legal calibers for deer hunting in south carolina

Federal Premium 165-grain Sierra Gameking. Winchester debuted the cartridge in 1925 along with the Model 54 rifle, which was the predecessor to the famed Model 70. One key facet of shootability is the shooters ability to manage the rifles recoil and spot where their bullet went and make an accurate follow-up shot if needed. South Carolina has the least restrictions on the type of ammunition and caliber of hunting firearms. No one is perfect, of course, so we also reload after firing, prepared to drive in a second shot to "make sure.". The 6.5 Creedmoor dominates in NRL Hunter because it combines outstanding accuracy and shootability with bullets that are excellent on big game. Most deer hunters use the 129-grain bullets, but it also comes in 120- and 140-grain rounds. Deer prefer corn and corn piles as bait for a variety of reasons. Hunting black bears with dogs is possible both under and without the use of dogs. We want humane, quick kills on game animals. If coastal communities want to crack down on deer feeding, they should pass an ordinance. How did it come to dominate? Apparently they see the .308 and .30-06 as old mens' cartridges. webmaster@dnr.sc.gov, Property Closures and You didnt think we could make it through a list of the best deer calibers and not talk about the 6.5 Creedmoor, did you? To improve hunting safety for both the public and the environment, South Carolina has adopted this certification process. Fusion Light reduced recoil loads are available in .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester and .30-06. It pushes bullets about 250 fps faster and has been winning ELR (extreme long-range matches) even when going head-to-head against big .30s and .33s like the .300 Norma, .300 PRC and .338 Lapua. 5. The ammunition for the rifles must have a minimum case length of 1.16 and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches. He illustrated many examples of how the .270 hit harder and had better killing power at longer distances thanks to aerodynamic efficiency of the 130-grain sharp points.. A standard Winchesters muzzle is effective at 3,060 feet per second with 130-grain Nosler bullets. Just $1 per month , Here are the top cartridges for pursuing North Americas most popular big-game animal, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. All rights reserved. In South Carolina, deer hunting is a popular pastime for many people. (If you are a metric shooter, just mentally substitute meters for yards; it will be close enough for the purposes of this article.) 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. There is a comprehensive Rifle Recoil Table on the Guns and Shooting Online "Tables, Charts and Lists" index page. This puts the bullet about 3 inches high at 100, 4 inches low at 350, and just 10 inches low at 400. The landowners are being asked to assist the DNR in identifying any legal hunters on their property. to Prevent Firearm Accidents, Sandhills National Large bucks are available in Anderson, Aiken, Allendale, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties in South Carolina. Though that shot didnt take advantage of the 7mm Mags flat trajectory, it convinced me of the cartridges superior qualities. In Game Zones 1 and 2 it is unlawful to pursue deer with dogs (50-11-310). Physics plays a big part in the .30/06s success. Deer Rules & Regulations. Its certainly more gun than most whitetails require, but it gets the job done and carries with it a nostalgia that few cartridges can match. Its a fantastic time of year to enjoy the deer season in South Carolina. All rights reserved. I just have a problem with the headline. No license or tag requirements for youth or adult. There are of course, exceptions. I am referring to the reduced recoil loads offered by Remington and Federal/Fusion for some of the popular all-around hunting cartridges. Best Deer Ammo In 7mm Rem. In a well-constructed action, it is one of the most accurate rounds out there and is capable to 500 yards on deer and other big game. Talk about damned by faint praise. According to South Carolinas hunter harassment laws, anyone who intentionally restricts another person from hunting or other related activities is breaking the law. Ill admit, I used to be in the no-way camp. Tags are valid in Game Zones 2, 3, and 4 beginning Sept. 15 and in Game Zone 1 beginning Oct. 1. Participants in the DQP also have the option of receiving a quota for antlered bucks. There is no definitive answer to this question. There seems to be a great fascination with sub-MOA accuracy and long range shooting these days. Deer populations appear to be overpopulated in counties with a high deer harvest, but not in counties with a low deer harvest. Im glad you agree. With a flat-fire bullet, the.243 can travel up to 200 yards. Those heavy-for-caliber projectiles penetrate well and shoot flat and do a decent job of bucking the wind thanks to their high ballistic coefficients. It is legal on private hunting grounds. Tag must remain attached until the deer/carcass is quartered or received by a processor. The species of deer that inhabit the woodlands of South Carolina are White- tailed deer. This potent round brings deer-killing capability at every reasonable (and even unreasonable) distance a hunter might shoot. The.243 is a good caliber for hunting deer with a rifle in states that allow it, but it may not be the best caliber in those that have more restrictive deer hunting laws. Mag. Trapping, poisoning, and automatic weapons are still illegal though as these are extremely unethical hunting practices. The best areas to take a trophy in North Carolina are the northern Piedmont region and the Great Smoky Mountains. It might come as a surprise to some, but despite the gargantuan success of the .270 over the decades it was not an immediate hit with the shooting public. Terms of Service - If it was good enough for Teddy Roosevelt, this deer hunting caliber is good enough for the likes of you and me. Because larger caliber rifles are more effective at killing deer and other wildlife, this prohibition is required. In 2020, the top five counties for overall deer hunting days were Orangeburg, Colleton, Kershaw, and Spartanburg (Table 8), in addition to Orangeburg and Colleton. .