S.C. Code Regs. 123-40 - Wildlife Management Area Regulations
1.1 The regulations governing hunting
including prescribed schedules and seasons, methods of hunting and taking
wildlife, and bag limits for Wildlife Management Areas and special restrictions
for use of WMA lands are as follows:
A. Game
Zone 1
1. US Forest Service WMA lands (Sumter
National Forest)
(a) Hunting on Sundays will
be allowed for all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last
day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) Primitive Weapons Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 through Oct. 16; Oct. 31 - Jan.
1
(d) Archery Hunts for
Deer
(i) Oct. 17-Oct. 30
(e) Still Gun Hunts for Bear
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag limits
apply
(f) Special Party
Dog Hunt for Bear
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and
bag limits apply
(g)
Small Game
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag
limits apply
(h) Hog
Hunts with Dogs
(i) Jan. 2 - Jan. 10, Mar. 20
- Mar. 28
2.
Other WMAs
(a) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 17 - Oct. 30
(b) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 through Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 through Oct. 16; Oct. 31 - Jan.
1
(d) Still Gun Hunts for
Bear
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag limits
apply
(e) Special Party
Dog Hunt for Bear
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and
bag limits apply
(f)
Small Game
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag
limits apply
(g) Hog
Hunts with Dogs
(i) Jan. 2 - Jan. 10, Mar. 20
- Mar. 28
3.
Glassy Mountain Archery Only Area - Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve
(a) Archery Hunts for Deer.
(i) Oct. 1 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag limits
apply
4. Long
Creek Tract
(a) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag
limits, except no deer hunting on or after Thanksgiving Day
5. Mill Shoals WMA
(a) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Jan. 1
(b) Archery Hunts for Bear
(i) Oct. 17 - Oct. 23
(c) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 1 seasons and bag limits
apply
B. Game Zone 2
1. US Forest Service WMA lands (Sumter
National Forest)
(a) Hunting on Sundays will
be allowed for all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last
day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(c) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 through Oct. 10
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 through Jan. 1
(e) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits apply
except for quail and woodcock within the Indian Creek Quail Focal Area on the
Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest
(f) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) Jan. 2 - 10, Mar. 20 - 28
2. Other WMAs
(a) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(b) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 through Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 through Jan. 1
(d) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
(e) Hog Hunts with
Dogs
(i) Jan. 2 - 10, Mar. 20 - 28
3. Keowee WMA
(a) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area. No hunting is allowed in research and teaching areas of Keowee WMA posted
with white signs except those special hunts for youth or mobility impaired as
conducted by the Department.
(b)
North of Hwy 123 and west of the Keowee arm of Lake Hartwell, and west of Hwy
291, small game hunting with shotguns only. All other areas are archery only
for small game.
(c) Archery Hunts
for Deer
(i) Oct. 15 - Dec. 22
(d) Raccoon and Opossum
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag
limits
(e) Other Small
Game
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply.
(ii) No small game hunting
during archery deer hunts except for waterfowl, designated dove field hunting,
or raccoon and opossum hunting at night.
4. Draper WMA
(a) Data cards required for hunter access,
except draw dove hunts. Completed data cards must be returned daily before
leaving the WMA.
(b) Archery Hunts
for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(c) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Oct. 10
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(e) Quail Hunts
(i) 1st Sat.
following Thanksgiving, 1st,
3rd, and 4th Wed. in
Dec., 3rd Sat. in Dec.,
1st and 4th Sat. in Jan.,
3rd Wed. in Jan., 2nd
Wed. in Feb., 3rd Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Game Zone 2 bag limit
(iii) Shooting hours end 30 minutes prior to
official sunset.
(f)
Rabbit Hunts
(i) Wed. and Sat. in Jan. and
Feb. except during scheduled quail hunts.
(ii) Game Zone 2 bag limit
(g) Other Small Game (no fox
squirrels)
(i) Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
5. Fant's
Grove WMA
(a) Designated as a Quality Deer
Management Area
(b) Archery Deer
Hunts
(i) Oct. 15 - Dec. 22
(c) Special Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) Total 1 deer, either sex.
(d) Raccoon and Opossum
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag
limits
(e) Other Small
Game
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
(ii) No small game hunting
during archery deer hunts except for waterfowl, designated dove field hunting,
or raccoon and opossum hunting at night.
(iii) Waterfowl may be hunted Wed. and Sat.
AM only.
6.
Rock Hill Blackjacks HP WMA
(a) Archery Deer
Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game
(i) No small game hunting
7. Belfast WMA
(a) All terrain vehicles are prohibited. All
harvested deer and turkeys must be checked in at the Belfast Check Station.
Belfast WMA is open to public access during daylight hours (1/2 hour before
sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) except during special hunts and events
regulated by DNR. Hunters may not enter the WMA prior to 5:00 AM on designated
hunts. Public visitation is not allowed during scheduled deer and turkey hunts.
Data cards required for hunter access. Completed data cards must be returned
daily upon leaving Belfast WMA.
(b)
Hunting on Sundays will be allowed for all species beginning October 15 and
continuing through the last day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as
specified below.
(c) Designated as
a Quality Deer Management Area.
(d)
Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept.
30
(e) Still Gun Hunts
for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by
drawing
(f) Small Game
(no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar.
1
(ii) Game Zone 2 bag
limits
8. Broad
River Waterfowl Management Area
(a) Archery
Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct.
31
(b) Small Game
(i) Feb. 8 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 2 bag limits
9. McCalla WMA
(a) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area.
(b) Deer Hunts
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons
(c) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
(d) Hog Hunts with
Dogs
(i) Jan. 2 - 10, Mar. 20 - 28
(e) Special Hunt Area for Youth
and Mobility Impaired Hunters
(i) No open
season except for hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 1 deer per day, either sex
10. Worth Mountain WMA
(a) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area
(b) Deer Hunts
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons
(c) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply.
11.
Liberty Hill WMA
(a) Hunting on Sundays will
be allowed for all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last
day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area.
(c) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(d) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Oct. 10
(e) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(f) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply.
12.
Delta North WMA
(a) Deer Hunts
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons
(b) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
13. Delta
South WMA
(a) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(b) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Nov. 1 - Nov. 21, Wednesdays and
Saturdays Only.
(ii) Special hunts
for youth or mobility impaired hunters as published by SCDNR.
(c) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 2 bag limits
14. Forty Acre Rock HP
WMA
(a) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(b) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(d) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
15.
Indian Creek Quail Focal Area
(a) The area is
defined as that area of the Sumter National Forest Enoree Ranger District in
Newberry County, bounded on the south by Old Whitmire Highway, private lands,
and SC Highway 176; on the east by Brazzelmans Bridge Road, and private lands;
on the northeast by the Enoree River; on the north by Wallace Road and private
lands; on the west by SC Highway 121 and private lands; and on the southeast by
Indian Creek to its intersection with SC Highway 121.
