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Deer, turkey, and hogs are in abundant numbers in South Carolina, and we have one of the longest deer seasons in the country.  The coastal counties open deer season on August 15 and it runs through January 1st. Here is a quick rundown of the different geographic regions of the state:

- The lowcountry is a coastal plain that runs from Pawley's Island (just below Myrtle Beach) down to the Georgia border and inland about 50-60 miles.  Habitats range from vast timber tracts, hardwood bottoms, some agriculture and marsh.  Some of the highest deer populations in the state can be found in the southern counties of the lowcountry as well as turkey, hogs and waterfowl.  The timber tracts are very well suited to quail habitat, along with fallow agricultural fields. 

-Santee-Cooper is an inland area dominated by Lakes Moultrie and Marion comprising about 175,000 acres.  Its landscape differs from the lowcountry in that it's more rolling and traditionally agricultural, yet also has large timber tracts. 

-The Pee Dee lies to the north east of the Santee-Cooper area and has several large river systems running through it.  While the soils in the lowcountry tend to be sandy, there is a lot of clay in the Pee-Dee and Midlands, which is around Columbia.  As you move towards the upstate, the deer populations aren't quite as prevalent, but there are still quality deer taken regularly.  The areas I would suggest concentrating on are the Lowcountry and Pee Dee areas.

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Best regards,

Trey Allen RLI, GRI
BS Naturalism
South Carolina Master Naturalist
Coldwell Banker United