Deer hunters get a chance at velvet bucks
Deer season begins Aug. 15 in South Carolina’s Game Zones 3 and 4. Game Zone 3 is open for any legal weapon right off the bat. It’s archery-only in Game Zone 4 Aug. 15-31, then any legal weapon beginning Sept. 1.
The season runs through Jan. 1, and the early-opening means hunters throughout half of South Carolina’s counties have a good shot at killing a buck in full velvet. By the middle of August, South Carolina’s bucks are in all stages of antler production, with some in full velvet, some completely out, and many in some stage of shedding.
It’s a tough time to hunt for sure, with air temperatures typically soaring into triple digits, and with plenty of bugs flying and crawling around. It’s also a very active time for snakes. But it’s also what many hunters see as their best chance to kill a unique trophy in velvet.
Also, deer are in their summer patterns, and haven’t faced pressure from hunters in several months, so those first few days can yield great results.
South Carolina’s other game zones, and all of North Carolina, usually will still have several weeks or even months to wait before deer season opens, but this season, North Carolina will also get an August, buck-only season in seven counties (Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin), which will run Aug. 22-23. For hunters living in counties that open later, outfitters like Cherokee Run Hunting Lodge in Chesterfield County (SC Game Zone 4) is a great option to get on the board early. Check them out at eatsleephunt.com. ■
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