(b) Small Game (except quail)
(i) Game Zone 2 seasons and bag limits
apply
(c) Quail Hunts
(i) 1st Sat.
following Thanksgiving, 1st,
3rd, and 4th Wed. in
Dec., 3rd Sat. in Dec.,
1st and 4th Sat. in Jan.,
3rd Wed. in Jan., 2nd
Wed. in Feb., 3rd Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Daily bag limit for quail is 6 quail per
person per day
(d)
Woodcock hunting is permitted only on designated quail hunting days within the
statewide woodcock hunting season.
(e) All quail, woodcock, and rabbit hunters
must sign in and out at the designated check station.
C. Game Zone 3
1. Other WMAs
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(b) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Jan. 1
(c) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 3 seasons and bag limits
apply
2.
Crackerneck WMA and Ecological Reserve
(a) All
individuals must sign in and out at main gate. Designated as a Quality Deer
Management Area. Scouting seasons (no weapons), will be Saturdays only during
September, March, and May. The gate opens at 6:00am and closes at 8:00pm. On
deer hunt days, gates will open as follows: Oct., 4:30am - 8:30pm; Nov. - Dec.,
4:30am - 7:30pm. For special hog hunts in Jan. and Feb., gate will be open from
5:30am - 7:00pm. On all raccoon hunts, raccoon hunters must cease hunting by
midnight and exit the gate by 1:00am. All reptiles and amphibians are
protected. No turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders etc. can be captured,
removed, killed or harassed.
(b)
Archery Deer Hunts
(i) 1st Fri. and Sat. in
Oct
(c) Primitive Weapons
Deer Hunts (no buckshot).
(i) 2nd Fri. and
Sat. in Oct.
(d) Still
Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) 3rd Fri. in Oct. - Jan.
1, Fri., Sat. and Thanksgiving Day only except closed Dec. 25.
(e) Raccoon and Opossum
(i) 3rd Sat. night in Oct. - Jan. 1, Sat.
nights only, except closed Dec. 25, 1st Fri. night in Jan. to last Fri. or Sat.
night in Feb., Fri. and Sat. nights only.
(ii) 3 raccoons per party per night
(f) Hog Hunts with Dogs (handguns
only)
(i) 1st Fri. after Jan. 1 - last Fri. in
Feb. Fridays only
(ii) No
limit.
(g) Other Small
Game (except no open season on bobcats, foxes, otters or fox squirrels).
(i) 3rd Fri. in Oct. - last Fri. or Sat. in
Feb. Fri., Sat. and Thanksgiving Day only except closed Dec. 25.
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag
limits
3. Aiken
Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve WMA
(a)
Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept.
30
(b) Still Gun Hunts
for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Jan. 1.
(c) Small Game (no fox squirrels).
(i) Thanksgiving day - Mar. 1.
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits.
4. Ditch Pond Heritage
Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts.
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game (no fox squirrels).
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
5. Henderson Heritage
Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts.
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) No small game hunting allowed
6. Francis Marion National Forest
(a) Hunting on Sundays will be allowed for
all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last day of January
subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) All deer must be checked in by one hour
after legal sunset.
(c) During deer
hunts when dogs are used, buckshot only is permitted. On hunts with dogs, all
deer must be checked in by one hour after legal sunset. Individual antlerless
deer tags are not valid during dog hunts for deer unless otherwise specified.
Tibwin Special Use Area (in Wambaw) is closed to hunting except for Special
hunts. On youth deer hunts, only youths 17 and younger may carry a gun and must
be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older. No fox or coyote hunting with
dogs on the Francis Marion.
(d) Hog
Hunts with Dogs
(i) 3rd full week in Mar., 3rd
full week in May
(e)
Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in
Mar.
(f) Hellhole WMA
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(ii) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1 except during scheduled
dog drive hunts
(iii)
Deer Hunts with Dogs (shotguns only)
(1) 1st
Sat. in Nov., 1st Sat. in Dec.
(a) 2 deer per
day, buck only
(iv) Youth Only Deer Hunt with Dogs
(1) 2nd Sat. in Nov.
(2) Requirements and bag limits for youth are
the same as the statewide youth deer hunt day except no antlerless deer may be
taken.
(v) Small Game (no
open season for fox hunting)
(1) Game Zone 3
seasons and bag limits apply.
(2)
Dogs allowed during small game gun season only. Closed during scheduled periods
using dogs to hunt deer.
(g) Waterhorn WMA
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(ii) Muzzleloader Hunts for Deer
(1) Oct. 11 - Oct. 20
(iii) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Every Friday and Saturday beginning Nov.
1.
(iv) Small Game (no
open season for fox hunting)
(1) Game Zone 3
seasons and bag limits apply.
(2)
Dogs allowed during small game gun season only. Closed to small game and
waterfowl hunting during scheduled deer hunt periods.
(h) Wambaw WMA
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(ii) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1 except during scheduled
dog drive hunts west of Hwy 17.
(2)
Still gun hunts only East of Hwy 17. No buckshot.
(iii) Deer Hunts with Dogs (shotguns only)
(1) Fri. in Sept. before the last Sat.
Northampton dog hunt, Wed. and Thurs. before the 3rd Sat. in Nov. and 2nd Sat.
in Oct., first 2 days excluding Sunday after Dec. 25
(a) 2 deer per day, buck only
(2) 2nd Sat. in Dec.
(a) 1 deer per day
(b) All deer must be checked in at designated
check stations.
(iv) Youth Only Deer Hunt with Dogs
(1) 3rd Saturday in November.
(2) Requirements and bag limits for youth are
the same as the statewide youth deer hunt day except no antlerless deer may be
taken.
(v) Seewee Special
Use Area
(1) Archery Deer Hunts
(2) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(vi) Small Game (no open season for fox
hunting)
(1) Game Zone 3 seasons and bag
limits apply.
(2) Dogs allowed
during small game gun season only. Closed during scheduled periods using dogs
to hunt deer.
(i) Northampton WMA
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(ii) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1 except during scheduled
dog drive hunts.
(iii)
Deer Hunts with Dogs (shotguns only)
(1) Last
Sat. in Sept., Wed. and Thurs. before the 2nd Sat. in Oct., Fri. before the 4th
Sat. in Nov., 3rd day excluding Sunday after Dec. 25
(a) 2 deer per day, buck only
(2) 2nd Sat. in Dec.
(a) 1 deer per day
(b) All deer must be checked in at designated
check stations.
(iv) Youth Only Deer Hunt with Dogs
(1) Last Saturday in Nov.
(2) Requirements and bag limits for youth are
the same as the statewide youth deer hunt day except no antlerless deer may be
taken.
(v) Small Game (no
open season for fox hunting)
(1) Game Zone 3
seasons and bag limits apply.
(2)
Dogs allowed during small game gun season only. Closed during scheduled periods
using dogs to hunt deer.
(j) Santee WMA
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(ii) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1 except during scheduled
dog drive hunts
(iii)
Deer Hunts with Dogs (shotguns only)
(1) 2nd
Fri. and Sat. in Sept., Wed. and Thurs. before the 4th Sat. in Oct., 1st Fri.
in Dec.
(a) 2 deer per day, buck
only
(2) 2nd Sat. in Dec.
