What I'm looking for is a land owner willing to grant permission for me to hunt. I don't have access to any decent size parcels of land, and I'm not crazy about the idea of teaching my step-daughter to hunt on public land. She's 10 and chomping at the bit to go, but I want it to be more than just sitting on public land hoping for something to get spooked our way. I want to teach her hunting in and out.. The right way. Show her how you have to work to get real results and not just go sit in the woods. Ideally Id like to start her on small game and then try to put her on a gobbler this spring. Then in the off season teach her about the work aspect of hunting... food plots, establishing habitat, running trail cams, and predator control.
I'd be willing to hunt within whatever guidelines the owner sets for me. I believe in leaving zero trace of my presence, and would respect the land/animals as my own. I'm willing to help with food plots and game habitat establishment/maintenance, and if you have hogs or coyotes I could be of great assistance there as well.
I know its asking a lot... Most people have been soured by trespassers and general disrespect to the point that they wont share their land, but just the same I'm asking.
Thanks,
OPjr
Statistics: Posted by OPjr — Wed Jan 06, 2016 7:42 pm
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Let me know.
Thanks
Statistics: Posted by tournament man — Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:56 pm
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The much-anticipated start of the 2012 deer season is underway in some parts of the state and South Carolina’s deer population is healthy and the season outlook is good. Although the deer harvest has been on a downward trend the last few years indicating that population levels have moderated, hunter success and deer harvest rates remain good, according to Charles Ruth, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deer and Wild Turkey Program Coordinator.
Top counties for harvest in 2011 included Bamberg, Union, Calhoun, and Orangeburg with each of these counties exhibiting harvest rates in excess of 15 deer per square mile. Very few areas in the United States consistently yield comparable harvest figures. On the other hand, top counties for quality deer in 2011 included Aiken, Orangeburg, and Kershaw in the coastal plain and Anderson, Pickens, and Saluda counties in the piedmont. These results come as no surprise as these counties have historically produced good numbers of record entries.
Find out more about the 2011 deer harvest and 2012 antler records at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website.
Although there were no substantive changes made to deer hunting laws by the General Assembly this year, hunters should always consult the annual Hunting and Fishing Rules and Regulation brochure that DNR publishes each summer, said Ruth. This is particularly the case for hunters that use the various Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the state.
South Carolina’s deer population expanded rapidly in the 1980’s and early 1990’s and it peaked in the late 1990’s at about 1,000,000 animals. However, since 2002 the population has trended down with current figures being about 725,000 deer, a 25 percent decline from peak figures 10 years ago. The reduction can likely be attributable to a number of factors including habitat change. Although timber management activities stimulated significant growth in South Carolina’s deer population beginning in the 1970’s, considerable acreage is currently in even-aged pine stands that are greater than 10 years old, a situation that does not support deer densities at the same level as younger stands in which food and cover is more available.
Also, coyotes are a recent addition to the landscape and are another piece of the puzzle. DNR is currently involved in a major study with researchers at the Savannah River Site investigating the affects coyotes are having on the survival of deer fawns. Cumulative data throughout the study indicates approximately 70 percent total fawn mortality with coyotes being responsible for approximately 80 percent of these mortalities. If these findings even moderately represent a statewide situation, this “new mortality factor” is clearly involved in the reduction in deer numbers. This is especially true when combined with extremely liberal deer harvests that have been the norm in South Carolina. The study is currently in the process of determining if coyote control (trap/kill) leads to increased fawn survival on the area.
Hunters should not be overly concerned if the deer population is down compared to several years ago when the population reached its peak. Most hunters, to their credit, have recognized the fact that having fewer deer leads to better quality deer. Results of DNR’s antler scoring program indicate that this may indeed be the case as the last 5 years have seen approximately 1,000 bucks successfully entered into the state records program.
On the other hand, said Ruth, we don’t want to see the population decline such that hunter success and the interest in deer hunting deteriorate. Earlier this year, DNR made recommendations related to future deer management needs in South Carolina, however, these recommendations have not met with any legislative action at this point.
Deer hunting generates approximately $200 million in retail sales for South Carolina’s economy annually.
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Statistics: Posted by sclakes — Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:35 pm
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You will get your change and you will still have the issue, because you hunt with the guy or gal every day and you see them break the rules, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TURN THEM IN OR KICK THEM OUT OF THE CLUB?????
Columbia, SC 29202 December 20, 2010
Deer hunters request changes to state’s deer management approach
South Carolina deer hunters are asking for changes to the state’s deer management approach based on public opinion data gathered by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Much of the discussion among hunters is related to concern over the unregulated harvest of antlered bucks, and an estimated 25 percent decline in the State’s deer population over the last 10 years according to DNR biologists. Currently there is no enforceable limit on the number of bucks a hunter can take during the season.
Public meetings, mail surveys, and more recently telephone and internet based surveys of the state’s deer hunters indicate that a minimum of 70 percent of hunters support the concept of a reasonable limit on antlered bucks and the implementation of a tagging program that would provide for enforcement of such a limit.
Additionally, a minimum of 70 percent of hunters indicate that they would support paying a modest fee to implement such a tagging program as long as the fee was used to administer the program and for deer research and management. A complete summary of DNR’s efforts to document public opinion on future deer management can be found online.
DNR’s governing board has discussed this issue on numerous occasions this year, and at the Dec. 17, 2010 DNR Board meeting voted to support a statewide limit of 4 bucks per hunter per year, and a mandatory deer tagging program whereby all harvested deer (bucks and does) must be tagged at the point of kill with tags provided by the department. A nominal fee of $5 per tag for residents and $25 per tag for nonresidents is proposed.
Although DNR can make recommendations, any changes to the current deer hunting laws require action by the South Carolina General Assembly. The DNR Board proposal will be incorporated into the DNR’s Legislative Proposal for the 2011-12 session.
Statistics: Posted by Boogerman — Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:17 pm
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Statistics: Posted by jmarksz21 — Tue Nov 30, 2010 11:36 am
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Talking about feathers ..... 'Sophie' will go around the yard just being a dog, and all of a sudden you'll notice her getting 'serious' ...... usually it's a feather or two left over from cleaning birds that blew under something and the little nut thinks their might be 'another bird' under there
Statistics: Posted by 391 — Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:43 am
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Statistics: Posted by Boogerman — Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:29 pm
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Statistics: Posted by PeanutMan — Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:45 am
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Statistics: Posted by bass10 — Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:48 am
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As many know it's been cold lately. Cold enough that I really didn't care to go hunting even with my super warm hunting clothes and waders. But it's been so cold that many have never seen ponds completely froze over in this area. The few ponds that are not completely froze are still holding birds ............ however we watched ours finish freezing over by 11am. The shady end of the pond was 1/2"- 3/4" thick
...... 'Sophie' had a hard time busting ice after some of these birds. Thankfully I had her suited up with her dog vest to protect her from putting a piece of ice through her. She did scared me one time with her do-or-die attitude .... thank God she never tried going under the ice.Statistics: Posted by 391 — Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:32 pm
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