Hunting in  South Carolina

GRAND AMERICAN COON HUNT

January 5, 2012 - January 7, 2012

350 Magnolia Orangeburg County Fairgrounds
Orangeburg, SC 29115

Phone: 803-534-6821
Fax: 803-531-9435
Toll Free: 800-545-6153

Ammunition and Guns

S & D Gun Shop 217 Porcher Avenue, Eutawville - (803) 492-3103

Santee Pawn Shop 220 Business Park Dr, Santee - (803) 854-2255

Westbury Ace Hardware 8516 Old State Road
Holly Hill, SC 29059
(803) 496-3534

Westbury Ace Hardware 118 West Main Street
Harleyville, SC 29448-3700
(843) 462-7666

      Small game hunting opportunities available around the Lowcountry

     Numerous opportunities are available for hunters to harvest small game on over 281,000 acres of wildlife management area (WMA) land located in the Lowcountry counties of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester.
     The 1,375 acre Edisto River WMA in Dorchester County contains upland pines as well as extensive bottomland hardwood habitat along the Edisto River. Small game season begins Jan. 2 and continues until March 1.
     According to wildlife biologist Dean Harrigal, "The 4,687 acre Botany Bay Plantation WMA, will be open for small game hunting from Jan. 4 until Feb. 29 on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Raccoon season is open on the area from Jan. 4 thru Mar. 15 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Sign in is required at the kiosk located at the main entrance." Information specific to Botany Bay Plantation WMA and other Department of Natural Resources managed properties can be found at www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/lookup/. For more information contact the Donnelley office at (843) 844-8957.
     On Santee Coastal Reserve, small game may be hunted on Wednesdays and Saturdays only from Jan. 25-Feb 29. Raccoon season is open on the area from Jan. 24 - Feb. 28 on Tuesday and Friday nights. For more information call (843) 546-8665.
     Individuals who hunt the 250,000 acre Francis Marion National Forest could begin harvesting certain small game species as early as September 1. One should note that the small game seasons are closed during scheduled deer and hog hunting periods on the Waterhorn WMA and when dogs are used for deer hunts on the Wambaw, Northampton, Hellhole and Santee WMAs. No fox hunting is allowed in the Francis Marion National Forest.
     The Moultrie Hunt Unit is comprised of five WMAs (Porcher, Greenfield, North Dike, Halls, and Bluefield) that are open to small game hunting. Refer to the current 2011-2012 Rules & Regulations brochure for specific dates. Note however that North Dike WMA is closed to small game hunting on Wednesdays and Fridays during the months of November and December to allow for youth deer hunts. Sandy Beach Waterfowl Area is located within the North Dike WMA and is closed to all public access from Nov. 1 until Mar 1, but is open for raccoon hunting only Feb. 1 thru Mar. 1. Bluefield WMA is an adult/youth only area where youth 17 years of age or younger who are accompanied by an adult may small game hunt (except during scheduled deer hunts). The youth must be actively participating in the hunt and the adult may also hunt.
     The Corps of Engineers owned Canal WMA is open for quail hunts only on a first come first serve basis on every other Wednesday and Saturday beginning November 23. Upon entering the area, hunters must pick up and keep in their possession a data card. At the end of the hunt, hunters must accurately fill out and deposit the data card into one of the receptacles located at the various access points.
     "The 10,697 acre Bonneau Ferry WMA located along the Cooper River in Berkeley County provides numerous small game opportunities, according to wildlife biologist Will Carlisle."In an effort to provide quality hunting and recruit young hunters, one half of the property is open for adult/youth hunts only" states Carlisle.  In order to hunt on the adult/youth side, the same guidelines are adhered to on Bonneau Ferry WMA as on Bluefield WMA.  The remaining half of the property is open to small game hunting for everyone.  Both sides are open from Jan. 2 - Mar. 1 except for being closed during scheduled quail hunts (Feb. 4 & 18).
     Raccoon and opossum season for both sides occurs from Jan. 3 until Feb. 28 on Tuesday and Saturday nights only. Maps of the area indicating closed areas, open roads, and hunt boundaries can be picked up at the kiosk located at the entrance to the property off of Highway 402. For more information call Dennis Wildlife Center at (843) 825-3388.
     Private land seasons and bag limits apply to many of these WMAs with some restrictions; therefore it is important to reference 2011-2012 Rules and Regulations booklet for specific information and dates or go online at www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html.

2011-2012 HUNTING SEASONS ANNOUNCED FOR
SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Summerton, S.C....Santee National Wildlife Refuge announces the opening of the refuge for public hunting of white-tailed deer and raccoon during the seasons listed below.

