June 4, 2019
Statewide deer harvest increases in 2018
Results of the 2018 Deer Hunter Survey conducted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) indicate that the statewide harvest of deer increased about 5% last season and was comprised of an estimated 109,208 bucks and 85,778 does which made up a total harvest of 194,986 deer, according to Charles Ruth, SCDNR Big Game Program coordinator.
The modest increase in harvest is likely due to some level of remaining “carry-over” of deer from 2015 and 2016. The 1,000-year flood spawned by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 each resulted in temporary season closures in some coastal counties and general access problems or decreased opportunity for hunters across much of the state. Also, each of these years saw unseasonably warm fall temperatures, and there was what many called a record acorn crop in 2016. This resulted in back-to-back decreases in harvest.
“That being the case, there were likely deer that would have otherwise been harvested during those years that were carried over and reproduced, thereby increasing the harvest in 2017 and 2018,” said Ruth.
The fall of 2018 was the second season of the “all deer” tagging system and statewide limit on antlered deer.
“Interestingly, the 13% increase in harvest since 2016 is primarily a result of an increase in doe harvest (18.0%) rather than an increase in the harvest of bucks (9.5%). Increases in harvest are normally the result of increases in the buck harvest or a more equal increase in buck and doe harvest. This disproportionate harvest may be indicative of the new buck limit having the desired effect of decreasing pressure on bucks. It will likely take a few years for this to become clearer,” Ruth said.
Top counties for harvest in 2018 included Bamberg, Hampton, and Calhoun in the coastal plain, Anderson and Spartanburg in the Piedmont with each of these counties exhibiting harvest rates in excess of 12 deer per square mile, which should
Cue the “what in blah, blah, blah does the DNR know about…” and the “the DNR is just out to take our money…” and the “how in the blankety blank could the blankety blanking DNR know harvest number without checking every hunter…” and the “well I didn’t receive a survey so the DNR is pulling numbers out of the butt…” crowds in 3…2…1…
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
Cue the “what in blah, blah, blah does the DNR know about…” and the “the DNR is just out to take our money…” and the “how in the blankety blank could the blankety blanking DNR know harvest number without checking every hunter…” and the “well I didn’t receive a survey so the DNR is pulling numbers out of the butt…” crowds in 3…2…1…
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
So naive and trusting,I don’t worship any government agency. I watch and question them at every turn especially when they’re taking money out my pocket and ruining the health of the deer herd in S.C. just to satisfy trophy hunters.
So naive and trusting,I don’t worship any government agency. I watch and question them at every turn especially when they’re taking money out my pocket and ruining the health of the deer herd in S.C. just to satisfy trophy hunters.
Please elaborate on the health of the deer herd. Deer harvest was up, big buck killing was up, what else does one want?
Cue the “what in blah, blah, blah does the DNR know about…” and the “the DNR is just out to take our money…” and the “how in the blankety blank could the blankety blanking DNR know harvest number without checking every hunter…” and the “well I didn’t receive a survey so the DNR is pulling numbers out of the butt…” crowds in 3…2…1…
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
I’ll bite bangstick, since 7cs got you in a good mood. I won’t get on the deer subject, I’ll just stick to the 22,731 coyotes taken incidental to deer hunting. How do they know that? I can attest to roughly 30 from just a very small group that was never reported to DNR. This really reminds me of the ARS numbers being so precise. Sorry don’t buy it. how about the 39,347 hogs killed. How many hogs are shot as nuisance and left for the buzzards with out reporting them? A lot. How many clubs do you think do not report their harvests? I’ve been stopped on the water a couple of times over the last few years, but Never once have I been checked by DNR on land… even while dove hunting.
I really respect our DNR officers and the job they do, but how do they get these numbers so specific? You really believe they are accurate? There’s my Blah blah blah.
sman, So because someone believes and/or trusts the DNR and you don’t, that makes them “naïve?” Also, I realize it was little more than a melodramatic use of the word, but “worship”? Really? I mean, I get it. You tend to overdramatize the opinions/views of your opposition on a regular basis but at this point, it’s becoming laughable. As mentioned, SC hunters enjoy one of the highest hunter’s success rates in the country and yet you say the DNR is “ruining the health of the deer herd in SC…just to satisfy trophy hunters”??? I hate to break it to you but while I believe the average quality of the bucks killed in SC is getting better, SC is hardly a destination for or hot bed for “trophy hunters” and/or trophy hunting. Yet again, turning to your old friend overdramatization for the sake of your uninformed argument. As far as the DNR taking money out of your pockets, how exactly are they doing that? Did you break the law and have to pay a fine or did they show up at your house and strong arm you into giving up your money? Don’t forget the massive budget cuts the DNR took and how they’re still operating on a budget straight out of the 80’s. The General Assembly sees more of the money collected by the DNR than the DNR does. Know who you’re mad at before poking your lip out and stomping around.
