2012 - 2013 Deer Seasons on Public Lands
Game Zone 6
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. Unless otherwise specified by the department, only bucks (male deer) may be taken on all WMA lands. Male deer must have antlers visible two (2) inches above the hairline to be legally bagged on "bucks only" hunts. Male deer with visible antlers of less than two (2) inches above the hairline must be taken only on eithersex days or pursuant to permits 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. Antler spread is the greatest outside measurement (main beam or points) on a plane perpendicular to the skull. On WMA lands, man drives for deer or hogs are permitted between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM only, except that no man drives may be conducted on days designated by the department for taking deer of either-sex. On WMA lands, drivers participating in man drives are prohibited from carrying or using weapons. On WMA lands, in Game Zones 1 & 2 man drives will be permitted on the last four (4) scheduled either-sex days. 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.
Deer either-sex days for gun hunts are as follows:
- Game Zones 2-6: Every Saturday from Oct. 1 to the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day inclusive; Saturdays in Dec. beginning 23 days after Thanksgiving Day and the last day of the open season. In Game Zones 1 and 2 hunters using archery equipment may take either sex during any open season for deer.
| Area | County | Still Hunting | Rules/Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marion Hunt Unit | Berkely and Charleston | Francis Marion Hunt Unit includes: |
Tibwin special use area (in Wambaw) is closed to hunting except for special hunts. During still gun hunts for deer, there shall be no hunting or shooting from, on, or across any road open to vehicle traffic. No buckshot is allowed on still gun hunts Shotguns and buckshot only during allowed during dog drive hunts On either-sex deer hunts with dogs, all deer must be checked in by 1 hour after legal sunset On all still gun and muzzleloader either-sex hunts for all Units, all does must be tagged with an individual antlerless deer tag except when harvested on county-wide either-sex days. Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec. 15, 22, 29, Jan. 1 No more than 4 deer total may be taken during gun and muzzleloader 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 |
| Hellhole | Francis Marion National Forest | Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Sept. 15- Oct. 31 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Still Gun Hunt- Nov. 1- Jan. 1 Either Sex Limit: 2 deer per day No still hunting during scheduled dog drives Dog Drive- Nov. 3 and Dec. 1 Buck only Youth Only Dog Drive- Nov. 17 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer total No still hunting and no rifles All deer must be checked at Bonneau Ferry entrance, M&B Community Mart or Hellhole check station on Nov. 5 only. |
The rules and regulations for the Francis Marion Hunt Unit apply. |
| Northampton | Francis Marion National Forest | Dog Drive- Sept. 28, Oct. 10-11, Nov. 23, Dec. 28 Buck only Dec. 28 Either Sex Youth Only Dog Drive- Jan. 5 Either-Sex Limit: 2 bucks per day; 2 deer per day on Either-Sex days All deer must be checked in at P&C Grocery, Awendaw Check Station, Honey Hill Lookout Tower or Kangaroo in Jamestown on Dec. 10 only. Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Sept. 15-30 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Gun Hunts- Oct. 1- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day No still hunting during scheduled dog drive hunts |
The rules and regulations for the Francis Marion Hunt Unit apply. |
| Santee | Francis Marion National Forest | Dog Drive- Dec. 8 Either-Sex Sept. 14-15, Oct. 24-25, Dec. 7 Buck only Youth Only Dog Drive- Oct. 6 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day/2 deer per day on Either-Sex days All deer must be checked at Bonneau Ferry WMA entrance, Hellhole check station or M&B Alvin Com. Mart on Nov. 5. Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Sept. 15-30 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Gun Hunts- Oct. 1- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day No still hunting during scheduled dog drive hunts. |
The rules and regulations for the Francis Marion Hunt Unit apply. |
| Area | County | Still Hunting | Rules/Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wambaw | Francis Marion National Forest | Seewee Special Use Area (No Dogs) Archery Only Sept. 1-14 Buck Only Sept. 15- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 bucks per day, 2 deer per day on Either-Sex days. Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck Only Sept. 15-30 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Dog Drive- Sept. 28, Oct. 13, Nov. 14-15, Dec. 26-27 Buck Only Dec. 8 Either-Sex Youth Only Dog Drive- Oct. 27 Either-Sex Limit: 2 bucks per day/ 2 deer per day on Either-Sex days Still gun hunts only east of Highway 17. Rifles allowed. All deer must be checked at Awendaw check station, P&C Grocery, Kangaroo in Jamestown or Honey Hill Lookout Tower only on Dec. 10 Gun Hunts- Oct. 1- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day No still hunting during scheduled dog drive hunts. |
