legal calibers for deer hunting in south carolina
There is a permit, tag, and stamp available for each specific game. The ammunition for the rifles must have a minimum case length of 1.16 and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches. Except for some parts of the West, the white-tailed deer is found throughout the continental United States, from southern Canada to the Great Lakes. Remington calls their line Managed Recoil and claims 50% less recoil. According to Brad Turner, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, the 30-30 can still drop up to 100 yards of deer tracks. South Carolina is best known as a trophy hunting destination, but it has an active hunting season and liberal bag limits. 223 is legal is SC, but post #8 incorrectly lists all centerfire rifles are legal. Its been around forever, packs a punch, and helped us defeat the Nazis in World War II. All these projectiles work great on deer and larger game. Those counties with large populations are Anderson, Aiken, Allendale, Hampton, and Orangeburg. Dont bother with the Ackley improved AI version. There are usually 80% of does bred during the October 6th to November 16th breeding season. The .338 Federal is another good round thats been lost in the mix. Adult may guide, however, only the youth may take or attempt to take. Different seasons exist depending on the zone and whether or not you own land on private or public property. An antlerless deer is defined as a deer with no antlers or a deer with less than two inches of antler visible above the hairline. .22-caliber or larger rifle that deliver at least 900 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards. However, it is difficult to say whether or not this is overpopulation, as the carrying capacity of the states ecosystems is not well known. BUT WAIT! Deer are most commonly found in 6.5 Creedmoors, 7mm-08s, and.308 rounds, among others. You can see the numbers crunched here, but the main takeaway is that when shooting at a 10-inch target the 7mm Rem. What Size Caliber Is Legal For Deer Hunting? The ample availability of inexpensive ammo (at least during normal times) is another factor in favor of the .223. Before you can shoot deer in South Carolina, you must first obtain a hunting license and a big game permit. Shooting 165-grain ballistic tips I put hundreds of pounds of corn-fed Michigan venison in the freezer over the years. Well, more than 7.5 million Model 94s have rolled off Winchesters production lines, to say nothing of all the Marlin 336s and (more recently) Henry Repeating Arms lever guns that have been chambered in .30/30. (Yes, I watch too much late night TV.) Those catalogs had ballistic tables in the back, comparing the cartridges and listing their muzzle energy, velocity, and drop at various yardages. For this reason no person shall 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 for the purpose of taking, attracting, or scouting any wild animal in SC. So theres no shortage of rifles chambered in this round. If a buck does not have a hot doe with him at night, he will not stay put. During the rut season, the deer are active in the morning and evening, so you should go out early and often. Bears may also be hunted only during bear season. Mossy Oaks Walt Gabbard says theres still no way to come close to beating the 7mm-08. Walt Rem Gabbard got his first case of Magnum Fever after shooting an 8-point buck with a 7mm Mag. Out at the terminal range of 200 yards, this little bullet retains 2,570 feet per second of velocity and a deliberate 1,892 foot pounds of energy. Yes, AR15s utilize .223 or NATO 5.56 centerfire cartridges, which are legal for deer hunting. The 6.5 Creedmoor dominates in NRL Hunter because it combines outstanding accuracy and shootability with bullets that are excellent on big game. Can I deer hunt with an AR15? Hunters who favor the .30/30 see no reason to go to anything else and consider it the best deer hunting caliber for 200 yards and in. The White-tailed Deer are not indigenous to South Carolina, but they are revered and important species. As it turned out, I used my ballistic crush on the first deer I shota spike whitetail buck at about 35 yards that had wandered out of a cedar swamp to feed on the grassy hill where I had posted up. Antlerless deer - limit 2 per day. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease of cervids (deer family) that represents a significant risk to deer in North America. The species of deer that inhabit the woodlands of South Carolina are White- tailed deer. There is no definitive answer to this question. There are a number of great deer cartridges that didnt make the final cut for this story. It strikes a good balance between power and shootability. The accuracy and shot placement of your deer rifle and caliber are the most important factors to consider when selecting it. A hunting season has been shortened in order to comply with new legislation that limits the number of antlered bucks taken. In coastal communities, the IFW examines the potential of managing deer herds. Aside from wild pigs, deer, and quail, South Carolina is known for its deer hunting. It isnt that I have an issue with the subject. Possessing any deer with the head detached while in transit from the point of kill is prohibited (50-11-400). You can put some deer to the test in South Carolina during the deer hunting season. Introduced in 1963, the .300 Win. 22 caliberpistol with a barrel not greater than seven and one-half inches in length and shooting only short, long, or long rifle ammunition carried as a side arm;. The .257 Roberts, which is continuing its slide into obsolescence, is near and dear to my heart. Listed by Game Zone. The 94 was a fast-handling and reasonably accurate rifle with great balance and ergonomics and an impressive magazine capacity. Individual Antlerless Tags are not valid on properties which are enrolled in the Deer Quota Program for antlerless deer. It did, however, catch the fancy of Jack OConnor, who sang its praises in Outdoor Life, and as hunters tried the .270 they found they liked it very much indeed. The result is lousy shot placement on game. I think that when you consider how simple it is to build a tack-driver of a .223 (just go with a 1:7 twist for these heavy bullets) and how well an AR balances with the round that the answer is yes. Deer hunting with .223-caliber rifles is legal in most states. Terminal bullet energy is often stated as 1,000 foot pounds to cleanly kill deer. Hunting regulations in South Carolina are governed by laws and requirements that must be followed by all hunters. At 500 yards, the .300 Win. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Gun statistics also show that deer ran less frequently when hunters used soft point ammunition like ballistic tip or bronze tip rounds. STATEWIDE DEER PERMIT All deer hunters ages 16 and older, unless license exempt, must first buy and carry proof of purchasing an annual hunting license and a statewide deer permit while hunting. The.270 caliber is an excellent caliber for hunting deer when used in states that allow hunting with a rifle. Lets get something clear, Im writing about deer hunting calibers under duress. All harvested deer must be tagged at the point of kill prior to being transported. However, deer ran less frequency when hunters implemented a high caliber rifle. This measure ensures that hunters have a fair and legal hunting season while also protecting the deer population from being harmed. It was introduced in 1895 in conjunction with the Winchester Model 94 lever gun, and in a century and a quarter since then weve never witnessed a more successful rifle and cartridge combo. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Rembert C. Dennis Building In Game 1 and 2, baiting is permitted on private land, but not in Game 3 or 4. Hunters who used dogs were 20% more likely to find deer. Other states have a minimum of a .35 caliber, while others have a minimum of .40 caliber and at least 400-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Since these are technical argumentsmostly concerning the ability of those cartridges to drive a given bullet fasterit requires a technical rebuttal. No license or tag requirements for youth or adult. The manufacture of these calibers is at a premium, making hunting with them difficult. Reactions: wturkey01. Short, sweet notes to be read about the heart or lungs. In order to protect against the spread of CWD into SC, the following regulations are in place - No person may import or possess a whole cervid carcass or carcass part from an infected state except the following may be imported: quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached; meat that has been boned out; hides with no heads attached; clean (no meat or tissue attached) skulls or skull plates with antlers attached; antlers (detached from the skull plate); clean upper canine teeth, also called buglers, whistlers or ivories; and finished taxidermy heads. For about 3 years I used it extensively, on everything from deer, bear, moose and elk and was impressed by its performance. And no one practices as much as they should with a rifle that beats them up, compounding the problem. Good striking energy. Apparently they see the .308 and .30-06 as old mens' cartridges. When hunting with a firearm in South Carolina, you must be 300 yards away from a residence when less than 10 feet above the ground. The fast twist rate (1:8 inches) works better with the aeroballistically efficient 130-grain (and larger) 6.5mm bullets than the 1:9 twist on the other 6.5s. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. This includes gear reviews, features on technical innovations, stories on shooting techniques and general hunting coverage with the occasional fishing story thrown into the mix. 123-54). Snow is Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage. For youth 17 years old and younger. Its a solid contender for the best deer caliber out to 500 yards. From the get-go, deer hunters took a shine to the .243 Winchester. The average distance at which South Carolina hunters shoot deer is 132 yards with an 81% percent success rate. Federal Premium 165-grain Sierra Gameking. The archery only season runs from August 15 to September 30, and it is a great way to hunt deer with a bow and arrow but do not intend to shoot them. In the state, a large caliber rifle, such as a.35 caliber or better, is now permitted. The most popular method of deer hunting in South Carolina is still rifle hunting, as it is the most effective way to take down a deer. All rights reserved. Ive also hunted with it across North America and in Africa, using 150-grain soft points, 180-grain Triple Shocks, 200-grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, 180-grain Accubonds, and a bunch of other bullets I cant think of at the moment. In general, hunting deer within 300 yards of a residence without the permission of the owner and occupant is not permitted (50-11-355). Like many other hunters, my first real deer rifle was chambered in the ought-six. In South Carolina, deer hunting is a popular outdoor activity enjoyed by many. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use. The.30-06 Springfield is a good caliber for hunting deer in states that allow hunting with a rifle, but it could be a better caliber for hunting deer with a bow. William W. (Bill) Gabbard. What is the best caliber rifle for hunting deer? In a Remington.223, a bullet has a 500-yard effective range. There is no evidence that deer overpopulation occurs in most populous counties, but it is possible that it does. All private and management areas have the right to permit the carrying of firearms and bows during the regular gun season. Tags may only be possessed or used by the person whose name appears on the tag. His outstanding prose, and experience in the field, tipped the scales in favor of the .270 to the point where it has run neck-in-neck with the .30/06 in terms of popularity for three quarters of a century. Deer processors should recognize that it is unlawful to sell deer meat to regain the processing fee for deer that have not been picked-up by the owner (50-11-1910). When hunting doves and other birds, there is no law in South Carolina concerning the distance a hunter must be away from a . But as .243 shooters know, it is an ideal one-rifle solution for hunters who chase deer and predators and is arguably the best pronghorn antelope round ever. is a reasonable standard. The deer population in the state is estimated to be around 750,000, with an annual harvest of around 225,000. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently investigating the killing of deer on private property in the Ayden area. In our opinion, the best caliber for deer hunting is the. Ill admit, I used to be in the no-way camp. At this time, the .300 Win. A lack of melanin pigment in the deers hair is one of the causes of amnesticism. South Carolinas hunting seasons and regulations are enforced by the Hunting Seasons and Regulations Act, which is critical for protecting the states deer population. Mag. The sum of all these details is why the 6.5 Creedmoor winning matches, and why the other 6.5s dont. Pyramyd Air has this interactive guide that shows airgun laws by state and what types of game animals can be harvested with airguns. The .30/30 has plenty of power to take on whitetail within 200 yards, making it suitable for 95 percent of shots on deer. Limits listed do not apply to quota deer taken on properties enrolled in the Deer Quota Program. In South Carolina, the practice of baiting deer has been legal since 2013. Answering Questions About Guns, Ammo, and Man's Best Friend. Resident and Nonresident hunters have the option of participating in the Individual Antlerless Deer Tag Program and the Deer Quota Program. of recoil energy in standard weight hunting rifles. In the near term, North Carolina has few opportunities for trophy deer or jaw-dropping scenery. 123-54). A smaller caliber rifle will not kill a deer as effectively as a larger caliber rifle if fired at the same time. The gun hunting season for deer runs from September 1 to January 1, and firearms are permitted during that time. 2020 All rights reserved. A great many outright lies are being spread on internet forums, but the fact is that most deer hunters are hard pressed to even hit the paper at 200 yards, let alone shoot an acceptable group. Its been used worldwide on everything short of dangerous game and is a perennial favorite among whitetail hunters. Personally, I think that advantage is negated by the poorer shooting one sees with these thumpers, but to each his own. It is very unlikely that a large sum of money will be able to be taken. The KDWPT is also working on a deer hunting plan to help manage the herd. CWD has been diagnosed in 30 states and 4 Canadian provinces. Unless that rifle carries some extra weight or a good muzzle brake, it will be difficult to shoot well. It is unlawful to transfer a bear during the off-season. All freshly killed bears must be reported to the South Carolina Division of Natural Resources within 24 hours of killing the bear. West Columbia, SC 29172. Bows and arrows are permitted during the Primitive Weapons season, which runs from October 1-10. It definitely hits above its weight class and is my number one choice for open-country hunting. FOIA | Privacy Policy | Report With the advancement of newer calibers, the hunting world has changed dramatically. Here is a list of possible Remington Managed Recoil loads we can add to our caliber list. In states where hunting deer is legal with a rifle, the.257 caliber is a good choice. Hunting Eastern wild turkey is a popular activity in South Carolina, where there is a limit of three birds per season. In Game Zones 2, 3, and 4 Individual Antlerless Tags are valid on private or WMA land starting September 15. There are several deer calibers that are still very popular today, the most popular of which is the. The best areas to take a trophy in North Carolina are the northern Piedmont region and the Great Smoky Mountains. You can read more about the evolution of the 6.5 Creedmoor and how it came to dominate here. More often than not, that cartridge would be the 7mm Rem. Magnum, .30-30, .308 Winchester, .30-06, .300 Win Magnum and .300 RUM. South Carolina is known as the Low Country due to its coastal region. Deer can be killed by a missile with a range of 300 to 500 miles. .357 magnum rifle, .45 Colt rifle and hand-thrown spear are legal ( 357 Magnum) Handguns or muzzleloading handguns that deliver at least 400 foot-pounds of energy at 50 yards. Trapping, poisoning, and automatic weapons are still illegal though as these are extremely unethical hunting practices. It is unlawful to keep any deer in cold storage or refrigerating plants unless the carcass is clearly marked with the hunters name, address and hunting license number (50-11-1700). Air rifles are legal. In Game Zone 1 tags are valid beginning Oct. 1. All rights reserved. According to South Carolinas hunter harassment laws, anyone who intentionally restricts another person from hunting or other related activities is breaking the law. It is unlawful to perform a field trial without the proper permit. The cartridge should be at least .24 caliber, have a MPBR +/- 3 inches of at least 200 yards, deliver at least 800 ft. lb. notches, marking, etc. I used a number of bullets and among my favorites are Barnes 62-grain TSX, Sig Sauers 60-grain HT and 77-grain OTMs. During the hunting season, which lasts between 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset, it is illegal to shoot or kill deer from any water conveyance, or to shoot at or kill deer from any portion of the deer that is submerged in water. John B. I hope that you, gentle reader, having read this article will take it to heart. Hunting with a bow and arrow is permitted for apprentice residents. As Im sure you know, the military has relied on it for many years in a variety of sniper rifles and in that role, it is effective to 1,000 yards. Hope that you, gentle reader, having read this article will take it to heart a! Per season the deers hair is one of the.223 Walt Gabbard theres! 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