SCDNR Legalizes Crossbows, Ups Dove Limit
Posted by lowcountryhunting on July 28, 2008
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has just released its 2008-2009 hunting and fishing regulations, and in it are several important changes.
I have already written about the new alligator season that they have enacted, but there are three other important changes that have just gone in to affect. One is the legalization of crossbows for use during any primitive weapon’s hunt. They were already legal during the state’s firearm season, but this now allows their use by anyone, not just disabled hunters, during special archery seasons and WMA hunts.
The second change is the increased limit for mourning doves from 12 to 15, and the third important change is the re-legalization of shining deer at night. It was legal to shine deer on your own property (owned or leased) until 10pm as long as you didn’t have immediate access to a gun and its ammo. Then the SCDNR outlawed that last year, but they have now gone back and made it legal again, and this time until 11pm. Along with this change, they also made it legal to use trail cameras, which I don’t think was illegal, but the new laws just clarify it.
Since South Carolina has always had a very long, and liberal deer season as far as which weapons were allowed, I don’t think legalizing crossbows during archery-only seasons will cause as much dissension as it will/has in other states. However I would still love to hear everyone’s thoughts on it. I would also love to hear some pre-season hunting reports from anyone that has been working on their clubs or leases over the last few weeks as well to see some trailcam shots of any nice bucks in velvet. So please leave some comments.
Thanks, Jeff
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I wrote a post about my position on crossbows so I’ll keep it short and sweet here.
I used to be against them, but now have come around and I honestly don’t see the problem. I know it causes some major debates and hard feelings between hunters, and that is why I changed my mind. I’m sick of the in-fighting amongst our ranks about who is “morally” correct.
I think that allowing shining is great. My brother and I have been shining since we were kids and I love it. It is a great scouting tool, and as long as you keep it respectable-not shining houses, barns, and such, I think it is a great way to spend an evening.
I still wanna come and hunt gators. That would be awesome.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Sounds like some good, common-sense changes to me.
Crossbows aren’t the devil with a bowstring. Compared to my Mathews Drenalin, they barely compete in accuracy, speed, or kinetic energy (translated to killing power). The only difference is the ability to hold full draw indefinitely, so it becomes an aim-and-shoot tool. It’s unlikely to make any negative impact on the deer herd. In fact, like many states in the Southeast, SC needs to do whatever it can to up the annual harvest. Crossbows make sense as an additional tool, and should enable more hunters to get out there and hunt the longer seasons (besides, anyone with the gumption to ask could get a doctor to sign the crossbow permit request).
Shining was a great past-time when I was a high-schooler in NC. Living out where I did, it was a great way to spend an evening with a date (although I’m not so sure the dates always thought so)…bouncing through the woods with the Q-beam. I realize, of course, that many unsafe and unsavory activities tended to accompany these outings, but it still remains as one of those great memories… and I’m glad kids in SC will be able to continue it. I’m also sure some folks can actually make good use of the new rule for scouting.
Good stuff…
July 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I’m glad that SC legalized crossbows and by doing so this might add to the dwendling number of hunters in our state. It will also give some new hunters (hopefully)a reason to take up the sport of hunting. I hunt with a compound but will be gator hunting in Sept with my crossbow. Can’t wait.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
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September 6th, 2008 at 9:40 am
what’s up with crossbows? people prefer them even though their dangerous, they’re darn heavy and messy to carry with. hunting doves with a crossbow?
June 25th, 2009 at 8:13 pm