SC Hunting License

What kind of License do I need?

The type of license you need depends on the type of activities you participate in and whether you are a resident or nonresident of South Carolina. The following questions can help determine what licenses you need.

• Am I a resident of SC? Am I a nonresident of SC?
• Am I fishing in freshwater, saltwater or both?
• Am I hunting? Small game or big game?
• Will I be hunting and fishing?
• Will I need any additional tags or permits?
• Is there a lottery for the tag I need?
• How old am I?

The answers to these questions will help you determine what licenses are required. We offer a variety of licenses, both resident and nonresident to include temporary, annual and 3 year privileges for hunting and fishing. There are SC resident combination and sportsman licenses that offer both hunting and fishing privileges together. Small game requires a hunting license only but if you are hunting deer, bear or turkey, a hunting license, big game permit and additional tags are required. Additional tags or permits are required for commercial fur trapping, nongame fish devices, shrimp baiting, migratory birds, deer, bear, turkey and alligator. A lottery is required for alligator tags. For SC residents age 64 and older we offer a lifetime license at a discounted rate. Youth under 16 years of age are not required to have a license however, all hunting and fishing tags are required. A license is required for youth who participate in commercial activity or use any nongame fish devices.

All persons born after June 30, 1979 are required to complete a Hunter Education Course to purchase a hunting license. For information concerning Hunter Education please call 800-277-4301.

Hunting

The information contained on this web page is provided as summary information. The specific laws governing Hunting and Fishing may be found in Title 50 SC Code.

Species	Basic Licenses Needed
Alligator	American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis Alligator hunting is a Lottery Hunt process no open season. Hunting License Application Fee $10 - Lottery Hunts Only Permit Fee (If Selected) Possible other license / permit needed: Nonresidents have to pay a $200 nonresident alligator hunting fee in addition to any other permit and license fees. See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Bear	Black Bear - Ursus americanus Hunting License Big Game Permit Bear Tag Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Coyote	Coyote- Canis latrans Hunting License Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Deer	White-tailed Deer - Odocoileus virginianus Hunting License Big Game Permit Deer Tags Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Dove - (Migratory Bird)	Dove (Migratory Bird)- Information on Dove Species Hunting License Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Feral Hogs	Feral Hogs - Information on Feral Hogs Hunting License Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Waterfowl - (Migratory Bird)	Waterfowl (Migratory Bird) - Information on Waterfowl Hunting License Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit SC Migratory Waterfowl Permit Federal Waterfowl Stamp Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Small Game	Small Game Hunting License Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices
Turkey	Eastern Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo Hunting License Big Game Permit Turkey Tags Possible other license / permit needed: WMA Permit See regulations | Purchase online | Prices

License Pricing                            License General Information

Customer Service

Need assistance with your license purchase? Contact customer service by email at licensing@dnr.sc.gov. Customer service is available Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, except holidays.