South Carolina Hunting Calendar 2026-2027 – Wildlife Zones & Dates
If you’re planning a 2026-2027 hunt in the Palmetto State, this guide pulls the big stuff into one place: verified dates, top game species, weapon windows, tag rules, public-land map resources, and the zone-by-zone differences that trip up first-timers. We checked the current official SCDNR regulations guide and organized it into a cleaner, easier-to-scan format for readers. If you also like comparing opener trends in nearby states, the broader state-by-state season guides hub is handy too.
South Carolina Hunting Season Overview 2026-2027
SC is one of those places where the calendar can feel almost unfairly generous—especially for deer. In the Coastal Plain, opportunities start shockingly early, while Upstate zones keep a more traditional fall rhythm. The biggest thing to remember this year is that rules are still very zone-driven, so “I saw it online” is not enough unless you know your Game Zone and whether you’re on private land or a WMA.
A few practical updates stand out for 2026-2027. Resident deer tags now total six in the current guide set: three antlerless and three unrestricted buck tags, with extra antlerless tags sold separately. SC Game Check remains mandatory for deer, turkey, and bear, and reporting still has to be completed by midnight on the day of harvest. Also worth noting: SCDNR has been gathering public input on deer-dog use in Coastal Plain areas, so anyone joining a lease or club in Zones 3 and 4 should pay close attention to local rules and traditions before opening day.
Quick Summary Table: Key Species, Dates & Methods
| Species | Main Dates | Methods / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer – Zone 1 | Oct. 1-Jan. 1 | Primitive weapons Oct. 1-10, gun Oct. 11-Jan. 1 |
| Deer – Zone 2 | Sept. 15-Jan. 1 | Archery Sept. 15-30, primitive Oct. 1-10, gun Oct. 11-Jan. 1 |
| Deer – Zone 3 | Aug. 15-Jan. 1 | Archery and gun; Aug. 15-Sept. 14 buck only |
| Deer – Zone 4 | Aug. 15-Jan. 1 | Archery Aug. 15-31, gun Sept. 1-Jan. 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 14 buck only, Sept. 1-14 buck only on gun dates |
| Turkey | Apr. 3-May 3, 2027 | Private land and statewide WMA framework; 2 gobblers total |
| Bear | Oct. 11-30 depending on zone | Tag required; quotas apply in Zones 2 and 4 |
| Dove | Sept. 5-Oct. 3, Nov. 13-28, Dec. 18-Jan. 31 | 15 per day |
| Ducks / Coots | Nov. 21-28, Dec. 12-Jan. 31 | Waterfowl permit + federal duck stamp required |
| Canada geese | Sept. 1-30; Nov. 21-28; Dec. 12-Jan. 31; Feb. 15-Mar. 1 | Early and late segments |
| Quail | Nov. 23-Mar. 1 (guns & dogs) | Dogs-only running before gun opener |
| Rabbit | Nov. 26-Mar. 1 (guns & dogs) | Dogs-only running before gun opener |
| Squirrel | Oct. 1-Mar. 1 (guns & dogs) | Dogs-only running before Oct. 1 |
All Big Game: Archery & Rifle
Deer by Game Zone (Private Land)
| Game Zone | Dates | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Primitive weapons: Oct. 1-10; Gun: Oct. 11-Jan. 1 | Antlerless limit 2 per day, 3 total |
| Zone 2 | Archery: Sept. 15-30; Primitive weapons: Oct. 1-10; Gun: Oct. 11-Jan. 1 | Antlerless limit 2 per day, 9 total |
| Zone 3 | Archery & gun: Aug. 15-Jan. 1 | Aug. 15-Sept. 14 buck only; antlerless limit 2 per day, 9 total |
| Zone 4 | Archery: Aug. 15-31; Gun: Sept. 1-Jan. 1 | Aug. 15-Sept. 14 buck only; Sept. 1-14 buck only; antlerless limit 2 per day, 9 total |
Youth Deer Days
- Zone 1: Sept. 26, 2026 (antlered only, limit 1); Jan. 2, 2027 (either-sex, limit 2)
- Zone 2: Sept. 12, 2026 (antlered only, limit 1); Jan. 2, 2027 (either-sex, limit 2)
- Zones 3 & 4: Aug. 8, 2026 (antlered only, limit 1); Jan. 2, 2027 (either-sex, limit 2)
- Tags are not required on those designated youth days.
Deer Tag Notes
- Residents get 6 deer tags total: 3 antlerless and 3 unrestricted buck tags.