The rules and regulations for the Francis Marion Hunt Unit apply. |
| Waterhorn | Francis Marion National Forest | Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Sept. 15-30 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Archery and Muzzleloader- Oct. 22- Nov. 3 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Gun Hunts- Oct. 5-6, Oct. 12-13, Nov. 9-10, Nov. 23-24 Buck only Dec. 3-8, Dec. 26-31 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day |
The rules and regulations for the Francis Marion Hunt Unit apply. |
| Bear Island | Colleton | Archery- Oct. 5-13 Either-Sex Limit: 3 deer total Gun Hunts (Rifles Only)- Still hunts by drawing only. See WMA Public Draw Hunts on page 31. |
All hunters must sign in and out at the Bear Island Check Station Hunting in designated areas only Campground closes Nov. 2 |
| Donnelley | Colleton | Archery- Oct. 1-5, Nov. 1-3, 5, Dec. 3-5 Either-Sex Limit: 4 deer per season. No more than 2 bucks
Gun Hunts- Still gun hunts by drawing only. See WMA Public Draw Hunts on page 31. |
Hunters must sign in and out at the check station. Hunting in designated areas only. Gates will open at 4:00 AM for deer hunts. Open for archery scouting Sept. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 30 (10AM-2PM). Bucks must have a minimum 4 pts. On one side or a minimum antler spread. |
| Area | County | Still Hunting | Rules/Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchery | Berkely | Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Sept. 15- Nov. 10 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day (8 deer total) | Hatchery is closed to fishing each Saturday morning during water fowl season and all day the last Saturday of waterfowl season. |
| Bonneau Ferry | Berkely | Archery (Area B)- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Sept. 15-20, Nov. 12-30 Either-Sex Still Gun Hunts (Area B)- No open season except for hunters selected by computer drawing (Sept. 27- 29, Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, Nov. 1-3, 8-10) Still Gun Hunts: Adult/Youth Only (Area A)- Sept. 15- Dec. 29 (Wed., Fri., Sat. only) and Nov. 19-24, Dec. 20-Jan. 1 Either-Sex " |
Adult/Youth side open only to youth 17 and 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. Includes all big game and small game. All hunters must sign in and sign out upon entering and leaving any hunt on Bonneau Ferry WMA. All deer must be checked at the main entrance. Hunting access by boat is prohibited Hunters may not enter WMA before 5:00 AM. Limit 2 deer/day: total 8 deer for all hunts. No more than 2 antlered deer. |
| Santee Coastal | Charleston | Archery- Oct. 13- Nov. 24 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Archery and Muzzleloader- Dec. 6-8 Either-Sex Limit: 1 deer per day |
Hunting is allowed on the mainland only at Santee Coastal WMA. Hunters must sign in and out and complete a data card on harvested deer. No possession of handguns or sidearms during archery only hunts |
| Dungannon Heritage Preserve | Charleston | Archery (No Dogs)- Oct. 15- Dec. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day/ 8 deer per season | |
| Moultrie Hunt Unit | Berkeley | Moultrie Hunt Unit includes: • North Dike |
No hunting or shooting within 50 feet of the center of any road during gun hunts for deer except for SCDNR draw youth hunts. Hunters may not take more than 8 deer total from Moultrie Hunt Unit during gun hunts. |
| Area | County | Still Hunting | Rules/Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dike | Moultrie Hunt Unit | Gun Hunts-Aug. 17- Sept. 29 Buck only Oct. 1-27 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day Individual antlerless tags are valid on days not designated as Either-Sex on or after Sept. 15 | The rules and regulations for the Moultrie Hunt Unit apply. No Buckshot No Dogs |
| Hall WMA except Cross Station Special Use Area | Moultrie Hunt Unit | Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Limit: 2 bucks per day Sept. 15- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day | The rules and regulations for the Moultrie Hunt Unit apply. No Dogs |
| Greenfield | Moultrie Hunt Unit | Gun Hunts- Nov. 1- Jan.1 Buck only Limit: 2 bucks per day Nov. 1-3, Dec. 24- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day " | The rules and regulations for the Moultrie Hunt Unit apply. No Buckshot |
| Bluefield | Moultrie Hunt Unit | Gun Hunt- Aug. 15- Sept. 12 (Wed., and Sat. Only) Buck only Limit: 2 buck per day Sept. 15- Dec. 29 (Wed., and Sat. Only) Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day | The rules and regulations for the Moultrie Hunt Unit apply. No Buckshot Open only to youth 17 years of age or younger accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age. Youth hunters must carry a firearm and hunt. Adults may also carry a firearm and hunt. |
| Porcher | Moultrie Hunt Unit | Archery- Sept. 1-14 Buck only Limit: 2 buck per day Sept. 15- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day | The rules and regulations for the Moultrie Hunt Unit apply. No dogs |
| Cross Station | Moultrie Hunt Unit | Designated youth draw deer hunts only | The rules and regulations for the Francis Marion Hunt Unit apply. |
