Tega Cay residents worried about city's plan to thin deer herd September 19, 2023 South Carolina, WCNC

... Some are concerned about what it would cost.  "It’s a waste of taxpayer dollars," Stephanie Kessel said.   Others worry about public safety.  "I do not believe in culling and I’m concerned about the use of guns in our community," Mary Iger said...

SC antler records remain high in 2023

September 7, 2023 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - SC.GOV

... After many years of rapid population growth, the herd stabilized in the mid-1990s followed by a decreasing trend between 2003 and 2015.  Since 2015 the population has been stable to slightly increasing. Statewide population estimates put the deer herd at about 700,000 animals ...

Deadly wildlife disease found in deer carcass in SC. Trophy hunters face charges August 29, 2023 South Carolina, YAHOO!News

... A deer head, imported in 2019 for display as a trophy, contained chronic wasting disease ...the first — and only — time the disease has been verified in a deer transported into South Carolina ... Now, three South Carolina men face federal wildlife charges, in this case involving the importation of a deer part from a state where chronic wasting disease has been found in the wild... [the deer tested positive]

SC records most deer records ever August 11, 2023 South Carolina, SCNow

... Statewide population estimates put the deer herd at about 700,000 animals with an estimated harvest of approximately 190,000 each of the last few years. Although the total deer harvest in South Carolina may have trended down over the last decade .., 

Tega Cay city leaders moving forward with plan to sharpshoot deer July 14, 2023 South Carolina, WCNC

... A decade ago, the city of Tega Cay made a similar move with coyotes -- the natural predator for deer. Ickert’s co-chair of the Conservation, Ruthie Smith, calls the current plan unsafe and inhumane...

2022 saw record bear harvest in both Carolinas June 16, 2023 Carolina Sportsman

... Wildlife biologists estimate that South Carolina has a population of about 1500 black bears, with many moving back and forth between Georgia, NC and SC..,

Sheepdog Forms Unlikely Bond With Wild Deer–And Becomes Best Friend June 8, 2023 South Carolina, Newsweek

... one Shetland sheepdog in South Carolina has formed an unlikely friendship with a "lonesome doe" in the woods...Sometimes, when they chase deer, the mature does will not run from the dogs. That's how Luka became attached to his friend ...

Hunters who return tagged coyotes receive lifetime license March 7, 2023 South Carolina, WACH

... The states DNR says that nearly 20,000 coyotes were harvested in 2021. This number is a significant decrease from the previous year... Study's over the past two decades have shown coyotes have caused a 30% decrease in South Carolinas deer population...

Done with your pumpkins? An upstate deer rescue will take them off your hands November 4, 2022 South Carolina, Fox Carolina

    In this video, local news explains that a local deer rescue can use the pumpkins to feed the deer they are taking care of.  See the story at Magnolia Fawn Rescue

5 Best Whitetail Hunting States in the Southeastern U.S. October 23, 2022 South Carolina,  Wide Open Spaces

... South Carolina doesn't offer the biggest deer herd, estimated at only 730,000, but success rate and tag limits are both high. Tags will run residents a super affordable $18 and non-residents can get tags for as low as $225 for a single buck or as high as $335 for four bucks...

Watch for deer on S.C. roads October 22, 2022 South Carolina, The Sumter Item

... While the S.C. Department of Public Safety reports some 2,500-3,000 deer-vehicle collisions during a typical year, the agency reported approximately 6,000 during the past year...

Tega Cay deer problem persists as residents divided on how to handle issue October 21, 2022 South Carolina, WBTV Charlotte

... It was just six votes between the winning choice of getting rid of the deer with sharpshooters and the other option--leaving them alone. That close call apparently giving the council pause to figure out the best decisions...

Rare wolves headed to South Carolina from Ohio as fight to prevent extinction ramps up October 7, 2022 The State

... The plan is to breed red wolves in captivity at Brookgreen for display at zoos or for release in eastern North Carolina and, possibly, in the Lowcountry of South Carolina... Fewer than 300 red wolves survive in the world today, mostly in captivity...

DNR restricts certain deer imports from North Carolina September 14, 2022 South Carolina, ABC Columbia

... North Carolina reported the first cases of chronic wasting disease  (CWD) back in March of this year...  there are now restrictions surrounding what part of the deer you are able to bring across state lines...