- Optional individual antlerless tags cost $5 resident / $10 nonresident.
- Deer must be tagged before moving the animal from the kill site.
- Harvest reporting through SC Game Check is required by midnight the same day.
Bear
- Game Zone 1
- Still hunt: Oct. 11-23
- Dog hunts: Oct. 17-30
- Game Zone 2
- Still hunt: Oct. 17-30
- Private land only in qualifying counties/areas
- Quota: 20 bears combined
- Game Zone 4
- Still hunt: Oct. 17-30
- Quota: 40 bears combined
- Private land bait exception applies here for unprocessed natural bait only
Bear tag: $25 resident / $100 nonresident.
Limit: 1 bear statewide; no sow with cubs; no bear 100 pounds or less.
Elk
- No elk dates are listed in the current SC guide.
Turkey Season: Spring, Fall, Youth
- Spring 2027 private land: Apr. 3-May 3
- Spring 2027 WMA framework: Apr. 3-May 3
- Bag limit: 2 gobblers total, no more than 1 per day, and no more than 1 before Apr. 10
- Legal gear: shotguns, muzzleloading shotguns, bows, crossbows
- No rifles, pistols, slugs, buckshot, dogs, live decoys, or electronic calls
Youth Turkey Weekends
- Private land youth weekends: Mar. 27-28 and May 8-9, 2027
- Limit: 1 gobbler total across both weekends combined
- No license or tags required for youth or accompanying adult on those designated youth dates
Fall Turkey
- The current statewide guide does not list a general fall turkey calendar.
Furbearers Season
- Commercial trapping season: Dec. 1-Mar. 1
- Commercial Fur Harvest License: $25 resident / $200 nonresident
- Classified furbearers include beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunks, and weasel.
Noncommercial take windows
- Beaver: year-round
- Raccoon & opossum: Sept. 15-Mar. 15
- Bobcat, fox, mink, muskrat, otter, skunk, weasel: Nov. 26-Mar. 1
- Coyotes (trapping): Dec. 1-Mar. 1
Upland Birds Season
| Species | Private Land | WMA | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quail | Nov. 23, 2026-Mar. 1, 2027 (guns & dogs) | Sept. 1-14 dogs only; Nov. 23-Mar. 1 guns & dogs | 12/day |
| Grouse (Zone 1 only) | Nov. 26-Mar. 1 | Nov. 26-Mar. 1 | 3/day |
A nice SC quirk here: a lot of “running” dates begin before gun dates, so dog handlers get extra time in the field even when firearms stay cased.
Upland Animals Season
| Species | Private Land | WMA | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Nov. 26, 2026-Mar. 1, 2027 (guns & dogs) | Sept. 1-14 dogs only; Nov. 26-Mar. 1 guns & dogs | 5/day |
| Squirrel (gray & fox) | Oct. 1, 2026-Mar. 1, 2027 (guns & dogs) | Sept. 1-14 dogs only; Oct. 1-Mar. 1 guns & dogs | 10/day |
| Fox | Nov. 26, 2026-Mar. 1, 2027 (guns & dogs) | Sept. 2-Nov. 25 dogs only, night only; Nov. 26-Mar. 1 guns & dogs, night only | No limit |
Other Small Games Season
| Species | Private Land Dates | WMA Dates | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning dove | Sept. 5-Oct. 3; Nov. 13-28; Dec. 18-Jan. 31 | Public dove fields vary | 15/day |
| Crow | Nov. 1-Mar. 1 | Nov. 2-Mar. 1 | No limit |
| Raccoon & opossum | Sept. 15-Mar. 15 (guns & dogs); dogs-only running before Sept. 15 | Night-only structure varies by WMA | 3 per party/day for raccoon; no limit for opossum |
| Beaver | Year-round | Oct. 1-Mar. 1 | No limit |
| Other furbearers | Nov. 26-Mar. 1 | Nov. 26-Mar. 1 | No limit |
Youth Days on Private Land
- Raccoon: Sept. 12, 2026
- Squirrel: Sept. 26, 2026
- Quail: Nov. 21, 2026
- Rabbit: Mar. 6, 2027
Migratory Birds Season
| Species | Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Woodcock | Dec. 18, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027 | 3 |
| Common snipe | Nov. 14, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027 | 8 |
| Marsh hens / rails, common moorhens, purple gallinules | Sept. 10-15, 2026 and Sept. 26-Nov. 28, 2026 | King & clapper 15; sora & Virginia 25; moorhens/gallinules 15 |
Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers, Geese Season
| Species | Dates | Key Limit Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks & American coots | Nov. 21-28, 2026; Dec. 12, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027 | Ducks 6 total; coots 15 |
| Early teal | Sept. 19-27, 2026 | 6 total |
| Canada geese | Sept. 1-30, 2026; Nov. 21-28, 2026; Dec. 12, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027; Feb. 15-Mar. 1, 2027 | 15/day in Sept. segment; 5/day later |
