Hunters descend upon the woods every deer season with dreams of a full freezer and itchy trigger fingers. While they wait for their quarry, they may encounter a less welcome hoofed mammal that has been rooting its way through the United States – the wild hog. The resentment felt towards these animals may lead a […]
Clemson Extension Forestry and Wildlife
Fewer Deer, More Deer Problems?
South Carolina has fewer deer than it did during the early 2000s, but many landowners, farmers, homeowners, and drivers are experiencing more deer-related damage than in previous years. That may seem contradictory, but the issue is not simply how many deer are on the landscape. The issue may be that deer are increasingly being funneled […]
Outdoor Safety Notes – Plants – Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
We all enjoy the outdoors. But when working or playing there are potential dangers you should be aware of. These potential dangers are natural, and you should be able to (1) recognize and avoid these hazards, (2) protect yourself against or control the hazards, and (3) take actions if hazards are unavoidable. This publication covers […]
Testing Food Plot Forages – Taking It to the Next Level
Hunters and landowners are always looking for ways to improve their food-plot management. Forage grown in food plots provides essential energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed by many wildlife species when natural browse and food are in short supply or of poor quality. Forage testing is a common practice used by many livestock, hay and […]
Katy did what?
When the evenings start to warm up, I like to grab a glass of tea and sit on the back porch and listen to the crickets. Then something changes. It typically starts later in June and peaks in July, although some hold on until frost. The incessant nighttime calls let me know that summer has […]
How Trees Work and the Impacts of Drought on South Carolina Trees
It’s been a dry spring in South Carolina, and as of mid-May the entire state is experiencing some level of drought, with over 70% of the state under extreme drought conditions (Figure 1). This, of course, isn’t great for the flora of our state – including our trees! We are fortunate to have trees growing […]
Importance of Boundary Marking
Boundary marking is the practice of establishing clear, visible markers that show the edges of a property. Normally, a professional surveyor uses equipment to set iron or concrete corner posts accurately. Surveyors also leave blazes or hack marks on trees between corner markers. Over time, these hack marks become very difficult to see. Paint is […]
Felling Wedges – As Important As The Chainsaw
In this article, I’m going to explain everything you need to know about felling wedges and why they are important in your chainsaw inventory of tools. The felling wedge might look like a simple tool of humble importance, but in actuality, it might be the difference between success and a terrible accident while felling a […]
I Hope That Thang Don’t Bite!
I imagine that the first time a human saw a Venus flytrap in action, they were stunned. The first person was a Native American, but if they were a Southerner, they might have said, “I hope that thang don’t bite.” We call them carnivorous plants, but are they really carnivores? They don’t obtain energy from […]
Growing Season Prescribed Burning
Why Do We Conduct Growing Season Burns As spring turns to summer across South Carolina, many landowners notice a shift in prescribed fire activity. The smoke we were used to seeing during the winter months is now appearing later in the year. This sometimes prompts questions, concerns or even frustration. If prescribed fire already occurred […]
