The Guide to South Carolina Seasons 2024

Because South Carolina is on the coast, it’s also an excellent place for hunting waterfowl. And, if you’re interested in hogs, there is no closed season for hunting feral hogs in the state. Bear hunting is also available in the state. 

So, whether you live in the Palmetto State or you’ve added it to your whitetail or hog hunting plans this year, you’ll want to know the season dates, bag limits, and hunting regulations for everything you want to hunt. 

We’ve put this guide together to help you start your research. So, keep reading to learn what you need to know about South Carolina hunting seasons.  

Why Do Hunters Hunt in South Carolina?

While you may not find the biggest bucks in the country, South Carolina has plenty of whitetail for hunters. It’s also an excellent state for hunting turkey, waterfowl, and feral hogs. 

If you’re up for a true adventure of a lifetime, you can try a bear or alligator hunt.  

Where Should I Hunt?

When hunting in South Carolina, you’ll enjoy mostly flat terrain, with a few hills in the north and northwestern areas of the state. However, you’ll want a good pair of boots to navigate the clay sand-like soil. Depending on what and where you hunt, you’ll also encounter some thick forests. 

Once you know the general area for your hunt, you’ll need to narrow down a specific spot where your game will most likely be. Before scouting in person or heading out for opening day, use HuntWise to e-scout throughout South Carolina. Use markers to define your hunting area and mark unique features to guide your hunt. 

When Can I Hunt?

Hunting within the state requires some planning to make sure you’re in the right area on the right dates for the game you’re licensed to hunt. 

Below, we’ve compiled the latest South Carolina hunting information to help you get out into the field more often this year. However, keep in mind that information can change from year to year and even throughout the season. 

Be sure to check official websites for hunting in South Carolina to confirm the latest details as you plan each hunt. 

Note that hunting (for all species) in South Carolina takes place in four game zones. You’ll also want to pay attention to the dates based on hunting on private lands or WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas) within each Game Zone. 

SC Deer Season

Game Zone 1

• Private Lands:
  • Primitive Weapons: October 1 – 10
  • Gun Hunts: October 11 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: September 30 and January 6 
     
• WMAs:
  Note: Dates can vary based on the WMA with the Game Zone
   
  • Primitive Weapons: October 2 – 10
  • Archery Only: October 17 – 30
  • Still Gun Hunts: October 11 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: January 6

Game Zone 2

• Private Lands:
  • Archery Only: September 15 – 30
  • Primitive Weapons: October 1 – 10
  • Gun Hunts: October 11 – 16 and October 31 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: September 9 and January 6 
     
• WMAs:
  Note: Dates can vary based on the WMA with the Game Zone
   
  • Archery Only: September 15 – 30
  • Primitive Weapons: October 2 – 10
  • Still Gun Hunts: October 11 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: January

Game Zone 3

• Private Lands:
  • Archery and Gun Hunts: August 15 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: August 12 and January 6
     
• WMAs:
  Note: Dates can vary based on the WMA with the Game Zone
   
  • Archery Only: September 15 – 30
  • Still Gun Hunts: October 11 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: January 6

Game Zone 4

• Private Lands:
  • Archery Only: August 15 – 31
  • Gun Hunts: September 1 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: August 12 and January 6
     
• WMAs:
  Note: Dates can vary based on the WMA with the Game Zone
   
  • Archery Only: September 15 – October 10
  • Still Gun Hunts: October 11 – January 1
  • Youth Deer Hunt Days: January 6

Turkey

• Spring: 
  • Game Zones 1 and 2 (Private Lands): April 1 – May 10
  • Game Zones 1 and 2 (Youth Only Private Lands): March 30 – 31
  • Game Zones 3 and 4 (Private Lands): March 22 – April 30
  • Game Zones 3 and 4 (Youth Only Private Lands): March 16 – 17
  • WMAs (Statewide): April 1 – 30 

Bear

• Game Zone 1:
  • Still Hunt (No Dogs): October 17 – 23
  • Party Dog Hunts: October 24 – 30
     
