HUNTERS MUST CHECK DEER TAKEN ON LOWER STATE WILDLIFE AREAS
Hunters on state Wildlife Management Area lands in Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties (Game Zone 6 ), including the Francis Marion National Forest, need to remember that all deer harvested must be checked in at the nearest deer check station. Sam Chappelear, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regional wildlife biologist at Fort Johnson on James Island, said that deer check stations at local retail businesses are available near all Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunting lands and are accessible to hunters for checking in deer.
For more information on South Carolina hunting seasons and regulations consult the free booklet 2005-2006 "South Carolina Rules and Regulations For Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife Management Areas." The booklet is available on the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/etc/rulesregs/rulesregs.html. Copies are available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold or by writing: Rules and Regulations, DNR, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202; or by calling the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-3886.
Check stations near the Francis Marion National Forest include: Angler's Mini-Mart (Jamestown), Dennis Wildlife Center in Bonneau, Elmwood Check Station, Witherbee Ranger Station, Macedonia Superette, Rock Road Tackle Shop, Wambaw Ranger Station, McClellanville Feed & Seed, P&C Grocery, Haddrell's Point Tackle and Supply, Padgetts Grocery (either-sex dog hunts only), entrance to Bonneau Ferry WMA on SC Highway 402 (either-sex dog hunts only), and Hellhole Check Station (either-sex Hellhole dog gun hunt only). Deer harvested from the Francis Marion National Forest on either-sex deer hunts with dogs must be checked in prior to one hour after legal sunset.
Check stations near the Moultrie Hunt Unit include: St. Stephen Citgo, Henry's Bait and Tackle, Cathie's Mini Mart, and Thornhill's Fish Camp. The check station for the Dungannon Heritage Preserve WMA in Charleston County is now a self-check system. Tags specifically for use only on Dungannon WMA will be located at the sign-in box at the main entrance off SC Highway 162.
Deer harvested from the Edisto River WMA must be checked in at one of the two designated sign-out locations located on the management area. See the 2005-06 WMA map for Game Zones 6 and 11 for specific locations.
Hunters hunting on Bonneau Ferry WMA in Berkeley County must sign in and sign out at one of the two main entrances located on SC Highway 402. Deer harvested from the area must be checked in using a special legal tag located in the information box at the two entrances. Operating hours of the local voluntary check stations will vary. Check a 2005-2006 Wildlife Management Area Map (Game Zone 6 & 11) for specific times and check station locations. Also included on these maps are special management area restrictions that pertain to many of the WMA's located throughout Game Zone 6. These restrictions are in addition to the WMA regulations found in the 2005-2006 "Rules and Regulations" booklet. Maps are available from DNR and local deer check stations.
Hunters on the Francis Marion Hunt Unit are reminded that a deer hunt with dogs will be held on Thursday Dec. 22 on the Hellhole WMA only. The limit is two deer (either sex) total per hunter. No still-hunting and no rifles are allowed. All deer taken must be checked in prior to one hour after legal sunset at the Hellhole check station located off SC Highway 41. This information is found in the 2005-2006 "Rules and Regulations" booklet.
Hunters planning to hunt the Moultrie Hunt Unit in Berkeley County are reminded that on the North Dike WMA individual antlerless tags will be valid Sept. 15 through Oct. 29, but are not necessary on days designated either sex (either sex days are Oct. 1-29). The limit for deer on North Dike WMA is two deer per day. Hunters may not harvest more than eight deer total from the Moultrie Hunt Unit during gun hunts.
Hunters are no longer required to obtain the free permit from DNR to hunt on Sandy Island in Georgetown County. However, hunters are still required to obtain a permit to hunt and camp on St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve WMA located in Beaufort and Colleton counties.
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