2017 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft
CHAPTER 11 - PROTECTION OF GAME
Section 50-11-580. Season for hunting and taking of male wild turkey; Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend established; bag limits; annual report.
Section repealed November 7, 2018 by 2015 Act No. 41, Section 7.
(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 50-11-520 or any other provision of law or regulation, the season for hunting and taking a male wild turkey is March 20 through May 5.
(B) The Saturday and Sunday preceding March 20 of each year is declared to be "Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend". A person less than eighteen years of age shall be considered a youth hunter. The license and permit requirements for hunting turkey are waived for youth hunters during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend; however, youth hunters must still possess a set of turkey tags while hunting during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend. A licensed hunter at least twenty-one years of age must accompany a youth hunter in the field and may not harvest or attempt to harvest turkey during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend, but is permitted to call turkeys for the youth hunter. The licensed hunter that accompanies the youth hunter must have a valid South Carolina hunting license, big game permit, and wildlife management area permit if applicable.
(C) The season bag limit per person for male wild turkeys is three, which may be taken by any lawful means. The season bag limit contained in this section is statewide.
(D) The daily bag limit per person for male wild turkeys is two, which may be taken by any lawful means. The daily bag limit contained in this section is statewide.
(E) The department shall conduct an analysis of the wild turkey resources in South Carolina and issue a draft report recommending any changes to the wild turkey season and bag limits. This report shall be provided to the General Assembly within one hundred eighty days of the conclusion of the third turkey season following the effective date of this section.
(F) The department shall provide an annual report of the wild turkey resources in South Carolina to the Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 41 (H.3118), Section 2, eff June 30, 2015.
Editor's Note
2015 Act No. 41, Section 7, provides as follows:
"SECTION 7. This act takes effect on June 30, 2015. Provided, upon the effective date of this act until November 7, 2018, the provisions of Section 50-11-520 are suspended. On November 7, 2018, the turkey hunting seasons and bag limits in effect for the respective counties prior to the effective date of this act and delineated in Section 50-11-520 are effective, and Section 50-11-580 is repealed."
