Normally, the South Carolina hunting season is updated yearly. Before going hunting in South Carolina, here is everything you need to know first: season dates, state regulations, and the types of licenses you should buy.
We have gathered all the necessary information for you in one post. If you’re looking to upgrade your hunting gear this season, visit the Kalkal store for top-selling hunting boots and accessories to enhance your experience.
Let’s check out the season schedules and rules you need to know first.
When Is Deer Hunting Season In South Carolina?
White-tailed deer are the most common deer species you can hunt in this state. The South Carolina deer season will last about 4 months, from Early August to January of the next year.
The following are the detailed dates and bag limits for each game zone in private lands. Make sure to check the zone you are going to hunt in and bring the right weapons.
Private Land Seasons Overview
| Zones | Seasons | Dates | Limits |
| 1 | Primitive Weapons | Oct. 1 – 10, 2025 | 2 deer per day, 3 in total |
| Gun Hunts | Oct. 11 – Jan. 1, 2026 | ||
| Youth Deer Hunt | Sep. 28, 2025 | 1 antlered deer only | |
| Jan. 4, 2026 | 2 either-sex deer | ||
| 2 | Archery Only | Sept. 15 – 30, 2025 | 2 deer per day, 8 in total |
| Primitive Weapons | Oct. 1 – 1 0, 2026 | ||
| Gun Hunts | Oct. 11 – Jan. 1, 2026 | ||
| Youth Deer Hunt | Sept. 13, 2025 | 1 antlered deer only | |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 2 either-sex deer | ||
| 3 | Archery and Gun | Aug. 15 – Jan. 1, 2026 | 2 deer per day, 8 in total |
| Youth Deer Hunt | Aug. 9, 2025 | 1 antlered deer only | |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 2 either-sex deer | ||
| 4 | Archery Only | Aug. 15 – 31, 2025 | 2 deer per day, 8 in total |
| Gun Hunts | Sept. 1 – Jan. 1, 2026 | ||
| Youth Deer Hunt | Aug. 9, 2025 | 1 antlered deer only | |
| Jan. 3, 2026 | 2 either-sex deer |
WMAs Season Overview
Youth Deer Hunt Day:
- Jan. 3, 2026
- 2 deer total
Deer Primitive Weapons: Oct. 1 – 10, 2026
Archery Only: Oct. 17 – 30, 2025
Still Gun Hunts: Oct. 11-16, Oct. 31-Jan. 1 (No hunting on Long Creek)
🔔Notes:
- If you want to hunt deer in Wildlife Management Areas, you will need to apply for a random drawing to get the permit from July 1 – August 15.
- Sunday hunting is allowed on private lands only.
- Archery and crossbows are allowed during all seasons.
- Only antlered deer can be taken on all WMA lands unless there is a special rule for certain zones in certain counties.
- No dogs are allowed to hunt deer in Game Zones 1 and 2.
- Legal hunting time is one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
- It is permitted to bait deer or hunt deer over baiting on private lands statewide.
- Remember to report the deer you have harvested to the SC Game Check system on the same day.
- Don’t forget to renew your hunting license or big game permit 7-10 days before the deer hunting seasons begin.
Common FAQs About South Carolina Deer Seasons
Except for some normal rules for the South Carolina deer season, below we have listed some frequently asked questions to answer your inquiries.
Can You Shoot Deer On Your Own Land In South Carolina?
Yes. You can hunt deer on your own land, but still, there are restrictions on weapons allowed and licenses required, just like during the regular hunting seasons. Check more info on this post: Can you hunt on your own land without a license?
How Many Deer Can You Harvest In South Carolina?
For Antlered deer, the harvest limits on private land are different based on your residency:
- Residents – 2 per day, 5 total, all seasons and methods combined.
- Nonresidents – 2 per day, 4 total all seasons and methods combined.
For Antlerless deer, the limit is 2 each day. Remember that the limit numbers may vary based on the different hunting zones that you hunt on.
Can You Bait Deer In South Carolina?
Yes. Baiting deer is allowed for private land hunting.
What Weapon Can You Use For Deer Hunting?
Firearms such as shotguns, rimfire cartridges, and revolving rifles are prohibited. Any additional lawful firearms, muzzleloaders, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows are all allowed for use. Muzzleloading shotguns of at least 20 gauge, along with rifles of .36 caliber or larger.
What Licenses Do You Need For Deer Hunting?
In order to hunt deer, you need to have a hunting license, a big game permit, and extra deer tags. Young hunters under 16 years old do not need a license.
How Much Does It Cost to Hunt Deer in South Carolina?
For residents, it costs $23 to get the required hunting license and permits. For non-residents, it costs $235 to get the deer license, permit and tags.
Is Hunter Orange Required For Deer Season?
During gun and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons on WMA lands, all hunters are required to wear a visible hunter orange hat, coat, or vest.
How To Report Harvested Deer?
Harvested deer must be reported by midnight on the day. There are 3 ways to do so:
- Use the Go Outdoors SC mobile app
- Visit the official site online at GoOutdoorsSouthCarolina.com
- Call the SC Game Check phone line at 1-833-4SC-GAME (1-833-472-4263) or send the text “Harvest” to the same number.
