Antler scoring sessions set across South Carolina

By S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources

Published: February 24, 2010

Antlers will abound throughout the Palmetto State as the search for new state record deer antlers gets underway during the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ annual series of scoring sessions.
   
Each year during March, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) scores deer antlers throughout the state, with a major scoring effort during the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic scheduled for March 26-28 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia. A total of 5,232 sets of white-tailed deer antlers, including 5,039 typical racks and 193 non-typical, are currently ranked on South Carolina’s all-time antler records list, according to Charles Ruth, Deer and Wild Turkey Project supervisor for DNR. Minimum scores for state record listing are 125 points for typical antlers and 145 points for non-typical antlers. Scoring is based on the Boone and Crockett system.
   
The objectives of the state records list are to recognize outstanding animals and to identify areas that produce quality deer, according to Ruth. This information allows biologists to take a closer look at habitat and deer herd conditions in order to make future management recommendations.
   
Although record deer have been recorded from all counties, Aiken, Anderson, and Orangeburg counties have produced the greatest numbers in the past three to four years. Generally, larger deer are more abundant in areas that have fewer deer, as compared to parts of the state with high deer numbers, according to Ruth. Last year’s scoring sessions produced 193 new entries into the South Carolina records list, the second highest number of entries in the last 15 years.
   
Hunters must provide necessary documentation, such as the date and county of the kill, and sign a “fair chase” statement when they bring in a set of antlers for scoring. Antlers in velvet or those that are broken and repaired or antlers separated from the skull plate cannot be officially measured for the state records list. If the lower jawbone of the animal was extracted during taxidermy or otherwise saved, it should be brought to the scoring session so biologists can determine the deer’s age. An accurate weight measurement at the time of the kill is also helpful.
   
2010 ANTLER SCORING SESSIONS
   
Date, time, location, telephone
   
* Tuesday, March 2, 2-8 p.m., Seneca, Tri County Ace Builders Supply, 1645 Sandifer Blvd., (864) 882-2100
   
* Thursday, March 4, 2-5 p.m., Pickens, Tri County Ace Builders Supply, 440 Ann St., (864) 878-0370
   
* Friday, March 5, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bath, Wilson’s Taxidermy, 158 Victory Lane, (803) 593-3357
   
* Wednesday, March 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bonneau, Dennis Wildlife Center, 305 Black Oak Road, (843) 825-3387
   
* Friday, March 26, noon to 8 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886
   
* Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886
   
* Sunday, March 28, 1:30-6 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886
   
* Clemson: At DNR Office, 311 Natural Resources Dr., by appointment only during March (864) 654-1671, ext. 16.
   
* Columbia: At DNR office, 1000 Assembly St., by appointment only, (803) 734-8738
   
* Garnett: Webb Wildlife Center, 1282 Webb Ave., by appointment only during March, (803) 625-3569
   
* Greenwood:  At DNR office, 2751 Hwy. 72 East, Abbeville, by appointment only during March, (864) 223-2731
   
* Florence:  At DNR office, 2007 Pisgah Road., Florence, by appointment on Fridays during March, (843) 661-4768
   
* Union: At DNR Office, 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, by appointment only during March, (864) 427-5140
   
South Carolina’s natural resources are essential for economic development and contribute nearly $30 billion and 230,000 jobs to the state’s economy overall. Find out why “Life’s Better Outdoors” at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/green/index.html.