As holidays approach, squeeze in some quality time outdoors

As the season begins to cool, more and more anglers stay closer to home. Occasionally, word is passed that some species is hot somewhere along the coast, but for the most part anglers will work home shores. Perhaps it's the approaching expense of holiday season that keeps the tires from rolling, but many sportsmen who enjoy the outdoors still manage to bide their time among choices that are reasonably comfortable. That is to say, they keep the home fires lit. At the same time, they are open for suggestions that give them an opportunity to get out and about.

There is so much to do, life can get hectic and a bit of a challenge. Take advantage of the time and choose wisely. A family outing on the water when conditions are right is a welcome relief for everyone involved. Sharing your time will provide a different prospective -- not how you see yourself, but how others may see you. It matters little if your choice is on the water, in the woods or simply sitting in your backyard. If you gain anything from your experience, let it be that your time was important to another.

Many who enjoy the outdoors have forgotten the thrill of their first large fish, that first buck or the joy experienced when certain goals were obtained. It's time to rekindle some of those lost memories with those who are most important. As adults, there is so much we take for granted. A hundred years from now it will not matter what type of car you drove, how big your house was, your job, or material things you now deem important. What will matter is that you were someone special to another and you chose to spend time with them.

So until then, keep your lines tight, your drags lightly set, the safety on and your glasses clean. Cast straight and look forward to the future -- it's not a bleak as you may think.

WILDLIFE AWARD

Waste Management's Hickory Hill Landfill and Recycling Center located in Jasper County received international recognition for its contributions to wildlife habitat education at the Wildlife Habitat Council's (WHC) annual symposium recently in Baltimore. WHC, a nonprofit group dedicated to restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat, honored Hickory Hill for the successful implementation of its educational programs at the facility.

Hickory Hill provides recycling and waste disposal services to residents of Jasper, Beaufort and other neighboring counties. Hickory Hill's volunteer wildlife management team -- comprised of employees, citizens and representatives of organizations -- works to preserve and protect a variety of wildlife species living on the facility's property, and the WHC recognized the team for the educational opportunities they create for local citizens.

THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT

The 10th annual Fripp Island Thanksgiving Kids Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Friday at the Fripp Island Marina. Children ages 4 to 14 are invited to participate in the free tournament. Last year, 156 kids fished the tournament, enjoying free hot dogs, hamburgers and T shirts, plus fishing rods and trophies for the winners.

Fishing starts at 8 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Participants can fish from the marina dock, a boat, the surf, Bonito Bridge or a private fishing hole. Anglers must furnish their own rod, reel and a life jacket for dock fishing. Prizes will be given for the largest trout, bass, flounder and black drum.

For more information, call the marina office at 843-838-1517 or Ralph Goodison at 843-838-2530.

TAX FREE GUNS

South Carolina shoppers have a second chance to buy tax-free guns. The upcoming "Second Amendment Weekend," a 48-hour tax break, begins just after midnight the Friday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 27-28.

Shoppers will pay no state or local sales taxes on handguns, rifles and shotguns, which can total 9 percent. Taxes still apply to ammunition and accessories such as black powder, holsters, archery supplies and similar items. The exemption does not apply to the sale of antique or collectible handguns or handguns that do not fire a fixed cartridge.

Check with the S.C. Department of Revenue for a full list of exempt and non-exempt items at www.sctax.org.

TACKLE TIP: CLOSED WATERWAYS

Better safe than sorry -- if you hear shots, it ain't ducks they're hunting, and those little splashes around your boat ain't mullet.

When live firing is being conducted at Parris Island, all waterways and marshlands are off limits. The closed areas encompass Ribbon Creek, Archers Creek and Edding's Creek. Sentries usually are posted at the bridge to Archers Creek and Broad River. Both sections are well covered to ensure boater safety. Firing is usually conducted in the mornings and is generally concluded by noon.

To check if live firing is scheduled, call the Parris Island Public Affairs Office at 843-228-2113.

BILLFISH FOUNDATION NEWS

Ellen Peel, the longtime president of the Billfish Foundation, recently was appointed to represent the United States as the commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT).

A recent trip to Brazil began with days of meetings among 48 nations with hopes the commission will take action to pass and enforce the international trading of bluefin tuna, a species that scientists report is being overfished commercially.

"TBF took a position supporting a (CITES), Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species listing last July," said Peel, "and while we stand ready to endorse a very strong conservation measure by ICCAT this year, we are not overly optimistic. Many nations do not acknowledge their sportfisheries and view them more as a nuisance rather than an economic driver and an activity compatible with conserving the resources. Many nations therefore do not collect data from their sportfisheries, hence no data, no fishery that needs acknowledgement. If others, commercial and government, are only thinking of 'pounds of fish dead on the deck for consumption' there is no meaningful debate. This will take a long time, but we all know there are many businesses in Asia and elsewhere that benefit from sportfishing, and we need them to be part of the ICCAT dialogue."

Headquartered in Florida, the Billfish Foundation works with governments worldwide advancing the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and regional economies. Most recently it has been assisting with governmental efforts in numerous Central and South American countries.

The Billfish Foundation's network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, and sportfishing and tourism businesses.