| White-fronted & snow geese | Nov. 21-28, 2026; Dec. 12, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027; Feb. 15-Mar. 1, 2027 | 5 total, max 2 white-fronted; snow geese 25 |
| Scaup | Follows duck framework | 2/day on Nov. 14, Nov. 21-28, Dec. 12-22, Feb. 6 & 13; 1/day Dec. 23-Jan. 31 |
| Mergansers | Follows duck framework | 5 total, max 1 hooded |
Other Waterfowls Season
- Brant: Jan. 2-31, 2027; limit 1
- Swans: No open season
- State youth waterfowl day: Nov. 14, 2026
- Federal youth days: Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2027
- Veteran/active-duty military days: Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2027
- Sea duck area: offshore Atlantic waters at least one mile from shore/vegetation
- Extended falconry for ducks, coots, and mergansers: Oct. 28-Nov. 20, 2026 and Dec. 1-11, 2026
More Games Season
- Feral hogs: no closed season in daylight on private land with a valid license
- Coyotes: no closed season in daylight on private land with a valid license
- Armadillos: same daylight private-land opportunity as hogs and coyotes
- Night take for hogs, coyotes, and armadillos: allowed only on registered property
- Alligator: public lottery hunt system; application deadline remains July 15 each year, with permit/tag rules and nonresident fee requirements
- Crow: long open stretch from Nov. 1 into early spring, which many folks overlook until after deer camp winds down
Game Units & Public Access
South Carolina is divided into four game zones, and those boundaries matter a lot more here than in many other states. Before you head out, confirm both the zone and whether your tract is private ground or WMA. For public access, dove fields, and property-specific maps, use the official SCDNR WMA maps page.
License Details
| License / Permit | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Annual state hunting license | $12 | $125 |
| 10-day state hunting license | — | $75 |
| 3-day state hunting license | — | $40 |
| Apprentice license (annual, small game only) | $12 | — |
| Apprentice license (3-day) | — | $50 |
| Annual big game permit | $6 | $100 |
| Annual WMA permit | $30.50 | $76 |
| Migratory bird permit (HIP) | No cost | No cost |
| Migratory waterfowl permit | $15.50 | same state fee structure applies when required |
| Federal duck stamp | $30 | $30 |
| Bear tag | $25 | $100 |
| Turkey tags (set of 2) | $25 | $125 |
| Deer tags | No cost for resident base set | separate nonresident tag structure applies |
Important age and add-on notes
- Youth under 16: no basic license required, but deer, bear, and turkey tags are still required except on designated youth days
- Junior Sportsman License (ages 16-17): $16
- Senior lifetime privilege: residents age 64+ can apply for a lifetime package for $9, with deer and turkey tags requested separately as required
- Hunter education: required for anyone born after June 30, 1979, unless properly licensed as an apprentice
Short FAQ
Do I need tags for deer and turkey every time?
Yes. Deer and turkey both require the proper tag set, and harvested big game must be reported through SC Game Check.
Can I use public land without extra paperwork?
Not quite. A regular license alone is not enough for WMAs—you also need the WMA permit, and some properties have sign-in, draw, or special-date rules.
Is night hunting legal in SC?
For deer, turkey, and bear, don’t assume it is. For feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos, night take is allowed only on a property registered with SCDNR and with the stated legal methods.
Is Sunday allowed?
Private-land turkey opportunity allows Sundays, but WMA turkey pursuits do not. Always double-check the species and land type before you go.
Prepare for Your South Carolina Hunt
If I were giving one piece of SC-specific advice—not generic, not brochure fluff—it’d be this: build your trip around the zone, not the species. A deer opener in Zone 3 feels like summer, complete with bugs, heat, and early buck-only rules. A mountain bear outing in Zone 1 is a totally different world. Add in mandatory same-day Game Check reporting, private-land night registration for hogs and coyotes, and property-level WMA differences, and you can see why experienced locals obsess over the fine print. In this state, success often comes down less to marksmanship and more to reading the calendar correctly.