S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources invites public to discuss deer population, hunting in Francis Marion Forest September 8, 2022 South Carolina, Live 5 News

... Between 2005 and 2020, the estimated deer harvest in the Francis Marion forest has fallen by almost 62% according to SCDNR’s Deer Research and Management Project...

S.C. deer harvest down 12% in 2021 August 13, 2022 South Carolina, The Times and Democrat

... Between 2002 and 2015, the deer population in the state trended down with the overall reduction in harvest likely attributable to a number of factors, including habitat change, two decades of aggressive antlerless deer harvest, and the complete colonization of the state by coyotes  ... the harvest in 2021 decreased, since 2016 the state's deer harvest has generally been increasing .., [full report]

Some fascinating numbers for SC deer hunters to digest July 24, 2022 South Carolina, Post and Courier

... “We are still harvesting between 175,000 and 200,000 deer a year, and that’s a lot. It’s nothing like it was 20 years ago, but we didn’t need the deer (numbers) we had 20 years ago and I thing most hunters understand that,” Ruth said.  “We have a more moderate deer population now ...

SC offers lifetime hunting license for killing tagged coyote February 6, 2022 South Carolina, Clay Center Dispatch

... Coyotes attack deer and have caused a 30% decrease in the deer population in South Carolina in the past two decades ...

Hunters gather to voice concern over potential changes to Colleton's dog-hunting laws  January 20, 2022 South Carolina, Walterboro Live

... only 11 states permit dog hunting, and South Carolina has the most permissive dog-hunting regulations in the U.S...  potential changes to a county ordinance that could fine dog hunters when their dogs roam onto private property ...

Hilton Head gated community plans to kill up to 30 deer. Some residents are concerned December 22, 2021 South Carolina, The Island Packet

... Culling as a practice was upheld in a 2001 state Supreme Court decision that allowed the lethal elimination of deer in Sea Pines... in fall 2021... there were about 6.6 acres per deer in Palmetto Dunes... fawn/doe ratio (0.56) ...

COVID in deer? SC wildlife experts haven't tested, but they do know the virus came from humans November 16, 2021 South Carolina, The State

... It is likely the deer got the virus from people, Ruth said. And, furthermore, deer don’t get sick, Ruth said ... The deer population remains steady at about 730,000..,

Deer with arrows through heads horrify neighbors of south Charlotte greenway November 12, 2021 South Carolina, Charlotte Observer

... Residents have seen a doe and a fawn with arrows through their heads and posted photos of the deer on NextDoor...

Economic Implications of Wildlife Considerations in Timber Management November, South Carolina, Clemson University

... Using a reasonable hunting lease rate of $5.00 per acre, we observe that leasing a property managed for wildlife and timber can easily break even with and increase revenue over timber-only management. Furthermore, using a lease rate of $10.00 and $15.00 per acre provides a significant NPV and EAI gain over the timber-only model.... 

State report shows top deer kills in 2020-2021 season  August 25, 2021 South Carolina, Walterboro Live

... “after many years of rapid population growth, the herd stabilized in the mid-1990s, followed by a decreased trend between 2003 and 2015.”  Since 2015, the state’s deer herd has been increasing slightly, with an overall statewide count at about 720,000 deer..,

SC deer hunters can expect another solid harvest when season opens in August July 31, 2021 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

...  The last season it was only up (2.4 percent) and that’s basically being stable. I think we’re going to see about the same numbers as we were in 2020, perhaps a slight increase,” Ruth said...

Statewide deer harvest increases slightly in 2020 June 8, 2021 South Carolina, 

Post and Courier

... Results of this year’s survey indicate an estimated 18,919 coyotes were taken incidental to deer hunting. This figure represents a 9 percent decrease from 2019, continuing what seems to be a declining trend in coyote numbers in recent years. Additionally, approximately 28,043 wild hogs were killed by deer hunter ..,

SCDNR announces 2020 deer harvest tally June 3, 2021 South Carolina, 

Berkeley Independent

... The harvest was comprised of an estimated ... a total harvest of 197,893 deer — up from the 193,073 estimated harvested in 2019 ... between 2002 and 2015, the deer population in the state trended down ... Since 2016, the state’s deer harvest has increased, possibly as a result of declining coyote densities  [read the report]..,

Leave that fawn alone, mom is probably nearby April 19, 2021 South Carolina, Berkeley Independent

... the fawn is better protected away from the doe at this age, as the doe is a more visible target for predators... If you notice a dead doe near the fawn, please call a wildlife rehabilitator...