(a) 1 deer per day
(b) All deer must be checked in at designated
check stations.
(iv) Youth Only Deer Hunt with Dogs
(1) 3rd Sat. in Oct.
(2) Requirements and bag limits for youth are
the same as the statewide youth deer hunt day except no antlerless deer may be
taken.
(v) Small Game (no
open season for fox hunting)
(1) Game Zone 3
seasons and bag limits apply.
(2)
Dogs allowed during small game gun season only. Closed during scheduled periods
using dogs to hunt deer.
7.
Moultrie
(a) No hunting or shooting within
fifty feet of the center of any road during gun hunts for deer except for SCDNR
draw youth hunts.
(b) Bluefield WMA
(i) Open only to youth 17 years of age or
younger who must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age. Youth
hunters must carry a firearm and hunt. Adults with youth are allowed to carry a
weapon and hunt.
(ii) Still Gun
Hunts for Deer
(1) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1, Wed. and
Sat. only
(iii) Small
Game (no fox squirrels)
(1) Game Zone 3
seasons and bag limits apply.
(2)
No small game hunting during scheduled deer hunts.
(c) Greenfield WMA
(i) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(ii) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(1) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(2) Game Zone 3 bag limits
(d) North Dike WMA
(i) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Sept. 15 - Oct. 15.
(ii) Special Gun Hunts for youth and women
(1) Hunters selected by drawing.
(2) 1 deer per day
(iii) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(1) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1
(2) Game Zone 3 bag limits.
(3) Sandy Beach Waterfowl Area open for
raccoon hunting Feb. 1 - Mar. 1
(e) Porcher and Hall WMAs
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(ii) Small Game (no fox squirrels) shotguns
only
(1) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1
(2) Game Zone 3 bag limits
(f) Cross Station Site
(i) Special Gun Hunts for youth and women
(1) No open season except hunters selected by
drawing
(2) 1 deer per
day
8. Santee Cooper WMA
(a) Data cards required for hunter access.
Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving. Hunters limited to
two deer/tree stands. No stands may be placed on Santee Cooper WMA prior to
Sept.
1. Campground is open during scheduled
deer hunts only. All impoundments and posted buffers are closed to all public
access Nov. 1 - Feb. 8 except during hunts as prescribed by the
Department.
(b)
Designated as a Quality Deer Management Area
(c) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 31
(d) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Nov. 1 - Monday before Thanksgiving
Day
(e) Special Gun Hunts
for youth
(i) Hunters selected by
drawing.
(ii) 1 deer per
day
(f) Small Game (no
fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar.
1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag
limits
9. Webb
WMA
(a) Data cards are required for hunter
access. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving. Designated as
a Quality Deer Management Area.
(b)
Hunting on Sundays will be allowed for all species beginning October 15 and
continuing through the last day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as
specified below.
(c) Still Hunts
for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by
drawing
(ii) 2 deer, either sex but
only 1 buck
(d) Hog Hunts
with Dogs
(i) 1st Thurs. - Sat. in Mar., 2nd
Thurs. - Sat. in May, 4th Thurs. - Sat. in June, 4th Thurs. - Sat. in July, and
last Thurs. Sat. in August
(e) Quail Hunts
(i) 1st Sat.
following Thanksgiving, 1st,
3rd, and 4th Wed. in
Dec., 3rd Sat. in Dec.,
1st and 4th Sat. in Jan.,
3rd Wed. in Jan., 2nd
Wed. in Feb., 3rd Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limit
(iii) Shooting hours end 30 minutes prior to
official sunset
(f)
Raccoon and Opossum
(i) Tues. nights and Sat.
nights between Oct. 11 - Sat. before Thanksgiving; The full week of
Thanksgiving; Tues. nights and Sat. nights from the Tues. after Thanksgiving
until Dec. 15.; Dec. 15 - Mar. 1
(ii) On Saturdays prior to Dec. 15, no entry
onto WMA until 1 hour after official sunset.
(iii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
(g) Other Small Game (no fox
squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day through the
following Sunday, Dec. 15 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag
limits
(h) Dove Hunting
(i) Designated public dove field only on
specified days.
10. Bear Island WMA
(a) All hunters must sign in and out at the
Bear Island Office. Hunting in designated areas only.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Oct. 1 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 3 deer, either sex but only 1
buck
(d) Hog Hunts with
Dogs
(i) 1st Thurs. - Sat. in March
(e) Alligator Hunts (Bear Island
East and West Units only)
(i) Hunters selected
by drawing only. Limited season with restricted access.
(ii) Limit and size restrictions as
prescribed.
(f) Small
Game
(i) Feb. 8 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
11. Donnelley WMA
(a) All hunters must sign in and out at the
check station. Hunting in designated areas only.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 3 deer, either sex but only 1
buck
(d) Hog Hunts with
Dogs
(i) 1st Thurs. - Sat. in March
(e) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
12. Hatchery WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) No small game hunting
13. Bonneau Ferry WMA
(a) All terrain vehicles prohibited. Hunting
access by boat is prohibited. For hunting, the Adult/youth side is open only to
youth 17 years old or younger who must be accompanied by only one adult 21
years of age or older. Youth hunters must carry a firearm and hunt. Adults with
youth hunters may also carry a firearm and hunt. For deer and small game,
regulations for the adult/youth and general use sides of the property will
alternate each year as prescribed by the Department. All hunters must sign in
and sign out upon entering or leaving. All deer must be checked out at the main
entrance. Closed to public access one hour after sunset until one hour before
sunrise except for special hunts regulated by DNR. Hunters may not enter WMA
prior to 5:00 AM on designated hunts. All impoundments and adjacent posted
buffers are closed to all public access Nov. 1 - Feb. 8 except for special draw
deer hunts and waterfowl hunts regulated by DNR during the regular waterfowl
season. Hunted areas are closed to general public access during scheduled deer,
turkey and waterfowl hunts. No fox hunting.
(b) Adult/Youth Side
(i) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(c) General Use Side
(i) Archery Deer Hunts
(1) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(ii) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(1) Hunters selected by drawing
(2) Total 3 deer, either sex except only 1
buck.
(3) Hunters are required to
have permit in possession and must sign in and out (Name, permit # and deer
killed each day).
(d) Small Game (no fox squirrels or fox)
(i) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
(iii) Dogs allowed during gun seasons
only
(e) Bonneau Ferry
Fishing Regulations
(i) Open to fishing from
Mar. 2 - Oct. 31 during daylight hours only
(ii) Adult/youth fishing only. Each youth (17
years and under) must be accompanied by no more than two adults 18 years of age
or older.
(iii) The youth must
actively fish.
(iv) Fishing is not
allowed during scheduled deer and turkey hunts.
(v) Only electric motors may be
used.
(vi) Creel limits per person
per day are: largemouth bass - 2, panfish (bluegill, redear, crappie,
pumpkinseed, redbreast) - 10, catfish - 5, species not listed - no limit. Grass
carp must be released alive immediately.
