The South Carolina General Assembly recently passed a new law that allows purchase of several new types of three year hunting and fishing licenses. See the upcoming 2010-2011 Rules and Regulations for more information.
           
The new licenses include:

• 3 year resident Hunting License: $36
• 3 year resident Big Game Permit: $18
• 3 year resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Permit: $91.50
• 3 year resident Combination License (Hunting, Big Game, Freshwater): $75
• 3 year resident Sportsman's License (Hunting, Big Game, WMA Permit, Freshwater): $150
• 3 year resident Freshwater Fishing License: $30
• 3 year resident Saltwater Fishing License: $30
• 3 year non-resident Freshwater Fishing License: $105
• 3 year non-resident Saltwater Fishing License: $105
  
• To encourage new resident and non-resident hunters, anyone over the age of 16 who does not have a hunter education certificate and without previous hunting violations may purchase a onetime Apprentice hunting license for one year which waives Hunter Education requirements. See the upcoming 2010-2011 Rules and Regulations for other requirements to use this license. Fees are equivalent to the annual state hunting license.
  
• Resident lifetime combination license holders may add a lifetime Migratory Waterfowl Permit (State Duck Stamp), at any S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office. Fees are based on the applicants age.

Three year licenses sold during the 2010-2011 license year will expire on June 30, 2013.
           
All other hunting and fishing license prices remain the same for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. DNR offers inexpensive licenses for Senior South Carolina residents. South Carolina residents born before July 1, 1940, are eligible for the Gratis Hunting and Fishing license at no cost. South Carolina residents born after July 1, 1940, who are 64 years of age, are eligible for the $9 Senior License.

"Know the Difference" - Check out the Pdf file poster on weakfish and spotted seatrout.

Weakfish are managed through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and as a result of the most recent stock assessment which indicated that weakfish stocks along the Atlantic coast are severely depleted, all Atlantic coast states where weakfish are found must be in compliance with new conservation measures implemented in Addendum IV to Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish. According to the ASMFC, the one fish recreational bag limit, required now of all Atlantic coast states, is necessary to achieve the conservation goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan to rebuild the depleted weakfish stock.

In South Carolina, weakfish are not as common as spotted seatrout, however, weakfish are typically encountered by recreational anglers fishing nearshore reefs, other structures, or natural hard bottom areas during the spring and fall. Weakfish can be identified by their numerous undefined small spots which are absent on the second dorsal fin and dark olive to bluish coloration.

South Carolina's natural resources are essential for economic development and contribute nearly $30 billion and 230,000 jobs to the state's economy. Find out why Life's Better Outdoors.