This Information expires May 2, 2008
The Turkey Harvest Brochure 2008 is in the Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.
For 2008
- Harvested turkeys are no longer required to be checked, however, the possession and use of turkey tags are still required (SC 50-11-544).
- Sunday hunting for turkey allowed statewide on private land.(SC 50-11-555)
Bag Limit
123-51
- Total of 5 statewide per person. 2 per day "gobblers only" unless otherwise specified. Total statewide and county bag limits include turkeys harvested on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
Seasons
Game Zone seasons and limits apply to private land and WMA lands except for specific WMAs listed below.
| Areas Open | Dates | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Game Zone 1 Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville counties north of the main line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad from the Georgia state line to SC Hwy 183 in Westminster, then north of SC Hwy 183 to the intersection of SC Hwy 183 and the main line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Greenville, and then north of the Norfolk Southern Railroad to the Spartanburg Co. line. |
April 1 - May1 | 5 |
| Game Zone 2 Abbeville, Anderson, Chester, Cherokee, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Lancaster, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, York, and those portions of Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville counties south of Game Zone 1 described above. |
April 1 - May 1 | 5 |
| Game Zone 3 Aiken, Lexington & Richland |
April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Game Zone 4 Chesterfield and Kershaw |
April 1 - May 1 | 5 |
| Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion, and Marlboro counties | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Game Zone 5 | April 1 - May 1 | |
| Clarendon, Georgetown, Williamsburg counties | 5 |
|
| Darlington, Lee, and Sumter counties | 2 |
|
| Game Zones 6 Allendale, Barnwell, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, and Orangeburg counties |
March 15 - May 1 | 5 |
Wildlife Management Areas
| Areas Open | Dates | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1Keowee WMA | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Fants Grove WMA | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Francis Marion Hunt Unit (WMA Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Sand Hills State Forest WMA | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| 4Webb-Palachucola | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Manchester State Forest WMA (Wed - Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Moultrie Hunt Unit (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Bluefield WMA (Adult/youth Only, Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Hall WMA (Archery Only, Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Santee Dam WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Edisto River WMA (Wed. Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| 4Oak Lea WMA (Wed Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Marsh Furniture WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| McBee WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Hickory Top WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Pee Dee Station Site WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Great Pee Dee River WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Tillman Sand Ridge WMA (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Lewis Ocean Bay HP (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Waccamaw River HP (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Bucksport WMA (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Cartwheel Bay HP (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| 3 Little Pee Dee River Complex (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| Victoria Bluff WMA (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 1 |
| 2Crackerneck WMA (Fri & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 5 |
| Worth Mountain WMA (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Draper WMA (Wed. & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Wee Tee State Forest (Wed & Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Woodbury WMA (Wed - Sat Only) | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| 4Hamilton Ridge WMA | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Aiken Gopher Tortoise | April 1 - May 1 | 2 |
| Statewide Youth Hunt Day (Tags required) | March 29 | 2 |
Savannah River Site Draw Hunts for Persons with Disabilities
Savannah River Site will hold a draw hunt for persons with disabilities on April 19. For hunt applications, contact Illana Burkhart, NWTF, 800-843-6983 ext. 7421.
Wildlife Management Area Public Hunt Drawings
Donnelley WMA, Santee Cooper WMA & Bonneau Ferry WMA (Adult/Youth) Turkey hunts available by public hunt drawing ONLY. To receive an application, please write: SCDNR Turkey Hunts, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202 or call (803) 734-3886. Deadline for applications is February 29.
US Army Corps of Engineers
The turkey season for all US Army Corps of Engineers lands in Game Zones 1 and 2 are the same as the WMA turkey season unless otherwise posted.
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
Turkey hunts available by public hunt drawing only. Contact: Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 Hwy 1, McBee, SC 29101 or call 843-335-6026.
1Keowee WMA - Shotguns only -- north of Hwy 123 and west of the Keowee Arm of Lake Hartwell to Hwy 291 and west of Hwy 291. Archery Only on other sections.
