Waterfowl Management Area

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources manages two types of designated Waterfowl Management Areas.

Category I areas are high quality intensively managed habitat, generally hold the larger concentrations of waterfowl and hunters may only hunt on these areas after being selected in the special waterfowl hunt drawing system.

Category II areas are generally lower quality habitat, less intensively managed and hold lower concentrations of waterfowl. They are open for first come-first served hunting on designated days during the regular waterfowl season. Some Wildlife Management Areas not designated as Waterfowl Management Areas are also open during the regular waterfowl season for hunting.

Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

The Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations are published every year.

State Migratory Waterfowl Permit and HIP permit: South Carolina waterfowl hunters 16 and older are required by state law to obtain a state migratory waterfowl permit at a cost of $5.50 and a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. Both permits must be in the hunter's possession while hunting or transporting legal waterfowl.

A state waterfowl permit is included with the Lifetime Senior, Lifetime Gratis and Disability Licenses.

S.C. residents who hold a Lifetime Senior or Lifetime Gratis License are not required to have an HIP (migratory game bird) permit.

The waterfowl permits and HIP permits are available from select DNR offices and from hunting and fishing license agents.