The deer hunt schedule begins with the primitive weapons hunt on Pine Island October 10-15th. Additionally, the Refuge will be hosting lottery deer hunts on the Bluff Unit this fall. These special hunts, called “Family, Friends, and Kids Hunts” are an effort to encourage adults to share an outdoor experience with kids by bringing a child hunting with them.

Refuge visitors should also note that for the protection of all visitors, Refuge units that are open to public deer hunts are closed to general public access during designated hunt periods.

Four managed hunts for white-tailed deer will be held on the Refuge in 2011 as follows:

Bluff Unit Family, Friends, Kids; October 14-15, 2011
Bluff Unit Family, Friends, Kids; October 21-22, 2011
Pine Island Unit Primitive Weapons Only; October 10-15, 2011
Cuddo Unit Archery Only; October 17-22-2011
Cuddo Unit Primitive Weapons Only; November 7-12, 2011

Bluff Unit - Family Friendly Hunts (Quota)
Quota Hunt Application - Applications will be available beginning September 1, 2011 and MUST be received by September 30, 2011 to be eligible. Applications can be received by fax, email, mail, or in person at the Refuge Visitor Center. Send applications to:

Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Attention: Refuge Hunt Coordinator
2125 Fort Watson Road
Summerton, SC 29148
Fax: 803-478-2314
Phone: 803-478-2217
Email: susan_heisey@fws.gov

Forms and instructions are available online at:
http://www.fws.gov/santee/Hunting&Fishing.html  or by calling the Refuge Headquarters at the number listed above (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.) or by written request to Santee NWR, 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton, SC 29148.

There is no bag limit for the deer hunts and either sex may be taken. Antlerless deer tags will be furnished by the refuge at each check station. Hunters may legally harvest feral hogs as an incidental take while hunting for deer. Feral hogs are an exotic species and the refuge is allowing this harvest as an effort to minimize potential habitat degradation. All deer and hogs killed on the refuge must be checked at the check station prior to removing the animal from the refuge.

Hunters under age 17 years old are reminded that they must complete a state approved hunter education course before they are allowed to hunt on any National Wildlife Refuge. This requirement applies to all refuge hunts. Evidence of successful completion of such a course will be required. In addition, all youth hunters (under age 16) must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years of age.

To be eligible for the Family, Friends, and Kids hunts, applicants must be at least 10 years and no more than 17 years of age and must possess a valid hunter education certificate. Eligible youths and adults can hunt. Stands and access will be provided by the Refuge during the Bluff Unit Special Hunts. Please obtain detailed rules and instructions about these hunts from our brochure or the Refuge webpage.

The Refuge will also host a raccoon and opossum hunt from 6:00 p.m. on March 1, 2012 through 6:00 a.m. on March 15, 2012. No hunting will be permitted on Sunday, March 4, 2012 and Sunday March 11, 2012. Night hunting only is permitted and special State regulations on night hunting apply. Raccoons and opossums may be taken with a shotgun using non-toxic shot size no larger than #4's or a .22 caliber rimfire rifle.

All hunts, except Family, Friends, & Kids-Adult/Child quota hunts on the Bluff Unit, are open to anyone who wishes to participate. A permit is required for all hunts. A free refuge permit allowing participation in all hunts is included on the lower front portion of the hunting regulations brochure. A special refuge permit, signed by the hunter, along with a valid State hunting license, and photo identification (such as a driver’s license) are required and must be in your possession while hunting.

Camping, overnight parking, ATV’s and open fires are not permitted during any of the hunts. Dogs may be used only for raccoon and opossum hunting. Man-drives, stalk hunting and dog drives are prohibited. Special regulations and/or restrictions apply to all refuge hunts.

Scouting on the Pine Island Unit is allowed during periods when it is open to general public access. Hunter access for Pine Island roads will be opened only during each deer hunt and on the Friday and Saturday prior to each hunt to allow hunters to place their stands on the area. Stands may be placed on respective hunt areas on the Friday and Saturday immediately prior to each hunt (from 8 am until 5 pm) and must be removed by 8:30 pm on the last day of each hunt. Weapons and dogs are not allowed during scouting.

Refuge gates for hunting areas will be open from 5:00 am until 8:30 pm during designated hunt periods. All other access (i.e., scouting and stand placement) will be limited to the refuge's normal hours of operation (April - September: 7:00 am until 7:00 pm; October - March: 8:00 am until 5:00 pm). Hunters are limited to one stand per person regardless of type, including tree stands, ground blinds, and ladder stands. Deer stands on the refuge must be clearly marked with the owner's name and telephone number. Hunters are reminded that littering is a serious problem on the refuge. Regulations against littering will be enforced.