2Crackerneck WMA - Main gate opens at 4:30 am and closed at 1:00 pm. All hunters must check in and out at main gate.
3Little Pee Dee River Complex includes Tilghman, Dargan (including upper Gunters Is. and Huggins tracts), Little Pee Dee River, and Ward Heritage Preserves in portions of Horry and Marion counties.
4On Webb, Palachucola, Hamilton Ridge and Oak Lea WMA's, all turkey hunters must pick up and return data cards daily to kiosk and display hang tags on vehicles. Harvested turkeys must be checked in at the self-check kiosk located adjacent to the check stations at the respective properties.
License, Permit and Tag Requirements
For information on license fees refer to the South Carolina Rules and Regulations booklet, contact your local DNR office.
License: S.C. Hunting License and Big Game Permit required of all hunters age 16 and older.
A WMA Permit is required of hunters age 16 and older who hunt on WMA lands.
Turkey tags are required for all turkey hunters regardless of age, including hunters younger than 16 who are not required to have a hunting license. Tags are free. You should receive a set of turkey tags in the mail in February. If you do not receive tags by mail, turkey tags will be available the last week in February at DNR offices and at Turkey Tag Distribution Sites listed in this brochure (Adobe PDF file). Tags are available in early February by sending your name, address, hunting license, and big game permit number to Turkey Tags, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202.
Procedure for Replacing Lost Turkey Tags:
If you received tags by mail or on line contact DNR Licensing at 803-734-3833. If you received tags at a Turkey Tag Distribution Site, go to a DNR office denoted R in this brochure (Adobe PDF file).
Weapons
Shotguns, muzzleloader shotguns, or bows and arrows are permitted. All other weapons and methods of taking are prohibited including rifles, crossbows, pistols, hard jacketed bullets, buckshot and slugs.
General WMA Regulations
Statutes 50-11-2200 and 50-11-2210 authorizes the promulgation of WMA regulations.
2.1 Except as provided in these regulations, it is unlawful to hunt or take wildlife on areas designated by the S.C. 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 landowner, the State of South Carolina, or the S.C. Department of Natural Resources accepts any responsibility for acts, omissions, or activities or conditions on these lands which cause or may 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 It is unlawful for anyone to 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.
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.
2.8 On WMA lands any hunter younger than sixteen (16) years of age must be accompanied by an adult (21 years or older) who is validly licensed and holds applicable permits, licenses or stamps for the use of WMA lands. Sight and voice contact must be maintained.
2.11 While hunting on WMA’s, no person may consume or be under the influence of intoxicants, including beer, wine, liquor or drugs
3.5 No target practice is permitted on WMA lands except in specifically designated areas.
6.1 On all WMA lands, no hunter may shoot from a vehicle except that mobility impaired hunters may take game from any stationary motor driven land conveyance or trailer which is operated in compliance with these rules. For purposes of this regulation, mobility impaired means individuals who are permanently confined to a wheelchair, permanently require the use of two crutches, permanently require the use of a walker to walk, or persons with single or double leg amputations. Written confirmation of permanent impairment is required from a physician or qualifying agency.
6.2 On WMA lands, motor driven land conveyances must be operated only on designated roads or trails. Designated roads and trails on Forest Service lands are those designated with either a name and/or numbered sign. On Forest Service land ATV’s can be used only on designated ATV or motorcycle 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 It is unlawful to obstruct travel routes on WMA lands.
8.1 Camping is not permitted on WMA lands except in designated camp sites.
Turkey Hunting Regulations
Regulations in 123-51 apply statewide on public and private land (5-11-530). No turkey hunting permitted on Turkey Restoration Sites which have not been formally opened by the Department.
123-51
- The following Regulations apply to all lands.
- During the spring turkey hunting season no game animal may be taken except turkey gobblers (bearded birds).
- Shotguns, muzzleloader shotguns, or bows and arrows are permitted, all other weapons and methods of taking are prohibited including rifles, pistols, hard jacketed bullets, buckshot, slugs, and crossbows. See secton 50-11-565 for exceptions.