14. Santee Coastal Reserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(ii) Hunting on mainland only
(b) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in March
(c) Alligator Hunts
(i) Hunters selected by drawing only. Limited
season with restricted access.
(ii)
Limit and size restrictions as prescribed
(d) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
15. Dungannon Heritage
Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Jan. 31
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
16. Edisto River WMA
(a) Hunting on Sundays will be allowed for
all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last day of January
subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(d) Raccoon and Opossum
(i) Game Zone 3 seasons and bag
limits
(e) Other Small
Game
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
17. Canal WMA
(a) Quail Hunts
(i) Game Zone 3 season and bag
limit
18.
Palachucola WMA
(a) Data cards are required
for hunter access. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving
WMA. Designated as a Quality Deer Management Area.
(b) Hunting on Sundays will be allowed for
all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last day of January
subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(c) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 3 deer, either sex but only 1
buck
(e) Hog Hunts with
Dogs
(i) 1st Thurs. - Sat. in Mar., 2nd Thurs.
- Sat. in May, 4th Thurs. - Sat. in June, 4th Thurs. - Sat. in July, and last
Thurs. Sat. in August
(f)
Quail Hunts
(i)
1st Sat. following Thanksgiving,
1st, 3rd, and
4th Wed. in Dec., 3rd
Sat. in Dec., 1st and 4th
Sat. in Jan., 3rd Wed. in Jan.,
2nd Wed. in Feb., 3rd
Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag
limit
(iii) Shooting hours end 30
minutes prior to official sunset.
(g) Raccoon and Opossum
(i) Tues. nights and Sat. nights between Oct.
11 - Sat. before Thanksgiving; The full week of Thanksgiving; Tues. nights and
Sat. nights from the Tues. after Thanksgiving until Dec. 15.; Dec. 15 - Mar.
1
(ii) On Saturdays prior to Dec.
15, no entry onto WMA until 1 hour after official sunset.
(iii) Game Zone 3 bag
limits
(h) Other Small
Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day
through the following Sunday, Dec. 15 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
19. St. Helena
Sound Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Deer hunting
by permit only obtained at McKenzie Field Station. Camping by special permit
only and on Otter Island only.
(b)
Ashe, Beet, Warren, Otter, Big, South Williman, North Williman and Buzzard
Islands Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan.
1
(c) No small game
hunting
20. Tillman Sand
Ridge Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer
Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
21. Victoria Bluff
Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
(iii) Shotguns only
22. Hamilton Ridge WMA
(a) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area. Horseback riding by permit only. No ATVs allowed. Data cards are required
for hunter access. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving the
WMA.
(b) Hunting on Sundays will be
allowed for all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last
day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(c) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 3 deer, either sex but only 1
buck
(e) Hog Hunts with
Dogs
(i) 1st Thurs. - Sat. in Mar., 2nd Thurs.
- Sat. in May, 4th Thurs. - Sat. in June, 4th Thurs. - Sat. in July, and last
Thurs. Sat. in August.
(f) Quail Hunts
(i) 1st Sat.
following Thanksgiving, 1st,
3rd, and 4th Wed. in
Dec., 3rd Sat. in Dec.,
1st and 4th Sat. in Jan.,
3rd Wed. in Jan., 2nd
Wed. in Feb., 3rd Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limit
(iii) Shooting hours end 30 minutes prior to
official sunset.
(g)
Raccoon and Opossum
(i) Tues. nights and Sat.
nights between Oct. 11 - Sat. before Thanksgiving; The full week of
Thanksgiving; Tues. nights and Sat. nights from the Tues. after Thanksgiving
until Dec. 15.; Dec. 15 - Mar. 1
(ii) On Saturdays prior to Dec. 15, no entry
onto WMA until 1 hour after official sunset.
(iii) Game Zone 3 bag
limits
(h) Other Small
Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day
through the following Sunday, Dec. 15 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits
(iii) Dove hunting on designated public dove
field only
23.
Old Island Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Archery
Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) No small game
hunting
24. Botany Bay
Plantation Heritage Preserve WMA
(a)
Designated as a Quality Deer Management Area. All hunters, fishermen and
visitors must obtain and complete a day use pass upon entering the area and
follow all instructions on the pass. Botany Bay Plantation WMA is open to
public access during daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to ½
hour after sunset) except during special hunts and events regulated by DNR.
Area is closed to general public access during special scheduled hunts. Hunting
in designated areas only. Hunting access by boat is prohibited. Fishing in the
Jason's Lake complex and all other ponds is adult/youth catch and release only
on designated days. For adult/youth fishing, youth must be accompanied by no
more than two adults 18 years old or older. Adult may also fish.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10, Mon. - Sat. during
the week of Thanksgiving, Mon. - Sat. during the week of Christmas.
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) Total 3 deer, either sex but only 1
buck
(iii) Hunters are required to
have permit in possession and must sign in and sign out (Name, permit # and
deer killed each day) at the designated check station. All harvested deer must
be checked in at the designated check station.
(d) Small Game (no fox squirrels or foxes)
(i) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1 (Wed. through Sat.
only)
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag
limits
(iii) Dogs allowed during
gun seasons only
25. Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing.
(ii) Total 1 deer per day, either
sex
(b) No small game
hunting
26. Wateree River
Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Data cards are
required for hunter and fisherman access. Completed data cards must be returned
daily upon leaving WMA. All harvested deer and turkeys must be checked in at
the Wateree River check station. Hunters may not enter the WMA prior to 5:00 AM
on designated hunts. Hunted areas are closed to general public access during
scheduled deer, turkey and waterfowl hunts. Designated as a Quality Deer
Management Area.
(b) Archery Deer
Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 3 deer, either sex but only 1
buck
(d) Small Game (no
fox squirrels)
(i) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 3 bag limits.
27. South Fenwick Island
(a) Deer hunting by permit only. Primitive
camping is allowed by permit within designated areas. Permits available from
DNR through the McKenzie Field Station. Property is closed to other users
during scheduled deer hunts.
(b)
Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Hunters selected by
drawing.
(c) No small
game or waterfowl hunting
28. Turtle Island
(a) No hunting except waterfowl and marsh
hens
D. Game
Zone 4
1. Other WMAs
(a) Archery Deer Hunts.
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(b) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(c) Small Game
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag limits
apply
2. Marsh
WMA
(a) All visitors to Marsh WMA are required
to sign in upon entry to the WMA and sign out upon exit from the WMA and
provide any additional information requested. No ATVs allowed.
(b) Special Hunt Area for Youth and Mobility
Impaired Hunters
(i) No open season except for
hunters selected by drawing
(ii) 1
deer per day, either sex
(c) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 31
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Nov. 1 - Nov. 30
(e) Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in Mar.
(f) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 3rd full week in Mar. and 3rd full week
in May
(g) Raccoon and
Opossum Hunts
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag
limits
(h) Other Small
Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving -
Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag
limits
(i) Quail Hunts
(i) 1st Sat.
following Thanksgiving, 1st,
3rd, and 4th Wed. in
Dec., 3rd Sat. in Dec.,
1st and 4th Sat. in Jan.,
3rd Wed. in Jan., 2nd
Wed. in Feb., 3rd Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limit.
