South Carolina hunting season 2024: What to know about rules, regulations, protected game

Whether you love or it hate it, South Carolina's hunting season is almost here.

Those who enjoy going in for the kill ― and animal activists who are not so thrilled with the sport ― will want to pay close attention to the season's rules and regulations.

Deer hunting season for S.C. residents begins in October. However, dates may vary depending on location and type of weapon used.

Here's what to know about the season and deer game zones.

Licenses and permits

To hunt in S.C., licenses and permits are required. For a complete list of licenses and permit types, visit License Recreational Hunting & Fishing . Resident and nonresidents born after Jun 30, 1979, are required to successfully complete a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) approved hunter education course before obtaining a hunting license. Exceptions to this rule can be found here .

Importation and possession

Per Huntwise , it is illegal to import, possess, or transport for the purpose of release, or introduce or bring into the state any of the following wildlife without a permit from SCDNR: a member of the family Cervidae (deer, moose, elk, etc.), bear, turkey, forbearers (badger, beaver, bobcat, Canada lynx, coyote, fisher, foxes, marten, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, otter, raccoon, ringtail, skunk, weasels, wolves), a non-domestic member of the family Suidae or Tayassuidae (pigs), or Bovine (bison, antelope, mountain goat, mountain sheep). Importing or possessing live alligators is also unlawful without a permit from the SCDNR. The importation or sale of live wolves is also prohibited in S.C. except for scientific purposes or upon the SCDNR as provided by regulations.

What is the difference between hunting private and public lands?

Although there are some restrictions and rules to follow, there are many public lands open for hunting. Be sure to check with the local Bureau of Land Management office for closures, safety tips, and restrictions. In contrast, hunting private lands requires permission from the land owner. If you hunt these lands without it, you may be prosecuted for trespassing. Crossing private lands to hunt is also not permitted without permission.

Deer Game Zone 1 (Private Lands)

∎ Antlered Deer Limit: statewide limits apply.

∎ Antlerless Limit: 2 per day, 3 total all seasons and methods combined.

∎ Primitive Weapons: Oct. 1-10

∎ Gun Hunts: Oct. 11-Jan.1

∎ Youth Deer Hunt Days: Sept. 28, antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 4 either sex, limit 2. Tags not required.

Deer Game Zone 2 (Private Lands)

∎ Antlered Deer Limit: statewide limits apply.

∎ Anterless Limit: 2 per day, 8 total all seasons and methods combined.

∎ Archery Only: Sept. 15-30

∎ Primitive Weapons: Oct. 1-10

∎ Gun Hunts: Oct. 11-Jan. 1

∎ Youth Deer Hunt Days: Sept. 14, antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 4. either sex, limit 2. Tags not required.

Deer Game Zone 3 (Private Lands)

∎ Antlered Deer Limit: statewide limits apply.

∎ Anterless Limit: 2 per day. 8 total seasons and methods combined.

∎ Archery & Gun Hunts: Aug. 15-Jan. 1

∎ Youth Deer Hunt Days: Aug. 10, antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 4 either sex, limit 2. Tags not required.

Deer Game Zone 3 (WMAs)

∎ Archery and Gun Hunts: Aug. 15 - Jan. 1

∎ Youth Deer Hunt Days: Aug. 12 and Jan. 6

Deer Game Zone 4 (Private Lands)

∎ Antlered Deer Limit: statewide limits apply.

∎ Anterless Limit: 2 per day. 8 total seasons and methods combined.

∎ Archery Only: Aug. 15-31

∎ Gun Hunts: Sept. 1-Jan. 1

∎ Youth Deer Hunt Day: Aug. 10, antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 4. either sex, limit 2. Tags not required.

Deer Game Zone 4 (WMAs)

∎ Archery Only: Sept. 15 - Oct. 10

∎ Gun Hunts: Oct. 11 - Jan. 1

∎ Youth Deer Hunt Days: Jan. 6

Hunting turkey and bear

∎ Turkey: Game zones 1 and 2 (private lands) April 1 - May 10, game zones 3 and 4 March 22 - April 30. Game zones 3 and 4 (private lands) March 22 - 30. Statewide WMAS April 1 - 30.

∎ Bear: Game zone 1 still hunt (no dogs) Oct. 17 - 23, game zone 2 still hunt (no dogs) Oct. 17-30, game zone 4 still hunt (no dogs) Oct. 17 - 23.

Hunting migratory birds and waterfowl

∎ Mourning doves: Sept. 2 - 4 (afternoons only), Sept. 5 - Oct. 7, Nov. 11 - 25, Dec. 24.

∎ Early teal: Sept. 15-30.

∎ Ducks and coots: Nov. 18-25 and Dec. 12-Jan. 31.

∎ Canada geese: Sept. 1 - 30, Nov. 18 - 25, Dec. 12 - Jan. 31, and Feb. 15 - March 1.

∎ White-fronted and snow geese: Nov. 18 -25, Dec. 12 - Jan. 31, and Feb. 15- March 1.

∎ Common snipe: Nov. 12 - Feb. 26.

∎ Woodcock: Dec. 18 - Jan. 31.

Hunting small game

∎ Quail: Private lands Nov. 1 - March 1, WMAs Nov. 1- March 1.

∎ Rabbit: Private lands Nov. 23 - March 1 (guns and dogs) and March 2 - Nov. 27 (dogs only), WMAs Sept. 1- 15 (dogs only) and Nov. 23 - March 1 (gun and dogs).

∎ Squirrels: Private lands Oct. 1 - March 1 (gun and dogs) and March 2 - Nov. 27 (dogs only), WMAs Sept. 1 -15 (dogs only) and Nov. 23 - March 1 (guns and dogs).

∎ Fox: Private lands Nov. 23 - March 1 (guns and dogs) and March 2 - Nov. 27 (dogs only), WMAs Sept. 1 -15 (dogs only) and Nov. 23 - March 1 (guns and dogs).

∎ Grouse: Private lands Nov. 23 - March 1, WMAs Nov. 23 - March 1.

∎ Alligator: By lottery only.

∎ Feral hogs and coyotes: No closed season.

Protected game in SC

These species may be hunted during legally established seasons, according to eRegulations : bear, beaver, bobcat, deer, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, squirrel, weasel, waterfowl (goose, brant, and duck), bobwhite quail, mourning dove, rails (marsh hen), coot, gallinule, ruffed, grouse, crow, wild turkey, common snipe, and woodcock.

Protected non-game in SC

These species are protected and may not be hunted, molested, caught, transported, sold, or possessed without a permit: any species on the state list of non-game and endangered species (R 123-150), birds of prey (eagles, hawks, osprey, owls, kites, and vultures), and non-game birds (except English sparrows, pigeons, Eurasian collard doves, and starlings). Falconers are required to possess a SCDNR permit.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina hunting season 2024: What to know about rules, regulations, protected game