South Carolina Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in South Carolina?

You need the owner's or manager's consent to hunt anyone else's land whether or not it is posted. For general trespass, land is posted by placing notices in four conspicuous places on its borders, or by purple paint marks; once posted, the posting is conclusive notice against a trespasser.

Entering posted land after notice is a misdemeanor: up to $100 or 30 days (§ 16-11-600(A)).

Source: S.C. Code §§ 50-1-90, 16-11-600 · official source

Does South Carolina have a purple paint law?

Yes. Purple marks must be one vertical line at least 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, with the bottom 3 to 6 feet above the ground or normal water surface, on permanent objects no more than 100 yards apart and readily visible to anyone approaching.

Source: S.C. Code § 16-11-600(B)(2) · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in South Carolina?

You need the consent of the owner or manager to hunt another's land, but state law does not require that consent to be in writing.

Hunting from a public road requires permission to hunt the adjacent land (§ 50-11-760).

Source: S.C. Code § 50-1-90 · official source

Can you retrieve a deer or a hunting dog from posted land in South Carolina?

No. It is unlawful to enter another's land to hunt, fish, trap or retrieve dogs without the landowner's or manager's consent.

For migratory birds, the duty to retrieve downed birds does not permit trespass.

Source: SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide, Trespass · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in South Carolina?

Hunting on another's land without consent is a misdemeanor: up to $500 or 30 days for a first offense, $500–$1,000 or 30 days for a second, and $1,000–$2,500 and/or up to 6 months for a third or later offense within 10 years.

Hunting violations also add points under SC's hunting-license point system (§ 50-9-1120), which can lead to suspension.

Source: S.C. Code § 50-1-90 · official source

How close to a house can you hunt in South Carolina?

You may not hunt deer with a firearm within 300 yards of a residence while less than 10 feet above the ground without permission of the owner and occupant. Night hunting of coyotes, feral hogs and armadillos with firearms also may not be done within 300 yards of a residence without the occupant's permission.

Does not apply to a landowner hunting on their own land or to deer taken under a DNR permit. Hunting from an elevated stand 10+ feet high is outside this restriction. Fine up to $200 or 30 days. Archery is not covered by this section.

Source: S.C. Code § 50-11-355 · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in South Carolina?

You may not hunt from a public road or railroad right-of-way unless you have permission to hunt the land right next to it. 'Hunting' includes occupying stands to take deer or having a loaded centerfire rifle or a shotgun loaded with shot larger than No. 4 readily accessible.

Fine $100–$500 or up to 30 days, plus mandatory 1-year loss of hunting privileges. Guns in a closed compartment, closed trunk, or a vehicle traveling on the road don't count. At night, no shooting at coyotes, hogs or armadillos from, on or across a paved public road.

Source: S.C. Code § 50-11-760 · official source

What are legal shooting hours in South Carolina?

Legal hunting time for deer is from one hour before official sunrise until one hour after official sunset.

Turkey: no shooting between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.

Source: SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide, Deer · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in South Carolina?

On Wildlife Management Area lands, everyone (not just hunters) must wear a hat, coat or vest of solid international orange during deer hunting season. South Carolina's orange law is written for WMA lands; it does not set a square-inch minimum.

Exempt: dove, duck, goose and other migratory bird hunters (including crows), and archery hunters during archery-only deer seasons; turkey hunters are exempt under WMA Reg. 7.1. Orange is not set by statute for private land, but is strongly advisable.

Source: S.C. Code § 50-11-365; WMA Reg. 7.1 · official source

Is night hunting legal in South Carolina?

Night hunting is illegal except for raccoons, opossums, foxes, mink, skunks, coyotes, armadillos and feral hogs. Coyotes, hogs and armadillos may be hunted at night with lights and night vision only on property registered with SCDNR each year; raccoons and the like may be lit only when treed or cornered by dogs.

Night = 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise. Using lights to observe wildlife is illegal except by the property owner or someone with the owner's permission before 11:00 PM (§ 50-11-717). Vehicles, firearms and gear used to hunt deer, bear or turkey at night are forfeited (§ 50-11-740). Night hunting of coyotes and armadillos is prohibited on WMAs.

Source: S.C. Code §§ 50-11-710, 50-11-715; SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina requires people hunting their own land to carry all applicable licenses, permits and tags.

Source: SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide, License in Possession · official source

Who needs hunter education in South Carolina?

Anyone born after June 30, 1979, resident or nonresident, must complete an approved hunter education course before buying a hunting license. Without it, you can buy an annual Apprentice Hunting License and hunt with a licensed, non-apprentice hunter 21 or older who stays within unaided sight and voice range.

Out-of-state and Canadian certificates are accepted. The apprentice's mentor must have no hunting-violation convictions. On the statewide youth deer day, youth 17 and under without hunter education must be accompanied by an adult 21+.

Source: SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide, Hunter Education Requirements · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in South Carolina?

Sunday hunting for all game is legal on private land statewide. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays on all WMA lands unless otherwise specified.

Source: SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide, Sunday Hunting · official source

Is it legal to bait deer in South Carolina?

Hunting deer over bait is legal on private land statewide. Baiting is banned on all WMA lands, and turkeys may never be hunted over bait (an area stays baited for 10 days after all bait is removed).

On WMAs, salt/minerals are not considered bait. Bear baiting is restricted by § 50-11-430; check the bear section. Feral hogs, coyotes and armadillos may be hunted over bait on private land.

Source: SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide; S.C. Code § 50-11-510 (turkey); WMA Reg. 2.6 · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in South Carolina?

Yes. Crossbows count as archery equipment in South Carolina and may be used by anyone on private and WMA lands during all archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons for deer, bear and turkey.

There are no draw-weight or broadhead restrictions for archery equipment.

Source: S.C. Code § 50-11-565; SCDNR 2026-27 Hunting & Fishing Guide, Crossbows · official source

Are trail cameras restricted in South Carolina?

Trail cameras are allowed. South Carolina's law against using lights on wildlife specifically does not prohibit using remote trail monitors or cameras on a property.

WMA-specific rules may apply; check the WMA regulations.

Source: S.C. Code § 50-11-717(A)(4) · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in South Carolina?

Landowners who let people hunt or use their land for recreation without charge owe no duty to keep it safe or warn of dangers and aren't liable for injuries those users cause. The protection doesn't apply if the owner charges a fee or for grossly negligent, willful or malicious failure to warn of a danger.

Payment for land leased to the state is not a 'charge'.

Source: S.C. Code §§ 27-3-10 – 27-3-70 · official source