Hunting Seasons & Licensing · SC
South Carolina Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonSouth Carolina offers a long deer season and diverse hunting across the Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, and coastal lowcountry. The state has approximately 200,000 deer hunters and manages over 1 million acres of Wildlife Management Areas. South Carolina is known for liberal deer bag limits, a long season running from August through January in some zones, and quality turkey hunting. The coastal lowcountry provides excellent waterfowl and dove hunting.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Aug 15 – Sep (varies by zone) | Varies by zone — up to 10 per season in some areas | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Gun | Oct through Jan (varies by zone) | Varies by zone — 2 antlered + unlimited antlerless in some zones | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Oct (varies by zone) | Included in season total | Muzzleloader only |
| Feral Hog | Year-round | No closed season | No limit | Any legal firearm, bow, trapping |
| Black Bear | General | Oct (select WMAs only) | 1 bear per season | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Archery): South Carolina has one of the earliest archery openers in the country
White-tailed Deer (Gun): Game Zones 1–4 have different dates and bag limits. Check zone-specific regulations.
Black Bear (General): Very limited. Mountain region WMAs only.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 1 – May 1, 2026 | 3 gobblers (1 per day) | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall (Game Zone 1-2 only) | Nov through Jan | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Nov 20 – Mar 1, 2026 | 12 daily | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep through Jan (split season) | 15 daily | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Nov through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Atlantic Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Nov 27 – Mar 1, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Gray/Fox Squirrel | General | Oct 1 – Mar 1, 2026 | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $12 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $100 | — |
| Resident Big Game Permit | $10 | — |
| Non-Resident Big Game Permit | $100 | — |
| Non-Resident 3-Day All Game | $50 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Free | — |
| Senior (64+) | Free (resident) | — |
| WMA Permit | $10 | Required for hunting on WMAs |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Most South Carolina hunting licenses are available over the counter. No drawing system is required for standard deer or turkey. Some WMA quota hunts require a drawing through the SCDNR system. The state also offers special antlerless deer tags to manage herd populations. There is no preference point system. Alligator permits are limited and issued by lottery.
Harvest Reporting
South Carolina requires mandatory harvest reporting for all deer, turkey, and bear through the SCDNR app, website, or by phone. Reporting must be completed before moving the animal. Antlerless deer reporting helps the state manage herd populations by zone. CWD surveillance is active.
South Carolina Wildlife Resources
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-800-922-5431
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.