General Migratory Bird Seasons, Shooting Hours, & Bag Limits
South Carolina
Hunting & Fishing
Season Dates | |
Species | Dates |
Mourning Doves | September 5, 2020 – October 11, 2020 November 14, 2020 – November 28, 2020 December 25, 2020 – January 31, 2021 |
Early Teal (Blue & Green Winged) | September 11, 2020 – September 26, 2020 |
Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots (There is no Open Season on Harlequin Ducks) | November 21, 2020 – November 28, 2020 December 12, 2020 – January 31, 2021 |
Canada Geese See below for Restrictions. | September 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020 November 21, 2020 – November 28, 2020 December 12, 2020 – January 31, 2021 February 14, 2021 – March 1, 2021 |
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese | November 21, 2020 – November 28, 2020 December 12, 2020 – January 31, 2021 February 14, 2021 – March 1, 2021 |
Marsh Hens/Rails, Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules | September 15, 2020 – September 20, 2020 October 1, 2020 – December 3, 2020 |
Common Snipe | November 14, 2020 – February 28, 2021 |
Woodcock | December 18, 2020 – January 31, 2021 |
Brant | December 13, 2020 – January 31, 2021 |
Swans | No Open Season |
Scaup (Greater & Lesser) | 2/day 1/day |
Shooting Hours | |
Species | Shooting Hours |
Mourning Dove (September 5, 2020 – | 12 Noon until Sunset |
Mourning Dove (Remainder of Season) | ½ Hour before Sunrise until Sunset |
Early Teal | Sunrise until Sunset |
Ducks, Geese, American Coots, Mergansers, Marsh Hens, Snipe, Woodcock & Brant | ½ Hour before Sunrise until Sunset |
Daily Bag Limits | |
Species | Daily Limits |
Mourning Doves | 15 Total |
Early Teal (Blue & Green-winged) | 6 Total |
Ducks | 6 Total including those species not named below.
|
Canada Geese (September 1—September 30) | 15 Total |
Canada Geese & White-Fronted Geese (Remainder of Season) | 5 Total No More than |
Snow Geese | 25 Total |
American Coots | 15 Total |
Mergansers | 5 Total, No more than 1 Hooded Merganser |
Marsh Hens/Rails | King and Clapper—15 Total |
Sora and Virginia—25 Total | |
Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules | 15 Total |
Common Snipe | 8 Total |
Woodcock | 3 Total |
Brant | 2 Total |
Canada Goose Hunting Area: During the September 1—September 30 segment hunting for Canada Geese is allowed statewide. During the remaining three segments, the hunting area excludes that portion of Clarendon County bounded to the north by S-14-25; to the east by Hwy 260; and to the south by the markers delineating the channel of the Santee River. It also excludes that portion of Clarendon County bounded on the north by S-14-26 and extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg County bordered by Hwy #6.
State Youth Day: Nov. 14, 2020 (Legal Species: Ducks, mergansers, coots, ) Only youth who are 17 years of age or younger may hunt, but they must be accompanied by an adult of at least 21 years of age who is fully licensed. Youth who are 16 and 17 years of age, who hunt on this day, must possess a Migratory Bird Permit and a valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Daily and possession bag limits are the same as indicated for regular seasons, except only one scaup.
Federal Youth Days: Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2021 (Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, gallinules.) Only hunters 17 of age or younger may hunt on these days but must be accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age. Youth who are 16 and 17 years of age, who hunt on these days, must possess a valid South Carolina hunting license and Migratory Bird Permit and a valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Daily and possession bag limits are the same as indicated for regular seasons except scaup limit is two.
Veteran/ Active Duty Military Days: Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2021 (Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, gallinules.) Veterans and active duty military who hunt on these dates must possess a valid South Carolina hunting license and Migratory Bird Permit and a valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Daily and possession bag limits are the same as indicated for regular seasons except scaup limit is two.
Sea Duck Area and Duck Limits Within this Area: The sea duck area is the Atlantic Ocean waters separated from any shore, island or emergent vegetation by at least one mile of open water. In this area, the sea duck limit is 5 with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks. In addition and within this area, a hunter may take up to 6 other ducks as described for the rest of the state but not including sea ducks. The shooting of crippled waterfowl from a vessel under motor power in the sea duck area is allowed.
Extended Falconry Season: Falconry is a permitted means of taking ducks, coots and mergansers in South Carolina. The extended season for falconry shall be November 2, 2020 through Nov. 20, 2020 and Dec. 1, 2020 through Dec. 11, 2020. Daily bag and possession limits for these birds shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate. Statewide hunting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
