South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

While many of our WMAs remain closed along the coast due to the ongoing effects of Tropical Storm Debby, our first youth deer hunt day on private land is coming up for those who are able to participate safely. Youth deer hunts on private land: 📆 Game Zones 3 & 4: Saturday, Aug. 10 📆 Game Zone 2: Saturday, Sept. 14 📆 Game Zone 1: Saturday, Sept. 28 *An additional statewide youth day on all private lands and certain WMAs will occur after the regular season on Jan. 4, 2025. Regulations for youth days are: • Private lands only. • For youth 17 years old and younger. • Youth hunters who have not completed the hunter education program must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age. • There are no license or tag requirements for youth or adult on this designated youth day. • Adults may guide, however, only the youth may take or attempt to take deer. • Guns, primitive weapons or archery equipment allowed. • ANTLERED DEER ONLY, Bag Limit 1. • While tags aren’t required on youth days, electronic harvest reporting is still required. Youth with tags can utilize the normal reporting methods: mobile app, website, text, or phone. Youth without tags will need to utilize the EXEMPT HUNTER reporting form at https://lnkd.in/gbVNeiaQ to report their harvest on youth days. Youth hunters will still require deer tags during the regular season. NOTE: Some deer processors may not be open prior to the regular season, please plan accordingly prior to hunting regarding care and handling of your harvest. Be safe, have fun and good luck!

We have closed numerous properties and offices due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby, including our Charleston office at Fort Johnson. For a full list of closures, visit https://lnkd.in/eUYzYRQX. When storms and inclement weather occur in South Carolina, state government offices, including SCDNR, follow the same weather hazard decisions made by county government officials where the state offices are located. The most up-to-date information regarding office closures and delayed openings can be found from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at https://lnkd.in/eneyQAxi.

Since 2013, SCDNR has compiled over 2400 reports of nonnative reptile and amphibian species observed and reported throughout South Carolina. Over that time, biologists have visually confirmed, in person or through photographs, 873 reports of over 30 nonnative species. The most frequently reported species include Mediterranean house geckos, brown anoles, red-eared sliders, Cuban tree frogs, Argentine black and white tegus, African spurred tortoises and ball pythons. We have also confirmed Burmese pythons, green iguanas, various tortoise and monitor lizard species and two crocodilian species. The Argentine black and white tegu, which is prohibited in South Carolina, has been confirmed from 17 counties statewide. To date, 18 tegus have been removed from the wild in South Carolina. We want to remind and encourage everyone to be a responsible pet owner and recommend that anyone considering an exotic pet make sure it’s legal in South Carolina as well as in your county and municipality. Always do your research before purchasing a pet to better understand the requirements of keeping that species. Releasing nonnative reptiles and amphibians is illegal in South Carolina and can threaten our native wildlife and habitats. If you see a reptile or amphibian species that doesn’t belong, try to take a picture, record the date and your location. You can report the sighting in the following ways: 1) Any species can be reported on our EDDMapS reporting page: https://lnkd.in/gr5Y_JGH 2) Email your sighting to herps@dnr.sc.gov 3) Black and white tegu sightings can also be reported here: https://arcg.is/00LH5z0 📸 Argentine black and white tegu, by Dustin Smith

The 35th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep happens in September, when thousands of volunteers will clear trash from South Carolina waterways. Want to be involved? Then consider volunteering as a site captain to organize and lead a local cleanup with your friends, co-workers or family. No additional site captains are needed for coastal/beach cleanups; however, there are many places on inland rivers and lakes where you could lead a team and target litter at fishing access sites, boat landings, swimming areas, parks, islands and shorelines. To learn more about how you can volunteer for Beach Sweep/River Sweep, go to https://lnkd.in/efKeBAtA.

Folks on the coast: be on the lookout for blue land crabs! 🦀 Wet, summery weather is bringing these nonnative crabs out of their burrows. 🕳️ Help our biologists continue to collect information about when and where this species is spreading by snapping a photo and reporting your sighting online. Check out these images for a selection of the photos y'all have shared and a map of the confirmed sightings in South Carolina. 🗺️ Native to the coast from Brazil to South Florida, these large, burrowing crabs have shown up in South Carolina backyards, fields and even heavily trafficked urban streets. Blue land crabs are comparable in size to our native blue crabs but range widely in color (from orange to gray to bright purple). ⚠️ Report your sightings here: https://arcg.is/1vW1eS ⚠️

Save the dates! Our Scholastic Clay Target Sports Program will hold Level 1 Shotgun Certification training for coaches in August, September and October. The two-day training will be held at Wateree Range in Eastover on Friday from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Dates: Aug. 16-17 Sept. 27-28 Oct 11-12 For registration information, visit https://lnkd.in/dRZ_hZbh.

The Candy Branch Shooting Range in Abbeville County is temporarily closed. The range, located on the Sumter National Forest, is owned and operated by the U.S. Forest Service. For information on Candy Branch and other South Carolina shooting ranges, visit https://lnkd.in/dYbGzc_4.

Last week, several SCDNR staff had the privilege of attending ICAST, the world's largest sportfishing trade show, to network with the many sportfishing-related business that make their homes in South Carolina. 🏡 These manufacturers, retailers, dealers, and small businesses contribute to our state in more ways than one. In addition to the jobs and economic boost they bring, they play an important role in conservation as well -- through the Dingell Johnson Act, fishing equipment such as rods, reels, lures, and artificial baits are subject to a 10% federal excise tax that helps fund state fishing programs. 🎣 Tag your favorite SC-based sportfishing company in the comments below! Photo: Group shot of South Carolina's ICAST attendees (Leonard Bryant)

Have you ever ventured up a monadnock? There are several in the Upstate of South Carolina, but a special one resides at Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve in Pickens County. A monadnock is an isolated mountain located in the Piedmont just below the Blue Ridge region. They can often be considered the gateway to the Upstate. These mountains offer a glimpse at multiple ecosystems as the trail rises up the mountain. Join our state naturalist as we explore the small details and grand vistas of Glassy Mountain. Be sure to grab your field guides and binoculars and adventure up the mountain yourself this summer! https://lnkd.in/eMBMKam2

Deer hunters, your tags should be arriving in the mail soon. Hunters who have an annual or three-year hunting license and big game permit, combination license or sportsman license, which will be valid on Aug. 15, should automatically receive a base set of deer tags. Additionally, lifetime, senior, gratis, disability and Catawba license holders who previously requested deer tags will continue to automatically receive a free base set of tags this year and in the future. These license type holders who did not automatically receive tags last year must request them to be added to the automatic fulfillment list. Deer tags will also be available over-the-counter beginning Monday, Aug. 5 at SCDNR offices located in Charleston, Clemson, West Columbia (Farmers Market), Florence, Aynor and York. For complete details, visit https://lnkd.in/evZX-wTh