Deer antler-measuring sessions set across South Carolina

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 measuring sessions.

Each winter S.C. Department of Natural Resources measures deer antlers throughout the state, with a major effort during the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic scheduled for March 22-24 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia. A total of 8,171 sets of white-tailed deer antlers, including 7,845 typical racks and 326 nontypical, are currently ranked on South Carolina's all-time antler records list. Minimum scores for state record listing are 125 points for typical antlers and 145 points for nontypical antlers. Measurements are 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. 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. During 2023, 200 new records were added to the records list, including two Boone and Crockett Club qualifiers.

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 measuring. 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 measuring session so biologists can determine the deer's age. An accurate weight measurement at the time of the kill is also helpful.

For additional information on the Antler Records Program, visit the SCDNR website at www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/deer/index.html.

2024 ANTLER MEASURING SESSIONS

- Tuesday, March 5, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Easley, Academy Sports, 201 Rolling Hills Circle, (864) 850-6130

- Thursday, March 7, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pickens, Durham's Grocery, 3210 Walhalla Hwy., (864) 868-2070

- Friday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gilbert, Price's Country Store, 540 Peach Festival Road, (803) 892-2457

- Tuesday, March 12, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pauline, Coleman's Farm Supply, 2640 SC-56, (864) 585-0935

- Wednesday, March 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bonneau, Dennis Wildlife Center, 305 Black Oak Road. Please call ahead at (843) 825-3387.

- Thursday, March 14, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Greenwood, Hunter's Headquarters, 1845 Calhoun Road, (864) 223-1911

PALMETTO SPORTSMEN'S CLASSIC

- Friday, March 22, noon to 8 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886

- Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886

- Sunday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Columbia, Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic, State Fairgrounds, (803) 734-3886

SCDNR OFFICES BY APPOINTMENT

- Camden: At SCDNR Office, 632 West DeKalb St. Room 211, by appointment only during March, (843) 309-5165

- Clemson: At SCDNR Office, 311 Natural Resources Drive, by appointment only during March, (864) 986-6247

- Columbia: At SCDNR office, 1000 Assembly St., by appointment only any time of year, (803) 734-8738

- Florence: At SCDNR office, 295 S. Evander Drive, Florence, by appointment only during March, (843) 661-4768

- Garnett: At SCDNR office, 1282 Webb Ave., Garnett, by appointment only any time of year, (803) 625-3569

- Georgetown: At SCDNR office, 420 Dirleton Road, Georgetown, by appointment only during March, (843) 546-8119

- Union: At SCDNR Office, 124 Wildlife Drive, Union, by appointment only any time of year, (864) 427-5140.