Baiting Wild Turkeys, the official text

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A21, R37, S345)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-11-510, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST BAITING WILD TURKEYS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN PERSONS WHO ARE TWO HUNDRED YARDS OR MORE FROM A BAITED AREA MANAGED FOR THE RESTORATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF WILD BOBWHITE QUAIL.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Prohibition against baiting wild turkeys, definitions, exception

SECTION 1. Section 50-11-510 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

Section 50-11-510. (A) It is unlawful for a person to:

(1) hunt or take or attempt to hunt or take a wild turkey by means of, or aid or use of, bait or baiting; or

(2) hunt or take or attempt to hunt or take a wild turkey on or over any baited area.

(B) As used in this section:

(1) "bait" or "baiting" means placing salt, corn, grain, or other foodstuffs that constitute a lure, attraction, or enticement for wild turkeys over an area where hunters are attempting to take them; and

(2) "baited area" means an area where salt, corn, grain, or other foodstuffs capable of luring, attracting, or enticing wild turkeys is placed. The area remains a baited area for ten days following complete consumption or removal of all bait.

(C) It is not a violation of this section if a person hunts or takes or attempts to hunt or take a wild turkey over a baited area for wild bobwhite quail, and is located on a property that is permitted by the department for the restoration and sustainability of wild bobwhite quail. The property must not be leased for turkey hunting, and there must be no commercial hunts for wild turkey on the property. A permit issued by the department for the restoration and sustainability of wild bobwhite quail:

(1) must contain conditions in conformance with best practices for managing wild bobwhite quail habitat; and

(2) is contingent on the receipt and approval of a wild bobwhite quail management plan that must be updated no less than every five years.

(D) The department may revoke a permit issued under subsection (C) if a permit condition is violated.

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 6th day of May, 2025.

Approved the 8th day of May, 2025.

__________