Our first group of Academics Afield students from Clemson University participated in a hunt at the Jocassee Gorges property, hosted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) this week. This group consisted of students not only participating in the program, but students also serving as hunting mentors.

After completing the hunter safety class with SCDNR Officer Ray Lewis, a hands-on class to shoot rifles and shotguns with Clemson’s Rick Willey, and learning about how conservation and hunting are deeply connected with SCDNR’s Kenny Forrester and SC Wildlife Federation’s BeBe Dalton Harrison, participants set out in the woods.

After returning, they were able to enjoy tasting wild game including squirrel, snow goose, and venison donated and prepared by Morgan Harrell and SCWF staff. A special thank you to our Clemson intern, Abby Dwelle, for her hard work recruiting and organizing this fall.

This program began with the Georgia Wildlife Federation in 2019 and we were awarded a grant to expand it to South Carolina this year. Look for more opportunities to see this crew and a few new faces join in the Academics Afield program this spring.