South Carolina DNR says to leave fawns alone April 12, 2021 FOX Carolina

... mother deer often leave their fawns in safe locations while they search for food and rest... The SCDNR requests that if you notice a dead doe near a fawn, please call a wildlife rehabilitator...

Upstate rescuer rehabilitated over 50 deer last year, released them into the wild March 4, 2021 South Carolina, WSPA 7News

... Magnolia Fawn Rescue. The rescue focuses on rehabilitating injured, orphaned or imprinted deer and releasing them back into the wild...

Aiken, 100 deer killed in Woodside neighborhood's seco

nd cull in Aiken February 27, 2021 South Carolina, Post and Courier Charleston

... Culls in Aiken were made possible in late 2019 by an update to city code; the public hearings at the time were near-combative...

     Aiken, Another deer cull at Woodside approved by city of Aiken February 4, 2021 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

... The S.C. Department of Natural Resources has permitted the deer dispatch, and a minimum $2 million liability insurance policy has been secured – among the city’s prerequisites for approval... One hundred deer were killed in the first sweep in 2020...

Hilton Head community again cancels deer kill. Why some residents don't call it a win January 28, 2021 South Carolina, Hilton Head Island Packet

... “a key deer density metric provided to the Association was incorrectly calculated in 2020.” ... the contractor responsible for surveying the deer population ... underestimate the amount of land each deer in the community has to live and feed on...

DNR encourages trapping, hunting to solve statewide coyote problem January 4, 2021 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

... Coyotes do have a detrimental impact on deer, turkeys and other native species that are important in the Palmetto State. So the more they can be controlled, the better, Lucas said...

Woodside gets OK for second deer cull by S.C. Department of Natural Resources, December 30, 2020 South Carolina, Post and Courier Charleston

... The first deer cull, held February through March 1 was a more than $40,000 effort that ended with a cull of 100 deer... the majority of residents had browsing damage caused by deer ...

Effects of Deer Herbivory on Hardwood Forests in the Piedmont of South Carolina, 2020,CN Norman, J Thrift, ST Guynn, DC Guynn Jr, D Hagan

... at deer densities of 20–24 deer per sq. mile, oak regeneration was not negatively impacted due to deer browsing in a thirteen-year-old stand in the Piedmont of South Carolina. Deer may contribute positively to oak regeneration by controlling certain invasive species and subsequently decreasing competition for resources (i.e., water, sunlight, nutrients)...

Drivers should watch for deer on roads October 24, 2020 South Carolina, The Gazette

... South Carolina’s deer population peaked in the late 1990’s, as did the number of deer-vehicle collisions. Since the year 2000, however, the estimated statewide deer population has decreased approximately 30% with the decline believed to be a combination of changes in habitat, high antlerless deer harvests and coyote predation on deer fawns...

Kiawah Island will cull deer population with weapons after bobcat decline from poison October 6, 2020 South Carolina, Post and Courier Charleston

... The decline in the bobcat population due to poisoning has led to a steady rise in the deer population ... the town’s deer population has doubled in the last two years, so officials will set out to cull 100 deer ...

Regulation bans the use of natural deer lures and attractants in South Carolina September 15, 2020 Kingstree News

... This preventative measure was established in response to the continuing spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) ...

Protecting South Carolina's deer herd from Chronic Wasting Disease an ongoing battle August 23, 2020 Post and Courier Charleston

...  we don’t want Chronic Wasting Disease to make its way into our deer herd... we are in “somewhat of a unique and enviable position for several reasons.”  “The first reason, and this is the big one, is that our state has always been a closed door state to commercial movement of deer,” ...

Hunters warned: Keep chronic wasting disease out of S.C.  August 22, 2020 South Carolina, Charlotte Observer

... Hunters in the state should remember not to import certain carcass parts of white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose and elk harvested from places where confirmed cases of the contagious disease have occurred ...

