#07–203 July 23, 2007

Applications available for youth dove hunts

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will conduct eight youth dove hunts on the opening day of dove season, Sept. 1. The youth dove hunts will be in the following counties: Abbeville, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Sumter, Union and York.

Get applications for some of the hunts.

Eligibility for these hunts requires adults 21 years or older to bring one or two youths 17 years of age or younger. The following regulations also apply on special youth dove hunts:

Purchase a hunting license and WMA Permit and obtain a free HIP permit.

The Abbeville County field is co-sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Forest Service. The youth dove field is located 5 miles east of Abbeville on SC Highway 72 and .25 mile south on Bass Road. Pre-registration for the Abbeville Youth Dove Hunt begins Aug. 1, and the deadline is Aug. 17. Participants are selected by drawing. Successful applicants are given additional information (reporting time, maps, hunt rules, etc) and unsuccessful applicants are also notified by mail. Call the Greenwood Office (864) 223-2731, extension 206, for additional hunt information or to apply for the hunt.

The Newberry County field is co-sponsored by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service. The dove field is owned by the S.C. Department of Transportation and the property is located north of I-26 on SC Highway 121. To locate this youth dove field travel towards Whitmire on SC Highway 121 for 9.2 miles, take a right turn on McCullough Road and then go 0.7 miles to the field on the right. Pre-registration is required and applicants can call in their information (name, address, telephone number, and age of each youth applicant) beginning Aug. 1, and the deadline is Aug. 17. This youth dove field is limited to 30 slots. All successful applicants will be notified by mail and will receive the following additional information; hunt rules, map, and meeting time. For additional information or to apply for the hunt please contact the Columbia DNR Office at PO Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202, (803) 734-3898.

The Oconee County and Pickens County dove fields are co-sponsored by DNR, the U.S. Forest Service and the Upper Savannah River Chapter of Quail Unlimited. Additional contributors to the hunts include the Upstate Bearhunters and Houndsmen Association, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, South Carolina Bowhunters Association, South Carolina’s 4-H Program, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Mountain Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Upstate Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The youth dove field in Oconee County is located 7 miles north of Walhalla on SC 28 off of Tunneltown Road and the Pickens County field is located within 5 miles of Six Mile on Mountain View Church Road. Pre-registration is required, and applications for the youth hunts are due by Aug. 17. There will be a total of 55 slots available for the two fields; if there are more than 55 applicants, a drawing will be held. After the drawing all of the applicants will be notified by mail about their status. For additional information regarding these hunts, contact the Clemson DNR Office at (864) 654-1671, extension 16.

The Orangeburg County dove field is located off of SC Highway 6, 2 miles east of Eutaw Springs on Santee Cooper Wildlife Management Area. This area is owned by the S.C. Public Service Authority and managed by DNR. Pre-registration is not required for this youth dove field. For additional information call the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-3898.

The Sumter County dove field is co-sponsored by the DNR and the S.C. Forestry Commission. The youth dove field is located on Manchester State Forest on SC Highway 261, 2 miles north of Wedgefield. Pre-registration is required and applicants can apply by phone between Aug. 1-17. Applicants will need to provide the name, address, and age of each youth. This youth dove field is limited to 35 slots. All successful applicants will be notified by mail and will receive the following additional information; hunt rules, map, and meeting time. For additional information or to apply for the hunt, contact the Columbia DNR Office at PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, (803) 734-3898.

The Union County dove field is co-sponsored by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service. The youth dove field is located 3 miles east of Cross Keys at the intersection of secondary roads 18 and 80 near Sedalia. Pre-registration is required beginning July 1, and the deadline for applications is Aug. 17. A limited number of participants will be selected by public drawing at noon on Monday, Aug. 20. Applicants may apply by mail, fax or phone. Mailed applications should include the name, address and home phone number for the adult and the name and age of each youth applicant. Successful applicants will be notified by mail. Hunt activities will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a discussion of hunter safety and guidelines for the hunt. All participants must attend the safety talk at 2:30 p.m. in order to participate. For additional hunt information or to apply for the hunt, contact the Union DNR Office at 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, SC 29379, (864) 427-5140 or fax (864) 427-8460. 

The York County dove field is located 3 and half miles east of McConnell’s off of secondary road 165 just north of Historic Brattonsville. Pre-registration is required beginning July 1 and the application deadline is Aug. 17. The youth dove field at Draper Wildlife Management Area is limited to 30 youths. There is no cost for the hunt and applicants can apply by mail, fax, or bring a self-made application to the Union DNR Office. The Draper WMA youth dove hunt will begin at 2 p.m. Applications can be typed or printed clearly but must provide the name, address, telephone number and age of all hunt participants. Applications that are incomplete or illegible will not be accepted and duplicate entries will be disqualified. The drawing will be held on Aug. 21 to select participants for the youth dove hunt. Successful applicants will be mailed a permit by Aug. 24 and will be required to have this permit in their possession while on the field during the youth hunt on Sept. 1. Hunt permits are not transferable. Applications should be sent to the following address: Union DNR Office, Draper Dove Hunt Application, 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, SC 29745, (864) 427-5140 (office) or (864) 427-8460 (fax).

DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.