The opening day of the 2021 turkey hunting season is approaching and there is a big change from the previous year for the approximately 50,000 hunters targeting gobblers in South Carolina.
The season structure and baggage allowances remain the same, but this year electronic reporting will be mandatory through SC Game Check.
“In fact, that was part of the crop legislation that was passed in 2019 and went into effect last year. The harvest reporting part had a year-long implementation and we are there now,” said Charles Ruth, Big Game Coordinator of the SC Department of Natural Resources.
SC Game Check is in the process of being implemented now and turkey hunters will receive information on methods for reporting turkeys harvested when they receive their hunting tags.
“There will be three ways to report,” said Ruth. “Soon, they will be able to download a free mobile app. It’s very good. After people download and configure their profiles, it doesn’t take 20 seconds to report a turkey. There will be a web-based reporting system on our website (dnr.sc .gov) this is very simple. And there will also be a toll free number that you can call, even though we’re trying to get people out of it. It’s a fundamental punch and you need to enter your customer ID from the keyboard, choose harvest. It’s a typical phone keypad entry. “
The seasonal limit for resident grants remains at three birds, no more than one per day, and hunters are limited to just one turkey during the first 10 days of the season. Non-resident hunters will be limited to two birds. State residents are required to buy a set of three tags for $ 5, while the two tags for non-residents cost $ 100. Ruth said hunters who are entitled to free tags – young hunters, lifetime license holders and holders of senior license – will receive their tags if they request them last year. If they have not requested the marks, they need to do so before hunting this year.
The 40-day private land season in Game Zones 3 and 4, which includes most of the lower part of the state, including Charleston, is from March 22 to April 30. The season in Game Zones 1 and 2 is from April 1st to May 10th. The state season in the Wildlife Management Areas is from April 1st to April 30th. Check the Wildlife Management Areas for specific hunting dates on these properties.
Ruth said the turkey crop in 2020 fell by about 19 percent compared to 2019, continuing a downward trend in the harvest.
“There are so many factors that I am reluctant to point at anyone,” said Ruth. “We had a completely new season structure. We had a turkey limitation for the first time in the first 10 days of the season. This was clearly an effort to reduce the early harvest of these adult birds in terms of the potential implications for breeding activity. . And then you stacked COVID on top of that. “
Ruth said there was a slight increase in hunter effort in South Carolina, as well as in other turkey hunting states in the region.
“(Turkey’s season) is when the stoppage is happening at a great moment,” said Ruth. “People had a lot more free time. We saw some increase, but not much.”
Ruth said this year’s heavy rains are unlikely to affect South Carolina turkeys because they are adults. He said that abnormal rain events in May and June, during the breeding and breeding season, would be worrying.
“But that’s a long way. We could be in a drought by then,” said Ruth. “Normally, a lot of rain in late spring, early summer is not good for turkey breeding.”
Flooding forces DNR property closure
The SC Department of Natural Resources announced that the Santee Cooper Wildlife Management Area and the Wateree River Heritage Reserve Wildlife Management Area have been closed due to excessive rain and flooding.
The flood also closed some or all of the vehicle access roads at the following properties: Webb Wildlife Center; Palachucola WMA; Hamilton Ridge WMA; Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve; Waccamaw River Heritage Reserve; Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve; Marsh WMA; Woodbury WMA; and Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve.
America’s Boating Club
America’s Boating Club Charleston will take a boat safety class on March 13 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. A class will also be held on March 20 at the Berkeley County Emergency Training Center in Moncks Corner. Classes start at 9am and end around 4pm. Successful participants receive the Boater Education Card from the SC Department of Natural Resources. The cost is $ 25 for adults and youth ages 12 to 18 are free. Call (843) 312-2876 or send an email to [email protected].
Brady Bates Redfish Open
The Brady Bates Youth Redfish Open Scholarship Tournament is scheduled for April 10 at Buck Hall Landing. The tournament is part of the Student Angler League Tournament Track. Visit salttfishing.com for information.