looked to its natural resources as a source of wealth and well-being,” said DNR Director Robert H. Boyles Jr. “Today as we struggle to find our footing during these angst-ridden times, I am encouraged that our business as an agency is a touchstone for so many South Carolinians who are looking to recharge and re-center on life’s priorities.”Such certainly has been the case for Greenville’s Tracy Hardaway and her sports-loving family, which has wholeheartedly embraced the early opportunity to get outside.Her grandchildren regularly catch bream off a dock at Lake Keowee and last weekend were busy reeling in flounder and trout at Litchfield, just south of Myrtle Beach. Her son, Eric, meanwhile, was catching dolphin and tuna off the coast of McClellanville.Closer to home, her 71-year-old husband, Charles, continued his turkey hunting with aplomb, bagging his first bird of the season in southern Greenville County.“Except for a few days when we’ve had bad weather, he has gotten up to go hunting at 5 o’clock every morning since the (turkey) season started,” Tracy said. “His favorite sport has always been turkey hunting, but this is the most he’s ever hunted.”He’s also sporting the most impressive beard he’s ever grown.“He’s never had a beard before,” she said. “But he hasn’t shaved at all during the pandemic.”