S.C. deer hunters could face yearly bag limit of 4 bucks
Legislation is pending in South Carolina that could restrict deer hunters to a maximum of four antlered bucks per year. Additionally, it was proposed that all harvested deer be tagged.
Senate Bill 454 was filed in February on behalf of the state’s Department of Natural Resources by Sen. Chip Campsen of Charleston. It passed the Senate in March and will be considered in the House of Representatives when the legislative session begins in January.
Presently there is a five-buck limit in the two upstate Game Zones and “no limit” on antlered deer in those zones along the coast. The latter is in stark contrast to regulations in most other states.
Wildlife biologists with the S.C. agency contend a reduced limit is needed because of a drop in the state’s number of white tails.
“The population has changed in recent years,” said Dr. Charles Ruth, the DNR deer and wild turkey program coordinator. “Although there are some areas where numbers and reports of agricultural damage remain high, the overall population has decreased. This is indicated by a 35 percent decline in the harvest.
“Reasons behind this include habitat changes related to forest management, the colonization of the state by coyotes since the year 2000 and extremely liberal deer harvests over the last two decades.”
Ruth indicated that from a management standpoint, tagging all deer would be beneficial for better regulation and manipulation of the harvest of doe deer. “This is important as we attempt to mitigate the impact of coyotes on future deer management,” he said.
Seven public meetings have been scheduled across S.C. to address the legislation. Comments and questions from hunters will be allowed.
Among the hearings is a meeting Tuesday in Florence at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center, 2200 Pocket Road. On Thursday DNR officials will meet with interested hunters at USC-Lancaster in the Stevens Auditorium, 476 Hubbard Drive.
Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. Information: 803-734-3886. Observer News Services
Wide-ranging public events set at Pisgah Center
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission plans a weekend-long celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education near Brevard.
Included in the plans for Sept. 23-26 are events for kids as young as 4-7, who will learn about raccoons starting at 9 a.m. on Sept. 25. That afternoon a class for beginners in archery, ages 8-13, is scheduled.
On Sept. 26, families can take part in archery, BB shooting, learn tree stand safety, fly-tying and casting, and outdoor cooking.
Hunter education courses are slated Sept. 23-24 from 6-9 p.m. The course is required for all first-time hunting license buyers in the state.
Pre-registration is required for all events except the family program on Sept. 26. Information: 828-877-4423.
Catches of the week
▪ A 31.6-pound king mackerel at Surf City Pier by Dennis Lee Reynolds.
▪ A 48-inch red drum near Hatteras Village by Cynthia Garmon of Raleigh.
▪ A blue marlin boated and released off Hatteras by Ethan Caton of Fuquay-Varina.
▪ A sailfish boated and released off Hatteras by Matthew Howard of Charlotte.
▪ A sailfish boated and released off Hatteras by Megan McElrain.
▪ A 44-pound cobia on light tackle near Oregon Inlet by Peggy Hedgepath.
▪ A 5-pound Spanish mackerel at Bogue Inlet Pier by Shane Holder of Durham.
This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 6:16 PM with the headline "S.C. deer hunters could face yearly bag limit of 4 bucks."