📌Read More: 10 Tips On How to Prepare for Deer Hunting Season
Besides white-tailed deer, South Carolina also provides hunters with a range of other game animals to chase after. In the next part, we will provide a summary of details regarding hunting seasons for those species.
Turkey Season In South Carolina
The upcoming 2025 – 2026 turkey seasons have been announced. We hope you enjoyed your hunt and brought a big prize back home. Hunters who are excitedly anticipating the openings should start getting ready now and mark down the important dates below.
The seasons will change a bit from different year.
2025 turkey seasons:
- Private Lands Season: April 3 – May 3, 2025
- WMA Lands Season: April 3– May 3, 2025
- Youth Turkey Hunting Weekends: March 29 – 30, May 10 – 11, 2025
2026 turkey seasons:
- Private Lands Season: April 3 – May 3, 2026
- WMA Lands Season: April 3– May 2, 2026
- Youth Turkey Hunting Weekends: March 28 – 29, May 9 – 10, 2026
Bag Limits:
One per day and 2 gobblers in total for private land and WMA land hunting season. One gobbler only for the Youth hunting season.
🔔Notes:
- It is not allowed to take any male wild turkey with a beard less than six inches.
- It is allowed to hunt turkey on private lands on Sunday, but NOT on WMA land.
- No baiting, dogs, live decoys, or electronic calls can be used.
- Don’t forget to bring your turkey tags during hunting. ( $25 for residents and $125 for non-residents)
- The legal weapons to hunt turkey are shotguns, muzzleloading shotguns, bows, and crossbows. All other types of methods are prohibited.
- Pay attention to the legal shooting hours. Don’t hunt any turkey between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
- Report your turkey after harvesting on the same day. You can do it on the ”Go Outdoors SC” smartphone app
South Carolina Bear Season 2025
Private Land Seasons
- Zone 1: Still Hunt (No Dogs) Oct. 11 – 23, 2025 (1 bear); Dog Hunts: Oct. 17 – 30, 2025 (5 bear)
- Zone 2: Still Hunts (No Dogs): Oct. 17 – 30, 2025 (1 bear)
- Zone 4: Still Hunts (No Dogs): Oct. 17 – 30, 2025 (1 bear)
WMAs Seasons
- Still Hunt (No Dogs): Oct. 11 – 16, 2025 (1 bear)
- Dog Hunts: Oct. 17 – 30, 2025
No Sunday hunting is allowed in these Wildlife Management Areas. Every hunter needs to report the harvested bear to the SC game check system so that the department can keep track of the quota in each zone.
Please note that each zone has its own bear quota. If the quota is met, the season will be closed earlier. Hunters should pay attention to the closure notice on the official site.
Small Game Seasons In South Carolina
The small game seasons vary for different species and different hunting zones. The following are the schedules for private lands and Wildlife Management Areas(WMA).
Mourning Doves
- Sept. 1 – Oct. 4, 2025
- Nov. 15 – 29, 2025
- Dec. 22 – Jan.31, 2026
- Bag Limit: 15 per day
Crow
- Nov. 1 – Mar. 1, 2026 (private land)
- Nov. 1 – Feb. 28, 2026 (WMAs)
Bag Limit: No Limit
Quail
Private Land:
- Mar. 2 – Nov. 23, 2025 (dogs only)
- Nov. 24 – Mar. 3, 2026(guns & dogs)
- Mar. 2 – Nov. 22, 2026 (dogs only)
- Bag Limit: 12 per day
WMA:
- Sep. 1 – 15 (dogs only)
- Nov. 24 – Feb. 28, 2026 (guns & dogs)
- Bag Limit: 12 per day
Rabbit
Private Land:
- Mar. 2 – Nov. 26 (dogs only)
- Nov. 27 – Mar. 1, 2026 (guns & dogs)
- Mar. 2 – Nov. 26, 2026 (dogs only)
- Bag Limit: 5 per day
WMA:
- Sept. 1 – 15, 2025 (dogs only)
- Nov. 27 – Feb. 28, 2026 (guns & dogs)
- Bag Limit: 5 per day
Squirrel
Private Land:
- Mar. 2 – Sept. 30, 2025 (dogs only)
- Oct. 1 – Mar. 1, 2026 (guns & dogs)
- Mar. 2 – Sept. 30, 2026 (dogs only)
- Bag Limit: 10 per day
WMA:
- Sept. 1 – 15, 2025 (dogs only)
- Oct. 1 – Feb. 28, 2026 (guns & dogs)
- Bag Limit: 10 per day
Fox
Private Land:
- Mar. 2 – Nov. 26, 2026 (dogs only)
- Nov. 27 – Mar. 1, 2025 (guns & dogs)
- Mar. 2 – Nov. 25, 2026 (dogs only)
- Bag Limit: No Limit
WMA:
- Sept. 2 – Nov. 26 (dogs only, night only)
- Nov. 27 – Feb. 28, 2026 (guns & dogs, night only)
- Bag Limit: No Limit
Beaver
- Year-round (Private Land)
- Oct. 1 – Feb. 28, 2026 (WMA)
- Bag Limit: No Limit
Bobcat, Otter, Mink, Muskrat, Skunk, Weasel
- Nov. 27 – Mar. 1, 2025 (private land)
- Nov. 27 – Feb. 28, 2026 (WMAs)
- Bag Limit: No Limit
Grouse
Private Land&WMA:
- Nov. 27 – Mar. 1, 2025 (private land)
- Nov. 27 – Feb. 28, 2026 (WMAs)
- Bag Limit: 3 per day
Raccoon & Opossum
Private Land:
- Mar. 16 – Sept. 14, 2025 (dogs only)
- Sept. 15 – Mar. 15, 2026 (guns & dogs)
- Mar. 16 – Sept. 14, 2026 (dogs only)
WMA:
- Sept. 1 – 15, 2025 (dogs only, night only)
- Sept. 16 – Feb. 28, 2026 (guns & dogs, night only)
- Bag Limit: No limit for opossums and 3 per day for raccoons.
