The numbers are in. In 2013, South Carolina held it's first-ever double-crested cormorant season, and more than 11,000 birds were harvested, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The season was opened to combat a skyrocketing population among the fish-eating cormorants.
In order to hunt the birds on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, 1,225 hunters attended special training sessions and received permits from SCDNR. The average number of cormorants taken per person was 23.5, according to SouthCarolinaSportsman.com.
"The agency has to look at what about the first season worked well, and what didn't," said Derrell Shipes, Chief of Statewide Wildlife Projects for SCDNR. "How significant is that number of birds killed, and what will be its impact."
According to Shipes, Oregon and Texas (which also play home to large cormorant populations) have considered similar seasons, and have contacted SCDNR for details.
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