7/30/2007

#07–208 July 30, 2007

Youth dove hunt set in Union County

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service will co-sponsor a youth dove hunt at the U.S. Forest Service Sedalia Dove Field in Union County on Saturday, Sept. 1. The deadline for registration is Friday, Aug. 17.

A limited number of participants will be selected by a public drawing at noon on Monday, Aug. 20. Applicants may apply by mail, fax or call and register for the drawing. Mailed applications must include the name, address and home phone number for the adult, and the name and age of each youth applicant. Please specify if the youth has attended a DNR-sponsored youth dove hunt previously. Successful applicants will be notified by mail.

For additional hunt information or to apply for the hunt, mail your application to the Union DNR Office at 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, S.C. 29379, or call (864) 427-5140 in Union or fax (864) 427-8460.

Youth participants must be age 17 or younger and must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older. Adults must have one but no more than two youths and only one person at a stand is allowed to shoot at the same time (the adult may not shoot when either youth is shooting). Adults who are hunting must have a valid South Carolina hunting license, Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit and the free migratory bird or Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. Applicants who have at least one youth member of their hunting party who has not participated on a DNR youth dove hunt before will be given priority. 

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. The hunt will end at 6 p.m., and a meal will be served for all the youth and their parents.

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.