Woodside property owners group to determine future deer cull with new survey July 31, 2020 South Carolina, Aiken Standard

... The Woodside Treasurer's report shows that the February deer cull cost a total of $42,593 for the removal of 100 deer... Ongoing costs will include the annual deer count survey estimated at $4,000, which is required by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.  The city still requires a fee of $6,250, and the sharpshooters that would conduct a future cull would require a fee of $200 per deer ...

South Carolina deer hunters can expect quality over quantity this season June 27, 2020 Post and Courier Charleston

...  the statewide limit on antlered deer first went into effect in 2017.... Resident hunters get a set of three buck tags, which are good for any buck. They also can purchase two other buck tags which have antler restrictions ... “That serves to protect a very high percentage of year-and-a-half-old bucks,” ...

Statewide deer harvest remained stable in 2019 May 28, 2020 South Carolina, Post and Courier Charleston

...  the statewide deer harvest decreased by only one percent last season... It included an estimated 105,201 bucks, and 87,872 does, which made up a total harvest of 193,073 deer, just slightly down from the 194,986 estimated harvested in 2018 ... [full report]

Kiawah Island to reduce overpopulated deer herd, donate meat April 14, 2020 South Carolina, ABC NEWS 4

... deer will be harvested from the island starting this fall ... the population density of deer on Kiawah Island was about 111 per square mile ... The S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources estimated in 2018 the statewide deer population was about 730,000 animals ..,

Woodiside, City approves revised deer culling plan for Woodside Plantation February 18, 2020 South Carolina, Aiken Standard

... the property owners association submitted a revised wildlife management plan ... 18 sites were deemed to be safe, but four sites were eliminated from consideration out of caution and respect for homeowners ...

     Woodside deer cull suspended amid safety concerns February 14, 2020, South Carolina, Aiken Standard

... The Friday meeting came about after Andrea Gregory, City Council member for District 5, visited Woodside residents Tuesday to address pools of blood left behind by deer dispatched by sharpshooters and subsequently requested a halt to the culling until an agreement between culling parties and the city could take place...

     Woodside residents voice concerns over killing of deer in neighborhood February 13, 2020 South Carolina, Aiken Standard

... "The insanity of shooting high-powered rifles in a densely populated area, day or night, from stationary (locations) or vehicles, is wrong on so many levels," ... "We don't see many deer at all... 1,330 votes cast "for the approval to conduct a deer harvest" while 746 voted against ...

Hilton Head Island neighborhood votes against deer culling February 11, 2020 Georgia, Savannah WTOC-TV 

... Residents of the Hilton Head community say that part of what they love so much about living here is that deer will actually come out of the woods and into their yards to look at and enjoy throughout the day...

   Hilton Head Island, Board of directors decides to cull deer from Hilton Head gated community January 20, 2020 South Carolina, WTOC

... Some Palmetto Dunes residents were shocked this weekend when they learned their board had voted to cull 25 white-tail deer from the neighborhood... “They did not even poll the residents. They didn’t ask whether we wanted it. ...” 

Hunter fatally shot father, daughter after mistaking them for deer January 1, 2019 South Carolina, Live5News.com

...  the Drawdys and two other hunters were deer driving, moving deer near to the area where they were set up to hunt...

York teen used illegal night spotlight, killed two baby deer, SC wildlife cops say September 24, 2019 South Carolina, Charlotte Observer

... “The fawns were young, about two weeks old,” Ruff said. “They still had spots. When they were found, both had been shot and killed.” ...

Aiken City Council ready to discuss culling amendment Monday night September 7, 2019 South Carolina, Aiken Standard

... the topic was seemingly brought to City Council's attention by the Woodside Plantation Property Owners Association, which has complained of repeated damages to property caused by deer in the gated neighborhood... has sparked heated debates on social media, among other public forums...

SCDNR reminds big game hunters of wildlife disease prevention regulations August 30, 2019 South Carolina, FOX Carolina

... According to SCDNR, deer hunting generates more than $200 million annually for South Carolina's economy ...  the SCDNR continues to maintain regulations restricting the importation of certain carcass parts from deer and elk harvested in the U.S. states and Canadian provinces where CWD has been documented,”  ...