Youth Days for Small Game
| Species | Zone | Date | Limit |
| Raccoon | All Game Zones | Sept. 13, 2025 | 3 per party per day |
| Squirrel | All Game Zones | Sept. 27, 2025 | 10 per day |
| Quail | All Game Zones | Nov. 22, 2025 | 12 per day |
| Rabbit | All Game Zones | Mar. 7, 2026 | 5 per day |
South Carolin Duck Hunting Season
Ducks, American Coots
- November 22 – November 29, 2025
- December 12 – January 31, 2026
Early Teal (Blue & Green Winged)
- September 20 – September 28, 2025
Canada Geese
- September 1, 2025- September 30, 2025
- November 22, 2025 – November 29, 2025
- December 12, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- February 15, 2026 – March 1, 2026
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese
- November 22, 2025 – November 29, 2025
- December 12, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- February 15, 2026 – March 1, 2026
Other Waterfowl Seasons
| Species | Dates | Bag Limit |
| Marsh Hens/Rails, Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules | September 8 – September 12, 2025 | 15 in total, except 25 in total for Sora and Virginia Hens |
| October 6 – December 9, 2025 | ||
| Common Snipe | November 14, 2025 – February 28, 2026 | 8 in Total |
| Woodcock | December 18, 2025- January 31, 2026 | 3 in Total |
| Brant | January 2 – January 31, 2026 | 1 in Total |
| Scaup(Greater & Lesser) | November 22 – November 29, 2025 | 2 per day |
| December 12 – December 22, 2025 | ||
| December 23, 2025 – January 31, 2026 | 1 per day | |
| State Youth Day ( Ducks, mergansers, coots) |
Nov. 15, 2025 | same as regular season |
| Federal Youth Days (Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules) |
Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2026 | same as regular season |
| Veteran/Active Duty Military Days (Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules) |
Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2026 | same as regular season |
| Extended Falconry Season (Ducks, coots and mergansers) |
Nov 3 – 21 and Dec. 1 – 11, 2025 | 3 per day and 9 in total |
For Early Teal, the hunting hours are from official Sunrise until Sunset. For the rest of the waterfowl, the hunting time is half an hour before Sunrise until Sunset. To hunt waterfowl, you will need to get different licenses and permits based on the specific animals you hunt, such as a valid South Carolina hunting license, a Migratory Bird Permit, a migratory waterfowl permit, or a valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp.
Download Resource: 2025-2026 South Carolina Hunting Seasons&Regulation Guidebook.
South Carolina Hunting Licenses And Permits
For hunting games in South Carolina, hunters require different types of licenses and permits. Except for young hunters under age 16, all hunters must carry a valid hunting license, a permit/stamp, and a Wildlife Management Area Permit.
The following is how much it costs for specific types of licenses.
| Licenses For Residents | Costs |
| Annual Hunting&Fishing Combination License | $25 |
| Junior Sportsman License | $16 |
| 3 Year Sportsman License | $150 |
| Annual Sportsman License | $50 |
| Annual State Hunting License | $12 |
| Annual Big Game Permit | $6 |
| Bear Tag | $25 |
| Turkey Tags | $5 |
| Individual Antlerless Deer Tags | $5 |
| Licenses For Non-residents | Costs |
| Annual State Hunting License | $125 |
| 10-day State Hunting License | $75 |
| 3-day State Hunting License | $40 |
| Apprentice License | $50 |
| Big Game Permit | $100 |
| Individual Antlerless Deer Tags | $10 |
| Bear Tag | $100 |
| Turkey Tags | $100 |
| Migratory Bird Permit | Free |
Conclusion
Understanding the South Carolina hunting seasons, updated regulations, and learning some expert advice will help ensure you’re ready for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Who knows, you might just score a huge deer this season that you’ll want to show off later! We’re eager to listen to your stories and receive your trophy pictures. Leave a comment with us!
Check more information for nearby states:
- Full List of State Hunting Seasons
- North Carolina Hunting Seasons
- Tennessee Deer Hunting Season Summary
- Hunting Season Schedule In Georgia
- Alabama Hunting Season Schedule
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