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South Carolina Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against SC Dept of Natural Resources (SCDNR) before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $14 · nonresident $125. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth Deer Hunt Day (antlered only) - Game Zone 1Sep 26, 2026Sep 26, 2026No license or tag required on youth days
Primitive Weapons - Game Zone 1Oct 1, 2026Oct 10, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Gun Hunts - Game Zone 1Oct 11, 2026Jan 1, 2027License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Youth Deer Hunt Day (either-sex) - Game Zone 1Jan 2, 2027Jan 2, 2027No license or tag required on youth days
Youth Deer Hunt Day (antlered only) - Game Zone 2Sep 12, 2026Sep 12, 2026No license or tag required on youth days
Archery Only - Game Zone 2Sep 15, 2026Sep 30, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Primitive Weapons - Game Zone 2Oct 1, 2026Oct 10, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Gun Hunts - Game Zone 2Oct 11, 2026Jan 1, 2027License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Youth Deer Hunt Day (either-sex) - Game Zone 2Jan 2, 2027Jan 2, 2027No license or tag required on youth days
Youth Deer Hunt Day (antlered only) - Game Zone 3Aug 8, 2026Aug 8, 2026No license or tag required on youth days
Archery and Gun Hunts, buck only - Game Zone 3Aug 15, 2026Sep 14, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Archery and Gun Hunts, either-sex - Game Zone 3Sep 15, 2026Jan 1, 2027License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Youth Deer Hunt Day (either-sex) - Game Zone 3Jan 2, 2027Jan 2, 2027No license or tag required on youth days
Youth Deer Hunt Day (antlered only) - Game Zone 4Aug 8, 2026Aug 8, 2026No license or tag required on youth days
Archery Only, buck only - Game Zone 4Aug 15, 2026Aug 31, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Gun Hunts, buck only - Game Zone 4Sep 1, 2026Sep 14, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Gun Hunts, either-sex - Game Zone 4Sep 15, 2026Jan 1, 2027License + Big Game Permit + Deer Tags
Youth Deer Hunt Day (either-sex) - Game Zone 4Jan 2, 2027Jan 2, 2027No license or tag required on youth days

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide Youth Hunting Weekend (private lands, first weekend)Mar 27, 2027Mar 28, 2027No license or tags required on designated youth days
Spring - Private Lands StatewideApr 3, 2027May 3, 2027License + Big Game Permit + Turkey Tags
Spring - WMA Lands StatewideApr 3, 2027May 3, 2027License + Big Game Permit + WMA Permit + Turkey Tags
Statewide Youth Hunting Weekend (private lands, second weekend)May 8, 2027May 9, 2027No license or tags required on designated youth days

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Still Hunt (no dogs) - Game Zone 1Oct 11, 2026Oct 23, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Bear Tag
Dog Hunts - Game Zone 1Oct 17, 2026Oct 30, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Bear Tag
Still Hunts (no dogs) - Game Zone 2 open counties: Bear - Game Zone 2 open countiesOct 17, 2026Oct 30, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Bear Tag
Still Hunts (no dogs) - Game Zone 4 open counties: Bear - Game Zone 4 open countiesOct 17, 2026Oct 30, 2026License + Big Game Permit + Bear Tag

American Alligator Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Public Alligator Lottery Hunt - Southern Coastal: Alligator Management Unit 1 - Southern CoastalSep 12, 2026Oct 10, 2026Alligator Lottery Permit and Tag + License
Public Alligator Lottery Hunt - Middle Coast: Alligator Management Unit 2 - Middle CoastSep 12, 2026Oct 10, 2026Alligator Lottery Permit and Tag + License
Public Alligator Lottery Hunt - Midlands: Alligator Management Unit 3 - MidlandsSep 12, 2026Oct 10, 2026Alligator Lottery Permit and Tag + License
Public Alligator Lottery Hunt - Pee Dee: Alligator Management Unit 4 - Pee DeeSep 12, 2026Oct 10, 2026Alligator Lottery Permit and Tag + License

Armadillo Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
No closed season - private lands, daylight hours (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License
Night hunting on registered property (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License + annual SCDNR property registration

