State: SC

Why It Matters: South Carolina’s boating and fishing industries have a significant economic impact in the Palmetto State, and two federal initiatives underway threaten the traditions of offshore anglers by proposing to institute a new, untested fisheries data collection program and limiting vessel speeds not based on the best available science. Highlights: Over the last…

Why It Matters: Removing barriers to hunting participation, like Blue Laws with no basis in wildlife management that prohibit hunting on Sunday, is critical to supporting hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts and putting hunters on an equal access playing field with other public land user-groups that are not prohibited from engaging in their recreational pursuits on…

Highlights: Last month, South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Senator Chip Campsen introduced two bills to support conservation initiatives in the state. Senate Bill 280, the South Carolina Conservation Enhancement Act, would restore a portion of the deed recording fee to support the South Carolina Conservation Bank. Senate Bill 281, the South Carolina Public Lands…

Why It Matters: States have recognized the importance of providing positive outdoor recreation experiences for youth. It is no secret that hunter numbers are declining across the board so taking kids hunting and doing whatever possible to provide them with positive experiences only serves to benefit recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts as well as provide…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Director Why It Matters: After the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Council doubled down on their opposition to retaining the prohibition against Sunday hunting on Wildlife Management Areas less than two years ago, the favorable votes are a significant step forward towards opening…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Highlights Why it Matters: Governor McMaster’s membership in the GSC expands the network of pro-sportsmen elected officials in South Carolina, including members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, who are committed to protecting hunting and angling traditions in the Palmetto State. Governor…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director Highlights Why It Matters: Sunday hunting prohibitions are Blue Laws with no basis in wildlife management that impede hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts (R3). Other user groups are not prohibited from accessing WMAs on Sundays like hunters are, and South Carolina hunters want equal access to their…

Thursday, June 17, 2021 (EDGEFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA)—Today, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) hosted the 4th Annual South Carolina Sporting Clays Classic in partnership with the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus).  Held at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield, South Carolina, the event brought together elected officials, state agency leaders,…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director In December, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council President and South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Brian White introduced knife preemption legislation. Preemption prevents regulation by local jurisdictions and creates uniformity across the state so knife owners are not subject to a confusing patchwork of local…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On September 28, Governor Henry McMaster signed legislation into law that expands the apprentice hunting license program. House Bill 3800 passed the Senate on September 17 after the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and partners in the Families Afield coalition worked with the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus)…

Contact: John Culclasure, Southeastern States Assistant Director On September 17, legislation that would expand the apprentice hunting license program passed the South Carolina Senate. This legislation previously passed the House on April 3, 2019 and will advance to the Governor’s desk once ratified.  Sponsored by South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) Member Representative Bobby Cox,…

Contact: Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director On July 24, South Carolina became the ninth state to ban the use of natural deer urine as an attractant. The new regulation from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) will ban the use of lures or attractants that contain any excretion collected from a deer (including…