Aiken City Council reviewing change that would enable deer cull in Woodside community August 9, 2019 South Carolina, Aiken Standard

... The sprawling neighborhood earlier this year voted in favor of killing and harvesting – and thus removing – deer in the area.  The vote was conducted via mail-in referendum. It passed by a noticeable margin: 1330 for, 746 against, according to City Council documents...

Fripp Island, SC island residents upset community leaders want to shoot deer to limit population growth August 6, 2019 South Carolina, Post and Courier Charleston

... board members seem set on culling the population, which has started to grow again since the birth control program ended ... using a birth control program is roughly six times more expensive than paying a sharpshooter... “But so many of us are against the sharpshooting, it’s not what we stand for being a wildlife sanctuary.” ...

Small herd of adorable deer spotted “chilling” on Hilton Head beach July 25, 2019 South Carolina, Raleigh News & Observer

... she came across something she had never seen before in the 15 years since she moved to Hilton Head —a pack of three deer hanging out in the middle of the beach, enjoying the morning with the rest of the beachgoers...

New regulation for use of natural deer lures and attractants in SC July 24, 2019 South Carolina, Manning Live

... in the 2019-2020 South Carolina deer season, it is illegal to possess or use ... any substance or material that contains or purports to contain any excretion collected from a cervid (deer) including urine, feces, blood, gland oil, or other body fluid... The infectious proteins (i.e., prions) known to transmit CWD have been found in the urine ...

New deer hunting regulations go into effect this year July 15, 2019 South Carolina, WYFF4

... This improvement gives people more opportunity and the flexibility to harvest deer when it is convenient for them. SCDNR and numerous legislators had heard from hunters over the last two years that were limited by tags that were only valid on certain Saturdays...

DNR: Leave deer fawn alone April 10, 2019 South Carolina, WCBD

... It's part of nature's plan for a doe deer to leave her fawn or fawns alone for their first few weeks of life... the fawn at this age is better protected away from the doe. The presence of the doe nearby would attract predators because the doe lacks the protective coloration of the fawn, and the older and larger doe has a much stronger odor...

Clemson researchers work to understand impact of coyotes on state’s deer population  March 25, 2019 South Carolina, NEWSSTAND

... Deer ... populations are rapidly falling — down 30 percent since 2002 ... coyote ... populations continue to grow in the state despite hunters and trappers harvesting approximately 30,000 per year ... Clemson’s scientists will work to learn what proportion of deer fawns are taken by coyotes ...

'It may take a few years': Officials await results of changes to deer hunting rules February 15, 2019 South Carolina, Myrtle Beach Sun News

... “One of the main intents of the tagging program and statewide limit on bucks was to improve age structure in bucks by taking some of the harvest pressure off young bucks...

Proposed SC bill would put bounty on coyotes February 14, 2019 South Carolina, WYFF Greenville

... would create a bounty program offering $75 for adult coyotes lawfully removed from South Carolina...  the animals are negatively impacting white-tailed deer by preying heavily on deer fawns...

Bill aims to reduce South Carolina's rising coyote population January 18, 2019 WCBD News 2

... coyotes came to the state in the 70s, many brought illegally to the Upstate by owners of pens. Fox pens and coyote pens are enclosed areas for hunting dogs to track down foxes or coyotes for sport... would make it illegal to transport coyotes into South Carolina ..,

Tennessee added to list of states with carcass import restrictions for South Carolina hunters December 20, 2018 FOX Carolina

... because of the spread of CWD (chronic wasting disease) restrictions are in place on what parts of deer and elk can be brought into South Carolina from states where CWD has been confirmed...

Abbeville family wakes up to dead deer in front yard December 14, 2018 South Carolina, WSPA.com

... five dead deer and a dead rabbit in the front yard... the group is facing. "Trespassing, road hunting, signing and littering, and deer tag violations." ...

Hunting license sales down, SCDNR focuses on recruitment November 21, 2018 South Carolina, wpde.com

... About 20 years ago, DNR would sell around 300,000 hunting licenses a year. This year, that number had dropped to 200,000... With fewer people outdoors hunting and shooting, there are fewer dollars for SCDNR...

