South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Rules & Regulations Hunting & Fishing July 1, 2011 - August 14, 2012 Not for Sale Stop Natural Resource Violations Call OPERATION GAME THIEF 1-800-922-5431 To report the capture of a tagged fish call 1-888-TAGS-4-SC (824-7472) Licenses now available on-line and by phone 24 hours a day 1-866-714-3611$3.00 processing or fee www.dnr.sc.gov per order Published July 1, 2011 Table of Contents Changes in Laws and Regulations What’s New for 2011-2012 ............8-9 Page reserved for advertising Property-specifi c regulations outlined in this booklet could change due to the need Hunting and Fishing Licenses for emergency regulations. Such changes will be publicized in local newspapers and on Information ....................................11 the SCDNR web site at www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/changes as any new emergency legislation License Fees .................................12 is passed. Discrepancies between the book and any statute or regulation shall be Applications: governed by the statute or regulation. To research laws, visit www.scstatehouse.gov/code/ Shrimp Baiting License ..................13 statmast.htm. The SCDNR News Section will issue news releases to clarify any changes Antlerless Deer Tag .......................13 to regulations, errors or omissions in this booklet. Freshwater Fishing: Other information is published only in SCDNR news releases. This includes Regulations & Limits .....................15 announcements relative to shrimp baiting, public hearings, SCDNR Board decisions and Freshwater/Saltwater position statements, new legislation, youth activities, mobility impaired hunts, US Dept. Dividing Line ................................16 of Agriculture cost-share programs, special drawing hunts, schedules for newly acquired SCDNR Managed State Lakes ......16 areas and many other items of interest. SCDNR news releases are published weekly Nongame Fishing: and distributed free to editors of all regional and local newspapers and are available to General Information .....................17 the public on the SCDNR web site. Updates to these Rules and Regulations are also Methods & Devices .....................18 available at www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations by clicking on update. Areas & Limits .............................19 Saltwater Fishing: Reserved for advertising General Information ......................20 Size & Daily Catch Limits for Fish ........................................21 Crabs, Lobster & Shellfish Harvesting ..................................24 Shrimp Harvesting ........................24 General Hunting Rules & Regs ....28 Game Zone Map ...........................28 Antlerless Deer Tags .....................29 WMA Abuse ..................................30 Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Regulations .................................31 WMA Public Drawing Hunts ..........31 Waterfowl Management Areas .....33 Shooting Ranges ...........................34 Hunting on Private Lands ..............35 Thanks to Landowners .................38 Heritage Preserve Regulations .....38 WMA Properties ............................39 WMA Locations Map .....................42 Hunting Regulations by Game Zone and Species .................................44 Hog Hunts .....................................55 Special Youth Hunts ......................56 Wildlife Diseases ...........................57 Nikki Haley, Governor Point & Suspension Systems .......58 Department of Natural Resources Board Applications: Chairman, Caroline Rhodes Lifetime Licenses ...........................61 Vice Chairman, John P. Evans Disability License ...........................62 Cary L. Chastain Michael E. "Mike" Hutchins Invasive Aquatic Plants & Robert R. "Randy" Lowe Animals ........................................63 Norman F. Pulliam Larry L. Yonce Boating: Department of Natural Resources Titling & Registration Fees ............64 Director, John E. Frampton Education Programs ......................65 Chief of Staff, Don Winslow Deputy Directors SCDNR Directory ..........................66 Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, D. Breck Carmichael Jr. Law Enforcement, Colonel Alvin Taylor NOTE: Abbreviations used in this Marine Resources, Robert H. Boyles Jr. book: SCDNR or DNR indicates Outreach & Support Services, Carole Collins Land, Water & Conservation, Ken Rentiers South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. WMA indicates Wildlife Cover photos courtesy of SCDNR staff photographers Management Area (a SCDNR-managed public hunting area). The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, disability, religion or age. Direct all inquiries to the Offi ce of Human Resources, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202. Printed