Image by Flickr user Old Shoe Woman

State Rep. Wendell Gilliard has gone nuts -- pecans to be exact.

In an effort to battle budget woes and generate a little extra cash flow into the state, The Charleston Democrat has successfully convinced the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to allow state park-goers to collect a large bag of pecans for a $5 fee.

It is too early to tell how much revenue this nutty idea will bring in, but as Gilliard says,"Some might say it's a small item, but it's an item generating money."

So all you pecan hoarders out there, if you want your nuts you're going to need to buy yourself that $5 permit.

Oh, and apologize to the squirrels in advance.

The Post and Courier has the story.