By HEATHER RUPPE
Turkey hunters can start searching for their big gobblers in Colleton County, as the season for private lands started on March 22nd.
Turkey season is from March 22nd to April 30th for those living in Game Zones Three and Four (Colleton County is Game Zone Three). This is for private lands only.
Turkey hunters who need information on big game regulations, or who need to purchase licenses, permit and tags should go to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov.
Hunters are also reminded that all harvested turkeys must be reported by midnight on the day of harvest. SCDNR is using the SC Game Check app to keep track with daily harvests. Hunters can download the app or also report their daily harvests by calling the S.C. DNR game check phone line at 1-833-472-4203. Additionally, turkey hunters are also required to have a big game permit, a valid South Carolina hunting license and turkey tags. WMA permits are also required when hunting on public lands.
Hunters are also reminded that turkey tags are no longer free in South Carolina.
The fee for turkey tags for South Carolina residents is $5 per set of three tags.
Nonresidents must pay $100 per set of two tags.
Based on the 2021 turkey harvest data, which is now available through SCDNR, 428 gobblers were harvested last year in Colleton County. These kills occurred on private lands equaling to about 502,666 acres of land. In addition to the number of gobblers harvested, there were also 22 Jakes taken in 2021.
Spring Gobbler Bag Limits in South Carolina
According to S.C. DNR, the reproduction of wild turkeys in South Carolina has decreased, with the annual number of turkey harvests in the Palmetto State decreasing by 25 percent since 2002.
Therefore, the prior limit of five gobblers per spring season in South Carolina has changed to three wild turkeys in the spring season.
Other turkey regulations include:
Private lands Game Zone 3 (Colleton County) and 4: March 22 – April 30
WMA lands statewide: April 1 – April 30
Limit statewide private and WMA lands:
Residents: 3 gobblers per season. No more than one per day, no more than one from April 1-10 on private land and no more than one from March 22-31 on private land in Game Zone 3 & 4.
Nonresidents: 2 gobblers per season. No more than one per day, no more than one from April 1-10 on private land and no more than one from March 22-31 on private land in Game Zone 3 & 4.
The Statewide Youth Hunting Weekend on private lands is for youth 17 years old and younger. The youth hunt in Game Zone 3 is March 19-20.
Youth hunters who have not completed the hunter education program must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age. No license or tags required for youth or adult on these designated youth days. Adult may call or guide, however, only the youth may take or attempt to take. Limit one gobbler total for the weekend which counts towards the season limit.
Sunday turkey hunting is allowed on private lands only. Sunday hunting is not allowed on WMA land.
Bearded hens are not legal.
All hunters, including hunters younger than 16 or those who are calling or guiding must possess a valid set of turkey tags except on designated youth days.
Hunters who have used all their tags may call or guide for other hunters provided they possess their tag form.
Legal weapons include shotguns, muzzleloading shotguns, bows and crossbows. All other weapons or methods are prohibited including rifles, pistols, slugs, and buckshot.
Turkeys may not be hunted with dogs, live decoys or electronic calls.
It is illegal to shoot any turkey between 30 minutes after official sunset and 30 minutes before official sunrise.
It is illegal to take or attempt to take a wild turkey from a vehicle on a public road.
It is illegal to trap or snare a wild turkey.
It is illegal to hunt or take a wild turkey by means of bait or on or over any baited area
Turkey tags are not free.