• Game Zone 2:
  • Still Hunt (No Dogs): October 17 – 30
     
• Game Zone 4:
  • Still Hunt (No Dogs): October 17 – 23

Migratory Birds and Waterfowl:

• Mourning Doves: September 2 – 4 (afternoons only), September 5 – October 7, November 11 – 25, and December 24 – January 31
   
• Early Teal: September 15 – September 30
   
• Ducks and Coots: November 18 – 25 and December 12 – January 31
   
• Canada Geese: September 1 – 30, November 18 – 25, December 12 – January 31, February 15 – March 1
   
• White-fronted and Snow Geese: November 18 – 25, December 12 – January 31, and February 15 – March 1
   
• Common Snipe: November 12 – February 26 
   
• Woodcock: December 18 – January 31 

Small Game:

Hunting season dates for small game species apply to all Game Zones, except where noted otherwise. 

• Quail:
  • Private Lands: November 1 – March 1
  • WMAs: November 1 – March 1
  • Youth Only: November 18
     
• Rabbit: 
  • Private Lands: November 23 – March 1 (guns and dogs) and March 2 – November 27 (dogs only)
  • WMAs: September 1 – 15 (dogs only) and November 23 – March 1 (guns and dogs)
  • Youth Only: March 2
     
• Squirrels: 
  • Private Lands: October 1 – March 1 (guns and dogs) and March 2 – November 27 (dogs only)
  • WMAs: September 1 – 15 (dogs only) and November 23 – March 1 (guns and dogs)
  • Youth Only: September 30
     
• Fox: 
  • Private Lands: November 23 – March 1 (guns and dogs) and March 2 – November 27 (dogs only)
  • WMAs: September 1 – 15 (dogs only) and November 23 – March 1 (guns and dogs)
     
• Grouse (Game Zone 1 Only): 
  • Private Lands: November 23 – March 1
  • WMAs: November 23 – March 1
     

Alligator

By lottery only. 
 

Feral Hogs and Coyotes

No closed season. 

Visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) website for more information and the latest dates for the species noted above and others. You can also visit the eRegulations pages for South Carolina hunting information. 

What Do I Need to Know About Hunting Licenses?

All hunters over the age of 16 need a license to hunt in South Carolina. Choose from resident, nonresident, and military licenses. However, there are some exemptions from the license requirements. 

For some species, like bears and alligators, you’ll need a Big Game hunting permit. Hunters can purchase licenses online or in person from an official agent location. 

What Are the Bag Limits for the South Carolina Hunting Seasons?

How many deer, alligators, or bears can you bring home this season? To comply with regulations for legal hunting in South Carolina, follow the bag limits for each animal you hunt throughout the year. 

Visit the South Carolina DNR website for more information about bag limits, regulations, and other species. 

What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?

All hunters (residents and non-residents) born after June 30, 1979, must pass a state-approved hunter education course before getting a hunting license in South Carolina. If you’ve passed a course in another state, the state does accept these certifications to get your license. 

You’ll also want the best gear for your hunts, whether you’re after a whitetail, a bear, or a turkey this season. HuntWise subscribers can gear-up for hunting with discounts on gear through our partners. You can save hundreds on gear like calls, clothing, spotting scopes, hunting knives, binoculars, and more. 

Tag Out for the South Carolina Hunting Season with HuntWise

Are you ready to hunt in South Carolina this year? We hope this information helps you plan your next hunt (or hunts)! In addition to the details in this guide, be sure to check back here or reference the official South Carolina websites for the latest dates and regulations. 

Your HuntWise app also gives you access to the latest hunting information for South Carolina or any state you plan to hunt. It’s the ultimate hunting tool for scouting, planning, sharing information with friends, and keeping current with season dates and regulations. 

The app delivers multiple map layers for scouting hunt areas (including SCDNR Wildlife Management Areas and county boundaries), ideal wind and weather forecasting, real-time animal behavior predictors, and private landowner boundaries and contact information.

If you haven’t hunted with HuntWise yet, put it to the test this season! Download the app and enjoy access to every feature – free for a week!