Fred, read the post again. Don’t ignore the word “approximately” and how and where it is used. The SC DNR, just like every other state and Federal wildlife agency uses statics in every harvest/population estimate they post (also please note the word “estimate” and be aware of it’s meaning and use). I’m not a wildlife biologist and I don’t pretend to be one but I believe and trust those trained to do the job are better at it than I am. No different than the fact that I believe you’re better at your job than a DNR biologist would be. I have no reason not to trust the DNR or not to believe they’re data. I’ve never met God face-to-face and I don’t know why I’m here or the meaning of life but I trust him and I believe in him.
So naive and trusting,I don’t worship any government agency. I watch and question them at every turn especially when they’re taking money out my pocket and ruining the health of the deer herd in S.C. just to satisfy trophy hunters.
Please elaborate on the health of the deer herd. Deer harvest was up, big buck killing was up, what else does one want?
By allowing deer baiting,DNR causes disease to spread throughout the herd.Also by not allowing hunters to kill as many deer with the new tagging system,the herd becomes increasingly overpopulated.Overpopulation is not healthy,examples,more inbreeding,more piebald deer,bucks without nuts and weird racks etc.Probably only a matter of time before we have CWD here if we keep following the way yankee states do things.
bangstick,we agree ,SC is not a hotbed for trophy whitetail so why put out the new tag restrictions on bucks.Just have fun and go out and gun some wood goats and stop worshipping them.Same as you would with doves,ducks,rabbits,marshhens etc.
bangstick,we agree ,SC is not a hotbed for trophy whitetail so why put out the new tag restrictions on bucks.Just have fun and go out and gun some wood goats and stop worshipping them.Same as you would with doves,ducks,rabbits,marshhens etc.
LOL…
The tags are from the few powerful land owners overthrowing the common hunter that enjoys the kill, comradery, and meat over a trophy… imo.
One thing any true S.C. hunter can agree on. We sure have a lot of Deer! Wish they were this think when I was younger.
bangstick,we agree ,SC is not a hotbed for trophy whitetail so why put out the new tag restrictions on bucks.Just have fun and go out and gun some wood goats and stop worshipping them.Same as you would with doves,ducks,rabbits,marshhens etc.
LOL…
The tags are from the few powerful land owners overthrowing the common hunter that enjoys the kill, comradery, and meat over a trophy… imo.
One thing any true S.C. hunter can agree on. We sure have a lot of Deer! Wish they were this think when I was younger.
Fred, I couldn’t agree more and I couldn’t have said it any better.Did you notice when bang replied to you that he compared believing in god with believing the DNR?That’s kinda like a soup sandwich.
Sc isn’t a hotbed for trophy white tails because they’ve been getting shot when they’re 2.5yrs old. It’s amazing what a little trigger restraint will produce. I know first hand. It was nothing for me to kill 25 bucks a year 15 years ago. Been killing does now and only big bucks now the last 10 and couldn’t be happier with the results. And other than The Francis Marion, the states deer population is healthy as it’s ever been.
Sc isn’t a hotbed for trophy white tails because they’ve been getting shot when they’re 2.5yrs old. It’s amazing what a little trigger restraint will produce. I know first hand. It was nothing for me to kill 25 bucks a year 15 years ago. Been killing does now and only big bucks now the last 10 and couldn’t be happier with the results. And other than The Francis Marion, the states deer population is healthy as it’s ever been.
Salty I tend to agree with you, only problem is we will never get all to agree to this. Also unless fed heavily with Protein supplements, Lower Colleton will never have the trophy bucks say… Bamberg County will have. Food source.
Wifes not letting me put any more horns in the house and I much prefer doe meat to a rank buck. I will shoot a scrub from time to time. I let all the big boys walk. With all our “Florida” hunters coming in we’ll never stop the wholesale taking of 60/70# first year deer.