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Year-round - private lands (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License
Regular - WMA landsOct 1, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Other Furbearers (Bobcat, Otter, Mink, Muskrat, Skunk and Weasel) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - private landsNov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Regular - WMA landsNov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
No closed season - private lands, daylight hours (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License
Night hunting on registered property (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License + annual SCDNR property registration

Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - private landsNov 1, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Regular - WMA landsNov 2, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Mourning Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 5, 2026Oct 3, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Nov 13, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (third segment)Dec 18, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Guns and dogs - private landsNov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Guns and dogs, night only - WMA landsNov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 10, 2026Sep 15, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Sep 26, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Ruffed Grouse Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - private lands: Game Zone 1Nov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Regular - WMA lands: Game Zone 1Nov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Feral Hog Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
No closed season - private lands, daylight hours (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License
Night hunting on registered property (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027License + annual SCDNR property registration
Trapping - year-round on private lands (license year)Jul 1, 2026Jun 30, 2027No license or permit required to trap hogs on private land

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Guns and dogs - private landsSep 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027License
Guns and dogs, night only - WMA landsSep 16, 2026Mar 15, 2027License + WMA Permit

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth Day (private lands)Nov 21, 2026Nov 21, 2026No license required for youth on designated youth days
Guns and dogs - private landsNov 23, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Guns and dogs - WMA landsNov 23, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Rabbit Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Guns and dogs - private landsNov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Guns and dogs - WMA landsNov 26, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit
Youth Day (private lands)Mar 6, 2027Mar 6, 2027No license required for youth on designated youth days

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth Day (private lands)Sep 12, 2026Sep 12, 2026No license required for youth on designated youth days
Guns and dogs - private landsSep 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027License
Guns and dogs, night only - WMA landsSep 16, 2026Mar 15, 2027License + WMA Permit

Marsh Hens and Rails (King, Clapper, Sora and Virginia) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 10, 2026Sep 15, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Regular (second segment)Sep 26, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Common Snipe (Wilson's Snipe) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularNov 14, 2026Feb 28, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP

Squirrel (Gray and Fox) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth Day (private lands)Sep 26, 2026Sep 26, 2026No license required for youth on designated youth days
Guns and dogs - private landsOct 1, 2026Mar 1, 2027License
Guns and dogs - WMA landsOct 1, 2026Mar 1, 2027License + WMA Permit

Duck, Goose & Waterfowl Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Early Teal (Blue and Green-winged)Sep 19, 2026Sep 27, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, Mergansers and Coots (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Ducks, Mergansers and Coots (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
State Youth Day (ducks, mergansers, coots)Nov 14, 2026Nov 14, 2026Youth 17 or younger, accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21
Federal Youth / Veteran and Active Duty Military Day (first)Feb 6, 2027Feb 6, 2027Youth 17 or younger with an adult 18 or older; or veteran/active duty with full credentials
Federal Youth / Veteran and Active Duty Military Day (second)Feb 13, 2027Feb 13, 2027Youth 17 or younger with an adult 18 or older; or veteran/active duty with full credentials
Extended Falconry - ducks, coots and mergansers (first segment)Oct 28, 2026Nov 20, 2026Falconry Permit + Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Extended Falconry - ducks, coots and mergansers (second segment)Dec 1, 2026Dec 11, 2026Falconry Permit + Migratory Bird Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): Early Canada GeeseSep 1, 2026Sep 30, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): Canada Geese (second segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): Canada Geese (third segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): Canada Geese (fourth segment)Feb 15, 2027Mar 1, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): White-fronted and Snow Geese (first segment)Nov 21, 2026Nov 28, 2026License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): White-fronted and Snow Geese (second segment)Dec 12, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Geese (Canada, White-fronted and Snow): White-fronted and Snow Geese (third segment)Feb 15, 2027Mar 1, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp
Brant: RegularJan 2, 2027Jan 31, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + Migratory Waterfowl Permit + Federal Duck Stamp

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
RegularDec 18, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + Migratory Bird Permit + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with SC Dept of Natural Resources (SCDNR) before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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