Rules and Regulations
Below you can find the Rules and Regulations that pertain to alligators and their management in South Carolina.
Chapter 1: General Provisions
50-1-30: Classification of birds, animals, and fish
Chapter 9: Hunting and Fishing Licenses
50-9-920: Revenues from the sale of privileges, licenses, permits, and tags.
50-9-460: Alligator propagation facility permits.
50-9-660: Alligator Draw Hunt Program; Private Lands Alligator Program; nonresident alligator hunting fee; fees nonrefundable.
Chapter 11: Protection of Game
50-11-750: Unlawful to feed or entice with food any alligator; exceptions; penalties.
- It is unlawful for any person to feed or entice with food any American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), except those persons feeding alligators maintained in protective captivity under a permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 50-15-40 for education, scientific, commercial, or recreational purposes; or department personnel, persons licensed, or otherwise authorized by the department, or county or municipal animal control personnel when relocating alligators by baiting or enticement. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
Chapter 15: Nongame and Endangered Species
50-15-40: Establishing and carrying out programs for management of nongame and endangered wildlife; removal, capture, or destruction of wildlife.
50-15-80: Penalties; searches and seizures; power to arrest; disposition of confiscated property.
50-15-310: Definitions.
50-15-500: Legislative findings; alligator management program.
- It is unlawful to feed, entice, or molest an alligator except as permitted under state and federal law. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one hundred fifty dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. The magistrates court retains jurisdiction over this offense.
- A person who hunts or takes an alligator, or allows an alligator to be hunted or taken, or possesses or disposes of alligator parts, except as allowed by this section and the implementing regulations, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. The magistrates court retains jurisdiction over this offense. In addition, the court may order restitution for any animal or part of an animal taken, possessed, or transferred in violation of this section.
Chapter 123: Department of Natural Resources (SC Code of Regulations)
123-50.2: Birds, Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians and Mammals.
123-150.3: Scientific Collecting Permit Required.
123-151. Regulations for Species or Subspecies of Non-game Wildlife.
- Alligator Harvest
- Depredation Program
- Private Lands Alligator Program
- Alligator Hunting Season
- Sale of Alligator Meat
- Sale, Barter, or Transfer of Alligator Hides and Other Parts
- Sale of Finished Alligator Products
- Alligator Propagation
Captive & Transport Permits
- As alligators are difficult to care for correctly in captivity due to their long lifespan and potential to reach large and dangerous sizes, SCDNR only permits captive alligators for educational purposes.
- For questions about captive or transport permits, please contact:
- Morgan Hart
- Alligator Project Leader
- Office: 843-546-0113