A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, RELATING TO TURKEY HUNTING RULES AND SEASONS, DESIGNATED AS

2025-2026 Regular Session

South Carolina approves DNR Regulation 5259, finalizing turkey hunting seasons, bag limits, and WMA rules to take effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Recommitted to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry

Overview

Bill: S 1216

Session: 2025-2026

Jurisdiction: South Carolina

Title: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, RELATING TO TURKEY HUNTING RULES AND SEASONS, DESIGNATED AS REGULATION DOCUMENT NUMBER 5259

Type: Joint resolution approving a regulatory amendment

Effective date: Upon approval by the Governor

Purpose and Intent

The bill approves the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations concerning turkey hunting rules and seasons, identified as Regulation Document Number 5259.

The approval is required under South Carolina law for the state’s regulations to take effect, ensuring the DNR’s proposed adjustments to turkey hunting management are enforceable.

Key Provisions

Approval of Regulations: Section 1 formally approves the DNR’s turkey hunting rules and seasons, as designated in Regulation Document 5259.

Effective Timing: Section 2 states the joint resolution (and thereby the regulations) take effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Scope of Regulation: The accompanying summary indicates the proposed amendments would detail:

Seasons and dates for turkey hunting, including start and end dates for various zones or areas.
Bag limits (how many turkeys a hunter may harvest).
Specific hunting and taking rules on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
Other operational details related to turkey hunting on WMAs (e.g., licensing, licenses required, permit specifics, penalties, and any special restrictions).

Notice and Process: The administration references publication of a Notice of Drafting in the State Register (October 27, 2023), indicating a formal rulemaking process was followed prior to submission.

Who Is Affected

Hunters: Individuals who hunt turkeys in South Carolina, particularly those who hunt on Wildlife Management Areas, would be subject to the new seasons, bag limits, and rules.

Wildlife Management Areas: Rules specific to WMAs would govern permissible turkey hunting activities, potentially affecting access, dates, bag limits, and operational procedures on those lands.

DNR and Regulated Stakeholders: DNR implements and enforces the regulations; other stakeholders (e.g., hunting organizations, landowners, and neighboring states’ wildlife agencies) may be affected by any changes in seasons, limits, or enforcement.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Legislative Path: The bill functions as a formal approval of existing DNR regulations, a common mechanism for codifying regulatory actions into state law.

Action History:

Scrivener’s error corrected (March 28, 2024) and formal introduction with first reading (March 27, 2024).
Recommitted to the Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry (April 17, 2024), indicating potential further committee review or adjustments.

Effective Date: The regulations take effect only after the Governor signs the joint resolution into law.

Additional Notes

The Notice of Drafting for Regulation 123-51 was published in the State Register on October 27, 2023, signaling the regulatory process preceding the proposed changes.

While the summary notes amendments to seasons, dates, bag limits, and WMAs, the exact numeric details (specific dates, bag limits, zone delineations) are contained in Regulation Document 5259 and are not enumerated in this summary.