Today kicks off National Safe Boating Week, an annual campaign marking the start of the summer boating season 🚤
Throughout this week and this entire summer, you will see constant reminders to wear your life jacket, act responsibly on the water, designate a sober skipper and take boating safety seriously.
Don’t let one bad decision ruin your life or end someone else’s. Safe boating is no accident.
Today, SCDNR staff across the state joined in on Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day to kick off Safe Boating Week, a fun and important reminder that life jackets save lives.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three out of every four recreational boating fatalities in 2023. Let’s change that statistic, because safe boating is no accident.
Today, May 15, is recognized as Peace Officers Memorial Day, celebrated during National Police Week as a time to honor and remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty.
Since the start of our agency, 12 officers and one K9 have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting South Carolina’s natural resources.
We will never forget the sacrifices they made and we hope this list never grows longer.
Are you ready for a 62-day red snapper season in South Carolina?
SCDNR has received approval from NOAA for an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to pilot a new recreational data collection program for Atlantic red snapper. An exempted fishing permit allows SCDNR and recreational anglers to work together to collect valuable information through direct angler reporting. This project will produce better catch data and improve angler access to support informed management and a healthy fishery in the long term.
Anglers can obtain their FREE red snapper permit (valid saltwater license required) beginning June 16th on the GoOutdoors app, along with an invitation to download the VESL reporting app.
Thanks to Yamaha Rightwaters for supporting innovative solutions in red snapper data collection by providing the VESL app!
Find more information at the link in our bio!
🗓️ Season: July 1-August 31
🐟 Bag Limit: 1 Fish/Person/Day
📏 Size Limit: 20 Inches Total Length
🎟️ Permit: Free on GoOutdoorsSC app beginning June 16th (saltwater license required)
📲 Reporting: MANDATORY through the VESL app
📸: Return Em Right
Congratulations to Casey Jones for reeling in this trophy brown trout on Lake Jocassee! His fish weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 27 inches long.
Our Angler Recognition Program not only allows us to recognize an angler's trophy catch, but also provides information valuable to our biologists for the management of important species.
To learn more and to submit your catch of a lifetime, visit the link in our bio! 🎣
With warm weather arriving, black bears are becoming more active and looking for easy meals.
Many South Carolinians live in close proximity to black bears and anywhere in the state could see a rambling bear on the move. SCDNR would like to remind everyone to take down bird feeders, secure trash and remove other accessible food sources if black bears are in your area.
The mere presence of a black bear does not equal a problem. Most bears are just passing through, but if there is an easy meal available, they will take advantage of it. The key to dealing with wandering bears is not giving them a reason to hang around. Removing any food source that would attract bears will significantly reduce any bear issues in residential areas. Bears that have access to human-provided foods often become dependent upon people, leading to destructive behavior and may lead to the bear’s demise.
To better coexist with bears, practice these BearWise Basics and find more information at BearWise.org
It’s official!!!! Congratulations to Capt. Wes McAfee, Lee Ravenel, Riley Overstreet and the rest of @redemption_sportfishing for winning the Charleston Billfish Invitational at @seabreezemarina , the first leg of the 2026 Series!!
All winners are now available in the Gov Cup app by @reeltimeapps 👏 👏
🎥: @elevate.with.ella
We are proud to announce the graduation of 9 new law enforcement officers from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy - Basic Law Enforcement Class 855! Director Tom Mullikin had the honor as serving as the guest speaker.
Following graduation from the Academy, these officers will continue Wildlife Basic and Marine Law Enforcement training throughout the summer and into the fall.
Recognition is also deserved for our own John Sanders who earned the J.P. Strom Award! The award is given to the student in each class who attains the highest cumulative academic score for all unit tests.
Join us in congratulating all of these officers and wishing them safety as they work to protect our natural resources!
Congratulations to Zack Boerger for reeling in this huge brown trout on Lake Jocassee! His fish weighed in at 5.86 pounds and measured 22 inches long!
Our Angler Recognition Program not only allows us to recognize an angler's trophy catch, but also provides information valuable to our biologists for the management of important species.
Learn more and submit your catch of a lifetime at the link in our bio! 🎣
If you are looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, look no further! A subscription to South Carolina Wildlife magazine is the perfect gift for Mom or anyone in the family! Stay connected to the great outdoors during every season of the year with South Carolina Wildlife magazine.
Visit SCWildlife.com or GoOutdoorsSouthCarolina.com to purchase a SCW subscription today!
The SCW May-June 2026 cover features an Eastern tiger swallowtail visiting a Southern pinxter azalea. (photo by Nancy Lee)
The first sea turtle nest of the season is officially here! And to make things even better, there are two! 🐢🐢
Last night, two loggerhead sea turtles made their way onto South Carolina beaches to lay their eggs - one at Edisto Beach State Park and the other at the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
Thanks to Edisto Beach State Park sea turtle specialist and team leader Leah Schwartzentruber, Edisto Learning Center animal care specialist Daniel and EBSP volunteer Sarah for the Edisto photos, and thank to Bill Shaw for the photo at Cape Romain!
This week, May 3-9, is recognized as Amphibian Week! Amphibians are defined as organisms that are able to live both on land and water 🦎
Here in South Carolina, we have over 150 species of native reptiles and amphibians, making our state one of the most diverse landscapes in the United States!
Amphibians are great critters to keep around as they provide a natural form of pest control, help with seed dispersal and germination, and serve as an important part of the food chain for a variety of other species.
Want to be a better neighbor for our local ectotherms? Reduce your pesticide use and only treat specific target areas. Also, leaving fallen leaves to decompose provides amphibians with both shelter and a food source, as well as alleviates some yard work for you. It's a win-win situation!
