x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by IQ12 with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:34:18 -0500 thread-index: AdBPsHp/NtRd+8CLSbeDLqiT5Dacbg== Thread-Topic: S 454- Bill to change SCDNR oversight of Deer harvest From: To: Subject: S 454- Bill to change SCDNR oversight of Deer harvest Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:34:18 -0500 Message-ID: <15F906DE9EA64FEC8D6D08BB8C6CAF84@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 23 Feb 2015 21:34:18.0398 (UTC) FILETIME=[7AA163E0:01D04FB0] CUSTOM Mr Walter K Speight Jr N/A 5015 Parkside DR North Charleston SC 29405 kensp8@outlook.com 8436704543 8436704543 LITI S 454- Bill to change SCDNR oversight of Deer harvest Governor's Staff, I would like to know the Governor's position on Senate bill 454, regarding the limit and tagging of whitetail deer in SC. As I see it, this bill is no more than another SC state agency (SCDNR) passing along new fees/taxes. I understand SCDNR via Sen. Campsen is trying to wrap this into some kind of "everyone wins" package, but I just don't agree. This bill is simply to grow the revenue of SCDNR, plain and simple! I understand SCDNR gets very little (if any) funding from the General Fund and must get their livelihood from user fees and federal subsidies. While I appreciate the job they do, I think the hunters in SC pay more than their fair share! I also think the SCDNR Board should take a look at the agency and see which non-core services can be cut rather than trying to always increase their revenues. Although this is against the nature of any government agency to be efficient and work to narrow their scope. The Governor will also hear from SCDNR a ridiculous argument that they need these new tag funds to monitor the program of tagging deer! Only a government agency could come up with that type of circular logic to justify raising taxes!!! The other distraction at play here is the "quality debate" around deer. Don't allow the Governor to be fooled, "quality" is no more than antler worship by a minority of hunters. This minority is trying to artificially reduce the competition for big antlers by limiting the number of buck deer taken. The SC deer herd, less in number than the past (mainly due to loss of habitat to development and the age structure of our forest), is very healthy and produces a good number of "trophy" antlers. (as recently evidenced by the Facebook picture of Michael Haley on the Governor's FB page). I too enjoyed a nice buck but not to the exclusion of nice young deer for consumption. SCNDR should manage our deer herd for health and numbers and allow the trophy quality to work itself out based on the overall "demand" for big antlers. When the majority want "big antlers" it will happen, (I argue it already has and is taking place). If SCDNR is committed to the concept of limiting the deer harvest, start by reducing the number of extra Doe tags they sell, limiting the large plantation harvest program, and as a final measure GIVE the tags away hoping for a high percentage of compliance. This would be similar to the tagging plan already in place for wild turkeys. I'm sure these measures are not popular with SCNDR due to the fact it would reduce their current revenues or curtail their ability to generate new revenue! I would welcome any discussion or opportunity to discuss my views with the Governor's office as a life long sportsman would is not in favor of what SCDNR is doing in regards to deer tags! Best regards, Walter Speight