Amid graying of population, DNR tries to attract new young hunters November 3, 2018 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

... Last year, 146,044 deer licenses were sold statewide, a 5 percent increase over 2016, Lucas said.  “License sales have held pretty steady ... And large-scale development has significantly reduced the amount of available land...

2018 South Carolina Deer Forecast November 2, 2018 Game & Fish

... past harvest figures did not document deer harvests on approximately 3.2 million acres of lands in the Coastal Plain... historic deer harvest figures probably only accounted for one-half of the annual total harvest ... an overall decline in deer numbers  ... Much of the state’s forested area consists of older pine and hardwood stands. Timber beyond 15 years of growth is poor deer habitat... coyotes ..,

Deer poacher chased down by SC wildlife officer on electric bike November 2, 2, 2018 South Carolina, The Post and Courier 

... the S.C. Department of Natural Resources wildlife officer whirred up almost without a sound. He had an electric bike. When the flashlight turned on, the suspect just raised his hands... 

 SC woman pleads ‘Don’t shoot George’ as family tracks deer during hunting season October 24, 2018 South Carolina, WIS

...  Her [Facebook] post says: “Local Hunters... Please don’t shoot the 7pt with the yellow tape around his antlers if you see him, its George! ..." The post has now gone viral and folks are sending their George-spotting updates ...

Chronic Wasting Disease,  South Carolina wildlife officials consider new hunting rule to keep deadly deer disease at bay October 12, 2018 Greenville Journal 

... would ban hunters from using scent lures that contain natural deer urine ... the foul-smelling liquid is thought to contribute to the spread of chronic wasting disease ...

DNR suspends deer season in parts of state affected by Florence September 19, 2018 South Carolina, Manning Live

... Due to the extreme high river level and widespread flooding following Florence, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has declared a temporary closure for hunting within the Pee Dee and Waccamaw River drainage systems ...

Here’s why the deer hunting season is off to a slow start in 2018 August 16, 2018 South Carolina, myrtlebeachonline.com

... You’d really have to want to hunt a deer bad, giving the conditions, 95 degrees and mosquitoes... During the 2017 deer hunting season, South Carolina became the final state in the nation to institute a state-wide limit on the harvest of bucks, plus a first-time tagging system ...

Statewide deer harvest increases in 2017 June 5, 2018 South Carolina, DNR News

... the statewide harvest of deer increased about 7 percent last season and was comprised of an estimated 102,261 bucks and 83,025 does which made up a total harvest of 185,286 deer.  This increase in harvest is likely due to some level of "carry-over" of deer from 2015 and 2016. The 1,000-year flood spawned by hurricane Joaquin in 2015 and hurricane Matthew in 2016 each resulted in temporary season closures ...  [Full Report]

Snow-white deer appears in Edisto Island April 28, 2018 South Carolina, ABC 4 News

     ... the deer is not an albino deer, but rather a "piebald."  “You will note that it’s eyes and nose are dark and it has a dark patch on its forehead. This would not be the case with a true albino ...

Clark the wandering elk has become a star in Charles Towne Landing state park in Charleston February 26, 2018 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

... He showed up in a golf course community near Lake Jocassee. Still a juvenile, he approached anyone who came near, curious for food, head-butting and rearing up on his hind legs wanting to play... he has buddied up with the bison herd...

Facts about coyotes in South Carolina December 21, 2017 South Carolina, Manning Live

... Coyotes first appeared in South Carolina about 1978 and continue to expand greatly in numbers. Coyotes are negatively impacting the state’s official animal, the white-tailed deer, by preying heavily on deer fawns... Coyotes are now present in all South Carolina counties...,

Deer Hunters Don't Have to Worry About CWD in South Carolina Yet November 28, 2017 WLTX

... Charles Ruth ... says the closest cases of the disease [ Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD] are found in the Northeast -- in the Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland area...

Hunters face memory-making hunts, new regulations for 2017 deer ... August 30, 2017 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

... In 2003, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recognized that in many parts of our state the deer herd was declining ... "The study, now in its fourth year, indicates that annual fawn mortality through all causes is about 70 percent, which is much higher than expected, and that coyotes are responsible for approximately 80 percent of these mortalities." ...

