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 South Carolina Department
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SCDNR News

Deer Antler Measuring Sessions Scheduled Across South Carolina

February 27, 2026

Antlers will be on full display across the Palmetto State as the search for new state record deer begins during the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ annual series of measuring sessions.

Each year SCDNR measures deer antlers throughout the state, with a major effort during the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic scheduled for March 27-29 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia. A total of 8,633 sets of white-tailed deer antlers, including 8,294 typical racks and 339 nontypical, are currently ranked on South Carolina's all-time antler records list. Minimum scores for state record listing are 125 points for typical antlers and 145 points for nontypical antlers. Measurements are based on the Boone and Crockett system.

The objectives of the state records list are to recognize outstanding animals and to identify areas that produce quality deer. This information allows biologists to take a closer look at habitat and deer herd conditions in order to make future management recommendations.

Although record deer have been recorded from all counties, Aiken, Anderson, and Orangeburg counties have produced the greatest numbers in the past three to four years. Generally, larger deer are more abundant in areas that have fewer deer, as compared to parts of the state with high deer numbers. During 2025, 220 new records were added to the records list.

Hunters must provide necessary documentation, such as the date and county of the kill, and sign a "fair chase" statement when they bring in a set of antlers for measuring. Antlers in velvet or those that are broken and repaired or antlers separated from the skull plate cannot be officially measured for the state records list. If the lower jawbone of the animal was extracted during taxidermy or otherwise saved, it should be brought to the measuring session so biologists can determine the deer's age. An accurate weight measurement at the time of the kill is also helpful.

For additional information on the Antler Records Program, visit: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/deer/index.html.

2026 Antler Measuring Sessions

  • Wednesday, February 25, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Manning, Simpson’s Ace Hardware, 110 N Brooks St. 803-435-2651.
  • Thursday, February 26, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Lake City, Simpson’s Ace Hardware, 222 N Church St., 843-374-4000.
  • Friday, February 27, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sumter, Simpson’s Ace Hardware, 40 W. Wesmark Blvd., 803-773-3397.
  • Tuesday, March 3, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Marietta, Wildlife Traditions LLC, 2710 Greer Hwy., 864-610-0020.
  • Thursday, March 5, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Greenwood, Hunter’s Headquarters, 1845 Calhoun Rd., (864) 223-1911.
  • Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Warrenville, Wilson’s Taxidermy, 154 Victory Lane, (803) 593-3357.
  • Friday, March 6, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Gilbert, Price’s Country Store, 540 Peach Festival Rd., (803) 892-2457.
  • Tuesday, March 10, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Pauline, Coleman’s Farm Supply, 2640 SC-56, (864) 585-0935.
  • Thursday, March 12, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Greenville, Dewey’s Pawn Shop 5900 Augusta Rd., (864) 422-0072.
  • Friday, March 13, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Swansea, Bishop’s at the Mill, 200 S Spring St., 803-422-1024.
  • Wednesday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Bonneau, Dennis Wildlife Center, 305 Black Oak Road. Please call 843-825-3387 to reserve a time slot
  • Wednesday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Clemson, SCDNR Office, 311 Natural Resources Dr., (864) 654-1671.
  • Friday, March 27, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsman’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886.
  • Saturday, March 28, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsman’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886.
  • Sunday, March 29, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsman’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886.
  • Camden: At SCDNR Office, 632 West DeKalb St. Room 211, by appointment only any time of year 843-309-5165.
  • Clemson: At SCDNR Office, 311 Natural Resources Dr., by appointment only during March (864) 986-6247.
  • Columbia: At SCDNR office, 1000 Assembly St., by appointment only any time of year, (803) 734-8738.
  • Florence: At SCDNR office, 295 S. Evander Dr., Florence, by appointment only any time of year (843) 661-4768.
  • Garnett: At SCDNR office, 1282 Webb Ave., Garnett, by appointment only anytime of year, (803) 625-3569.
  • Georgetown: At SCDNR office, 420 Dirleton Road, Georgetown, by appointment only anytime of year, (843) 546-8119
  • Union: At SCDNR Office, 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, by appointment only anytime of year, (864) 427-5140.