Early season in S. Carolina

[pepaw]

Can someone explain why is there an early season (August 15)? I don't really understand from a game management standpoint how hunting this time of year can be justified.


Thanks,

pepaw

[Altjaeger]

Can someone explain why is there an early season (August 15)? I don't really understand from a game management standpoint how hunting this time of year can be justified.


Thanks,

pepaw

Perhaps to quote Topal from "Fiddler on the Roof" it is TRADITION!!!.:)

More seriously I can remember the seasons being that early even in the 1960s when they were trumpeted each year as the earliest in the nation. On the other hand I am not sure why they could not be supported at this time of year, especially since as I recall it is bucks only and fawns would not be an issue..

[pepaw]

Thanks for the response. I didn't know it was bucks only.

From a breeding standpoint, iI think early season hunting would eliminate some of the desireable bucks from the herd before they had a chance to pass along those good genes.

Since we allow MLD permits hunting here in TX in Oct, it seems like the same problem. BTW, I don't understand that law either.

I personally don't like to hunt in hot weather or velvet racked deer.

TXM, help me out?



stumpy

[Laturkeyhtr]

Who in their right mind would want to hunt in this kind of heat anyway?

Maybe TxM will offer a real answer.

Hey Pepaw, isn't it hot down there where you are? But it is good to see you peeking in here. :D

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Man, I'd have to roll the window on the truck down too far to shoot a deer right now. Then I'd have to put the dead deer up in the cab with me to keep it from spoiling before I got back to camp. Then it would spoil. As a kid I remember seeing bucks still in velvet in the magazines and I've seen a few mounts done with the velvet racks. It's a nice novelty I suppose but I still prefer hardened antler.

I have tried for years to figure out when to shoot cull bucks and does. I've about decide that you shoot cull bucks when you see them and does are a numbers game with the only exception being that if I find an area where lots of undesirable bucks are and the dominant bucks are culls, just shoot them all. Other deer will move in to fill the habitat void.

This is going to be an interesting year. I have no idea what to expect from our deer herd. I haven't been out there watching them enough to really have any expectations. (it's kinda nice because I'm kinda getting excited about hunting season) After years of thinking about the deer herd in "management terms", pragmatism has taken the edge off of my hunting experiences. I want some cold, crisp mornings where you can hear the frost crunch under foot for 50 yards, and where the sky is the limit as to what I might see. It's time for the boys to do the managing and for me to do some hunting for a change.

But I do intend to wait for some colder weather!

Alan

[Altjaeger]

Who in their right mind would want to hunt in this kind of heat anyway?

Maybe TxM will offer a real answer.

Hey Pepaw, isn't it hot down there where you are? But it is good to see you peeking in here. :D

But is it any hotter than the opening day of dove season two weeks later or more mosquitos than the rail or early teal season?:D

[Laturkeyhtr]

Altj, I don't hunt any birds except turkeys. They will at least walk by and turn broadside . . . :)

[pepaw]

I have slowed down on my dove hunting.
But I will walk many miles in the spring chasing those gobblers too.

BTW Saw several nice bucks this weekend in bachelor groups. Horns still fuzzy, necks slender, and thin summer coats. Watching me from short distance while I glassed.

Give me a later prerut hunt any day. What's the rush?

pepaw

[venado]

I asked a guy I know that lives and hunts in SC. It was his opinion that it was done strictly for the money the department gets from the influx of NC hunters at $300 a whack. I have no idea if there is a shred of accuracy in his reply.