What you need to know about SC's new deer tagging system, limit on harvest of bucks August 4, 2017 South Carolina, Myrtle Beach Sun News

... South Carolina will become the final state in the nation to institute a statewide limit on the harvest of bucks... in the works since 2003 ... (The population decline) added fuel to what changes we were already talking about...

North Carolina hunters will pay more to hunt in South Carolina this year July 11, 2017 North Carolina Sportsman

... this year, every deer killed in South Carolina must be tagged...  for out-of-state hunters, tags will cost an additional fee... Non-resident hunters will pay a minimum of $275 to kill one buck ($351 if hunting on WMA land) ...

  Did you spot the swimming deer on Hilton Head? July 3, 2017 South Carolina, Island Packet 

... When she swam ashore, people ran toward her. So the spooked deer dashed between swimmers and headed back out to sea... last seen well offshore, drifting south...

What hunters need to know before deer season opens June 17, 2017 South Carolina, Charleston Post Courier

... an 11-percent decrease in the number of deer harvested [in 2016] ... Hurricane Matthew also created access issues, and the harvest was down more than 25 percent in some coastal counties.  Unseasonably warm temperatures also played a factor. Forest management practices and coyotes also factor in deer harvest..,

Toward a ‘new’ deer season June 11, 2017 South Carolina, Times and Democrat

... the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. In a nutshell, the deer harvest was down about 11 percent. The major reasons given were habitat change, coyote predation and Hurricane Matthew... Low country agricultural counties having far greater densities than the Upstate..,

How many deer can South Carolina hunters legally kill under new law? June 8, 2017 North Carolina Sportsman

... upon purchasing a hunting license, each South Carolina resident hunter will receive 3 unrestricted buck tags, plus 8 date-specific antlerless deer tags... hunters in Game Zones 3 and 4 can kill a maximum of 17 total deer ...

Deer harvest numbers down for 2016 May 30, 2017 South Carolina, Manning Live

... SCDNR has recently completed a major long-term study ... coyotes can be a significant predator of deer fawns, that predation by coyotes can be an additive source of mortality, and that efforts to increase fawn recruitment via coyote control provided only modest results and at high cost...

S.C. deer harvest decreases in 2016 ... May 29, 2017 South Carolina, Times and Democrat

... Although forest-management activities stimulated significant growth in South Carolina’s deer population from the 1970s through the 1990s, considerable acreage is currently in even-aged stands that are greater than 15 years old... [significant storms and record acorn crop in 2016] Provided that hunting conditions are more normal, the deer harvest in 2017 is expected to increase ...

Statewide Deer Harvest Decreases in 2016 May 23, 2017 South Carolina, MilTech

...  the statewide harvest of deer decreased about 11 percent last season ...  An estimated 99,678 bucks and 72,637 does made up a total harvest of 172,315... coyotes are now well established in South Carolina ...  hunting conditions in South Carolina were poor during the fall of 2016. This began the first week in October with hurricane Matthew... [read the report]

Landscape heterogeneity reduces coyote predation on white‐tailed deer fawns

WD Gulsby, JC Kilgo, M Vukovich, JA Martin - The Journal of Wildlife Management, 2017

...  We investigated whether mortality risk was affected by landscape characteristics within fawn home ranges for a sample of 165 fawns on the United States Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS), South Carolina, 2007–2012... The combined weight of evidence suggests maintenance of a heterogeneous landscape consisting of relatively small dispersed patches may reduce fawn losses to coyotes...

Prescribed burning is important March 5, 2017 South Carolina, Greenwood Index-Journal

... Prescribed fires help restore and maintain vital habitat for wildlife, including bobwhite quail and other grassland birds, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer ...  it is the best management tool available for preventing larger and more frequent outbreaks...

Deer dog hunting January 19, 2017 South Carolina, Greenville News

... State Representative Robert L Ridgeway III of Clarendon County has introduced a bill that would place stricter requirements on identifying dogs that are employed in deer dog hunting and governing the handling of those dogs that are found trespassing...

Are camera surveys useful for assessing recruitment in white-tailed deer?

