The 2023-2024 deer hunting seasons in South Carolina offer ample opportunity for hunters across the state. Here is a comprehensive guide to the upcoming deer seasons, limits, licenses, and more.
South Carolina Deer Hunting Dates
The dates for deer hunting in South Carolina vary by game zone. There are four game zones in the state, with different season dates for each.
Game Zone 1
In Game Zone 1, which covers the western and northwestern parts of the state, the following deer seasons will be in effect for 2023-2024 on private lands:
- Youth Hunt: The 30th day of the September month (antlered bucks only)
- Primitive Weapons: 1st to 10th days of the October month
- Gun Hunts: 11th day of the October month to 1st day of the January month
Game Zone 2
For Game Zone 2, which includes most of the Piedmont region, the deer seasons on private lands are:
- Youth Hunt: The 9th day of the September month (antlered bucks only)
- Bow & Arrow Only: 15th to 30th days of the September month
- Primitive Weapons: 1st to 10th days of October month
- Gun Hunts: 11th day of October month to 1st day of January month
Game Zone 3
In the coastal plain Game Zone 3, deer seasons on private land run as follows:
- Youth Hunt: The 12th day of the August month (antlered bucks only)
- Archery & Guns: 15th day of the August month to 1st day of the January month
Game Zone 4
Finally, for Game Zone 4, covering part of the southern coast, deer hunting dates are:
- Youth Hunt: The 12th day of the August month (antlered bucks only)
- Bow & Arrow Only: 15th to 31st day of the August month
- Gun Hunts: From 1st day of the September month to 1st day of the January month
Formatting the dates uniquely in this manner provides an alternative way for hunters to pinpoint the youth hunt days, primitive weapons, archery seasons, and gun hunts in South Carolina’s 4 game zones for the 2023-2024 deer seasons.
Detailed South Carolina Deer Regulations
In addition to the season dates listed above, South Carolina deer hunters must follow other important regulations including:
- Prior to being sent, each harvested deer at the slaughterhouse has to have a tag.
- Tags have to stay on until quartering or deer processing.
- From one hour before dawn to one hour after nightfall, hunting is allowed.
- Game Zones 1 and 2 restrict dog-shot deer. Deer hunting from water sources is illegal.
- It is illegal to remove the head of a harvested deer before leaving the field.
- Before engaging in firearm deer hunting within 300 yards of a residence, a hunter must get permission from the landowner and renter at a height of less than 10 feet above the ground.
There are also specific rules pertaining to deer baiting, archery equipment, youth hunters, buck limits, and antlerless deer that hunters must be aware of. Complete regulations are available in the SCDNR Rules & Regulations brochure.
South Carolina Deer Bag Limits
The 2023-2024 bag and possession limits for deer in South Carolina are as follows:
Residents:
- 2 antlerless deer per day
- 5 total across all seasons combined
Nonresidents:
- 2 antlerless deer per day
- 4 total across all seasons combined
Game Zone 1:
- 2 antlerless deer per day
- 3 total allowed across all seasons
Game Zone 2:
- 2 antlerless deer per day
- 5 total allowed across all seasons
Game Zone 3:
- 2 antlerless deer per day
- 8 total allowed across all seasons
Game Zone 4:
- 2 antlerless deer per day
- 8 total allowed across all seasons
These limits apply to deer harvested on both private and public (WMA) lands using personal tags. Additional antlerless deer may be allowed on private lands enrolled in the Deer Quota Program.
South Carolina Deer Licenses & Tags
To legally hunt deer in South Carolina all hunters over 16 years old are required to have:
- Resident or nonresident hunting license
- Big game permit
- Set of deer tags
Deer tags are provided for free to properly licensed resident hunters. Nonresidents must purchase deer tags to hunt deer along with their hunting license and permit.
Licenses, permits, and tags must all be valid for the current hunting season. Fees differ for residents and nonresidents. Discounted license packages are available as well, such as the Sportsman License.
SC Deer License Fees
To legally deer hunt in South Carolina, all hunters over 16 years old must purchase the proper licenses, permits, and tags. The fees for 2023-2024 are:
- SC Resident Hunting License: $12
- SC Resident Big Game Permit: $6
- SC Nonresident Hunting License: $125
- SC Nonresident Big Game Permit: $100
Deer tags are provided free of charge to resident deer hunters. Nonresidents must pay $50 for an unrestricted antlered buck tag, and $20 each for additional buck tags. Antlerless deer tags cost $10 each for nonresidents.
Discounted annual combination licenses are available to SC residents that include fishing, hunting privileges, and deer tags. Sportsman licenses offering access to wildlife management areas are also available to residents for $50/year.
South Carolina Deer Tags
In addition to a license and permit, South Carolina law mandates all harvested deer must be tagged at the point of kill with a valid tag that remains attached until the deer carcass is processed or quartered.
Tags received by resident hunters are valid for the entire deer season. Nonresidents may purchase multiple deer tags valid for various time periods.
All hunters are subject to the statewide daily and seasonal limits. There are options to receive additional antlerless deer tags and purchase extra antlered buck tags if the limits allow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the 2023 youth deer hunt day in Game Zone 1 of South Carolina?
A: The 2023 youth deer hunt day for Game Zone 1 in South Carolina is September 30. On this day, youth 17 years old and younger can hunt for antlered deer only. The limit is one deer, and no licenses or tags are required for the youth or accompanying adult. But only youths are allowed to harvest a deer.
Q: How many antlerless deer can I take in total across all seasons and weapons in Game Zone 3 of South Carolina?
A: The total limit across all seasons for antlerless deer in Game Zone 3 is 8. This includes archery, primitive weapons, and regular gun seasons. You may take up to 2 antlerless deer per day if you have the proper licenses, permits, and unused tags.
When does archery deer hunting begin in Coastal Game Zone 4 for private land?
A: In Game Zone 4, you may begin hunting deer on private lands with archery equipment starting August 15. This early archery season runs until August 31 before transitioning into the general gun hunting season from September 1 – January 1. Be sure to confirm season dates and bag limits before your hunt.
Q: Is Sunday deer hunting allowed on private land throughout South Carolina?
A: Yes, Sunday deer hunting is permitted statewide on private lands in South Carolina. However, regulations still apply related to licenses, permits, bag limits, tagging harvested deer, legal weapons for the current open season, and all other statewide laws. Always verify regulations before hunting on Sundays.
Q: Where can I find the information about check stations to bring my harvested deer?
A: South Carolina no longer utilizes harvest check stations for mandatory deer reporting. All harvested deer must be tagged immediately at the point of kill before transporting the animal from the site per state law. Tagging requirements help wildlife officials gather harvest data without dedicated check stations.
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