When you think of monster whitetail, what states come to mind first? Iowa? Ohio? Southern Texas? I bet South Carolina probably wouldn't be your first choice, would it? I mean, even Michael Waddell has said that deer hunting in south ain't the easiest thing. South Carolina may be known for its insanely long seasons (starting mid August in parts of the state) and the fact that its one of few states that still allow deer hunting with dogs, but it's quality of deer is starting to rise as well.
In the world of record whitetail, South Carolina has never made much of an appearance. The state record typical comes in at 176, and the state record non typical is a respectable 208 5/8. Those scores are pretty average when compared to some of the Midwestern monsters that are harvested every year, like the Albia buck who came in at 307 5/8 net inches. Plus, our deer aren't that big body wise either. The average buck in South Carolina weighs 150lbs, while bucks in Iowa average about 250lbs, and not to mention there was a buck recorded in Minnesota that weighed in at 402 field dressed. It's no mystery that the deer down here can't hold a candle to our northern neighbors in that respect.
South Carolina, however, has some amazing opportunities that you'll be hard pressed to find in other states.
We have one of longest seasons in country. Our season begins August 15th on private lands in certain game zones, which means that we have the earliest opener for gun hunting in North America. Velvet bucks with a rifle, anyone?
We also generous bag limits. With the purchase of antlerless tags, you can harvest up to nine antlerless deer in a season. In two out of the six game zones, you have a limit of five bucks per season. In the other four zones you have no limit on antlered deer. All in all, with doe tags, the right location, and hunting appropriate days, you can harvest an unlimited amount of deer in this state. Even with limits imposed, you can take fourteen deer per person.
We allow hunting with dogs. Driving with dogs is a pretty hot debate among deer hunters in the state. Most are either completely against it, or 100% for it. I've never tried but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot. However, I do understand what people say when they point out how high the risk of wounding and not recovering an animal is. Its a tradition that's been around for most of the states history, plus its an effective way to quickly thin herds. With that being said, I'm sure its quite a challenge to make a good, clean, ethical shot on a deer running at top speed through a thicket.
For many years, people lived by the mentality "if it's brown, it's down," but I feel like that's finally heading out the door. I've seen more record book deer being taken every year. I've seen more people pushing the "let em grow" lifestyle. South Carolina DNR has shared numbers that show direct correlation between reasonable herd sizes (management) and the number of record book deer produced. Their website states that during much of the 1980s, the statewide deer population and deer harvest were around one half of what they are today. However, a tremendous number of deer were harvested that made the records list. In fact, the period between 1982 & 1992 accounts for approximately 35% of all records. With more people as well as our government pushing for quality rather than quantity, its no surprise that South Carolina is beginning to catch the eyes of trophy hunters around the country. The state is showing fantastic potential to become one of the trophy states of the south.
To qualify for the record book in South Carolina, typical bucks must be at least 125 inches, and non typicals must be no less than 145 inches. In 2014, 222 new records were entered out of 569 submissions. 213 of those were typical and 9 were non typical, including one Boone & Crockett qualifier, not to mention the 347 other close calls who missed the record book by a few inches. SC DNR has stated that about one in every 800 deer will qualify for the record book. 2014 has ranked as the third highest number of entries in the last ten years, and has actually had a few less entries than the 2012 & 2013 seasons.
If you're curious about the kind of deer being harvested, check out sites like South Carolina Big Bucks and South Carolina Sportsman . You might be surprised in the quality of deer being taken throughout each season. I've pulled some of the best ones I could find and shared them below.
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| Austin Reed. 10 Point with drop tine. 142 3/8 gross score. Laurens, SC. |
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| Chuck Mulkey 10 point. 154 7/8 gross. Anderson, SC. |
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| Dalton Smith 16 point. 154 2/8. Chesnee, SC. |
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| Gary Wicker 10 point. 160 3/8 gross. Newberry, SC. |
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| Katlin Owen 8 point. 134.5 gross. Pickens, SC. |
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| Kelly Mcabee 11 point. 150 gross. Gaffney, SC. |
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| Michael Weathrford 8 point 142 3/8 gross. Eutawville, SC. |
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| Found on roadside in Pickens County, SC. |
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Stede Record 18 point. Score unknown. Berkley, SC.
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South Carolina may never become a trophy hunting mecca like other states, but it's deer are becoming more and more respectable. Since 2002, our deer population has been on the decline while our quality of deer have risen dramatically. With South Carolina legislature finally considering stricter limits on harvests, I can only see the quality of deer taken rising even more. If our legislature approves these limits, hunters will most likely not squander their tags like in past years. You may not see South Carolina in your near future for a trophy deer hunt, but I'm willing to bet its doing to be making a name for itself in the next few years. When you change your mind, we'll be waiting to welcome you and show you what its like hunting in the palmetto state. Until then, hunt hard and God bless!
