fastlanedude
Member
My first official day of hunting...ever, was Nov. 22, 2009.
I was well practiced with my 308. Could hit 2" moa sitting using only the rifle sling. After months of reading and watching videos on hunting, fully read the rules for South Carolina hunting (I thought), and hundreds of dollars in gear, I was ready to find some meat. I hoped to find a hog. Would save the deer hunting after gaining a little experience.
I drove around South Carolina's Francis Marion Forest Hellhole WMA for a half hour finding a private, high ground, and good spot. After another hour, I had finally climbed up using screw in pegs up to my budget tree stand. Pulled up the Rifle and backpack...drank some bottled water and was ready to sit for a couple hours.
(Thought it was ok to switch from orange to camo hat). Within the 1st hour,
I heard a vehicle stop in the distance and shortly thereafter someone walking in the woods near me. I thought "can't believe they have to hunt right where I am. Then, I saw him wearing his orange hat. As he got closer, I noticed the sidearm and green shirt with patches. SC DNR officer...Is he looking for me? He was looking south and I was about 100 yards from him. Briefly thought, I could just sit here in my tree stand quietly and he might go away. But, I'm not doing anything wrong and he has scared off any animals in the area. So I hollered "You looking for me?" "Yes" he replied. He walked over to me and said "...closed unit...have your driver license on you...I'll meet you at the truck..."
So, down I climb, gathered all my gear and put on my orange hat. As I walked back, trying not to get lost, I thought he said it was open to dog drives today, not still hunting.
Long story short, He cited me 110.00 and a warning for not wearing orange in the stand. I went home feeling let down and a little angry. Later that night and Sunday, as I was researching the SC Dept. of Natural Resources handbook and maps, I finally came across a statement pertaining to the WMA I was on "Youth Only Nov. 21 either-sex." Buried on page 49.
So, THAT JUST SUCKS! I should have read the manual better.
I was well practiced with my 308. Could hit 2" moa sitting using only the rifle sling. After months of reading and watching videos on hunting, fully read the rules for South Carolina hunting (I thought), and hundreds of dollars in gear, I was ready to find some meat. I hoped to find a hog. Would save the deer hunting after gaining a little experience.
I drove around South Carolina's Francis Marion Forest Hellhole WMA for a half hour finding a private, high ground, and good spot. After another hour, I had finally climbed up using screw in pegs up to my budget tree stand. Pulled up the Rifle and backpack...drank some bottled water and was ready to sit for a couple hours.
(Thought it was ok to switch from orange to camo hat). Within the 1st hour,
I heard a vehicle stop in the distance and shortly thereafter someone walking in the woods near me. I thought "can't believe they have to hunt right where I am. Then, I saw him wearing his orange hat. As he got closer, I noticed the sidearm and green shirt with patches. SC DNR officer...Is he looking for me? He was looking south and I was about 100 yards from him. Briefly thought, I could just sit here in my tree stand quietly and he might go away. But, I'm not doing anything wrong and he has scared off any animals in the area. So I hollered "You looking for me?" "Yes" he replied. He walked over to me and said "...closed unit...have your driver license on you...I'll meet you at the truck..."
So, down I climb, gathered all my gear and put on my orange hat. As I walked back, trying not to get lost, I thought he said it was open to dog drives today, not still hunting.
Long story short, He cited me 110.00 and a warning for not wearing orange in the stand. I went home feeling let down and a little angry. Later that night and Sunday, as I was researching the SC Dept. of Natural Resources handbook and maps, I finally came across a statement pertaining to the WMA I was on "Youth Only Nov. 21 either-sex." Buried on page 49.
So, THAT JUST SUCKS! I should have read the manual better.
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