sman, As far as the bating thing, I assure you this wasn’t a DNR call. The pressure for that came from the elected officials of the General Assembly who were getting bombarded by phone calls from their constituents. Yet another problem with SC deer hunting that is caused by SC deer hunters. I’m not a fan of baiting either but I am in the minority on that, obviously. I also agree with you on CWD eventually making it to SC. Granted, I hope we’re both wrong on that.
Tags and other forms of management don’t always apply to “trophy hunting.” Sure, the first argument you always hear from people that oppose tag systems and other forms of herd management is “why do I need a tag just because old so and so wants to kill bigger bucks.” That’s just plain BS and a very unintelligent and irrelevant response. There are many different management plans out there and equally as many management goals. Management plans have to change with the management needs of the herd (sadly, the DNR has to also factor whiney-@ssed self-entitled hunters into their management plans too). It can’t be static. SC’s deer herd has been declining (in a good way) so the management plan had to change from one of reducing the herd to sustaining the herd. What so many of you fail to acknowledge is the broader scope of focus the DNR has to operate under. They have to manage on a macro level while individual hunters focus on a micro level. Commonsense dictates those two are going to be wildly different. SC hunters can have plenty of/more fun than just about any other state’s hunters so don’t act like the current tag/management system stops you or any hunter from having fun. If the number of deer you can kill every season is what determines the amount of “fun” you have, then you need to do some re-assessing of the person staring back at you in the mirror. The last three years combined, I’ve killed 7 deer in SC and none of them were bucks (haven’t killed a buck in SC in 11 years) but nothing about the last three seasons wasn’t fun. Nothing about the new tag
Earlier I was seeking a rather large lease for a group of hunters from Miami FL. They skipped right over GA & AL because of SC’s loose deer restrictions and the overall deer population. A few of the things they liked - 1 HR before & after sunrise & sunset. The length of the season compared to other states. lots of agriculture. Almost zero chance of getting a tag checked unless the deer went to a processor. lots of pigs - No weapon restrictions like the states with bow, black powder, primitive, and baiting.
Exactly, NB. The NR hunters catch all kinds of grief for coming to SC to hunt but it’s because of what SC offers (cheaper lease prices than their home states, looser limits, less restrictions, longer season…) that causes them to come here. That said, I do believe the new tag system (higher NR fees and less tags available to NR hunters), that so many SC hunters cuss and hate on, will have an impact (decrease) on the number of NR hunters coming to SC.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
Earlier I was seeking a rather large lease for a group of hunters from Miami FL. They skipped right over GA & AL because of SC’s loose deer restrictions and the overall deer population. A few of the things they liked - 1 HR before & after sunrise & sunset. The length of the season compared to other states. lots of agriculture. Almost zero chance of getting a tag checked unless the deer went to a processor. lots of pigs - No weapon restrictions like the states with bow, black powder, primitive, and baiting.
Pimping out wildlife to some cats from Miami that don’t think they will get checked by SCDNR, and posting that little fact, but I’ve never accused you of being smart…
NR hunters are leasing here from whom? SC landowners… not sure how Freddie can say the “Florida” hunters are to blame.
I guess I need to amend that statement and give clarification. I have several individuals I know personally that lease to Florida residents. They come in and take anything that comes to the feeder. The meat goes back to little Cuba. I’m sure this is not an isolated case. You’d probably like them, they don’t use dogs.
NR hunters are leasing here from whom? SC landowners… not sure how Freddie can say the “Florida” hunters are to blame.
I guess I need to amend that statement and give clarification. I have several individuals I know personally that lease to Florida residents. They come in and take anything that comes to the feeder. The meat goes back to little Cuba. I’m sure this is not an isolated case. You’d probably like them, they don’t use dogs.
How are the NR hunters to blame for that? SC limits/regs permit hunters to “take anything that comes to the feeder.” Again, that’s just one of the reason the NR hunters so many of you complain about come here. That said, I do believe the new tag system (more expensive and less tags for NR hunters) will stop some from coming. Now, I’m sure that won’t stop some from continuing to complain about the new tag/limit system AND NR hunters.
“You don’t always know where you stand till you know that you won’t run away.” ~Slipknot
Earlier I was seeking a rather large lease for a group of hunters from Miami FL. They skipped right over GA & AL because of SC’s loose deer restrictions and the overall deer population. A few of the things they liked - 1 HR before & after sunrise & sunset. The length of the season compared to other states. lots of agriculture. Almost zero chance of getting a tag checked unless the deer went to a processor. lots of pigs - No weapon restrictions like the states with bow, black powder, primitive, and baiting.
Pimping out wildlife to some cats from Miami that don’t think they will get checked by SCDNR, and posting that little fact, but I’ve never accused you of being smart…
Jees who pizzed in your coffee? This is a successful contractor that is involved in work in many states and has the $$$ to hunt wherever he wants. In your own words you seemed to agree that these men were correct about the state of deer hunting in SC. Pimping ? what constitutes pimping ? I cant place much value in what anyone that hides their identity has to say.