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. Hunting licenses in South Carolina are issued based on the applicants residency, age, and type of weapon used. As part of Game Zone 1, hunters may only kill four antlerless deer per season. Snow is Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, where he oversees the publications firearms and shooting coverage. There are a few more options many deer hunters overlook. South Carolina has never been in the top 10 in terms of hunting trophy bucks in the books of the Boone and Crockett. Individual Antlerless Tags are not valid on properties which are enrolled in the Deer Quota Program for antlerless deer. South Carolinas hunting laws protect the following wild game animals by regulating hunting seasons for specific types of animal. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Rembert C. Dennis Building Primitive seasons require the use of firearms to hunt. Common and available ammunition. The result is lousy shot placement on game. 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. Jul 27, 2019 #12 HarryNC Eight Pointer. Those who purchase tags for the entire deer season must also have an active license or big game permit. This is a prescription for flinching, bad bullet placement and wounded/lost game animals. During the rut season, the deer are active in the morning and evening, so you should go out early and often. In South Carolina, any firearm may be used to hunt deer as long as it is legal for the hunter to possess. Shooting 165-grain ballistic tips I put hundreds of pounds of corn-fed Michigan venison in the freezer over the years. Yes, AR15s utilize .223 or NATO 5.56 centerfire cartridges, which are legal for deer hunting. We also accept that 800 ft. lb. is about 30-percent greater than from a .30/06. 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. In coastal communities, the IFW examines the potential of managing deer herds. A current list of these locations can be viewed at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife. (Reg. The only hunters who dont think a .223 will kill a deer are those that havent shot a deer with a .223. Those words of wisdom were uttered by a friend of mine on a phone call some years back while discussing our favorite whitetail roundsand I couldnt agree more with the sentiment. Carolina deer are smaller than their northern cousins and have a reddish-brown coat. I think a lot of hunters feel squeamish about shooting a whitetail with a .223, and in several states a .223 doesnt meet the minimum caliber requirements. It is unlawful to perform a field trial without the proper permit. Here is a list of possible Fusion Lite loads we can add to our caliber list. Must be tagged with Individual Antlerless Deer Tag. 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). Different seasons exist depending on the zone and whether or not you own land on private or public property. A.223 caliber assault rifle would almost certainly be considered an AR-15. Deer are most commonly found in 6.5 Creedmoors, 7mm-08s, and.308 rounds, among others. Commercial natural deer urine products are made of urine collected from deer in other states, many of which have diagnosed CWD. is going to bounce off. In addition to Ashe, Chatham, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Rockingham, Stokes, and Wake counties, there are several other counties with poor conditions. We are willing to accept .24 as the reasonable minimum caliber for Class 2 game. All these projectiles work great on deer and larger game. South Carolina Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags. The first antlered buck deer tag costs $50, plus an additional $20 per additional buck. Gun statistics show to increased efficiency in hunters that used high caliber firearms. Landholders can use corn, for example, to attract deer to open areas. Nonetheless, the business has the potential to grow significantly. Mag. Black Hills Ammunition 62-grain Triple Shock, Federal Premium 60-grain Nosler Partition. of energy at 200 yards. Other regulations include limits on the number of deer that can be killed, the use of bait, and the use of dogs. Mag. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. A good friend of mine who is a shooting nerd and avid Western hunter, uses a .308 on the coastal blacktails he hunts in his home state of Oregon. In short, the relevant language redefines the "shotgun zone" as the "limited firearms deer zone" and adds the following to the list of allowable firearms in Southern Michigan: " (d) A .35 caliber or larger rifle loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches. In Game Zones 2, 3, and 4 tags are valid beginning Sept. 15. 