Bonneau Ferry WMA Offers Fall Deer Hunting Opportunities

Public deer hunting opportunities have returend to the Bonneau Ferry WMA in Berkley County.

Beginning in September, deer hunting opportunities return to the 10,700-acre Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area in Berkeley County, just south of Moncks Corner.

The 2007 season will mark the 4th year of public hunting on the area.  A variety of hunting opportunities abound on the Bonneau Ferry Wildlife Management Area, and hunting enthusiasts are encouraged to share the outdoor experiences with a youth hunter.

Between archery hunts, adult/youth gun hunts, and limited draw gun hunts, 100 deer were harvested during last year’s public hunts. S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) staff have continued an intensive management program at Bonneau Ferry designed to maximize opportunities for hunters, while promoting healthy native plant and
wildlife communities.

The prescribed burning regime on the property was boosted this year with the addition of some growing season burns,
bolstering succulent summertime forage for deer as well as other wildlife.  DNR staff have continued to plant 40 wildlife openings, totaling over 100 acres in annual grains and legumes, further enhancing forage opportunities for the deer and hunting spots for the deer hunter, according to Will Carlisle, DNR wildlife biologist.

Deer hunting at Bonneau Ferry is scheduled to allow for adult/youth only gun hunts as well as draw gun hunts for all ages, depending on the side of the property during any given year.  The property is divided into a Side A and Side B.

On Side A, buck only archery hunts run Sept. 3-8.  Either-sex archery hunts occur Sept 17-22 and Nov. 12-30.  Gun hunts for this side are by drawing only.  The deadline for applications for 2007 has already passed.

This year, Side B is limited to adult/youth only hunts, on which adults (must be 21 or older) must be accompanied by a youth age 17 or younger.  On these hunts, both adult and youth may hunt, but the youth is required to carry a firearm and hunt.  These adult/youth hunts on Side B occur each Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from September 15 to January 1 along with Nov. 19-24 and Dec. 20 – Jan 1.  These extra days allow for kids to have a place to go hunt during the holidays.  Hunting is on a first-come first-served basis.

On all Bonneau Ferry deer hunts, hunters must provide their own portable stands, wear international orange, and are limited to 8 deer per season, no more than 2 of which may be antlered bucks.  Hunters are reminded that they must sign in and sign out and may not enter the property prior to 5:00 AM. A data card must also be filled out for all harvested deer.  The self-check data cards are located at the main
entrance next to the kiosk.

For more information, refer to the current South Carolina Rules and Regulations booklet, accessible at DNR locations, hunting and fishing license vendors, and online at www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations. Additional information may be obtained by calling the Dennis Wildlife Center in Bonneau at (843) 825-3387.

Find out more about DNR at www.dnr.sc.gov.

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