Wildlife Resources Commission officers to target impaired boaters

Just as the N.C. Highway Patrol will be targeting impaired drivers during the Independence Day period, Wildlife Resources Commission law enforcement officers plan to do the same on water.

The agency announced this week its intention to keep all lakes such as Norman and Wylie, along with coastal waters, as safe as possible.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources plans a similar push and increase in marine patrols.

“If alcohol is part of your holiday celebration, think before you drink … have a designated driver,” said Lt. Sam Craft of the Wildlife Commission. “If you are charged with operating a boat while impaired, you will have to appear before a judge. Penalties include a fine of $1,000 and possible jail time.”

A blood alcohol level of .08 and higher is considered impaired. Special units for testing will be utilized in N.C. at heavily-used boating access sites and also random locations. Observer News Services

S.C. wild turkey survey participants sought

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to take part in its 34th annual survey of wild turkeys across the state.

“The survey is designed to monitor nesting success of hens and survival of their young,” said Charles Ruth, the department’s coordinator for deer and wild turkey. “The information gathered allows biologists to calculate factors essential for sound turkey management.”

Those interested can find further information at www.dnr.sc.gov. ONS

Briefly

▪  Got an extra rod and reel that is simply gathering dust? Operation North State needs it for the Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans program that provides former service personnel a chance to go fishing. “So far I have collected 18 rods/reels,” says Terry Snyder of Winston-Salem, the Operation North State founder. “I really want to get up to 75 by the end of summer. Just looking for pledges at this time.” Contact Snyder by email at snyder33@gmail.com or call 336-764-5967.

▪  S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers will be conducting courtesy boat inspections statewide in coming days. Saturday they will be at Clearwater Cove Landing at Lake Wateree. Two are planned Monday, at Lake Wylie’s Buster Boyd Landing and at Wateree State Park.

Catches of the week

▪  A 161-pound bigeye tuna and a 70-pound yellowfin by 15-year-old Morgan Swartz of Mufflintown, Pa. She fought the fish herself while trolling off Oregon Inlet from the Point Runner with skipper Denny Wordsworth.

▪  A 7-pound flounder by Steven Carter at the Sunset Beach bridge while fishing with guide Jacob Frick. Carter’s young son Ethan caught a 4-pound speckled trout.

▪  A blue marlin boated and released off Hatteras Village by Russell Clarke of Chapel Hill.

▪  A blue marlin boated and released off Hatteras by Nick Spore of Kill Devil Hills.

▪  A 45-pound dolphin off Hatteras by Wendy Bunce of Raleigh.

▪  A 95-pound tarpon caught and released at Bogue Inlet Pier by Bradley Fisher of Fremont.

▪  An 80-pound tarpon caught and released at Bogue Inlet Pier by Denny Glover of Emerald Isle.

▪  A 7 1/4-pound largemouth bass among a limit of five boated at Lake Lee by Bill Sims of Monroe.

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 3:01 PM with the headline "Wildlife Resources Commission officers to target impaired boaters."