South Carolina: 2026-27 deer seasons, resident license fees and official links
Run by: South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Below are the deer season dates and resident license fees we could read on official pages (regulation year 2026-27). This state is newly added and coverage is partial.
Deer seasons
| Season type | Zone / unit | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primitive weapons | Game Zone 1 (private lands) | Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 10, 2026 | |
| Gun hunts | Game Zone 1 (private lands) | Oct 11, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Youth deer hunt day | Game Zone 1 (private lands) | Sep 26, 2026 | Antlered deer only, limit 1. A second youth day, Jan 2, 2027, is either-sex (limit 2); tags not required. |
| Archery only | Game Zone 2 (private lands) | Sep 15, 2026 to Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Primitive weapons | Game Zone 2 (private lands) | Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 10, 2026 | |
| Gun hunts | Game Zone 2 (private lands) | Oct 11, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Youth deer hunt day | Game Zone 2 (private lands) | Sep 12, 2026 | Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan 2, 2027 is either-sex (limit 2). |
| Archery and gun hunts | Game Zone 3 (private lands) | Aug 15, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | Buck only Aug 15-Sept 14. |
| Youth deer hunt day | Game Zone 3 (private lands) | Aug 8, 2026 | Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan 2, 2027 is either-sex (limit 2). |
| Archery only | Game Zone 4 (private lands) | Aug 15, 2026 to Aug 31, 2026 | Listed with Aug 15-Sept 14 buck only. |
| Gun hunts | Game Zone 4 (private lands) | Sep 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | Buck only Sept 1-14. |
| Youth deer hunt day | Game Zone 4 (private lands) | Aug 8, 2026 | Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan 2, 2027 is either-sex (limit 2). |
Source: SCDNR 2026-2027 hunting and fishing guide: deer seasons on private lands. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Selected resident license fees
| License (resident) | Fee | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| State hunting license, resident annual | $12.00 | Fees effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. | Official page |
| Big game permit, resident annual | $6.00 | Required with a hunting license to hunt deer, bear or turkey; tags also required. | Official page |
| Combination license, resident annual | $25.00 | Includes state hunting, big game and freshwater fishing. | Official page |
| Freshwater fishing license, resident annual | $10.00 | Official page |
Fees are copied from the official page linked in each row, last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fees, agent fees and online fees change; confirm before you buy.
Good to know
- Antlerless limit is 2 per day and 3 total for all seasons and methods in Game Zone 1, and 2 per day and 9 total in Game Zones 2, 3 and 4. Statewide antlered limits apply.
Source: SCDNR 2026-2027 hunting and fishing guide. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - A Big Game Permit and a hunting license are required to hunt deer; deer tags and harvest reporting also apply.
Source: SCDNR 2026-2027 hunting and fishing guide. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Not yet researched
Public lands (WMA) deer dates, archery details in Game Zone 1, the game zone county map, antlerless tag rules, turkey, bear and small game dates, fishing seasons, non-resident fees.