Deer - Legal hunting time for deer is the time between one hour before official sunrise until one hour after official sunset (50-11-710).
It is unlawful to hunt, shoot or in any way kill deer from a motorboat, raft or any other water conveyance, or to molest deer while any part of the deer is in water.
Possessing any deer with the head detached while in transit from the point of kill is prohibited. It is unlawful to hunt deer within 300 yards of a residence without permission of the owner and occupant, except that a landowner may hunt on his own land.
Archery, muzzleloaders and crossbows are allowed during gun hunts.
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 37 of the Rules and Regulations.
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).
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: Tags are not valid in Game Zone 1 (Mountains). In Game Zone 2 (Piedmont) tags are valid on public and private land starting Oct. 1. In Game Zones 3-6 (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., Longleaf Pine WMA in Lee Co and Francis Marion National Forest in Berkeley and Charleston Cos. during still gun hunts 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 53 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.
Antlerless Deer Quota Program - Antlerless deer quotas are issued to qualifying land owners or lessees statewide who complete and submit an application along with a $50 fee prior to July 18, each year. This program is generally better suited for landowners or lessees with larger acreages. Under the ADQP, a quota of tags is issued for a particular tract of land based on criteria including; density of the local deer population, condition of the local deer population, the size of the tract of land, and the recreational and agricultural objectives of the property owner.
Utilization of tags issued under the ADQP are subject to the following Game Zone restrictions. Game Zone 1 (mountains) tags are valid beginning Oct. 1. Game Zone 2 (central & western piedmont) and Game Zones 3 -6 (coastal plain) beginning Sept. 15. Tags issued for a particular tract of land can only be used on that tract and they must be used on all antlerless deer that are harvested including antlerless deer harvested on either-sex days or by bow and arrow in Game Zones 1, 2 , & 5 . Tags do not alter the daily or seasonal bag limits or use of weapons during special weapons seasons in Game Zones 1 & 2 . A harvest report must be completed by the applicant at the close of the season.
Crossbows - Crossbows, blow guns, dart guns or drugged arrows are prohibited on WMAs except as provided in WMA Regs, Weapons 3.2 on page 3 . Crossbows may be used on private lands and WMA lands statewide during firearms and muzzleloader season only for deer and bear. Any person 62 years of age or older may use a crossbow to hunt during seasons when the use of archery & muzzleloaders are authorized for hunting. Crossbows are also legal for use statewide during any open season for deer (including archery only seasons), turkey, or bear by a person who suffers from an upper limb disability, provided the person while hunting, has in immediate possession a written statement certifying the disability. The statement, based on a physical examination by the certifying neurologist, orthopedist, or rheumatologist shall describe the disability and shall state the person is not capable of operating archery equipment or a bow and arrow. A copy of the statement must be provided to the department prior to hunting with a crossbow. Mail doctor's statements to: SCDNR, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202. (50-11-565)
Deer Processors - It is unlawful to keep any deer in cold storage or refrigerating plants unless the carcass is clearly marked with the hunter’s name, address, and hunting license number (50-11-1700). This does not apply to storage at a private residence or to deer that have an Individual Anterless Deer Tag Program tag attached to the hamstring since the hunters name, address, and tag number appears on the face of the tag. Deer processors should recognize that it is unlawful to sell deer meat to regain the processing fee for deer that have not been picked-up by the owner (50-11-1910). The best practice is to take a deposit for the processing service when deer are left at the facility. If meat is not picked-up by the owner it can be given to another individual at no charge.
Deer on Wildlife Management Areas
NOTE: The regulations for hunting deer on private lands in Game Zones 1 & 2 are contained on page 36 of the Brochure.
4.1 On WMA lands with designated check stations, all deer bagged must be checked at a check station. Deer bagged too late for reporting one day must be reported the following day. Unless otherwise specified by the department, only bucks (male deer) may be taken on all WMA lands. Male deer must have antlers visible two (2) inches above the hairline to be legally bagged on "bucks only" hunts. Male deer with visible antlers of less than two (2) inches above the hairline must be taken only on eithersex days or pursuant to permits issued by the department. A point is any projection at least one inch long and longer than wide at some location at least one inch from the tip of the projection. Antler spread is the greatest outside measurement (main beam or points) on a plane perpendicular to the skull. On WMA lands, man drives for deer are permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 2 :00 p.m. only, except that no man drives may be conductedon days designated by the department for taking deer of either-sex. On WMA lands, drivers participating in man drives are prohibited from carrying or using weapons. On WMA lands, in Game Zones 1 & 2 man drives will be permitted on the last four (4) scheduled either-sex days. A man drive is defined as an organized hunting technique involving two (2) or more individuals whereby an attempt is made to drive game animals from cover or habitat for the purpose of shooting, killing or moving such animals toward other hunters.
4.2 Deer either-sex days for gun hunts are as follows
(See Game Zone (Adobe PDF) sections beginning on page 44 of the Rules and Regulations for specific dates):
- Game Zone 1: The first two sets of Fridays and Saturdays in November.
- Game Zones 2 - 6: (except Dillon, Horry and Marlboro counties) Saturday after October 3 ; every Friday and/or Saturday from October 11 to Thanksgiving day inclusive; Saturdays in December beginning 23 days after Thanksgiving day; and the last day of the open season.
