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Hunting Season - SC / NC

Hunting Season

Written by Brad Allen

Sunday, 07 September 2008 09:01

Hunting Season is upon us once again and most riders are grateful when summer heat gives way to cooler autumn weather. What better time for a leisurely trail ride? Autumn is very often hunting season too.

All sports enthusiasts have to learn to respect each other and certainly in the case of hunting, stay out of each other’s way. Riding on the trails during hunting season means riders have to take extra caution.

Before you ride:

Find out what the hunting regulations are in your area such as what time guns may be fired and what animals are in season.
Try to avoid known hunting areas.
Try to stay in open fields where you will be more visible.
Avoid riding at peak times such as early morning.
No matter what the season, when headed out on trail with your bike, tell someone your planned route and what time you will be back.
If you choose to ride in Hunting Areas wear Bright Colors or an International Orange Safety Vest
If you meet hunters tell them your planned route. Try to keep the communication open, no matter what your opinion towards hunting.
Sundays are safe - No Hunting on Public Lands

Hunting in South Carolina

Here are the SC DNR Regulations for hunting

Antlerless Deer Tag Application - PDF
Hunting Rules and Regulations - (file size 3MB) PDF
Special Hunts for Youth and Mobility Impaired PDF
Wildlife Management Areas - (file size 3MB) PDF

Issaqueena - CUEF

Keowee WMA Oconee & Pickens Counties

Shotguns only north of Hwy. 123, west of the Keowee arm of Lake Hartwell to the Old Clemson Seneca Hwy. Also west of Hwy 291 north and south of the Keowee arm of LakeHartwell upstream from the Hwy. 291 bridge. All other areas archery only.

Deer Archery: Keowee WMA Limit: 2 per day, 4 deer total either-sex Oct. 1-Dec. 22
- Total may not include more than 2 bucks

Quail: Keowee WMA Nov. 28-Mar. 1 Wed. & Sat. only, 10 per day

Small Game:
- Regular Zone 2 seasons & limits except no hunting during Archery Deer Hunts Oct. 1-Dec. 22.

Fants Grove - CUEF

See above Map

Fant’s Grove WMA Oconee, Pickens & Anderson Counties

Deer Archery: Limit: 2 per day, 4 deer total either-sex Oct. 15-Dec. 6 (1 buck only)
- Bucks must have at least 4 points on 1 side or minimum 12 inch antler spread.
Deer Gun Hunts:
- 2 day gun hunts by drawing only. See WMA Hunt Drawings on page 33. South Carolina Rules and Regulations for Hunting - PDF
- Deer either-sex days for gun hunts are as follows
  - Game Zone 1: The first three Saturdays in November.
  - Game Zones 2-6: Every Saturday from Oct. 1 to the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day inclusive; Saturdays in December beginning 23 days after Thanksgiving Day and the last day of the open season.
Small Game:
- Regular Zone 2 seasons and limits except no hunting during Archery Deer Hunts (Oct. 15- Dec. 6) and Special Youth & Quota hunts (Oct. 4, Dec. 8, 9, 11, 12).
- Except dove hunting allowed on designated Dove Fields, waterfowl hunting allowed on Wed. and Sat. AM only during federal waterfowl season.
Quail:
- Nov. 28-March 1 Wed. and Sat. Only

Croft Natural Area / Southside Park

Hunters will be hunting at Croft State Park/ Southside on these dates.
Please refrain from using the park trails during these dates.

September 17th and 18th
October 1st and 2nd
October 15th and 16th
November 5th and 6th

Game Zone 2 - South Carolina Rules and Regulations for Hunting - PDF

FATS Augusta

The USFS will close FATS October 11 through October 24 for hunting. FATS will be open Sunday October 12 and 19th. FATS is a multi-use trail system and we need to show respect to all users, including the hunters. Showing respect to the hunters is not riding FATS when it is closed and wearing hunter orange when FATS is open during deer season.

More Info on the CSRA-SORBA site

Game Zone 2 - South Carolina Rules and Regulations for Hunting - PDF

Hunting in North Carolina

North Carolina Wildlife Rules and Regulations for Hunting - PDF

Western NC Deer Season

Bow and Arrow: Sept. 8 – Oct. 4 and Oct. 13 – Nov. 22
Muzzleloading: Oct. 6 - 11
Gun: Nov. 24 – Dec. 13

Western Bear Season

Oct. 13 – Nov. 22
Dec. 15 – Jan. 1
West of the boundary formed by I-77 from the Virginia state line to I-40 and I-40 west to N.C. 18 south to the South Carolina state line.

DuPont State Forest, NC #68

N. C. WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION

Hunting Area Map - PDF

scheduled Deer hunting dates for rifles in DSF

Sept. 5-6
Oct. 9-11
Nov. 27-29
Dec. 4-6 and 11-13

Not sure why they are starting early this year, but my guess is it has to do with a large deer population. Please look at the dates and if riding on any of these days wear some orange or bright colors.