Since refuge hunting regulations often include changes from years past, hunters are advised to study a copy of current regulations before hunting on the refuge. Any questions regarding permitted activities and all requests for information about hunting, fishing, and other public use programs should be directed to: Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 2125 Fort Watson Road, Summerton, SC 29148. Information may also be obtained by telephoning (803) 478-2217. Hunters may also find information on the Refuge website at: http://www.fws.gov/santee/

Santee National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which includes 553 different refuges and protects over 150 million acres. Part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

National Wildlife Refuges…Where Wildlife Comes Naturally!

Caption: Youth and adult hunters can participate in the popular Family, Friends, and Kids lottery hunt. Applications must be in to the refuge office by September 30th. (Credit: Marc Epstein/USFWS)


Susan Heisey, Park Ranger
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
2125 Fort Watson Road
Summerton, SC 29148
office: 803-478-2217
cell: 803-410-2580
fax: 803-478-2314
 

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WHAT HUNTERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AVIAN INFLUENZA -- S. C. Department of Natural Resources has received several contacts over the last few weeks concerning avian influenza. There has been a lot of speculation and hype about the possibility of avian influenza, often referred to as bird flu, reaching the United States. Waterfowl hunters and the public in general should note that as of November 2005, H5N1 avian influenza has not been found in North America and there is no record of positive tests in wild or domestic birds, and no known human cases of illness. For more information on avian influenza and hunting, call the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-3886.

Somewhere near Rochester, New York, Ed set out to bag his buck at 5:30 a.m.  By 11:30 a.m., he was exhausted and hungry--and still no buck.  At 12 noon, the mighty hunter Ed guards the remains of his lunch while a passerby snaps a quiet photo while trying not to startle the deer with a belly laugh.

Jim Glenn, Mr Fred Holseburg and Captain Wayne Vining of CATFISHNFOOL Guide Service harvested this gator (shown right) on 9-24-09 Lake Marion SANTEE COOPER. HE was 12.5 feet long around 800 lb If you wood like to go gatorhunting, wildlife site seeing bald eagles, osprey, deer, cypress swamps etc contact www.catfishnfool.com
 

STATE SMALL GAME HUNTING SURVEYS RANK TOP COUNTIES FOR QUAIL, RABBIT

Through intensive field observations, South Carolina quail and rabbit hunters maintained detailed records of their hunting excursions throughout the year and provided the data to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Small Game Project for analysis. Hunting data compiled included the number of quail coveys flushed, covey size, number of rabbits jumped, the dates and counties where hunts occurred, and the amount of time expended in pursuit of these species. The S.C. State Council of Quail Unlimited assists with funding for the supplies necessary to conduct the surveys.
   To receive copies of the Quail Hunter Survey report or the Rabbit Hunter Survey report or to have your name added to the list of potential cooperators, contact the DNR Small Game Project in Columbia at (803) 734-3609.
   Statewide survey results indicate a slight increase in the number of quail coveys flushed per hour and an increase the number of rabbits jumped per hour when compared with the previous year. The quail covey flush rate was 0.54 coveys/hour during the 2004-05 season, up from 0.53 coveys/hour the previous year. Quail hunters in the top five counties reported flushing an average of 0.94 to 0.74 coveys per hour. The rabbit-jumping rate increased slightly from 1.48 to 1.57 rabbits/hour during the 2004-05 season.
   The Northern Coastal Plain, defined as a seven-county area from the Charleston-Georgetown county line north to the North Carolina line and inland to Dillon, Florence, and Clarendon counties, claimed the highest rates of quail finds. Piedmont quail hunters had significantly less success than those hunting in other regions of the state, said Billy Dukes, DNR Small Game Project supervisor.
   The Rabbit Hunter Survey has shown stable populations and hunting success during the past four years. A majority of rabbit hunting (78 percent) by survey cooperators occurred in the Piedmont. The Lowcountry exhibited the highest rate of rabbits jumped per hour (2.01), among regions with a minimum of 25 hunts, said Judy Barnes, wildlife biologist with the DNR Small Game Project.
   Written comments from hunters in the surveys provided some excellent field observations, particularly on food items of quail. The preferred foods reported for quail were soybeans, lespedeza and partridge pea. Other food items such as green vegetation, native weed seed and acorns were also reported.
   "To ensure continued accuracy and usefulness of future small game surveys, the Small Game Project would like to increase the number of hunters participating this coming season," Dukes said. Avid quail and rabbit hunters across the state who are willing to assist by taking careful notes on their hunts should write to DNR Small Game Project, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202 or call (803) 734-3609 in Columbia. Indicate whether you are interested in participating in the Quail Hunter Survey,
the Rabbit Hunter Survey, or both. Survey materials will be mailed to cooperators in mid-November, just prior to the opening of statewide quail and rabbit seasons.
 

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