DATE: 1/20/06

CONTACT: Rick Willey, (864) 656-3090

2005 4-H FACE for Wildlife Contest winners announced

CLEMSON – Winners were announced recently for the 2005 4-H FACE for Wildlife Contest.

Miles Nix of Pineland earned state winner in the five to eight year old category and the nine to 13 year old winner was Joshua Mason also of Pineland.

Ben Thomson of Sharon claimed the title of state champion in the 14-19 year old age group

The 4-H FACE (Food and Cover Establishment) for Wildlife program is now in its 25 th year. The program has provided a unique learning experience for youth that is designed to teach the principles of wildlife management through the planting of wildlife food plots and observing conditions and events surrounding their project.

The program is sponsored by the Clemson Extension Service, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and Quail Unlimited.

“The program requires dedication from the participants especially considering that the majority of the program takes place when the contestants are on summer break from school,” said Jay Butfiloski, biologist with SCDNR.

Each youth is provided with instructions, a sample record book, and a five pound bag of seed. They are responsible for preparing and planting their wildlife food plots and are required to keep a record of their plot’s growth and wildlife visitation. The plots and records books are then judged at the end of the growing season by state wildlife biologists and technicians.

“While there are always many good plots entered into the contest, the winners are always determined by the quality of the record books and the commitment of the participant throughout the entire contest,” said Rick Willey, Clemson Extension 4-H natural resources specialist. “The amount of hard work and dedication shown by the record books this year was exceptional. Clemson Extension agents and 4-H volunteers deserve a great deal of credit for recruiting youth for this program and providing instruction on record book preparation.”

State and county awards were presented in age categories 5-8, 9-13 and 14-19. Quail Unlimited distributed a total of $635 in cash awards and trophies to state winners and subscriptions to Quail Unlimited magazine for county winners in the upper age category. South Carolina Wildlife magazine subscriptions were awarded to county winners in the lower age groups. All contestants completing the program received a certificate of participation.

The winners in the state 5-8 year old division were: first place, Miles Nix of Hampton County; second place, William Babb of Marlboro County ; and third place, Tyler Dorr of Sumter County . County winners included:

Erin McAlhany of Bamberg County

Shane Neal of Florence County

Charlotte Drafts of Lexington County

Miles Nix of Hampton County

William Babb of Marlboro County

Ethan Meetze of Newberry County

Hunter Brown of Orangeburg County

Riley Nordin of Saluda County

Tyler Dorr of Sumter County

In the state nine to 13 year old division, the winners were: first place, Joshua Mason of Hampton County ; second place, Kristen Dorr of Sumter County ; and third place, Sarkis Zubian of Chester County . County winners included:

Shakira Grims of Bamberg County

Sarkis Zubian of Chester County

Cody Gasque of Dillon County

Frankie Slemmer of Florence County

Joshua Mason of Hampton County

Lauren Babb of Marlboro County

Brandy Blanton of Newberry County

Phillip Schneider of Orangeburg County

Lauren Nordin of Saluda County

Kristen Dorr of Sumter County

The 14-19 age division, the state winners were: first place, Ben Thomson of Chester County and second place, Scott Truett of Florence County . They were also county winners.

The 4-H FACE program is open to all youths between the ages of five and 19. For more information, contact SCDNR Small Game Project at (803) 734-3609 or a local Clemson Extension office.

END