| Santee Cooper | Orangeburg | Archery- Oct. 1-6 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day no more than 1 buck per day Archery and Muzzleloader- Oct. 8-13, Nov. 5-10, Dec. 10-15 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per day no more than 1 buck per day |
Quality Deer Management Area- bucks must have minimum 4 points on one side, or a minimum 12 inch antler spread, or be spikes with 2 points (see regulation 4.1). Campground is open during scheduled deer hunts. Data cards required for hunters access including by boat. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving Santee Cooper WMA. Total 8 deer per season for all hunts combined. No more than 2 bucks. No fishing within WMA beginning Oct. 1 through 2nd full week in Dec. Hunters limited to 2 deer/tree stands which must contain label with hunter's name and address No deer stand can be placed on WMA prior to Sept. 15 |
| Area | County | Still Hunting | Rules/Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edisto River | Dorchester | Archery- Sept. 15-29 Either-Sex Limit: 1 deer per day Muzzleloader- Oct. 1-13 Either-Sex Limit: 1 deer per day Gun Hunts- Oct. 15- Jan. 1 Buck only Limit: 1 buck per day Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30 Either-Sex Limit: 1 deer per day |
Hunters may not take more than 8 deer total from Edisto River WMA for the season. |
| Canal | Berkeley | No Deer Hunting | |
| Palachucola | Hampton and Jasper | Archery- Sept. 26- Oct. 13, Dec. 20-22 Either-Sex Limit: 3 deer total Gun Hunts- Still gun hunts by drawing only. See WMA Hunt Drawings on page 31. |
All deer must be checked at check station. No hunting or shooting from, or on, any roads open to vehicular traffic. Bucks must have a minimum 4 points on one side or a minimum 12” antler spread. Hunters may camp at Palachucola camping area nights prior to and during deer, hog and turkey hunts only. Firearms must be unloaded and cased when not hunting. Data cards are required for hunter access. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving Palachucola WMA. |
| St. Helena Sound HP | Beaufort and Colleton | Hunting and camping by special permit which may be obtained at McKenzie Field Station, Bennetts Point, 843-844-8822. Camping Otter Island Only. | |
| Ashe, Beet, Warren, Big & South Williman Island | St. Helan Sound HP | Archery- Oct. 1- Jan.1 Either-Sex Limit: 3 deer total Otter Island Archery- Nov. 1-30 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer total |
|
| Tillman Sand Ridge | Jasper | Archery-Oct. 26-Nov. 10 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer total Archery and Muzzleloader- Dec. 17-20 Buck only Dec. 14-15, 21-22 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer total |
All deer must be checked at check station All reptiles and amphibians are protected |
| Area | County | Still Hunting | Rules/Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Island | Jasper | ||
| Victoria Bluff HP | Beaufort | Archery- Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25- 27, Nov. 2-10, Nov. 30- Dec. 8 Either-Sex Limit: 3 deer total per hunt period | All deer must be checked at check station |
| James W. Webb | Hampton | Still hunts by drawing only. See WMA Public Draw Hunts on page 31. | Bucks must have a minimum 4 points on one side or a minimum 12” antler spread. Hunters may camp at Bluff Lake the night prior to hog and turkey hunts only. Data cards are required for hunter access. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving Webb WMA. |
| Hamilton Ridge | Hampton | Gun Hunts- Still gun hunts by drawing only. See WMA Public Draw Hunts on page 31. Archery- Sept. 17-22, Oct. 22-27, Nov.5-10, 12-17, Dec. 13-15 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer per hunt period only 1 of which can be a buck |
Firearms must be unloaded and cased when not hunting. Bucks must have a minimum 4 points on one side or a minimum 12” antler spread. No more than 3 bucks total may be taken during all seasons combined regardless of method. Scouting and stand placement allowed 1 day prior to hunts Data card required for hunter access Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving Hamilton Ridge WMA. No ATV’s allowed on area. Hunters may camp at designated campground one day prior to and during deer, hog and turkey hunts. No hunting or shooting from or on any roads open to vehicular traffic. |
| Old Island HP | Beaufort | Archery- Sept. 15- Jan. 1 Either-Sex Limit: 2 deer total, 1 deer per day | |
| Botany Bay Plantation HP | Charleston | Archery- Sept. 17- Oct. 6, Nov. 19-24, Dec. 24-29 Either-Sex Limit: Total 3 deer, Either-Sex, but only 1 buck Gun Hunts- Still gun hunts by drawing only. See WMA Public Drawing Hunts on page 31. |
All hunters, fishermen and visitors must obtain a day use pass, fill out the requested information and follow all instructions on the pass. Hunting access by boat is prohibited. Bucks must have a minimum 4 points on one side or a minimum 12” antler spread. No buckshot. |
The 2012-2013 WMA Hunting Regulations are provided in the Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open this file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.
