2010 'gobbler' season begins Published March 16, 2010 By Ronnie June 20th SEC/CEANC SHAW AFB, S.C. -- Spring turkey hunting in Sumter county (game zone 5) begins April 1 and ends May 1. Turkey hunting is allowed at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range during weekends when there are no mission conflicts. The specific hunting opportunities available on the Poinsett Range are on the following Saturdays and Sundays: April 3, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, and 24 to 25. There will be no hunt on Easter Sunday April 4. All hunts will be in the morning from approximately 30 minutes before the official sunrise until four hours after sunrise. To participate in a specific hunt, a hunter must call the registration line at 803-494-3239 between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on the Tuesday prior to the Saturday or Sunday when you are planning to hunt. For example, the call-in period for a hunt on Saturday, April 3 will be Tuesday, March 30. You may sign up for both Saturday and Sunday hunts at the same time. A hunter may make a reservation for himself and one other person in the assigned area, usually as a caller. However, both are considered hunters and must have a valid South Carolina big game hunting license, which are available at a local hardware or sports departments of retail stores. Both must pay the permit fee, although only one gun is allowed per hunting area. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. After all reservation slots are filled, managers will create a standby list. In the event a slot becomes available, someone will call the first-available standby. Persons under 16 may hunt for free if accompanied by a licensed adult. The cost for hunts will be $15 per participant per hunt and paid by cash, check or money order made payable to "DDO DSSN 3801, Shaw AFB, SC". Payments may be made the morning of the hunt. Cancellations must be made by the close of business Thursday to allow standby hunters to fill the slot. Persons who do not cancel their reservation by 4:30 p.m. Thursday or fail to show up for the hunt will be required to pre-pay in order to participate in future hunts. Hunters will meet at the Rosemary fire tower complex off of highway 261 prior to the time announced during the reservation process. Specific times will be given at sign-up, since the time of sunrise will change as the season progresses. The gate will be locked at the time announced, so hunters will need to be present early in order to participate in the hunt. Drawings for hunting units will be conducted prior to the hunt following a range safety briefing. Hunters will be transported to an assigned drop-off point and will be expected to be at that same point at the time assigned for pick-up after the hunt. Prior to hunting that morning, all participants are required to listen to a safety briefing and follow all rules and instructions. Failure to do so could lead to revoking rights from future hunts. If you have any questions, please call Ronnie June, Shaw Air Force Base biologist, at 803-895-9985, or the hunt reservation line 803-494-3239.