There was also a change in harvest regulations a few seasons back.

“We went from only 4 or more points on one side,” Harrigal said, “to 4 or more points on one side or a 12-inch spread. This was done to reduce the harvest pressure on 1 1/2-year-old bucks and to increase the antlerless deer harvest.”

It worked.

The 2002 season’s harvest was 73 deer (33 bucks, 40 does). This declined to 52 deer (22 bucks, 30 does) during the 2003 season, the first season with the change. The 2004 and 2005 harvest was 54 deer (19 bucks, 35 does) and 65 deer (23 bucks, 42 does), respectively. Last season, hunters took 78 deer (16 bucks, 62 does).

Harrigal stated that the decline right after the change coincided with the severe drought, which reduced deer harvest statewide. As the harvest has rebounded in recent seasons, the harvest management objective has been achieved.

Some nice bucks are being taken as well. Of the 16 bucks taken last season, 25 percent had spreads greater than 16 inches, which is respectable for a public area.

About 85 percent of the harvest occurs by the early November hunt period. The highest harvest last season was during the Oct. 23-25 hunt period when 24 deer (three bucks, 21 does) were taken.

Three deer are permitted per hunt period and hogs are legal.

Hunters drawn to hunt at Donnelley WMA may camp at the primitive campground at nearby Bear Island WMA, located a few miles farther down Bennetts Point Road, during the hunt period. There is a commercial campground located five miles from Donnelley WMA at Woods Brothers Store in nearby Green Pond. A selection of motel accommodations is available in Walterboro, about a 20-minute drive away.

For any additional information about the deer hunts held at the Donnelley WMA, you can contact the office at (843) 844-8957.

BEAR ISLAND WMA
Just down the road from Donnelley WMA is Bear Island WMA. It is primarily a waterfowl management area. As such, it is characterized by many impoundments. Woods of varying sizes are scattered across the WMA.

Don’t think of deep swamps and extensive stands of forests that you would find at Donnelley WMA. Bear Island is wide-open spaces, with deer hiding in anything from marsh grass on old ditch banks to wax myrtle thickets in coastal pine stands.

Thirty hunters are drawn for each 2 1/2-day hunt period, with the majority of hunts held in October. The 2006 harvest was 22 deer (nine bucks, 13 does). Not surprisingly, the most deer (nine bucks, seven does) were harvested during the same hunt period as the Donnelley WMA, Oct. 23-25.

You can find out more about the draw deer hunts at Bear Island WMA by calling SCDNR at (843) 844-8957.

BONNEAU FERRY WMA
The 10,700-acre Bonneau Ferry WMA in Berkeley County is a newcomer to the draw-deer hunt program. Last year was only the second season the property had draw deer hunts.

Hunts start in early October and continue into November. Normally, six 2 1/2-day hunts are held on the area. There is a three-deer limit, but only one buck may be harvested per hunter. There are no antler restrictions.

SCDNR personnel said they expect draw-deer hunt regulations and hunting procedures to be the same as last season, with one exception.

The property is divided approximately in half, and the draw hunts take place on one side. Adult-youth deer hunts take place on the other half of Bonneau Ferry WMA. The following season, the draw hunts and adult-youth hunts flip-flop sides. So, if you’re lucky enough to be drawn two seasons in a row, you will have a different view from your tree stand.