By Heather Ruppe
Deer hunters still have time to apply for deer-lottery hunts that will be held on public lands throughout South Carolina.
The deadline to submit an application for deer lottery hunts on public lands is 5 p.m. on August 15th. These hunts are for several different states throughout South Carolina. They are also unrestricted, meaning hunters who win this lottery can harvest deer on many different Wildlife Management Areas, including Bear Island, Donnelley and Bonneau Ferry. Donnelley is located in Colleton County.
These sites also includes Botany Bay WMA on Edisto Island and several preserves and Wildlife Management Areas in the Upstate of South Carolina.
For each deer lottery, applicants can choose up to 15 hunt sites.
For more information on the deer lottery on public lands, or to actually apply, go to www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting/deerlotterysites.html.
Deer Lottery Hunt Site Information
Each hunter must have a Wildlife Management Area Permit and a Big Game Permit in addition to a valid hunting license to attend the hunt.
The Multi-site, Unrestricted Multi-site, Webb Gun, Webb Archery, and South Fenwick Archery lotteries operate independently and maintain separate preference points. Applicants can apply for more than one deer lottery but be mindful of date selections of each. Antler restrictions apply to the Multi-site Lottery, but there are no antler restrictions for properties included in the Unrestricted Multi-site Lottery.
A hunter younger than 16 years of age is not required to have a hunting license, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years of age or older who was also selected for the same hunt.
All hunters must wear a coat, vest or hat of solid visible International Orange color while hunt is in progress. All Wildlife Management Area rules and regulations apply.
Successful hunters who are unable to report at the required check-in must make arrangements for check-in with their assigned hunt site.
Cancellations will not be refunded. Canceled slots will be filled by random selection of applicants who were not selected. If you are unable to attend, contact Emily Kearse at 803-734-3887.
Deer Lottery Hunt Weapons Restrictions
Shotguns and rimfire cartridges are not permitted for any Multi-site deer hunt. Only centerfire rifles .22 caliber and larger, and muzzleloaders .36 caliber and larger are allowed for Webb Wildlife Center Gun hunts
Shotguns and rimfire cartridges are not permitted. Any other legal firearm, muzzleloader, or archery equipment are allowed.
WEBB GUN HUNTS - All gun hunting will be from assigned stands. Only centerfire rifles .22 caliber and larger and muzzleloaders .36 caliber and larger are allowed. Archery equipment, rimfire rifles, handguns, and shotguns are not permitted. Pneumatic guns or guns firing an arrow, bolt, or similar type of projectile are not permitted. All hunters must wear a visible coat, vest, or hat of International Orange color while hunt is in progress. Youth under age 16 must hunt in the same stand as an accompanying adult.
