#05-267 December 12, 2005
Coastal Wildlife Areas Will Be Open For Waterfowl Hunting
Several Wildlife Management Areas are open to waterfowl hunting along the
coast this season. Statewide, the remaining waterfowl season is Friday, Dec.
16 through Jan. 29, 2006.
Waterfowl hunting on the Little Pee Dee River Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
complex in Marion and Horry counties is open on Wednesdays only. The various
tracts offer good opportunities for wood ducks on several oxbow lakes and
flooded bottomlands. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
wildlife biologist Jamie Dozier reminds hunters one that hunting ends at
noon each Wednesday.
The 2,424-acre Hatchery WMA located in Berkeley County on Lake Moultrie will
be open on Saturdays only throughout the 2005-2006 waterfowl season,
according to DNR wildlife biologist Will Carlisle. Hunters may not enter the
area prior to 3 a.m. with hunting beginning 30 minutes before legal sunrise
and ending at noon. Everyone must be out of the area by 1 p.m. except for
Jan. 28, 2006, when hunting is allowed until legal sunset. Hunters must
enter and leave through the Hatchery Landing. No fishing is allowed during
the scheduled waterfowl hunts. No airboats are allowed through Jan. 31. Each
hunter is limited to 25 non-toxic shot shells. Carlisle emphasizes that
after the hunt, each participant must accurately complete a data card and
deposit it in the receptacle before leaving the landing. Only ducks, coots,
geese, and mergansers may be harvested.
The Moultrie Hunt Unit consists of the borrow pits surrounding Lake
Moultrie. Waterfowl hunting in this area is allowed Monday thru Saturday.
Dungannon WMA located in Charleston County will open on Wednesday mornings
only throughout the waterfowl season. All hunters must enter and leave
through the public parking lot located on SC Highway 162.
The Francis Marion National Forest is open for waterfowl hunting during the
small game seasons within the regular waterfowl season except for the Tibwin
Special Use Area, which is not open to waterfowl hunting.
Public hunting for waterfowl in the ACE Basin can be found in the waters of
the Samson Island Unit of Bear Island WMA in Colleton County. Dean Harrigal,
ACE Basin Project supervisor, reminds hunters that the area includes the
tidal waters of Samson Island Creek and is accessible only by boat from
nearby Willtown or Dawhoo landings. The area is open until 11 am on
Thursdays and Saturdays only.
Hunters may visit the Turtle Island WMA in Jasper County. DNR wildlife
biologist Jay Cantrell said the area is open until noon on Wednesdays and
Saturdays only.
Youth waterfowl days are scheduled statewide Feb. 4-5, 2006. Only hunters 15
years of age or younger may hunt waterfowl on these days. They must be
accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age. The adult is not
allowed to carry a weapon or hunt.
In order to hunt on any of the above WMA's, hunters must have in their
possession a current hunting license, WMA permit, HIP (migratory bird)
permit, along with state and federal duck stamps. For further information
consult the 2005-2006 South Carolina Migratory Bird Regulations or call the
Dennis Wildlife Center in Bonneau at (843) 825-3388.
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