#07–37 February 5, 2007

Youth hunting opportunities available in Georgetown County

Youth hunting opportunities with the Take One Make One mentoring program are open at Samworth Wildlife Management Area and Santee Coastal Reserve, areas within 15 miles of Georgetown.

The Take One Make One program is a S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) youth hunting, fishing and shooting sports mentorship and recruitment program. The program specifically targets youth and young adults who have not experienced a previous shooting or hunting activity. Youth are paired with volunteer hunting club members and private landowners, who in turn sponsor and actively participate in year-round hunting, fishing and shooting sports mentorship.
           
Applications for the Take One Make One Georgetown area hunts are available at the Columbia DNR office, 1000 Assembly St. Detailed instructions and directions to the Georgetown area hunt sites will be provided to selected applicants. For more information about safety and supervision, contact Willie Simmons, DNR wildlife biologist, at (803) 734-3898 in Columbia, or SimmonsW@dnr.sc.gov.

DNR continues to offer the Take One Make One youth hunts this year, with sponsored deer hunts at Samworth Wildlife Management Area. Last fall’s deer hunts resulted in 38 applicants, of which 16 were selected to hunt and six deer were harvested. Sponsored youth turkey hunts will continue this year at Santee Coastal Reserve. Twelve youth hunters were selected for last spring’s turkey hunts, and two turkeys were harvested.
           
Interested youth applicants ages 10 to 15 are encouraged to apply, and there is no application fee or costs associated with the hunts. A hunting license is not required for youth age 15 and younger. Youth with an interest in deer and turkey hunting, but have not had previous opportunities because of a lacking hunting connection, are also encouraged to apply. 

Turkey hunting applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30 for the April 7 and April 14 youth turkey hunts. Turkey hunting applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, April 6 for the April 21 and April 28 youth hunts. Deer hunting applications are to be completed and sent in September. Applications may be mailed to DNR – Youth Turkey Hunts, Attention Willie Simmons, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202. Applications may also be faxed to (803) 734-6020. Preference will be given to youth applicants who sponsor or enlist new hunters to apply with them.