Thursday, February 7, 2019

2019 Turkey Season Draw Hunt Deadline

Planning ahead for a draw hunt can help to tag a tom turkey
Deer, dove and duck seasons have just wrapped up, and Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day prediction is for an early spring. Small game season remains in effect for February, but warming temperatures can end hunting plans before a specific calendar date arrives. Big game hunters are already dreaming of full strut toms and opening day of wild turkey season on March 20. Turkey populations are lower than average in many places across the state right now, but certainly not everywhere. Turkey draw hunts on Wildlife Management Areas can provide an extra opportunity to hunt and the February 22 deadline for online applications is approaching.
            
The public lottery hunt program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, providing access to hunt public lands managed for all wildlife. This program is well suited for hunter recruitment, serving those who do not have hunting access elsewhere. All applications are processed online on the SCDNR website, and hunters can choose between five properties in the multi-site draw hunt. There is a non-refundable fee of $5 per applicant, and if drawn a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit is required during the hunt.

            
Three of these public hunting properties are in the Lowcountry including Bonneau Ferry WMA, Donnelly WMA and Santee Cooper WMA. The remaining two public hunting properties in the Midlands include Belfast WMA and Wateree River Heritage Preserve. These same five properties also offer a separate youth only turkey draw hunt lottery, requiring a separate application. No turkey hunt is ever a sure thing, but access to these properties is limited and a high quality experience in the outdoors is more than likely. All hunters, including youth, are required to have turkey tags in their possession, and they can be ordered by calling 1-866-714-3611.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries on draw hunt applications click 2014

To view past blog entries on turkey hunting click Grand Slam - Mark Prudhomme - Eddie Salter - Tony Chachere H.S. Strut 

To view past blog entires about the Turkey Season Opener click 20162015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2010 - 2009 

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