A debate over wildlife management in Horry County, South Carolina, has intensified as one resident publicly challenged a policy that offers money for killing beavers.
Here’s what to know
Since 2022, the Horry County Stormwater Department has operated the Beaver Reduction Program, according to WMBF News. The program pays licensed participants to kill the animals and later submit their frozen front paws.
According to the outlet, to participate in the Beaver Reduction Program, people must have a valid SCDNR hunting license and commercial furbearing trapper license, or a depredation permit. The county’s website says the program is meant to lower beaver numbers and reduce damage from their dams, but not eliminate the animals entirely.
Resident Kristi Hinton told WMBF that she has repeatedly tried to contact the Stormwater Department but that it has not responded to the voicemails she left to raise her concerns. WMBF’s request for comment was also declined by Horry County…