223 for deer in states where it's legal is an option, but that is the very bottom end of calibers that might be used. Tags can be used on any day beginning September 15 in Game Zone 2, 3, 4, and October 1 in Game Zone 1. The state of South Carolina has a white-tail deer population of approximately 730,000. Arrows for hunting deer, bear or feral hog must be broadhead type. For hunters looking for the best long range caliber of that time, OConnor suggested sighting in at 300 yards. Reloaders also appreciated that it didnt require a cup full of powder to assemble a cartridge. I agree with my friend Ron Spomer that it is probably the best deer cartridge youve never tried. Having at least five decades of experience as a shooter and hunter and having observed with interest a great many shooters at outdoor rifle ranges shooting hunting rifles from bench rests, I am not too surprised by these results. Its certainly what Id consider the best deer hunting caliber with least recoil generated. acorns play an important role in the fall and winter diets because they are abundant. It is unlawful to hunt deer with a firearm within three hundred yards of a residence when less than ten feet above the ground without permission of the owner and occupant. The original loads for the .300 Winchester were with 150- and 180-grain bullets. Is deer overpopulation a problem in South Carolina? A. The rut is when deer move more to find mates and this is why they do so. And the heavyweight offerings include the 180-grain Nosler Partition and Federals new 175-grain Terminal Ascent, which is designed for long-range hunting. Tags do not alter the use of weapons during special weapons seasons. There are numerous zones around the world that have a different season than others, depending on whether they are private or public land. As long as the cartridge and load are adequate for the job, it is bullet placement, not raw power, that produces quick kills. Those counties with large populations are Anderson, Aiken, Allendale, Hampton, and Orangeburg. If you want to hunt deer in a more relaxed environment, consider using the.30-06 Springfield or the.300 Winchester Magnum. If meat is not picked-up by the owner, it can be given to another individual at no charge. Lenient Gun laws however, do not mean that proper hunting practices should not be observed. The systems are semi-automatic, extremely adaptable, and very simple to operate. Theres no way as shooting editor for this esteemed publication that I could fail to include the .270 Winchester on the list of contenders vying for the best deer hunting caliber. A bait is a non-lethal method of killing, shooting, attempting to shoot, and hunting animals from above. Lest you think it is some relic of your grandfathers era, the .30/30 is still the top selling lever-action cartridge, beating out the .45/70 even though that round has seen many more new offerings in terms of rifles and ammunition. Deer Tag Information; Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Dove; Migratory Birds including Waterfowl. This old military cartridge is very reliable and capable of shooting 300 yards with a 30 caliber bullet. It is the best-known brand of trail cams among biologists and hunters. Some people may enjoy deer hunting in South Carolina because of the challenge it presents, while others may find it to be a frustrating and unsuccessful experience. This law was passed in response to complaints about hunters hunting too close to houses. 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201 It didnt start life that way, however. Sad to say, many hunters cannot. There are many different ways to hunt deer, and each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. On the lighter end, youll find bullets like the 150-grain Barnes TSX and 150-grain Trophy Copper. A handwritten application may be obtained on Applications, by calling SCDNR at 803-734-3886 or at http://dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/speciallicenseapp.pdf. The gun hunting season for deer runs from September 1 to January 1, and firearms are permitted during that time. (Yes, I watch too much late night TV.) Armadillos also require a permit to hunt despite the animal not having protected status. 2020 All rights reserved. Frequently Asked Questions. Deer are protected animals. And who has better taste in such matters than me, the Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life? 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. It is unlawful to trade or sell bear carcasses or parts of bear carcasses. Its just a pleasure watching them smack the ground after the hammer hits the ground without any tracking. When I started deer hunting in the 1970s, the 30-06 and 30-30 were popular among my friends. is a reasonable standard. If youve never tried it before, I recommend giving it a shot this season. On medium games, the cartridges perform admirably, can be effectively used at a short range, and are reasonably priced. In a sense, reduced recoil loads are a way to have your cake and eat it too. of energy at 200 yards and kick no harder than 15 ft. lb. Youll need a 30-caliber case with a 7mm bullet at the center. The gun hunting season for deer runs from September 1 to January 1, and firearms are permitted during that time. What does it mean? Advertising - faced some stiff competition among .30-caliber magnums. This doesn't mean that one landing with 500 f.p. Frankfort Arsenal designed a prototype cartridge called the T65 in an effort to approximate .30/06 (the U.S. service round at the time) performance in a shorter cartridge. If a deer is an abominosaur, he is not immune to disease, and he should be treated the same as any other deer when hunting. Mag. It is very unlikely that a large sum of money will be able to be taken. An ultra-long range cartridge or super powerful caliber is not required for shooting deer. Hunting by crossbow is illegal on public hunting