- Dillon, Horry and Marlboro counties: Saturday after October 3 ; beginning October 11, the next 2 Fridays and Saturdays, inclusive, and the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving.
123-52. Deer Hunting on Private Lands in Game Zones 1 & 2 (50-11-310, 50-11-350, 50-11-390).
- Seasons as filed and listed in this brochure.
- Hunters may use any shotgun, rifle, bow and arrow or hand gun except that specific weapons may be prohibited on certain hunts.
- For Special Primitive Weapons Seasons, primitive weapons include bow and arrow and muzzle-loading shotguns (20 gauge or larger) and rifles (.36 caliber or larger) with open or peep sights or scopes, which use black powder or a black powder substitute that does not contain nitro-cellulose or nitro-glycerin components as the propellant charge. There are no restrictions on ignition systems (flintstone, percussion cap, shotgun primer, disk, electronic, etc.). During primitive weapons season, no revolving rifles are permitted. Crossbows may be used on WMA and private land only during firearms and muzzleloader seasons for deer and bear. (Use of crossbows during archery only seasons is unlawful except as allowed by 50-11-565. See page 31).
- Hunters are not allowed to take deer with military or hard-jacketed bullets or .22 or smaller rimfire.
- It is unlawful to hunt deer with dogs in Game Zones 1 & 2 . For the purpose of tracking a wounded deer, a hunter may use one dog which is kept on a leash.
- On all private lands(in Game Zones 1 & 2 ), baiting or hunting over a baited area is prohibited. As used in this section, "bait" or "baiting" means the placing, depositing, exposing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain or other food stuffs to constitute an attraction, lure, or enticement to, on, or over any area. "Baited area" means an area where bait is directly or indirectly placed, deposited, exposed, distributed, or scattered and the area remains a baited area for ten (10) days following the complete removal of all bait.
Deer Seasons on Private Lands
- Sunday hunting allowed on private lands.
- Archery allowed during all seasons.
- Crossbows allowed only during muzzleloader and firarms seasons (see crossbow section for exceptions).
- Limit of 2 antlerless deer on posted either sex days.
- Limits listed include deer taken on private & WMA lands.
- Individual Antlerless Deer Tags are not valid in Game Zone 1. Tags are valid in Game Zones 3 - 6 beginning Sept. 15 and in Game Zone 2 beginning Oct. 1. Individual tags are not valid on properties enrolled in the Antlerless Deer Quota Program. Tags do not alter the daily or seasonal limit or change the type of weapon that can be used during special weapons seasons.
Game Zone 1 - Private Lands
Limit 5 antlered deer for all seasons combined
Archery & Muzzleloaders Oct. 1 - Oct. 10: Limit 2 per day, 2 deer total Archery is either-sex Muzzleloader is buck only
Gun Hunts: Limit: 2 per day, 7 deer total
Buck only: Oct 11 - 16, Oct 31 - Jan 1
Either-Sex: Nov 2 - 3, 9 - 10
Game Zone 2 - Private Lands
Limit 5 antlered deer for all seasons combined
Archery: Sept. 15 - 30, Limit 2 per day, 3 deer total either-sex
Muzzleloaders: Oct. 1 - 10, Limit 2 deer total, buck only either-sex: Oct. 6
Gun Hunts: Oct 11 - Jan 1, Limit: 2 per day, 10 deer total
Either-Sex: Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, Dec. 15, 2, 29, Jan. 1
Game Zone 3 - Private Lands
Archery & Gun Hunts: No Limit on antlered deer, 2 anterless deer on either-sex days
Gun Hunts: Aug. 15 - Jan. 1, buck only
Either-Sex: Oct. 6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, Dec. 15, 2, 29, Jan. 1
Game Zone 4 - Private Lands
Limit 5 antlered deer for all seasons combined.
Limit 2 anterless deer on either-sex days.
Archery Only: Sept. 1-14, buck only Gun Hunts: Sept. 15-Jan. 1, buck only
Either-Sex: Except Dillon, Marlboro & Horry Counties Oct. 6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, Dec. 15, 2, 29, Jan. 1
Either-sex: Dillon, Marlboro & Horry Counties Oct. 6, 12-13, 19-20, Nov. 16-17
Game Zone 5 - Private Lands
Limit 5 antlered deer for all seasons combined.
Limit 2 anterless deer on either-sex days.
Archery Only: Aug. 15-31, buck only
Gun Hunts: Sept. 1-Jan. 1, buck only
Either-Sex: Oct. 6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, Dec. 15, 2, 29, Jan. 1
Game Zone 6 - Private Lands
Archery & Gun Hunts: Aug. 15 - Jan. 1, buck only
No Limit on antlered deer, 2 anterless deer on either-sex days
Either-Sex: Oct. 6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Nov. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, Dec. 15, 2, 29, Jan. 1
The information above comes from the 2007 - 2008 Rules and Regulations in an attempt to consolidate information about deer hunting. It does not contain the general hunting rules or the complete Rules and Regulations pertaining to Wildlife Management Areas.
Information on Wildlife Manangement Areas
Some of the forms/publications above are in the Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.
