A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-11-580, RELATING TO THE SEASON FOR HUNTING AND TAKING MALE WILD TURKEYS, BAG LIMITS, TAKING FEMALE WILD TURKEYS, AND ANNUAL REPORTING, SO AS TO ADJUST THE HUNTING AND LIMIT FOR TAKING MALE WILD TURKEYS; and to provide a SUNSET provision.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 50-11-580 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 50-11-580. (A) The season for hunting and taking a male wild turkey is April 10 through May 10.:

       (1) in Game Zones 1 and 2, April 1 through May 10;  and

       (2) in Game Zones 3 and 4, March 22 through April 30.

    (B) The season bag limit for male wild turkeys is threetwo statewide for residents and two statewide for nonresidents. The daily bag limit is one, provided that:

       (1) only one male wild turkey may be taken from April 1 through April 10 from within Game Zones 1 and 2;  and

       (2) only one male wild turkey may be taken from March 22 through March 31 from within Game Zones 3 and 4.

    (C) It is unlawful for a person to take a female wild turkey unless authorized by the department pursuant to Section 50-11-500(3).

    (D) The department shall provide an annual report on wild turkey resources in South Carolina to the Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

 

SECTION 2.  The provisions of this act expire five years after the effective date.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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