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#05-192 September 12, 2005

Archery Deer-Hunting Opportunities Are Numerous In Lowcountry Region

Numerous opportunities are available for the archer looking to harvest a deer this fall all along the coast.

Sam Chappelear, regional wildlife biologist for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at Fort Johnson on James Island, said bowhunters have ample opportunity to hunt about 370,000 acres that are in the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program in Horry, Georgetown, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton, Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties.

    For more information on Lowcountry bowhunting opportunities, call the Dennis Wildlife Center in Bonneau at (843) 825-3387.

    Along the upper half of the coast in Horry County, Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve WMA, Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve WMA, and Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve River Complex have a combined total of 24,966 acres that include an archery-only season in September and/or October. Santee Coastal Reserve, 7,500 acres near McClellanville, offers archery-only deer hunting on the mainland during the month of November. All of these locations offer an excellent opportunity to harvest a hog as well.

    Hunters who hunt the Francis Marion National Forest can exclusively archery hunt the Hellhole WMA on certain days during September, October, November and December. On the Sewee Special Use Area located in the Wambaw WMA, only archers may hunt deer throughout the entire specified season, which lasts four months. Bowhunting-only opportunities exist on the Waterhorn WMA in October, and this area also offers the opportunity to harvest hogs. Bowhunting may also be conducted any time deer hunting is allowed (except on days scheduled for deer hunting with dogs) on any of the wildlife management areas within the Francis Marion National Forest.

    The newly acquired Bonneau Ferry WMA, located off of SC Highway 402 in Berkeley County, is open for archery hunting (Side A of the property) during specified dates in September. Archers may not enter the area prior to one hour before legal sunrise, and scouting may be done on days when a hunt is not scheduled. Be sure to read all pertinent regulations, which are located at the entrances to the property.

    The 1,375-acre Edisto River WMA in Dorchester County is available for archery hunting during selected days in September. In Colleton County, archery hunts are scheduled on Bear Island and the 8,048-acre Donnelley WMA. Opportunities also exist in Hampton and Jasper counties on Palachucola WMA (6,757 acres), and the 1,422-acre Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve WMA.

    Exclusive archery-only areas exist on numerous WMAs throughout the entire region. Cartwheel Bay Heritage Preserve WMA (568 acres) in Horry County allows archery-only hunting, as does Sandy Island WMA (9,165 acres) in Georgetown County. New opportunities for Georgetown County archers to harvest deer and hogs exist on Samworth WMA (impoundments only) and Santee Delta WMA. Hall WMA (1,900 acres), Hatchery WMA (islands in the Hatchery itself), and Porcher WMA (1,126 acres), are archery-only for the entire deer season. These areas are located along the Lake Moultrie shoreline, the Diversion Canal and include some of the nearby islands located in Lake Marion. Another archery-only area is the 600-acre Dungannon WMA, in Charleston County off of SC Highway 162. Exclusive archery hunting is provided in Colleton and Beaufort counties with hunts on Otter, Ashe, Beet, Warren, Big, and South Williman Islands on the St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve WMA along with hunts on the 1,111-acre Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve WMA. Many other areas also offer bowhunting opportunities in conjunction with various gun seasons.

    Bowhunting may also be conducted on any of the above listed areas as well as other WMAs during specified gun hunts unless otherwise stated. One should note that all Wildlife Management Area regulations apply. Specific season dates and bag limits for these wildlife management areas can be found in the 2005-2006 Rules and Regulations booklet. Get more information at the DNR Website http://www.dnr.sc.gov/etc/rulesregs/rulesregs.html

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