There was a tie for fifth place with Anderson and Colleton counties each having seven record-book bucks scored in 2005. Both of these counties had one non-typical scored; the rest were typical. Abbeville and Calhoun counties were tied for seventh with six record-book bucks each. Neither of these two counties had any non-typicals scored in 2005.

There was a five-way tie for ninth with Bamberg, Barnwell, Dorchester, Oconee and Spartanburg all having five record-book bucks each. Dorchester had two non-typicals scored, all the rest from this group were typicals.

We'll now look at the All-Time Record List, which includes data from 1974 through the 2004 hunt year.

As it has been for a long time, Orangeburg County is still far in front of other South Carolina counties, with 320 bucks taken that have made the state-record list. Since Orangeburg was second in this year's scoring session in total number of record-book bucks scored, there is no question it's still a prime spot for big bucks. The No. 2 all-time producer is Aiken County with 257 entries into the state-record book. Fairfield County remains in third with 223 (with four more added at this year's scoring session). In fourth is Colleton County with 197, up seven entries from last year.

Fifth place was shared this year with Abbeville and Williamsburg counties having 169 entries each. Williamsburg added two this year and Abbeville added six. In seventh was Allendale with 165 entries, with four added this year. Anderson County was eighth with 160, adding seven from this year's scoring sessions.

ALL-TIME TOP 10 SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTIES
County	Typical	Non-Typical	Total
1. Orangeburg	311	9	320
2. Ailen	252	5	257
3. Fairfield	217	6	223
4. Colleton	180	12	197
5. Williamsburg	167	2	169
6. Abbeville	160	9	169
7. Allendale	156	9	165
8. Anderson	155	5	160
9. Kershaw	151	5	156
10. Barnwell	142	1	143

In ninth place is Kershaw County with 156 entries, with 10 added this scoring year. Rounding out the top 10 are Barnwell and Hampton counties, both with 143 total deer making the record book. Barnwell added five this year, while Hampton added three more.

As Ruth noted, the places where big deer are being harvested seem to be expanding as the statewide herd population begins to stabilize. The best places to kill big deer in South Carolina are not necessarily the best places to kill the most deer.

"Although some of the top counties have relatively high deer populations, some of these counties have more moderate numbers," Ruth said. "It is important that hunters and land managers understand how the density of deer in an area affects the quality of the animals. Areas with fewer deer typically have better quality animals because natural food availability and nutritional quality (per animal) is higher. Good nutrition is important to producing good antlers, but deer reproduction, recruitment and survival are also directly tied to nutrition.

"If hunters want to continue to have good numbers of large-antlered bucks," Ruth said, "the harvest of female deer must continue to be emphasized in order to keep deer numbers from becoming too high. Over the last 10 years, most hunters have realized the importance of harvesting doe deer. These hunters should be commended and encouraged to continue this trend."

Ruth summarized the record-book program by noting that currently 4,488 sets of antlers are included on the South Carolina antler records list. Of these, 160 sets of antlers are non-typical, the rest are typical.

"As for the South Carolina Antler Records List, about one in every 1,000 bucks harvested makes the state book," Ruth said.

By looking at all the above data, with luck you can target areas close enough to you to allow you to hunt in areas where big bucks exist. It is still a rare event to harvest a state-record buck, but that is why you need to put a lot of effort into the planning part of the hunt if you are out to add your name to this list.