From the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Wheelchair turkey hunt held in Upstate

The first S.C. Department of Natural Resources co-sponsored wild turkey hunt for persons permanently confined to a wheelchair was held in the Upstate on Saturday, April 13.

This special hunt was conducted in Newberry County at a private hunting lease and is another example of the ongoing partnership among various private landowners in the Upstate and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The hunt was a tremendous success overall, but it was especially so for Jeff Cooper of Camden who took his first gobbler on his first turkey hunt. Cooper, who has been in a wheelchair for 30 years, said that he was sincerely appreciative to have such an exciting outdoor recreational opportunity.

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From the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - 2013 public alligator hunting, special WMA season applications available online May 1

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin accepting online applications for the 2013 Public Alligator Hunting season and the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Alligator Hunting Season at www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/alligator/index.html. More than 100,000 alligators live from the Midlands to the coast of South Carolina and the population is not threatened by the regulated removal of a relatively small number of alligators. Last year, hunters took 465 alligators during the public alligator hunting season with the average size being nearly nine feet in length.

A $10 nonrefundable application fee is required to apply for the Public Lands Hunt and a $15 nonrefundable application fee is charged to apply for the WMA Alligator Hunt. A randomized computer drawing based on a preference point system will determine the selection of hunters. Applicants can only apply and pay fees online or at one of the walk-up counters at a DNR Regional Office in Clemson, Florence, Columbia, or Charleston. ... more on South Carolina's 2013 Alligator Hunting Season ...

Your AR-15 rifle shoots pellets with Crosman's MAR 177 attachment

Columbia, South Carolina - Patiently waiting by the Crosman table, I overheard their Web and Social Marketing Manager (Chip Hunnicutt) absolutely gushing over one of their products. Usually I'm good about waiting my turn, but my patience waned soon enough as I began climbing over another writer's shoulder for a better look.

"Step on up son," said Hunnicutt. "Let me tell you about the Crosman MAR 177."

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How much are your fingers worth? Blade comes with built-in lights for night work

Columbia, South Carolina - During this year's Professional Outdoor Media Association Business Conference down in South Carolina, manufacturers brought out some of their best and brightest for the world to see. Rifles, packs, deer stands and grills were just a few of the items out on display. But the thing that caught my eye was the Real Avid's new Revelation knife.

More on the Real Avid Revelation Knife at POMA ...

South Carolina range welcomes outdoor writers and photographers for morning shoot

Swansea, South Carolina - The bus arrived so early last weekend in Columbia, South Carolina, that there was time for a second coat of morning frost to dance across the diesel stained windows. A ragtag collection of outdoor writers, photographers and tv producers trudged from the breakfast bar to the doors in zombie-like fashion.

Though exhausted from a week's worth of lessons, seminars and workshops, our sunrise trek held the promise of gun powder — making the early AM awakening all the more worth while.

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South Carolina's Pine Island Club sees new outdoor gear in action

Columbia, South Carolina - The second full day at the 8th Annual Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) Business Conference split time between two specific locations — the Columbia-Greystone Embassy Suites for a series of educational seminars and the Pine Island Club for POMA Camp.

POMA Camp's allow media professionals the opportunity to give a few of the latest outdoor products a try in the field. Those products included a variety of hunting sights from Aimpoint, a collection of outdoor grills from Camp Chef, and a handful of Ram Trucks from Dodge.

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Professional Outdoor Media Association Business Conference brings in the best of the outdoors

Columbia, South Carolina - The first official day at the 2013 Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) Business Conference in Columbia kicked off with a selection of seminars on everything from Why Social Media is a Must to Practical Photography to What Outdoor Television Networks Want. Held at the Embassy Suites Columbia-Greystone, the conference runs from Wednesday March 7th through Saturday March 10th.

In addition to the educational seminars, attendees are invited to a variety of "hands on" experiences including POMA camps, a trip to the local gun range and the product showcase.

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Forecasts fall considerably short of meteorologists' mark, cause needless shutdowns and closings

Alexandria, Virginia - Things were scheduled to start earlier then normal yesterday. Traveling to South Carolina for the Professional Outdoor Media Association Conference (POMA), the plans held for a morning arrival at Reagan National Airport followed by a one hour flight to Columbia. But that never happened. Instead there was snow.

Or was there?

How the snow (or lack there or) delayed our trip to POMA ...

Eddie Eagle says STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.

Sergeant Tony Ayers of the Lexington County Sheriff's Department in South Carolina is a big supporter of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.

"I feel it is very important to teach gun safety to kids," Ayers said. "Hopefully I will speak to that one kid who will remember what I said and that will prevent a child from being shot."

There are two main reasons why he likes teaching Eddie Eagle's message:

Toy guns, like Air Soft, look identical to and function just like real firearms.

"Without the Eddie Eagle program teaching kids to not touch guns they could easily mistake a real one for a toy," Ayers said.

Second, not all kids have the opportunity to learn how to safely handle firearms and that they aren't to be played with if found. The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program steps in and makes sure all children know not to play with a gun if they find one.

Learn more Eddie Eagle in South Carolina ...