(iii) Shooting hours end 30 minutes prior to
official sunset.
3. Sand Hills State Forest WMA
(a) Hunting by the general public closed
during scheduled field trials on the Sand Hills State Forest Special Field
Trial Area. Hunting allowed during permitted field trials on the Sand Hills
State Forest Special Field Trial Area in compliance with R.123-96. No man drives
allowed.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(d) Small Game
(i) Game Zones 4 seasons and bag limits
apply. No daytime fox hunting from Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
4. McBee WMA
(a) All visitors are required to sign in upon
entry to the WMA and sign out upon exit and provide any additional information
requested on sign in sheets at the kiosk. No ATVs allowed.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer.
(i) Oct. 11 - Saturday before
Thanksgiving
(d) Quail
(i) no open season except hunters selected by
drawing. Bag limit 10 birds per hunt party.
(e) Other Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Jan. 15 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
5. Pee Dee Station Site
WMA
(a) All visitors are required to sign in
upon entry to the WMA and sign out upon exit and provide any additional
information requested on sign in sheets at the kiosk. No ATVs
allowed.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 31
(c) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Nov. 1 - Nov. 30
(d) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
6. Woodbury WMA
(a) Hunting on Sundays will be allowed for
all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last day of January
subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) All visitors are required to sign in upon
entry and sign out upon exit and provide any additional information requested
on sign in sheets at the kiosk. No ATVs allowed.
(c) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area
(d) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(e) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Oct. 11 - Oct. 20
(f) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 21 - Jan. 1
(g) Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in Mar.
(h) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 3rd full week in Mar. and 3rd full week
in May
(i) Raccoon and
opossum
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag
limits
(j) Other Small
Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day -
Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag
limits
7.
Little Pee Dee Complex WMA
(a) Includes Little
Pee Dee River HP, Tilghman HP, Dargan HP and Ward HP in Horry and Marion
Counties. This also includes the Upper Gunters Island and Huggins tracts in
Horry Co. which are part of Dargan HP.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(c) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Oct. 11 - Oct. 20.
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 21 - Jan. 1.
(e) Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in Mar.
(f) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in Mar.
(g) Raccoon and opossum
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag limits
(h) Other Small Game (no
fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar.
1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(i) Bear Season
(i) October 17 - October
30
8. Great Pee
Dee Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) All visitors are
required to sign in upon entry and sign out upon exit and provide any
additional information requested on sign in sheets at the kiosk. No ATVs
allowed.
(b) For big game hunting,
access is restricted from two hours before sunrise to two hours after official
sunset.
(c) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 31
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Nov. 1 - Nov. 30
(e) Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in March
(f) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 3rd full week in Mar. and 3rd full week
in May
(g) Raccoon and
opossum
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag limits
(h) Other Small Game (no
fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar.
1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag
limits
9.
Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve WMA
(a)
Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct.
10
(b) Still Gun Hunts
for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(c) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
10. Manchester State
Forest WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) September 15 - 30
(b) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) October 1 January 1 except during
scheduled dog drive hunts
(ii) No
man drives
(c) Deer Hunts
with Dogs
(i) Clubs selected by
drawing.
(ii) Last Saturday in
October, 3rd Friday and Saturday in November, 3rd
Friday and Saturday in December.
(d) Small Game
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(e) Still Gun Hunts for Hogs
(i) First full week of March
(f) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in Mar.
11. Lynchburg Savanna
Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Small Game Only (no
fox squirrels)
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag
limits
12.
Hickory Top WMA
(a) Data cards required for
hunter access. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving. The
Greentree Reservoir is open to hunting during the regular Hickory Top seasons
during years when the Greentree Reservoir remains unflooded.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 31
(c) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Nov. 1 - Jan. 1
(d) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in Mar.
(e) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Game Zone 4 seasons and bag limits
apply.
13. Oak
Lea WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - 30
(b) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) October 1 - January 1 except no deer
hunting during scheduled quail hunts
(ii) No man drives
(c) Small Game (except quail)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1 except no other
small game hunting during scheduled quail hunts
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(d) Quail
(i) Saturdays 1st
Sat. following Thanksgiving, 1st,
3rd, and 4th Wed. in
Dec., 3rd Sat. in Dec.,
1st and 4th Sat. in Jan.,
3rd Wed. in Jan., 2nd
Wed. in Feb., 3rd Sat. in Feb.
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(iii) Shooting hours end 30 minutes prior to
official sunset
14. Santee Dam WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 31
(b) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Nov. 1 - Jan. 1
(c) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in March
(d) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Jan. 2 - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
15. Wee Tee WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(b) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Jan. 1
(c) Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in March
(d) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in March
(e) Small Game (no fox squirrels,
no fox hunting)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar.
1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag
limits
(iii) Dogs allowed during
small game gun season only
(f) Bear Season
(i) October 17 - October 30
16. Santee Delta WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts (impoundments only)
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(b) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in Mar. (impoundments
only)
(c) No small game
hunting
17. Samworth WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts (impoundments only)
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(b) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week of Mar. (impoundments
only)
(c) No small game
hunting except dove hunting during scheduled dove hunts
18. Cartwheel Bay Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Jan. 1
(b) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(c) Bear Season
(i) October 17 - October 30
19. Lewis Ocean Bay
Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) All deer hunters
must sign in and sign out daily and record harvest at the kiosk.
(b) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(c) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Oct. 11 - Oct. 20
(d) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 21 - Jan. 1.
(e) Small Game (no fox squirrels).
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(f) Bear Season
(i) October 17 - October 30
20. Waccamaw River
Heritage Preserve WMA
(a) Archery Deer Hunts
(i) Sept. 15 - Oct. 10
(b) Primitive Weapons Deer Hunts
(i) Oct. 11 - Oct. 20
(c) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 21 - Jan. 1
(d) Still Hog Hunts
(i) First full week in March
(e) Hog Hunts with Dogs
(i) 2nd full week in Mar.
(f) Small Game (no fox squirrels)
(i) Thanksgiving Day - Mar. 1
(ii) Game Zone 4 bag limits
(g) Bear Season
(i) October 17 - October
30
21. Liberty
Hill WMA
(a) Hunting on Sundays will be
allowed for all species beginning October 15 and continuing through the last
day of January subject to seasons and bag limits as specified below.
(b) Designated as a Quality Deer Management
Area
(c) Archery Hunts for Deer
(i) Sept. 15 - Sept. 30
(d) Primitive Weapons for Deer
(i) Oct. 1 - Oct. 10
(e) Still Gun Hunts for Deer
(i) Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
(f) Small Game (No fox squirrels)
(i) Zone 4 seasons and bag limits
apply.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
2.1 Except as provided in these regulations,
no person may hunt or take wildlife on areas designated by the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
lands.
2.2 Entry onto WMA land is
done wholly and completely at the risk of the individual. Neither the
landowners nor the State of South Carolina nor the South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources accepts any responsibility for acts, omissions, or activities
or conditions on these lands which cause personal injury or property
damage.