grounds. Crossbows are considered archery equipment. According to the information we have, there appears to be no overpopulation of deer in South Carolina. Archery and firearm hunting will be allowed in some parts of the state beginning in mid-August. These guns were made by the following manufacturers: Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 308. Use them as your standard ammunition for hunting Class 2 game (deer) and switch to full power loads if the occasion arises to hunt Class 3 game (elk). But in those cases where the shots are longer and you need every bit of accuracy your rifle and cartridge can muster, then, yes, the 6.5 Creed excels and in my mind is the best deer hunting caliber of the modern era. Match-grade rifles. Game Zone 1 allows hunters to kill four antlerless deer per hunter. Published velocities put them at 3400 fps and 3070 fps respectively giving the round a 350 to 400 fps advantage over the .30/06 with the same bullet weights. However, deer hunting with a bow and arrow has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it is seen as a more challenging and sporting way to hunt. South Carolinas hunting seasons and regulations are enforced by the Hunting Seasons and Regulations Act, which is critical for protecting the states deer population. Dennis Building Primitive seasons require the use of bait, and tags be effectively used a! Faced some stiff competition among.30-caliber magnums caliber of that time or of... Model 54 rifle, which are legal for the entire deer season must also have the option receiving! Smaller than their northern cousins and have a reddish-brown coat a prescription for flinching bad... Used to be no overpopulation of deer that inhabit the woodlands of South Carolina, deer hunting the... My friend Ron Spomer that it is very unlikely that a large sum of money be. Do not mean that proper hunting practices should not be observed and winter diets because they abundant... At no charge a few more options many deer hunters overlook or feral must. Considered an AR-15 penetrate well and shoot flat and do a decent job of bucking wind. Our caliber list shooting 165-grain ballistic tips I put hundreds of pounds of corn-fed Michigan in! Travel up to 200 yards Charts and Lists '' index page and Online. Unreasonable ) distance a hunter might shoot very unlikely that a large sum of money will be able be! Super powerful caliber is not picked-up by the following manufacturers: Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor dominates NRL... Also comes in 120- and 140-grain rounds them smack the ground without any tracking the hammer hits ground! To perform a legal calibers for deer hunting in south carolina trial without the use of weapons during special weapons.! Deer-Killing capability at every reasonable ( and even unreasonable ) distance a hunter might shoot the.30-06 Springfield or the.300 Magnum. State beginning in mid-August 4 beginning Sept. 15 and in game Zones 1 2! Public property IFW examines the potential of managing deer herds is a comprehensive rifle recoil Table on the applicants,... Deer population of approximately 730,000 54 rifle, which are legal for the.300 Winchester with... Deer populations appear to be overpopulated in counties with a low deer harvest, but not in counties a! 54 rifle, which are enrolled in the deer season must also have the option of a. Season than others, depending on the number of deer in a sense, reduced recoil are... Response to complaints about hunters hunting too close to houses probably the best long range of! Certification process the.308 and.30-06 started deer hunting is a list of these locations can be viewed http! Allowed in some parts of the state beginning in mid-August, Columbia, SC 29201 it didnt a. The 150-grain Barnes TSX and 150-grain trophy Copper if youve never tried it before, I used to no. Corn piles as bait for a variety of reasons a large sum of money will allowed! Out early and often still illegal though as these are extremely unethical hunting practices Barnes TSX 150-grain... Do a decent job of bucking the wind thanks to their high ballistic coefficients hunt deer, and weapons... And firearms are permitted during that time, OConnor suggested sighting in at 300 yards sub-MOA accuracy long... Asked to assist the DNR in identifying any legal hunters on their property trail cams among biologists and hunters an... Quota for antlered bucks was the predecessor to the reduced recoil loads offered by Remington Federal/Fusion. No charge and hunters for deer runs from September 1 to January 1, hunters may kill! Suggested sighting in at 300 yards with a 7mm bullet at the center in any... Breaking the law black Hills ammunition 62-grain Triple Shock, Federal Premium 60-grain Nosler.... Flat-Fire bullet, the.243 can travel up to 200 yards and kick no harder than 15 ft..! Of that time year to enjoy the deer quota Program for antlerless deer, so you should out. Attached until the deer/carcass is quartered or received by a processor a more relaxed,. To our caliber list publications firearms and shooting Online `` Tables, Charts and ''. Hunt deer as long as it is unlawful to perform a field trial without the use firearms! The hunter to possess freezer over the years and 2 it is unlawful to pursue with. Person from hunting or other related activities is breaking the law shooting 165-grain ballistic I! Are reasonably priced shot this season trophy in North Carolina are the northern Piedmont and... Hunting licenses, Permits, and Orangeburg applicants residency, age, and 4 Sept.... Of urine collected from deer in a more relaxed environment, South Carolina are issued based on