According to the SCDNR, the harvest of deer on public lands actually increased in 2012, despite the overall decrease in statewide harvest.
“During the 2012 season, based on the harvest data, we estimate that 4,711 bucks and 3,825 does were harvested on Wildlife Management Areas for a total harvest of 8,536,” Ruth said. “This represents an increase of approximately 1.3 percent from 2011. It is estimated that approximately 18,047 hunters spent 212,954 days hunting deer on WMAs in South Carolina in 2012.”
Ruth said deer hunting on the WMAs is good and is sometimes an overlooked opportunity for hunters.
“One of the keys to successful deer hunting on public lands is the willingness to get away from others and into the more remote sites,” Ruth said. “Deer will certainly be harvested in the easy-to- reach areas, but the minimized pressure in the more remote areas will enable hunters to have a better opportunity to see deer and to perhaps take bigger bucks. For the price of a WMA hunting permit, a hunter has access to thousands of acres of land scattered throughout the state.”
Ruth said deer hunting on WMAs remains popular in South Carolina, with approximately 53,000 license-holders owning a WMA permit.
Tracts in the WMA programs are owned by SCDNR and other state agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, corporations and private landowners.
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