Article Display

Turkey hunting season open at Poinsett Range

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Spring turkey hunting season began March 31 at the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, located 7 miles south of the base.

Turkey hunts are held each Saturday and Sunday in April except for Easter Sunday, April 8, said Ronnie June, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron biologist. All hunts begin 30 minutes prior to official sunrise times and end four hours after official sunrise times.

"To be eligible to participate in a hunt, the hunter must call the registration hotline at 895-9996 between 7:30 and 8 a.m. the Tuesday prior to the weekend they plan to hunt," Mr. June said. "A hunter may make a reservation for himself and one other person."

Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, he said. Once reservations are filled, all other hunters are put on a standby list in case a hunter with a reservation cancels. 

The cost is $15 per participant per hunt, he said. Payment can be by check or money order and must be received by close of business the Thursday prior to the weekend hunt. Cancellations must be made by COB Thursday to allow standby hunters the opportunity to fill the slot. Reservations not paid for by COB the Thursday before the scheduled hunt will be given to the next available hunter on the standby list.

All participants must possess a valid South Carolina Big Game hunting license. Persons under 16 may hunt as long as they are accompanied by a licensed adult.

Only one gun per unit is allowed, Mr. June said.

"Hunters will meet at the Rosemary Fire Tower complex prior to the time announced when they called in," Mr. June said. "Specific times will be given when hunters sign up since the time of sunrise will change as the season progresses."

The gate will be locked at the time announced; hunters will need to be present early in order to participate in the hunt, he said. Hunters will be transported to an assigned drop-off point and will be expected to be at that same point for pick up after the hunt.

For more information or to make a reservation for a hunt, call Mr. June at 895-9985 or Terry Madewell at 895-5197.