Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo

Photos from the Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo show the good turnout of visitors the the show. Pictures show the visitors, Sammy Schrimsher's exhibit and Scott Moore's primitive craft exhibit and demonstration. Photos by: L. Ross.

The effects of the depressed economy were apparent as there were a few less vendors present this year. This is difficult to understand, since hunting and fishing are some of the less expensive forms of recreation in addition to being a source of some of the most healthy food available.

We need to get the message out to the public about our abundant natural resources and the fun that is available in the South Carolina outdoors.

It is our fervent hope that shows such as the Palmetto Classic and the Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo continue to exist and attract ever greater attendees. There are exhibits for all ages and many educational opportunities for the young and the old alike.

National Hunting and Fishing Day

As citizens of the United States and residents of South Carolina, we are privileged to have abundant opportunities for hunting and fishing.

We have the most liberal whitetail deer season in the country, numerous lakes and streams for freshwater fishing and wonderful access to coastal areas for excellent saltwater fishing.

National Hunting and Fishing Day will be recognized in upstate South Carolina at Duke Energy's World of Energy, 7812 Rochester Hwy, Seneca, SC 29672. The event is scheduled for September 25, 2010, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Admission is free and there will be activities for all ages. Free shuttle service will be provided from the event parking area on Hwy 130.

Activities will include: air rifle shooting, archery, camo games, lake fishing, boater safety, fly casting, fly tying, butterfly gardening, wildlife critters, retriever demonstrations, Take One Make One Trailer, Boy Scouts camping demonstration and kayaking with Calm Water Kayak Tours and Sunrift Adventures.

You are free to bring your lunch or purchase lunch from the consessionaire.

Photos: Upstate kayak catch by L. Ross, Black Lab at The Clinton House and John Garrett with a Lake Hartwell bass. Photos by: L. Ross.

2010 S.C. Wildlife Federation's Wild Summer's Nite

The mission of the SCWF is to advocate for wildlife, habitat and the environment, and to educate citizens in the ethic of conservation, and to support outdoor traditions. Each summer is punctuated with SCWF's Wild Game Banquet and fundraising auction to celebrate with its member the continuation of outdoor enjoyment. Held Aug. 28 at Tronco's Medallion Center in Columbia the silent auction and social hour was followed by a game feast that included wild boar, duck, pheasant, catfish and the crowd-pleasing Gator Tail. Live auction items included trips to resort locations, and included things like turkey calls and quail hunting opportunities. Under the leadership of SCWF Executive Director Ben Gregg and SCWF Board Chair Clinch Heyward, both the Wild Summer's Nite and the SCWF mission are being executed with success.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Diane and board member Webb Smathers of Clemson; Marcus and Abby Pitts of Laurens support SCWF; Clemson student Paige Clegg and Jason Bebber; board member Meta and David Armstrong are also involved with S.C. Trout Unlmited

For more event photos on LowcountryOutdoors.com please click this link.

For more event photos on MidlandsOutdoors.com please click this link.

Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo

Photo from last year's show.

The Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo will return to Spartanburg again this year on August 27, 28 and 29. Tickets for adults are $6.00 and kids 6 and under are free. This is a bargain for a great show to kick off the hunting season.

The show will feature Sammy Schrimsher's Whitetail exhibit, Pro Angler Keith Johnson and the Bass Tub, SCDNR Exhibits, Archery Ranges, and lots of vendors with all your favorite hunting and fishing gear.

The location is: Spartanburg Expo Center, Pottery Road, I-26, Exit 17, one exit North of I-85.

For more details, go to http://www.huntandfishexpo.com/.

Women's Outdoor Recreation Retreat

The South Carolina Wildlife Federation is sponsoring the 17th edition of the Women's Outdoor Recreation Retreat is to be held at Hickory Knob State Park, near McCormick, SC. It will be held the weekend of October 8-10, 2010.

The event is designed to offer opportunities for all ages of women to learn new outdoor skills. Participation will help them to become more aware of the importance of habitat and the need to preserve wild places for recreation. Over two dozen hands-on classes will be available in a non-competitive environment. Some of the activities are: Kayaking, skeet shooting, archery, fishing, wilderness first aid, outdoor cooking, edible plants, bird watching and many more.

Rudy Mancke, well known naturalist and former host of SCETV's Naturescene, will be a featured speaker and session director. Several sessions will include American Indian culture and crafts.

Registration fee is $75.00 and includes all equipment and supplies. Submit registrations forms by September 24. Lodging arrangements should be made through the park (1-800-491-1764).

Hickory Knob State Park is a full-service resort. It has rolling wooded shoreline on Strom Thurmond Reservoir and is in the Sumter National Forest. The park includes and 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, boat ramp, camp grounds and mountain biking trails.

For information and registration forms, visit the SCWF website at http://www.scwf.org/ or call (803) 256-0670. E-mail inquiries may be addressed to sara@scwf.org.

Welcome to Foothills Outdoors

Photo of Kevin Warren with results of his Troll Baby umbrella rig.

Photo: L. Ross

Welcome to Foothills Outdoors. This is our first post to the blog and we hope that we can become an interesting part of your life. Our goal is to inform, entertain and inspire you to get the most enjoyment from your outdoor opportunities.

We are fortunate in upstate South Carolina to have abundant lakes, some cold water streams and we are close enough to enjoy the western North Carolina cold water fishery.

In spite of the growth and development, we have good hunting for deer and some small game species. Our system of trails is excellent, with the Foothills Trail system close at hand. The Swamp Rabbit Trail is nearby and some of the waterfall trails offer exercise and great photo opportunities.

A very recent development in western North Carolina involved the saving of the North Mills River from development. The efforts of Trout Unlimited and concerned sportsmen from North Carolina and South Carolina made the purchase of property possible that will allow continued access to this wonderful delayed harvest stream.

We had a recent fishing trip with Kevin Warren, local Hartwell Lake angler and entrepreneur. We used his new, lightweight umbrella rig to take stripers, hybrids and largemouth during the heat of the day with Kevin's Troll Baby rigs and his "controlled depth trolling" technique. We had a great day on the water. If you are interested in seeing his product and information, it is available at http://www.trollbaby.com/.

Mobility impaired hunters will have access to 50 prime deer hunting locations this fall. SCDNR and other organizations are offering two day hunts in five counties. Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties will have hunts on Oct. 22-23. Laurens and Newberry counties will have hunts on Oct. 29-30. Applicants may apply for one or both hunts. There are no application fees or charges for the hunts.

Each hunt will offer lunch on Friday, an evening hunt and a Saturday morning hunt. Each disabled hunter must be accompanied non-hunter to assist.

Call DNR at (803) 734-3886 or go online to http://www.dnr.sc.gov/ for details and application forms.

Check back soon for more information and outdoor news. Until next time, get out and trim those shooting lanes, check the trail cameras and get ready to take that big buck.