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Winners were recently announced for the 1999 FACE (Food and Cover Establishment) for Wildlife program, which teaches students the fundamentals of wildlife management.
Lee-Ann Hendrix from Walhalla captured the title of state winner in the 5-8 age category and was awarded a $50 check by the Upper Savannah River Chapter of Quail Unlimited. The age 9-13 division was won by Chanda Cooper of Kershaw County, who was awarded $100 by the Midlands Chapter of Quail Unlimited.
For the third consecutive year, Allison Kitchens of Orangeburg County claimed the title of state champion in the 14-19 age group. Allison received a check for $150 from the Orangeburg-Calhoun Chapter of Quail Unlimited. Allison^s older sister, Lauren, is also a two-time state champion in the FACE contest.
The FACE for Wildlife program, now in its 19th year, works through 4-H clubs to teach the principles of wildlife management through the planting of wildlife food plots. Sponsored jointly by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service and Quail Unlimited, the FACE for Wildlife program had a total of 94 4-H^ers participate in 1999, representing 35 of the state^s 46 counties.
"In addition to benefitting wildlife, the FACE program is a valuable learning experience for the participants," said Jay Butfiloski, DNR wildlife biologist. "Participants in the FACE program get to experience wildlife management first-hand, while learning about wildlife and the importance of keeping records. In an increasingly urbanized society, the FACE program is an invaluable tool in teaching youths respect for wildlife and the environment."
Each youth in the FACE contest is provided with a brief set of instructions and a 5-pound bag of seed. The 4-H members are responsible for preparing and planting their wildlife food plots and are encouraged to keep a record of their plot^s growth and wildlife visitation. The wildlife food plot and record book are then judged at the end of the growing season by DNR biologists and technicians. Contestants are not eligible for awards without preparing a record book.
"There are always many good plots entered into the FACE contest," Butfiloski said, "and the winners are usually determined by the quality of the record books and the commitment of the participant throughout the entire contest. 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, regional and county awards were presented in age categories 5-8, 9-13 and 14-19. Quail Unlimited distributed a total of $795 in cash awards to state and regional winners, South Carolina Wildlifemagazine subscriptions went to county winners and each participant received a certificate. County winners in the 5-8 year old age group received a subscription to Quail Unlimited^s Junior Covey magazine, courtesy of Quail Unlimited. Quail Unlimited also awarded trophies to the three statewide winners.
The deadline for signing up for the 2000 FACE for Wildlife contest is April 1. Interested youths should contact the DNR Small Game Project at (803) 734-3609 in Columbia or their local Clemson Cooperative Extension Service office.
LOCAL FACE WINNERS Listed by age group and county
AGES 5-8
In the age 5-8 division, first-place regional FACE winners received $25 checks from their local Quail Unlimited chapters, second-place winners received $15 and the state winner received $50. All county winners received a year^s subscription to Quail Unlimited^s Junior Covey magazine. Regional winners were: Coastal Plain, Scott Truett (1st), Jacob Barnes (2nd) ; Midlands, Meredith Walker (1st), Andrew Carter (2nd), UpstateLeeAnn Hendrix (1st), Stephen Steward (2nd).
County winners included:
Brandon Watts - Anderson County
Andrew Carter - Bamberg County
Benjamin Miller - Berkeley County
Jacob Barnes - Colleton County
Michelle Miller - Dillon County
Scott Truett - Florence County
Taylor Sims - Laurens County
LeeAnn Hendrix - Oconee County
Curt Berry - Saluda County
Stephen Steward - York County
AGES 9-13
In the 9-13 division, first-place regional FACE winners received $50 checks from their local Quail Unlimited chapters, second-place winners received $25 and the state winner received $100. All county winners received a year^s subscription to South Carolina Wildlife magazine. Regional winners were: Coastal Plain, Kristin Buckner (1st), Matt Nettles (2nd) ; Midlands, Chanda Cooper (1st), Joseph Hunsucker (2nd); Upstate, Russell Hendrix (1st), Ben Grant (2nd).
County winners included:
Will Martin - Anderson County
Corrina Miller - Bamberg County
Laura Miller - Berkeley County
Ben Grant - Chester County
Matt Nettles - Colleton County
Damon Flowers - Darlington County
Ross Reeves - Dorchester County
Brooke Finklea - Florence County
Stacy Buchanan - Greenwood County
Kristin Buckner - Hampton County
Chanda Cooper - Kershaw County
Marcus Sims - Laurens County
Joseph Hunsucker - Marlboro County
Russell Hendrix - Oconee County
Paul Corley - Saluda County
Jenny Burnett - Union County
AGES 14-19
In the age 14-19 division, first-place regional FACE winners received $75 checks from their local Quail Unlimited chapters, second-place winners received $25 and the state winner received $150. All county winners in the 14-19 division received a year^s subscription to South Carolina Wildlife magazine. Regional winners were: Coastal Plain, Justin Shaw (1st), Jason Faulk (2nd); Midlands, Allison Kitchens (1st), Jessie Moore (2nd); Upstate, Tiffany Smathers (1st), Lindsey Hendrix (2nd).
County winners included:
Tiffany Smathers - Anderson County
Travis Beckham - Berkeley County
Sarah Atkins - Calhoun County
Allen Faulkner - Cherokee County
Jessie Moore - Chesterfield County
Justin Shaw - Horry County
Jason Faulk - Marion County
Lindsey Hendrix - Oconee County
Allison Kitchens - Orangeburg County
Josh Mills - Saluda County
Eric Finch - Spartanburg County
Jonathan Burnett - Union County
Uploaded: 1/5/2000
Uploaded: 1/5/2000