Free hunting days Jan. 4-5 | Arts & Culture

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina is allowing hunting without a license for two days next month. The state Department of Natural Resources says South Carolina residents can hunt on public land or private land with permission and do not have to fill out any paperwork on Jan. 4 and 5. Wildlife officials say that doesn't eliminate any federal hunting requirements. DNR says it plans a yearly free hunting period to introduce new people to hunting and the outdoors. Wildlife officials say all existing season requirements and limits on the number of animals that can be killed will still be in effect. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Please note that all existing seasons, bag limits and methods of take still apply so check the 2012-2013 Rules and Regulations for more information: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html. The free hunt days do NOT extend deer or any other season.There is a youth deer hunt day on Jan. 5. Youth 17 years of age and under can hunt deer as long as they are accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years or older. Only the youth may take or attempt to take game and license requirements are waived for the youth hunter.    Free hunting days allow all South Carolina residents to hunt without a state hunting license or other required permits, to include Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit, or Migratory Waterfowl Permit (formerly State Duck Stamp). It is important to note that Free Hunting Days are offered by the State of South Carolina and do not waive any Federal requirements for a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) to hunt migratory waterfowl. It does not open WMA's that are not previously open for hunting.Free hunting days are available only to SC residents and apply to all lands in which hunting is allowed, to include private lands and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) throughout that state that are not otherwise closed to hunting. The list of open WMAs can be found by visiting the Managed Lands tab of the DNR website at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/lookup/.