By Ben Baugh
The middle of August could mean a number of things in the Palmetto State. The start of the school year, the commencement of the high school and college football seasons, and, for some, it's the opening of deer hunting season, which begins today.
What type of impact does deer hunting have on the state's economy? The impact is larger than many people may think. Nearly $200 million in direct sales on an annual basis can be attributed to deer hunting in South Carolina, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The majority of the impact is related to what hunters purchase in order to deer hunt and not the license fees, which account for only a small fraction of the totals, said Charles Ruth, certified wildlife biologist and deer and wild turkey program coordinator for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
One way the state generates revenue is through the sale of big game permits. Hunters must purchase a big game license in addition to their regular hunting license, said Brett Witt with SCDNR.
"There are about 165,000 license types sold each year that include a big game permit, which is required to hunt deer, bear and turkey," said Ruth. "These license types include sportsman's, combination hunting and fishing, junior sportsman's, resident big game permit and nonresident big game permit."
Area retailers have seen an increase in foot traffic through their stores, and much of the consumer interest can be attributed to people getting ready for the hunting season. A greater volume of buyers can be found after Independence Day as hunters prepare for the upcoming season.
"People start getting their bows out from under their bed and knocking the dust off of them," said Lenny Atkinson, the owner of Hooties Outdoors. "They're getting their guns boresighted. We have an archery range, so people can come in and test drive a bow or maybe upgrade a bow. We're selling a lot of accessories like grunt calls, arrows and ammo."
Gun sales have increased but not markedly, said John Engle, Tyler Brothers customer sales.
"People are coming in primarily to get their scopes boresighted and their scopes mounted," said Engle. "A lot of people are upgrading their scopes."
Carolina Outdoors' owner Butch Roberson has seen a greater volume of traffic, an increase in gun and ammo sales and greater interest in camouflage clothing and accessories as the opening of deer season nears.![]()
The middle of August could mean a number of things in the Palmetto State. The start of the school year, the commencement of the high school and college football seasons, and, for some, it's the opening of deer hunting season, which begins today.
What type of impact does deer hunting have on the state's economy? The impact is larger than many people may think. Nearly $200 million in direct sales on an annual basis can be attributed to deer hunting in South Carolina, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The majority of the impact is related to what hunters purchase in order to deer hunt and not the license fees, which account for only a small fraction of the totals, said Charles Ruth, certified wildlife biologist and deer and wild turkey program coordinator for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
One way the state generates revenue is through the sale of big game permits. Hunters must purchase a big game license in addition to their regular hunting license, said Brett Witt with SCDNR.
"There are about 165,000 license types sold each year that include a big game permit, which is required to hunt deer, bear and turkey," said Ruth. "These license types include sportsman's, combination hunting and fishing, junior sportsman's, resident big game permit and nonresident big game permit."
Area retailers have seen an increase in foot traffic through their stores, and much of the consumer interest can be attributed to people getting ready for the hunting season. A greater volume of buyers can be found after Independence Day as hunters prepare for the upcoming season.
"People start getting their bows out from under their bed and knocking the dust off of them," said Lenny Atkinson, the owner of Hooties Outdoors. "They're getting their guns boresighted. We have an archery range, so people can come in and test drive a bow or maybe upgrade a bow. We're selling a lot of accessories like grunt calls, arrows and ammo."
Gun sales have increased but not markedly, said John Engle, Tyler Brothers customer sales.
"People are coming in primarily to get their scopes boresighted and their scopes mounted," said Engle. "A lot of people are upgrading their scopes."
Carolina Outdoors' owner Butch Roberson has seen a greater volume of traffic, an increase in gun and ammo sales and greater interest in camouflage clothing and accessories as the opening of deer season nears.