From the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

-- The S.C. Department of Natural Resources will conduct three youth deer hunts at Belfast Wildlife Management Area in Newberry County. The youth deer hunts are scheduled on Oct. 17, 24 and Nov. 14.

Ten youth will participate in each hunt. The age requirements for these special youth deer hunts are 10 through 17, inclusive. There is no application fee or any other costs associated with these hunts.

Participants who are 16 and 17 will be required to have a junior hunting license. Young people who have an interest in trying deer hunting but have not had previous opportunities because they lacked a hunting connection should certainly apply. Applications are available from the Columbia DNR office at the Rembert Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly St., or on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting/huntyouth/youthdhuntapp.html.

For questions regarding DNR youth deer hunt safety, supervision or more, contact Willie Simmons, DNR wildlife biologist, at (803) 734-3898 or e-mail SimmonsW@dnr.sc.gov. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. Return to  DNR Youth Deer Hunts, Attn: Willie Simmons, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202 or fax to (803) 734-6020.