From staff reports
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) will host five public meetings around the state to discuss concerns about declines in wild turkey numbers and options to address these declines.
The Lowcountry meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 13 at Palmetto Electric Cooperative in the New River Community Room at 1 Cooperative Way in Hardeeville. The meeting will end no later than 8:30 p.m.
SCDNR has heard from turkey hunters, landowners and members of the General Assembly with concerns about decreasing turkey numbers, lower reproduction, and declining harvests across the state. These issues are not unique to South Carolina and are occurring across the Southeast and Midwest. SCDNR shares these concerns and summer brood surveys (turkey reproductive data), harvest data and numerous research projects in South Carolina and across the Country support these observations.
As part of the meeting, SCDNR will present available data, and receive comments and questions from hunters. This input from the public, combined with harvest data, brood survey data and university research findings will be used to develop recommendations for the S.C. General Assembly for possible legislative changes to seasons, bag limits and/or methods of take for wild turkeys. Any potential changes would occur no sooner than the 2024 legislative session and would not go into effect until the spring of 2025 at the earliest.
For individuals unable to attend one of the meetings, there will also be a video presentation and opportunity to submit comments on the SCDNR website from mid-July through early August.
Following the series of meetings and public input, SCDNR will conduct an online survey to assess public opinions and preferences for various management options.
Keep an eye on the SCDNR website and social media platforms for more information and links to submit comments.
