Thanks to WRIX radio for inviting me to visit last Saturday on the “Southern Woods and Waters Show”. I had a great time with Chuck Mulkey and “Porkchop” Branch. We covered some interesting topics and it seemed that the hour flew by rapidly. I appreciate the opportunity to be there as well as the calls and e-mails from our readers and listeners to the show.

Chuck invited me to drop by his shop (Chuck’s Deer Processing and Taxidermy) after the show, and I was impressed with his taxidermy work. I saw a lot of mounted deer, fish, waterfowl and hogs.

One of the most impressive mounts was a bobcat leaping upward toward a wild turkey in flight. This is a spectacular mount. The shop is only one and a half miles from the WRIX studio. Drop by and see him. You’ll be impressed.

Chuck and Porkchop suggested a possible return visit to the show so we can spend a couple of hours talking about the great outdoors and the opportunities that our area affords.

Bobby Revels called in to the show Saturday to talk about reported mountain lion sightings in South Carolina and western North Carolina. If you have any insight into this subject, send me an e-mail. I’m not convinced, but would like to hear your thoughts.

New crossbow regulations are in effect this deer season, which opens Sept. 15. Archery equipment definitions now include crossbows. This will benefit those not able to use traditional or compound archery equipment due to physical limitations. It will also make bowhunting possible for more women and youth that are not strong enough to draw a bow.

In addition, this will open up areas to more hunters that are archery only units (Fant’s Grove, etc.). This will extend the length of the hunting season for more hunters participating in the early bowhunts. The ease of use, flatter trajectory and improved accuracy should result in lower loss level of injured deer.

Grady’s Great Outdoors, 3440 Clemson Blvd., Anderson, recently received a shipment of the latest models of crossbows. If you are interested, you have time to make a purchase and practice for the upcoming season.

As with any tool used to harvest big game, a crossbow is not a “magic” formula for taking a trophy whitetail. Your bow must be set up properly, and you must be familiar with the trajectory of your arrows. It is vital that you be able to properly estimate range or use a rangefinder to know how to aim at that range.

Even with a crossbow of heavier poundage than a traditional or compound bow, there will be a rapid drop in the arrow path and you must be able to compensate for that drop. Be a good hunter and be prepared to make an accurate and humane shot.

An outing at Lake Oolenoy, near Table Rock will be sponsored by www.kayakfishing. July 26. You do not have to register. It is an informal get-together of those interested in kayaking and kayak fishing. Check out the website for exact information on times and details.

The Quality Deer Management Association will hold its eighth annual national convention in Chattanooga, Tenn., on July 24th through the 27th. There will be seminars, exhibitors and something for everyone interested in deer hunting and management. Dr. James Kroll and other noted speakers will be there.

Lake Thurmond is still producing some limits of stripers and hybrids. Capt. Dave Willard’s clients have been limiting out on nice hybrids and stripers. Larry Bohannan caught a 12 pounder on a trip last week. The best fishing has been from daylight to 10:00 a.m. using live herring and fishing the humps at about 30 feet.

The diversity of Willard’s clientele is amazing. In the last couple of weeks, he has guided clients from Indiana, Georgia, and Nebraska as well as South Carolina locals.

It sounds like the reputation of our local guides and productive waters are attracting national attention. Check out Willard’s website at www.crockettrocketstriperfishing.com and arrange for a fun day on the water.