Hunting Information

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Antlerless Deer - An antlerless deer is defined as a deer with no antlers or an antlered deer with less than two inches of antler visible above the hairline (50-11-410).

Antlerless deer may not be possessed, hunted, shot or in any way killed except during special seasons or by special permit.

Antlerless Deer Harvest Programs are conducted statewide using either-sex days and 2 optional antlerless deer tag programs. The dates for either-sex days are shown in the hunting season section beginning on page 40.

Optional antlerless deer tag programs that hunters may choose to participate in include the Individual Antlerless Deer Tag Program and the Antlerless Deer Quota Program (ADQP). Both programs are in effect statewide (50-11-390).

The Individual Antlerless Deer Tag Application is provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.

With the Individual Antlerless Deer Tag Program hunters can purchase either 2 or 4 tags per person, for $5 each, which can be used on any day open to deer hunting with the following Game Zone restrictions: Game Zone 1, 2, & 4 (Mountains and Central and Western Piedmont); tags are valid on public or private land starting Oct. 1. Utilization is limited to 2 tags per person only in Game Zone 1. Game Zones 3 & 5-11 (Coastal Plain); tags are valid on private lands only starting Sept. 15. Tags are also valid on Sand Hills State Forest WMA in Chesterfield Co., North Dike WMA in Berkeley Co. and Longleaf Pine WMA in Lee Co. dur­ing any open season for deer starting Sept. 15. Tags do not have to be used on scheduled either sex days. Tags are not valid on properties enrolled in the Antlerless Deer Quota Program. Tags do no alter the daily or sea­sonal bag limits prescribed for Game Zones.

All persons purchasing tags in past years will be sent a renewal notice in August. New applicants may complete the application provided on page 51 or contact DNR Deer Project at 803-734-3886 to receive an application. The possession and use of these tags are limited to the purchaser.