MC Chitwood, MA Lashley, JC Kilgo, MJ Cherry… - Wildlife Biology, 2016

... At Savannah River Site, South Carolina, we used six years of camera-based recruitment estimates (i.e. fawn:doe ratio) to predict concurrently collected annual radiotag-based survival estimates. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.445, indicating some support for the viability of cameras to reflect recruitment... ecause so few researchers concurrently estimate survival and camera-based recruitment, examining this relationship at larger spatial scales while controlling for numerous confounding variables remains difficult...

S.C. DNR program targets troublesome growing coyote population December 23, 2016 South Carolina, Myrtle Beach Sun News

... Coyotes are having a big impact on South Carolina’s population of white-tailed deer ... A total of 16 male coyotes were tagged as the target for the program with four released in each of the state’s four game zones ... Anyone who kills one of them receives a complimentary lifetime hunting license...

Wily coyotes continue to thrive in the Southeast at the expense of deer populations November 22, 2016 South Carolina, United States Department of Agriculture

... Coyotes began migrating eastward throughout the latter half of the 20th Century... The 2015 Deer Hunter Survey documents a decline in the state’s deer population since the 1990s that coincides with the increase in coyotes... declines in deer numbers, prompted the state of South Carolina to implement stricter bag limits for deer as a result of the documented reductions in fawn recruitment...

Elk tranquilized, relocated in mountains November 18, 2016 South Carolina, Greenville News

... The displaced elk [probably from North Carolina] that has been seen wandering around Pickens County was tranquilized and moved to a remote area of the South Carolina mountains ... the first elk confirmed seen in South Carolina since the 1700’s ...

Factors affecting survival of adult female white‐tailed deer after coyote establishment in south Carolina  JC Kilgo, M Vukovich, MJ Conroy, HS Ray, C Ruth - Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2016

...  We examined survival rates and causes of mortality among 138 radiocollared adult female deer over 7 years at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, 2006–2013 ... we conclude that predation by coyotes on adult females was not important in the SRS deer population demography. Managers of southern deer populations wishing to increase population growth by limiting antlerless harvest should be aware that adult female survival may already be high, so limited increases in survival may be expected, particularly if antlerless harvest already is limited...

South Carolina Deer:   A 2023 estimate from the state of about 700,000 deer with the population stable to slightly increasing since 2015.  Reported state esstimates of 730,0000 deer in deer in 2022, 2021 and in 2018.  Also a reported population estimate of 700,000 for 2022. The 2022 deer harvest was up about 2.8 percent from 2021 but down by 9.2 percent from 2020.  Based on harvest data about 730,000 deer in 2017.  The state observed in 2021 that the deer population has increased since 2016 after declining from 2002 to 2015 with a reduced coyote population thought to be one reason.  

The deer population was estimated at about 725,000 in 2016 (700,000 to 750,000).  About the same estimate in 2015 of 730,000.  The deer harvest was down 11 percent in 2016-17 due to habitat change, coyote predation, and Hurricane Matthew.   A statewide limit on bucks was introduced in the 2017 to improve age structure.  Deer hunting in South Carolina generates more than $200 million annually.  

Estimated at 730,000 in 2015 and 750,000 in 2014 and 2013.  Population densities are much higher in low country agricultural counties than upstate.  The 2014 harvest of 202,952, was 53.9 percent bucks (46.1% does) and was 36.6 percent below the record of 2002.  Hunters reported a 70 success rate.  The 2014 harvest was down 9 percent from 2013 and about 40 percent from 2002.  An estimated population of 725,000 to 750,000 in 2012.  More than 30 percent below peak population in 2011 with 725,000 deer..

A population estimate of 750,000 in 2009. About 750,000 deer in 2008.  The 2004 population was estimated at 900,000.  About 1,000,000 in 2001.  

The population rose from about 900,000 in 1988 and peaked around 1996 and stabilized at about 1.1 to 1.2 million with the peak deer harvest in 2002 at 319,902 and the population began trending lower.  Major factors were  habitat loss due to the many acres that were planted in ten- year old and older pine and possibly coyote predation.  Drought in 2015 contributed to the downward trend. 

Estimated deer population and harvest below

1972 to 2014

 Source:  SCDNR

Population

Harvest