SC Game Check FAQs

FAQ's - Select question to reveal answer. Expand all | Collapse all

1. Is there a fee associated with reporting my harvest?

   No, the Go Outdoors SC app is provided free of charge, as is reporting on the SCDNR website or by phone.

2. Does the Go Outdoors SC app capture and record my location?

   No, you can allow the Go Outdoors SC app to access your location for full functionality of certain tools in the app (sunrise/sunset, tides, feeding times, etc.), but the SC Game Check portion of the app does not capture, record or transmit your location.

3. What if I downloaded the Go Outdoors SC app and set up my licenses before I purchased or requested my tags?

   This is not a problem. Once you get your tags, go to My Licenses and tap your name. If your tags don’t automatically show up in your list of privileges, tap the Sync button at the bottom of the screen to refresh the app and connect with the current license data.

4. Do I have to use the same reporting method for all of my harvest reports?

   No, you can use all four reporting methods interchangeably, as the mobile app, web portal, texting and phone system are all linked together.

5. What if I don't have cellular service when attempting to submit a harvest report on the Go Outdoors SC app?

   You will still be able to use the app and log your harvest report. Once you regain cell service, the mobile app will automatically submit your harvest report and generate a confirmation number. Additionally, you have until midnight on the day of harvest to report. In order for this to work, you must have the app downloaded, your profile established and linked to your tags prior to hunting in an area with limited cell service.

6. Can I have more than one customer profile on my Go Outdoors SC app?

   Yes, you are able to add multiple customer profiles on one device. This feature is particularly useful for parents with young children, spouses that hunt together, or a family member or friend without a smartphone or is uncomfortable using apps.

7. Who is required to report their harvest?

   All persons, including youth, harvesting big game are required to report their harvest by midnight of the day of harvest using SC Game Check.

8. If I'm required to check or report harvested big game at a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) or National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) check station or kiosk, do I also still need to report the harvest with SC Game Check?

   Yes, all harvested big game must be logged and reported using SC Game Check in addition to checking in or reporting the harvest at WMA's ot NWRs that specifically require on-site reporting or physical game checking.

9. What Information do I need to report a harvest

   To ensure a fast and convenient reporting process, have the following information ready before accessing any of the reporting methods:

   SCDNR CUSTOMER ID #

   • Located on your hunting license or tags
   • Do not enter the “C” preceding your customer ID #

   COUNTY

   • Where you harvested the animal

   TYPE OF LAND

   • Did you harvest the animal on public or private land?

   Name of WMA

   • If harvested on public land, please have the name of the Wildlife Management Area in which the animal was taken.

   TAG INFORMATION

   • Including color and code indicated on the used tag

   Additional information required for deer harvest

   WEAPON TYPE

   • Rifle, Bow, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Crossbow, or Handgun

   DEER TYPE

   • Antlered Buck, Doe, or Button Buck

   NUMBER OF ANTLER POINTS

   • Each point must be at least one (1) inch long to count.

   INSIDE ANTLER SPREAD

   • Optional, to nearest inch, no estimates, only report if measured.

   WEIGHT OF DEER

   • Optional, no estimates, only report if weighed on a scale.

   Additional information required for turkey harvest

   AGE OF THE TURKEY

   • Jake or Longbeard

   TIME OF DAY

   • Please indicate the time of your harvest, AM or PM.

10. Do I have to report a deer harvested in the Deer Quota Program (DQP)?

    Yes, all deer, including those harvested and tagged with DQP tags must be reported. There is a slightly different path to report a DQP deer in the mobile app and website that utilizes the DQP Property ID# for reporting

11. What if my hunt club splits up meat after a hunt, does everyone with meat need a confirmation number?

    We are aware that sometimes harvested game meat is divided among hunters or shared with others. The hunter who harvested and tagged the deer needs to report the harvest. Anyone that plans to take their share of the meat to a processor will need to have the confirmation number for the harvested animal.

12. Why do we have to report harvests? We already have to tag deer, bears and turkeys, doesn’t that give you all the information you need?

    Tagging game is a method to encourage compliance and facilitate enforcement of bag limits in the field. The number of tags issued only tells us how many potential hunters we have, and tags used without a reporting system doesn’t supply any information on actual harvest. It is important for wildlife biologists to have an accurate estimate of annual harvest in order to properly manage game species. Previously, we have used post-season hunter surveys to collect data and estimate harvest. SCDNR was frequently criticized for this method of harvest estimation by hunters who were not in the survey sample or by those who did not understand survey methods and statistics. Taking advantage of technology, this new reporting system will involve all successful hunters and will provide more detailed harvest data. It is also notable that most states utilize a similar system for collecting harvest data and South Carolina is not unique in requiring reporting

13. Can I see harvest data totals during the season?

    Yes, with the Hunter’s Toolbox feature in the Digital Backpack portion of the Go Outdoors SC mobile app, or on the Go Outdoors SC website, you can view current harvest data for the whole state, a county or a WMA.

14. Didn't find your question here?

    If you have a specific question about SC Game Check, email us at: scgamecheck@dnr.sc.gov