2.3 Entry onto WMA land
constitutes consent to an inspection and search of the person, game bag or
creel.
2.4 No person may hunt or
take wildlife on WMA land unless an individual is in possession of a valid
South Carolina license, a valid WMA permit, and other applicable federal or
state permits, stamps or licenses.
2.5 No Sunday hunting is permitted on any WMA
lands unless otherwise specified.
2.6 On all WMA lands, baiting or hunting over
a baited area is prohibited. As used in this section, "bait" or "baiting" means
the placing, depositing, exposing, distributing, or scattering of shelled,
shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain or other food stuffs to
constitute an attraction, lure, or enticement to, on, or over any area. "Baited
area" means an area where bait is directly or indirectly placed, deposited,
exposed, distributed, or scattered and the area remains a baited area for ten
(10) days following the complete removal of all bait. Salt/minerals are not
considered bait.
2.7 On WMA lands,
construction or use of tree stands is prohibited if the tree stand is
constructed by driving nails or other devices into trees or if wire is wrapped
around trees. Other tree stands are permitted provided they are not permanently
affixed or embedded in the tree. Excluding deer stands erected by the
Department on WMA lands for the purpose of special hunts, no deer stands or
temporary climbing devices may be placed on WMA lands prior to August 10 in any
given year and must be removed by January 15 of the succeeding calendar year.
All deer stands and temporary climbing devices must be labeled with the DNR
Customer ID number of the person responsible for the stand or climbing device
in a conspicuous location using an identification tag, etching, or permanent
marker.
2.8 On WMA lands, any
hunter younger than sixteen (16) years of age must be accompanied by an adult
(21 years or older). Sight and voice contact must be maintained.
2.9 Notwithstanding any other provision of
these regulations, the Department may permit special hunts on any day during
the regular hunting season.
2.10 No
person may release or attempt to release any animal onto WMA lands without
approval from the Department. This regulation does not apply on designated
Public Bird Dog Training Areas where pen raised quail and pigeons may be
released.
2.11 While participating
in a hunt on WMAs, no person may possess, consume or be under the influence of
intoxicants, including beer, wine, liquor or drugs.
2.12 On WMA lands, during the designated
statewide youth deer hunt day, only still hunting is allowed. The limit is two
deer total, either sex. Tags are not required
2.13 Taking or destroying timber, other
forest products or cutting firewood on WMA lands without written permission
from the landowner or his agent is prohibited. Users of WMA lands are
prohibited from planting, attempting to plant, burning or otherwise attempting
to manipulate crops, natural vegetation or openings without written permission
from the landowner or his agent.
2.14 On WMA lands, hunting armadillos and
coyotes at night is prohibited. Armadillos and coyotes may be hunted during any
open season for game during daylight hours with no bag limit. Weapon(s) used to
hunt armadillos and coyotes are limited to the weapon(s) that are allowed for
the current open season on WMA.
2.15 On WMA lands during special designated
hunts, a WMA may be closed to other public access.
2.16 Still hunting for hogs is permitted on
WMAs during any open season for game during daylight hours with only the
weapons allowed during the hunting season in progress unless otherwise
prohibited. No hog may be transported alive from a WMA. Hogs may not be hunted
at night. There is no bag limit on hogs. Hunters must wear a hat, coat, or vest
of solid international orange while hog hunting. Buckshot is prohibited. During
hog hunts with dogs, no still or stalk hunting is allowed and only handguns are
permitted. No hog hunting with dogs is allowed except during special designated
seasons. During firearms seasons for deer, hog hunters possessing big game
weapons must possess licenses, permits, and tags applicable to deer hunting.
Big game weapons include centerfire weapons, archery equipment with broad
heads, shot larger than No. 2, and muzzle loading shotguns (larger than 20
gauge) and rifles/muskets (.36 caliber or greater).
2.17 Unless otherwise specified, small game
hunting seasons and bag limits on WMA lands are the same as Game Zone seasons
and bag limits except no hunting before Sept. 1 or after Mar. 1. The season for
hunting beavers on WMA lands shall be October 1 through March 1.
WEAPONS
3.1 On WMA
lands hunters may use any shotgun, rifle, bow and arrow, crossbow or hand gun
except that specific weapons may be prohibited on certain hunts. Blow guns,
dart guns, drugged arrows or arrows with exploding tips are not permitted.
Small game hunters may possess or use shotguns with shot no larger than No. 2
or .22 rimfire or smaller rifles/handguns or primitive muzzle loading
rifles/muskets of .40 caliber or smaller. Small game hunters may not possess or
use buckshot, slugs or shot larger than No. 2. Small game hunters using archery
equipment must use small game tips on the arrows (judo points, bludgeon points,
etc.).
3.2 For Special Primitive
Weapons Seasons, primitive weapons include bow and arrow, crossbow and muzzle
loading shotguns (20 gauge or larger) and rifles/muskets (.36 caliber or
larger) with open or peep sights or scopes, which use black powder or a black
powder substitute that does not contain nitro cellulose or nitro glycerin
components as the propellant charge. There are no restrictions on ignition
systems (e.g. flintstone, percussion cap, shotgun primer, disk, electronic,
etc.). During primitive weapons season, no revolving rifles are
permitted.
3.3 On WMA lands big
game hunters are not allowed to use armor piercing, tracer, incendiary, or full
metal jacket bullets or .22 or smaller rimfire. Buckshot is prohibited during
still gun hunts for deer on WMA lands in Game Zones 3 & 4.
3.4 On WMAs all firearms transported in
vehicles must be unloaded and secured in a weapons case, or in the trunk of a
vehicle or in a locked toolbox. On the Francis Marion Hunt Unit during deer
hunts with dogs, loaded shotguns may be transported in vehicles. Any shotgun,
centerfire rifle, rimfire rifle or pistol with a shell in the chamber or
magazine, or a muzzleloader with a cap on the nipple or a flintlock with powder
in the flash pan is considered loaded.
3.5 No target practice is permitted on WMA
lands except in specifically designated areas.
3.6 On WMA lands during gun hunts for deer or
hogs there shall be no hunting or shooting from, on or across any road open to
vehicle traffic. During any deer or hog hunt there shall be no open season for
hunting on any designated recreational trail on U.S Forest Service or S.C.
Public Service Authority property.
DEER
4.1 On WMA
lands with designated check stations, all deer bagged must be checked at a
check station. Deer bagged too late for reporting one day must be reported the
following day.
4.2 Unless otherwise
specified by the Department, only antlered deer may be taken on all WMA lands.
Deer with visible antlers of less than two (2) inches above the hairline are
considered antlerless deer and must be tagged with an antlerless deer tag
issued by the Department. A point is any projection at least one inch long and
longer than wide at some location at least one inch from the tip of the
projection.
4.3 On WMA lands, man
drives for deer are permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. only. A man
drive is defined as an organized hunting technique involving two (2) or more
individuals whereby an attempt is made to drive game animals from cover or
habitat for the purpose of shooting, killing, or moving such animals toward
other hunters. On WMA lands, drivers participating in man drives are prohibited
from carrying or using weapons.