- Turkeys may not be hunted with dogs.
- Live decoys are prohibited.
Section 50-9-740. On the special Youth Hunt Day, March 29 youth hunters must be seventeen or younger. In addition, a licensed adult at least twenty-one years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field and may not harvest or attempt to harvest game during this special hunting event. All youth hunters, regardless of age, must possess a set of turkey tags. License requirements specified in this chapter shall be waived for this day for all youth hunters as described above. Daily harvest limits remain the same as allowed during regular seasons for each species of game.
Section 50 11 40. (A) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, catch, take, kill, or attempt to hunt, catch, take, or kill any game bird or game animal by the use or aid of recorded calls or sounds or recorded or electronically amplified imitations of calls or sounds.
Section 50-1-85. It is unlawful for any person to use a firearm or archery tackle while in preparation for, engaged in the act of, or returning from hunting in a criminally negligent manner. Criminal negligence is defined as the reckless disregard for the safety of others
Section 50-11-500. It is unlawful to shoot any wild turkey between thirty minutes after official sunset and thirty minutes before official sunrise. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take a wild turkey from a vehicle on a public road. It is unlawful to trap or snare any wild turkey. Unlawful to take or attempt to take wild turkey from a watercraft. (SC 50-11-500)
Section 50-11-510. It is unlawful for a person to hunt or take or attempt to hunt or take a wild turkey by means of, or aid or use of bait or baiting, or on or over any baited area. As used in this section “bait” or “baiting” means the placing, depositing, exposing, distributing, or scattering of salt, shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain, or other foodstuffs to constitute for wild turkeys a lure, attraction, or enticement to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them, and “baited area” means an area where salt, shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, other grain, or other foodstuffs capable of luring, attracting, or enticing wild turkeys is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered, and the area remains a baited area for ten days following complete removal of all bait.
50-11-544. A person who hunts wild turkeys is required to possess a set of wild turkey transportation tags issued by the department at no cost. All turkeys taken must be tagged before being moved from the point of kill. No person may obtain or possess more than one set of turkey tags.
Section 50 11 565. (B) Crossbows are legal for use statewide during any open season for deer, turkey, or bear by a person who suffers from an upper limb disability, provided the person, while hunting, has in immediate possession a written statement certifying the disability. The statement, based on a physical examination by a certifying neurologist, orthopedist, or rheumatologist shall describe the disability and shall state the person is not capable of operating archery equipment or a bow and arrow. A copy of the statement must be provided to the department prior to hunting with a crossbow.
NOTE: As per this section, the following activities can result in a baited area.
- Disking or otherwise manipulating chufa fields to expose chufa tubers prior to or during turkey season.
- Mowing or otherwise manipulating standing grain crops such as corn, grain sorghum, etc. where grain is scattered or exposed prior to or during turkey season.
- Top sowing of any grains prior to or during the turkey season. In Game Zones 1 and 2 the act of baiting is strictly prohibited by law. In Game Zones 3, 4, 5, and 6, where on private lands feeding wildlife is legal, all feeding activity should be terminated at least several weeks prior to hunting. Specifically, the law states that all bait must be completely removed 10 days prior to hunting. There is no set distance from a baited area where hunting turkeys is legal. The safest practice is to have no bait on the land you plan to hunt.
Penalties
The penalty for hunting on any WMA other than at those times specified by the Department, or for violating any of the rules and regulations, shall be prescribed by Section 50-11-2200, 1976 S.C. Code of Laws.
The penalty for violating any turkey hunting regulation contained herein is prescribed by Section 50-11-540, 1976 S.C. Code of Laws. Section 50-11-540. Any person taking, attempting to take, or having in his possession turkey illegally or taking, attempting to take, or killing turkey in any way not prescribed by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for more than thirty days. In addition, a person taking a wild turkey unlawfully must make restitution to the department in the amount of five hundrend dollars for each bird taken. In addition, a person convicted of taking a wild turkey illegally foreits hunting and fishing privileges for one year for each bird taken.
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