By HEATHER RUPPE
Public hunting season for beavers is about to be underway in South Carolina.
Hunters can kill the large rodent year-round in all game zones in the Palmetto State while hunting on private lands. On Wildlife Management Lands, however, the season is limited to Oct. 1st through March 1st, meaning Colleton hunters can capture or kill beaver on public lands during this time frame.
The beaver is the largest rodent in North America, and they have a population in each of South Carolina’s 46 counties. According to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (S.C. DNR), beavers are most commonly found in swamps, ponds and streams.
They are great builders, and construct dams with sticks, logs and mud.
“Beavers seldom venture far from water and often den in lodges built from sticks and mud,” according to information provided by S.C. DNR. “However, where steep enough banks are available, they prefer to dig a bank lodge with underwater entrances. The beaver’s habitat of damming creeks and streams often causes conflicts with human interests by flooding timber and agricultural land. However, the resultant wetlands are excellent habitat for raccoons, muskrats, otters and mink, as well as wood ducks and other waterfowl.”
The beaver averages 35 to 40 pounds, but some exceed 60 pounds. They live to be about 24 years old.
Any size beaver can be hunted. There is no limit on beaver kills in South Carolina.
For specifics on beaver hunting in South Carolina, visit the S.C. DNR Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov. and search for beaver under Small Hunting Regulations.
