State Guide

South Carolina Hunting Guide 2026

Complete South Carolina hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.

Wildlife Agency

South Carolina DNR

Official Site

Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers

South Carolina Hunting Seasons

Whitetail Deer

Res: $12 Non-res: $150

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Archery	Aug 15	Jan 1
Muzzleloader	Oct 1	Oct 10
Rifle	Oct 11	Jan 1

Bag limits: daily: No daily limit on antlerless, season: 5 antlered, 10 total on private

Very liberal bag limits and early season. Antlerless deer tags required on some Game Zone lands. Baiting legal.

Turkey

Res: $12 Non-res: $150

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Shotgun	Apr 1	May 1
Archery	Apr 1	May 1

Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 3 gobblers

Spring gobblers only. Three-bird limit is generous. Turkey populations strong in Piedmont and coastal plain.

Wild Hog

Res: $12 Non-res: $150

Season Type	Opens	Closes
Rifle	Jan 1	Dec 31

Bag limits: daily: No limit, season: No limit

Year-round on private land. No limit. Night hunting with electronic calls and lights legal on private land.

Planning Tools

Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states

South Carolina Hunting Guides

destinations

South Carolina Deer Hunting: Public Land, WMA Access, and the Rut

South Carolina Hunting FAQ

Do I need a hunting license in South Carolina?

Yes. All hunters in South Carolina must hold a valid hunting license from the South Carolina DNR. Non-residents typically pay higher fees. A hunter safety course is required for first-time license buyers.

What is the hunting license cost in South Carolina?

South Carolina license costs vary by species. Whitetail Deer: resident $12, non-resident $150. Turkey: resident $12, non-resident $150.

When is deer season in South Carolina?

South Carolina deer seasons: Archery: Aug 15 - Jan 1, Muzzleloader: Oct 1 - Oct 10, Rifle: Oct 11 - Jan 1.

Does South Carolina require a hunter safety course?

Yes, South Carolina requires hunter education certification for all first-time hunters. The course covers firearm safety, hunting laws, wildlife conservation, and ethical hunting practices.

Who manages hunting regulations in South Carolina?

The South Carolina DNR manages all hunting licenses, regulations, and wildlife management in South Carolina. Their website (https://www.dnr.sc.gov) has current season dates, license purchasing, and regulation booklets.