4.4
For all WMAs combined statewide, the limit for all seasons and methods combined
is two deer per day, 5 deer total, no more than two antlered bucks, unless
otherwise specified. For WMAs in Game Zone 1, the limit for antlerless deer for
all seasons and methods combined is 3. Antlerless deer limit is two deer per
day, unless otherwise specified. On special mobility impaired and youth deer
hunts sanctioned by the Department and during the statewide youth deer hunt day
prescribed by the Department, participants may take two deer total, either
sex.
4.5 Individual Antlerless Deer
Tags are valid in Game Zone 1 beginning Oct. 1 and in Game Zones 2, 3 & 4
beginning Sept. 15. For all WMAs combined, a maximum of 5 individual antlerless
deer tags may be used during primitive weapons or still gun deer seasons in all
Game Zones except three individual antlerless deer tags may used in Game Zone
1. Tags do not alter the daily (2 per day) or seasonal limit or change the type
of weapons that can be used during special weapons seasons.
4.6 All deer must be tagged immediately after
harvest as prescribed by the Department and before being moved from the point
of kill and the tag must be validated as prescribed by the Department. A valid
tag must remain attached until the deer or carcass is quartered or received by
a processor.
4.7 For WMAs
designated as Quality Deer Management Areas, all antlered bucks must have a
minimum 4 points on one side or a minimum 12 inch inside antler spread except
during designated special youth hunts. Inside antler spread is measured at a
right angle to centerline of the skull at its widest point between the main
beams.
4.8 On WMA lands, deer,
hogs, or bear may not be hunted with a firearm within 300 yards of a residence.
DOGS
5.1 On all WMA
lands, dogs may be used for small game hunting unless otherwise
specified.
5.2 Dogs may be trained
for quail, rabbit and squirrel hunting from Sept. 1-14 (no guns), except on
designated Public Bird Dog Training Areas where bird dog training is allowed
from September 15 to March 15 (Sundays excluded).
5.3 On WMA lands, dogs may be used for
hunting foxes, raccoons, bobcats or opossums only between thirty (30) minutes
after official sunset and 30 minutes before official sunrise.
5.4 Unless otherwise specified, deer hunting
with dogs on WMA lands is prohibited. The Department may permit deer hunting
with dogs on WMA lands not located in Game Zones 1 and 2. For the purposes of
tracking a wounded deer, a hunter may use one dog which is kept on a
leash.
5.5 Dogs may be used to hunt
bear on WMA lands in Game Zone 1 during the special party dog bear
season.
5.6 On WMA lands, dogs may
be used to hunt hogs only during special designated hog hunts with dogs.
VEHICLES
6.1 On all
WMA lands, no hunter may shoot from a vehicle unless permitted by the
Department.
6.2 On WMA lands, motor
driven land conveyances must be operated only on designated roads or trails.
Unless otherwise specified, roads or trails which are closed by barricades
and/or signs, either permanently or temporarily, are off limits to motor driven
land conveyances.
6.3 A person may
not obstruct or cause to be obstructed travel routes on WMA lands.
VISIBLE COLOR CLOTHING
7.1 On all WMA lands during any gun and
muzzleloader hunting seasons for deer, bear and hogs, all hunters including
small game hunters must wear either a hat, coat, or vest of solid visible
international orange. Archery hunters during archery only deer seasons and
hunters for dove, turkey, ducks, geese and other hunted migratory birds
including crows are exempt from this requirement while hunting for those
species.
CAMPING
8.1 Camping
is not permitted on WMA lands except in designated camp sites.
TRAPPING
9.1
Trapping on WMA lands is not permitted.
WATERFOWL & DOVE REGULATIONS
10.1 Unless specially designated by the
Department as a Wildlife Management Area for Waterfowl or a Wildlife Management
Area for Dove, all Wildlife Management Areas are open during the regular season
for hunting and taking of migratory birds except where restricted.
10.2 The Department may designate sections of
Wildlife Management Areas and other lands and waters under the control of the
Department as Designated Waterfowl Management Areas or Designated Dove
Management Areas. All laws and regulations governing Wildlife Management Areas
apply to these special areas. In addition, the Department may set special
shooting hours, bag limits, and methods of hunting and taking waterfowl and
doves on those areas. All State and Federal migratory bird laws and regulations
apply. Regulations pertaining to the use of Dove Management Areas will be filed
annually.
10.3 On areas where
blinds are not provided, only portable blinds which are removed at the
conclusion of the hunt or temporary blinds of native vegetation may be used.
Temporary blinds once vacated may be used by other hunters.
10.4 On Designated Waterfowl Areas, no
species other than waterfowl may be taken during waterfowl hunts. On Designated
Dove Management Areas no species other than doves may be taken during dove
hunts. Only dove hunting is allowed at Lake Wallace.
10.5 No fishing is permitted in any Category
I Designated Waterfowl Area during scheduled waterfowl hunts.
10.6 The Bordeaux Work Center Area is closed
to hunting except for special hunts as designated by the SCDNR.
10.7 Impoundments on Bear Island, Beaverdam
Creek, Bonneau Ferry, Broad River, Clemson, Donnelley, Samworth, Sandy Beach,
Santee Coastal Reserve, Santee Cooper, Wateree River, and Santee Delta WMAs are
closed to all public access during the period Nov. 1 - Feb. 8 except during
special hunts designated by the Department. All public access during the period
Feb. 9 - Oct. 31 is limited to designated areas. On Bear Island WMA, Mathews'
Canal is closed to all hunting from Nov. 1 - Feb. 15 beyond a point 0.8 mile
from the confluence of Mathews' Canal with the South Edisto River.
10.8 Potato Creek Hatchery Waterfowl Area is
closed to hunting access and fishing during the period one week prior to and
two weeks after the Federal waterfowl season except for scheduled waterfowl
hunts. All hunters must enter and leave the Potato Creek Hatchery Waterfowl
Area through the designated public landing on secondary road 260 and complete a
data card and deposit card in receptacle prior to leaving the area No airboats
are allowed for hunting or fishing and no hunting from secondary road
260.
10.9 On Hatchery WMA, hunters
must leave the area by 1 PM, except on the last Saturday of the waterfowl
season when hunters may hunt until sunset. Each hunter is limited to twenty
five Federally approved nontoxic shot shells per hunt. No airboats are allowed
in the Hatchery WMA for hunting or fishing during the period Nov. 15 - Jan. 31.
No fishing allowed during scheduled waterfowl hunts.
10.10 On Crackerneck WMA, waterfowl may be
hunted only on Fri., Sat. and Thanksgiving Day within the regular migratory
bird seasons and no hunting on Dec. 25; Fant's Grove WMA is open AM only on
Wednesdays and Saturdays during the regular migratory bird seasons; Palachucola
WMA, Tillman Sand Ridge WMA, Hamilton Ridge WMA and Webb WMA are open AM only
for waterfowl hunting during the regular migratory bird seasons only on days
when small game hunting is allowed and the entire week of Thanksgiving, Sundays
excluded.
