#06–36 February 13, 2006
Antler scoring sessions set across South Carolina
Antlers will abound throughout the Palmetto State as the search for new
state record deer antlers gets underway during the S.C. Department of
Natural Resources’ annual series of scoring sessions.
Each year during March, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
scores deer antlers throughout the state, with a major scoring effort during
the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic scheduled for March 24-26 at the State
Fairgrounds in Columbia. A total of 4,488 sets of white-tailed deer antlers,
including 4,328 typical racks and 160 nontypical, are currently ranked on
South Carolina's all-time antler records list, according to Charles Ruth,
Deer Project/Turkey Project supervisor for DNR. Minimum scores for state
record listing are 125 points for typical antlers and 145 points for
nontypical antlers. Scoring is based on the Boone and Crockett system.
For more information on antler scoring sessions, call the Columbia DNR
office at (803) 734-3886.
The objectives of the state records list are to recognize outstanding
animals and to identify areas that produce quality deer, according to Ruth.
This information allows biologists to take a closer look at habitat, deer
herd condition, and offer land management suggestions to landowners.
Although record deer have been recorded from all counties, Aiken, Anderson,
and Orangeburg counties have produced the greatest numbers in the past three
to four years. Generally, larger deer are more abundant in areas that have
fewer deer, as compared to parts of the state with high deer numbers,
according to Ruth. Last year’s scoring sessions produced 180 new entries
into the South Carolina records list, including one Boone and Crockett
entry.
Hunters must provide necessary documentation, such as the date and county of
the kill, and sign a “fair chase” statement when they bring in a set of
antlers for scoring. Broken and repaired racks or antlers separated from the
skull plate cannot be officially measured for the state records list. If the
lower jawbone of the animal was extracted during taxidermy or otherwise
saved, it should be brought to the scoring session so biologists can
determine the deer's age. An accurate weight measurement at the time of the
kill is also helpful.
2006 Antler Scoring Sessions
 | Friday, March 3, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Bath, Wilson’s Taxidermy, 158 Victory Lane, (803) 593-3357 |
| Tuesday, March 7, 2-8 p.m., Seneca,
Tri-County Ace Hardware, US 123 across from Super Wal-Mart, (864) 882-1537 |
| Tuesday, March 9, 2-8 p.m., Belton,
Finley’s Taxidermy, 4027 Belhaven Road, (864) 224-5464 |
| Friday, March 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Barnwell, USDA
Service Center, 100 Fuldner Road, (803) 259-7143 |
| Friday, March 24, noon to 8 p.m., Columbia,
Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886 |
| Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803)
734-3886 |
| Sunday, March 26, 1:30-6 p.m., Columbia,
Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886 |
| Friday, March 31, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bonneau,
Dennis Wildlife Center, 305 Black Oak Road, (843) 825-3387 |
| Greenwood: DNR office, 2751 Hwy. 72 East, Abbeville, by appointment only during March, (864) 223-2731 |
| Florence: DNR office, 2007 Pisgah Road, Florence, by appointment only during March, (843) 661-4768 |
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