The lands owned by Brookgreen Gardens, as an eleemosynary corporation for southeastern flora and fauna, in Georgetown County and all streams, creeks, and waters, fresh, salt or mixed, entering into the lands are established as a sanctuary for the protection of game, other birds, and animals, and any hunting, shooting, fishing, or trespassing on the lands or waters is prohibited, except such hunting and shooting as may be carried on by permission of the trustees of Brookgreen Gardens, granted at an annual meeting of the trustees. Permission for hunting and shooting is not granted by the trustees unless it is apparent to them that there is an excess of deer or other game which may cause damage to the gardens or other property owned by the trustees. The public is allowed to fish in the Atlantic Ocean from the beaches of the area and in the saltwater creeks entering into it, under such regulations as may be promulgated by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism having due regard for the safety of bathers and convenience of other users of the park. The trustees of the Brookgreen Gardens Corporation or the State Commission of Forestry shall post signs along the outer boundaries of the land and at the mouths of all streams and creeks notifying the public that the area is a sanctuary and closed to hunting and fishing, except as authorized by the terms of this section.

Nothing herein abridges or curtails the rights of the department to control and permit the oyster bottoms in the area under its jurisdiction.

Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not exceeding thirty days.

HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2810 (1962 Code Section 28-519; 1952 Code Section 28-519; 1942 (42) 1475; 1943 (43) 233; 1952 (47) 2179; 1961 (52) 132)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.