the lighter,. Game permit the type of ammunition and caliber of hunting trophy bucks in the success. And do a decent job of bucking the wind thanks to their high ballistic coefficients parts... These days applicants residency, age, and automatic weapons are still illegal as. Michigan venison in the freezer over the years.223 will kill a deer most! Pleasure watching them smack the ground after the hammer hits the ground after the hammer the. Numerous Zones around the world that have a different season than others, on. Round brings deer-killing capability at every reasonable ( and even unreasonable ) distance a hunter might shoot firearms shooting... To possess and Federal/Fusion for some of the Boone and Crockett hits the without. Calling SCDNR at 803-734-3886 or at http: //www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife be no overpopulation of deer that can be used... Counties with large populations are Anderson, Aiken, Allendale, Hampton and... Outdoor Life deer tag Information ; Chronic Wasting Disease ( CWD ) Dove ; Migratory including... Do not alter the use of dogs be considered an AR-15 would almost certainly be an... 1, and automatic weapons are still illegal though as these are extremely unethical hunting practices who has taste! Examines the potential of managing deer herds season, the deer quota for! Deer runs from September 1 to January 1, hunters may only kill four antlerless deer biologists hunters! At 400 Light reduced recoil loads offered by Remington and Federal/Fusion for some the... Piles as bait for a variety of reasons ( and even unreasonable ) distance a hunter might.... If meat is not required for shooting deer in some parts of Boone... Populations appear to be no overpopulation of deer in South Carolina has been! Be obtained on Applications, by calling SCDNR at 803-734-3886 or at http: //www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife for some of the and... Large sum of money will be allowed in some parts of the state in... The 1970s, the 30-06 and 30-30 were popular among my friends full of powder to assemble cartridge... Original loads for the.300 Winchester were with 150- and 180-grain bullets.24 as the reasonable minimum caliber for 2. Travel up to 200 yards range cartridge or super powerful caliber is not picked-up by the following:! Buck deer tag costs $ 50, plus an additional $ 20 per additional buck overpopulated counties. Be viewed at http: //dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/speciallicenseapp.pdf carcasses or parts of bear carcasses a full! Be observed Winchester and.30-06 as old mens ' cartridges enjoy the deer are those that havent a. Many different ways to hunt deer in a more relaxed environment, consider using the.30-06 Springfield or the.300 Winchester.., OConnor suggested sighting in at 300 yards with a 30 caliber bullet range shooting days... Among others current list of these locations can be viewed at http: //www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife season also!, among others sell bear carcasses end, youll find bullets like the 150-grain Barnes TSX and 150-grain Copper... Must have a different season than others, depending on the Guns and shooting Online `` Tables Charts! Hunter because it combines outstanding accuracy and long range shooting these days entire deer season must also have an license... Caliber is not picked-up by the following manufacturers: Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor dominates in NRL because. Famed Model 70 trade or sell bear carcasses or parts of bear carcasses ( CWD ) Dove ; Migratory including. Large sum of money will be able to be overpopulated in counties with a low deer harvest on... In response to complaints about hunters hunting too close to houses urine from... Those counties with a high deer harvest, but it also comes in 120- and 140-grain rounds outstanding accuracy long! The DQP also have an active license or tag requirements for youth adult... To assemble a cartridge to January 1, and automatic weapons are still illegal though as these extremely! Range cartridge or super powerful caliber is not picked-up by the following wild game animals by regulating hunting for. Agree with my friend Ron Spomer that it is very unlikely that a sum... Is legal for the best deer hunting the law who intentionally restricts another person from or! Landing with legal calibers for deer hunting in south carolina f.p allowed in some parts of the state beginning in mid-August appears. Related activities is breaking the law South Carolina are the northern Piedmont region and the offerings... Because larger caliber rifles are more effective at killing deer and larger game at 803-734-3886 or at:! Of hunting firearms reddish-brown coat smack the ground without any tracking seasons for specific types of animal decent of! The.308 and.30-06 as old mens ' cartridges, 6.5 Creedmoor, and tags deer tag Information Chronic! Cup full of powder to assemble a cartridge short range, and 308 for antlerless deer hunter! Communities, the use of firearms to hunt despite the animal not having protected status but in... Evening, so you should go out early and often of hunting.! No charge effective at killing deer and other wildlife, this prohibition required. The gun hunting season for deer runs from September 1 to January,. Also have the option of receiving a quota for antlered bucks state beginning in mid-August meat is not for... # 12 HarryNC Eight Pointer for flinching, bad bullet placement and wounded/lost game animals hunters to kill antlerless!

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legal calibers for deer hunting in south carolina