10.11 Category I
Designated Waterfowl Areas include Beaverdam, Bonneau Ferry, Broad River,
Clemson, Sandy Beach, Samworth, Santee Coastal Reserve, Santee Delta, Tibwin,
Bear Island, Wateree River Heritage Preserve and portions of Donnelley Wildlife
Management Areas. Hunting in Category I Designated Waterfowl Areas is by
special permit obtained through annual computer drawing.
10.12 Category II Designated Waterfowl Areas
include Biedler Impoundment, Carr Creek (bounded by Samworth WMA), Little Carr
Creek (bounded by Samworth WMA), Lake Cunningham, Russell Creek, Monticello
Reservoir, Parr Reservoir, Duncan Creek, Dunaway, Dungannon, Enoree River,
Moultrie, Hatchery, Hickory Top, Hickory Top Greentree Reservoir, Lancaster
Reservoir, Turtle Island, Little Pee Dee River Complex (including Ervin Dargan,
Horace Tilghman), Great Pee Dee River, Potato Creek Hatchery, Sampson Island
Unit (Bear Island), Tyger River, Marsh, Wee Tee, Woodbury, Ditch Pond, Waccamaw
River Heritage Preserve, Sumter National Forest, Santee Cooper, portions of
Donnelley, and 40 Acre Rock Waterfowl Management Areas. Hunting on Category II
Designated Waterfowl Areas is in accordance with scheduled dates and times.
1. Biedler Impoundment
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
2. Bear Island
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
3. Beaverdam
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
4. Bonneau Ferry
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
5. Broad River
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
6. Carr Creek
(bounded by Samworth WMA, no hunting in impoundments)
(a) Wed. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
7. Little Carr
Creek (bounded by Samworth WMA, no hunting in impoundments)
(a) Wed. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
8. Clemson
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
9. Ditch Pond
(a) Wed. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
10. Donnelley
(a) Category I Area - Hunters selected by
drawing during regular season
(b)
Category II Area - Wed. AM only during specified dates.
(c) State bag limits
11. Dunaway
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
12. Duncan Creek
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
13. Dungannon
(a) Wed. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
(c) No hunting from the
Boardwalk
14. Enoree
River
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
15. Hatchery
(a) Sat. AM only and until sunset on the last
Sat. of the regular waterfowl season
(b) State bag limits
16. Hickory Top
(a) Mon. through Sat. during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
17. Hickory Top
Greentree Reservoir
(a) Sat. AM only during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
(c) No hunting from roads
and dikes
18. Lake
Cunningham
(a) Wed. AM only during the regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
19. Lancaster
Reservoir
(a) Mon. and Fri. AM only during the
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
20. Marsh
(a) Fri. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
21. Monticello
Reservoir
(a) Mon. through Sat. AM only during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
22. Moultrie
(a) Mon. through Sat. during regular
season.
(b) State bag
limits
23. Parr Reservoir
(a) Mon. through Sat. during regular
season.
(b) State bag
limits
24. Potato Creek
Hatchery
(a) Fri. and Sat. only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
25. Russell Creek
(a) Wed. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
26. Sampson Island
Unit (Bear Island)
(a) Thurs. and Sat. AM only
during the regular season
(b) State
bag limits
27. Samworth
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
28. Sandy Beach
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
29. Santee Coastal
Reserve
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
30. Santee Cooper
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
31. Santee Delta
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
32. Tibwin
(a) Special hunts by drawing during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
33. Turtle Island
(a) Fri. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
34. Tyger River
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
35. Wee Tee
(a) Fri. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
36. Woodbury
(a) Fri. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
37. Great Pee Dee
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
38. Little Pee Dee
River Complex
(a) Fri. and Sat. AM only during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
39. Waccamaw River
HP
(a) Fri. and Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
40. 40 acre Rock
(a) Sat. AM only during regular
season
(b) State bag
limits
41. Wateree River
HP
(a) Hunters selected by drawing during
regular season
(b) State bag
limits
42. Sumter
National Forest
(a) Wednesday and Saturday
mornings only during regular season.
(b) State bag limits
10.13 On Hickory Top WMA
public waterfowl hunting without a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit is
allowed on all land and water below 76.8'. Waterfowl hunting at or above
elevation 76.8' requires a WMA permit. A WMA permit is required for waterfowl
hunting in the Hickory Top Greentree Reservoir.
10.14 Designated Dove Management Areas
include all dove management areas as published by the Department in the annual
listing of WMA public dove fields and are subject to regulations filed
annually.
10.15 Hickory Top
Greentree Reservoir is closed to hunting access November 1 until March 1,
except for special hunts designated by SCDNR. All hunters must accurately
complete a data card and deposit card in receptacle prior to leaving the area.
Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 11:00 am. Hunters
may not enter the area prior to 5:00 am on hunt days. No open season on roads
and dikes. Hunters may only use electric motors on boats.
10.16 On all State owned, US Forest Service
and other Federally owned Category I and II Waterfowl Management Areas each
hunter is limited to 25 Federally approved non toxic shells per hunt.
10.17 On Enoree River, Dunaway, Duncan Creek,
Russell Creek and Tyger River Waterfowl Areas data cards are required for
hunter access during scheduled waterfowl hunts. Completed data cards must be
returned daily upon leaving each of these areas.
10.18 Woodbury Waterfowl Management Area
includes all SCDNR owned property south of US Hwy 378 and bounded on the west
by the Great Pee Dee River and Bluff Road and to the east by the Little Pee Dee
River except no waterfowl hunting allowed in the area known as Hass Pond that
is bounded on all sides by Hass Pond Road.
10.19 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
Category II Waterfowl Area is open Wednesday mornings only during the November
thru January regular waterfowl season. The Category II area is defined as all
wetlands east of Donnelley Drive and Blocker Run Road except those areas south
of Blocker Run Road between Stocks Creek Road and the intersection of Mary's
Island Road and the property boundary. No trailered boats and no electric or
gas motors allowed. No entry before 5:00 AM and all users must sign in and sign
out at designated check stations. No hunting is allowed from the
dikes.
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
11.1 Taking of any amphibian or reptile,
except the bullfrog, is prohibited on any Department owned Wildlife Management
Areas without written permission of the Department.
PUBLIC BIRD DOG TRAINING AREAS
12.1 The Department may establish Public Bird
Dog Training Areas on Wildlife Management Area lands. A valid hunting license
and WMA permit is required to train bird dogs on these lands.
12.2 It shall be unlawful to take game by any
means while training bird dogs, except during the lawful open seasons for such
game; provided, however, that pen raised quail or pigeons may be taken at any
time on designated Public Bird Dog Training Areas for training bird
dogs.
12.3 It shall be unlawful for
any person to have in his or her possession any firearms or other equipment for
taking game while training bird dogs, provided that handguns with blank
ammunition or shot cartridges may be used for training bird dogs, and shotguns
with number eight shot or smaller shot may be used while training bird dogs
using pen raised quail and pigeons.
12.4 All participants in bird dog training
must wear either a hat, coat, or vest of solid visible international
orange.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.