Aiken County residents were among hundreds of participants from across South Carolina who attended a recent meeting in Walterboro to discuss deer hunting with dogs. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) hosted the meeting on Monday, August 10, at Faith Church in Walterboro, as part of a series of three public input sessions.
The Walterboro meeting, which had been relocated to accommodate a larger crowd, was standing room only, with vehicles filling two sizable parking lots. Attendees from various counties, including York, Dillon, Horry, Jasper, and Aiken, were present. The session began at 6:30 p.m. and concluded promptly at 8 p.m.
SCDNR stated that the public input process was initiated due to discussions and requests from its Board advisory committee, as well as concerns raised by hunters, landowners, and other South Carolinians. The department emphasized its role is to listen and gather facts, ensuring all perspectives on the issue are heard, rather than advocating for a predetermined outcome or legislative agenda.
During the meeting, hunters on both sides of the issue shared their experiences, with members of County Council and law enforcement observing. Topics discussed included enforcing existing laws, suggestions for improved tracking methods, and personal negative experiences encountered while hunting. The audience comprised landowners, hunters, and other community members. Speakers addressed a moderator who recorded comments for compilation with feedback from online submissions and the two previous meetings held in Florence and Orangeburg. These compiled comments will be presented to the DNR advisory committee, which may then offer recommendations to the South Carolina General Assembly.