on recycled paper • Total cost $24,100.00 • Total # of copies 410,000 • Total cost per copy $0.06 • 11-7510 4 SCDNR South Carolina Rules & Regulations • 2011-2012 • www.dnr.sc.gov SCDNR South Carolina Rules & Regulations • 2011-2012 • www.dnr.sc.gov 5 The information contained in this brochure is provided as summary information. The specific laws governing Fish, Wildlife and Boating may be SCDNR Important Information found in Title 50 SC Code. See http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/titl50.htm Eating Fish Caught in South Carolina The South Carolina Department of Health and What’s New for 2011-2012 Environmental Control (DHEC) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) believe that fish are a healthy, low-fat source of protein. To make sure H.3562 Rep. Ott — All-Terrain Vehicle Safety (6) It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle while that the fish you catch are safe to eat, DHEC tests fish Act, Chandler's Law Ratified R 44; under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. from lakes, rivers and streams throughout South Carolina. Signed By Governor 5/11/2011; (7) It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle in a To protect your health, DHEC issues fish consumption Effective date 07/01/11; — Act No. 24 reckless manner. advisories in areas where contaminated fish have been This chapter provides that Effective July 1, 2011, every (8) Nothing contained in this chapter prevents the found. For more information on the advisories, call DHEC, person fifteen years old and younger who operates an all- operation of an all-terrain vehicle on a beach, or between toll free, at 1-888-849-7241 or go to DHEC’s web page at terrain vehicle must possess a safety certificate indicating the breakers and the shoreline of the beach, if the all- www.scdhec.gov/fish. successful completion of 'hands-on' all-terrain vehicle terrain vehicle is operated in a manner approved by the safety course approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety entity that owns or controls the area. Natural Shorelines are Good for Fishing Institute. A person violating this Act, unless otherwise specified, is By keeping shorelines natural, you can help protect water This Act does not apply to: guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be quality and improve fish habitat. A shoreline without trees (1) an owner, operator, lessor, or renter of a farm or fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred and shrubs can get washed away, making the water ranch, or that person's employees, immediate family, or dollars. muddy and unsuitable for fish. If you live near a lake or household members, when operating an all-terrain vehicle This Act also provides that it is unlawful for: a river, plant a buffer strip along the water’s edge using while engaged in farming, wildlife habitat management, or (1) a parent or legal guardian of a person less than six trees, shrubs, wildflowers or other native plants. Trees and ranching operations; years of age to knowingly permit that person to operate an other vegetation filter pollution and provide shade, shelter, (2) a person using an all-terrain vehicle for hunting ATV; habitat, and food critical for bass, trout, and other fish to or trapping purposes if the person otherwise is lawfully (2) a parent or legal guardian of a person without a motor thrive and reproduce. Keep your favorite fishing spots well engaged in those activities; or vehicle driver's license and less than sixteen years of age vegetated! For more tips and information, visit http://water. (3) a minor younger than sixteen years of age, but not to knowingly allow that person to carry a passenger while epa.gov/type/lakes/index.cfm younger than six years of age who is operating an all- operating an ATV. terrain vehicle under the direct visual supervision of his (3) a parent or legal guardian of a person less than parent or an individual with legal custody of the minor on sixteen years of age to knowingly allow that person to private property. operate an ATV in violation of the Age Restriction Warning Additionally this Act provides the following for the Label affixed by the manufacturer as required by standard operation of all-terrain vehicles on those lands open to ANSI/SVIA 1-2007. Show your support of wildlife and conservation the public. (4) A person fifteen years of age or younger also may not in South Carolina and help provide vital funding (1) It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle except operate, ride, or otherwise be propelled on an all-terrain to conserve our wildlife and aquatic resources in compliance with the local regulations and restrictions for vehicle within this State unless the person wears a safety through your purchase of a SCDNR license plate. all-terrain vehicle