Welcome to 2025-26 South Carolina Hunting
What’s New – Hunting
Act No. 46
Game Zone One Bear Season
Act 46 amended Chapter 11 of Title 50 pertaining to Black Bear season in Game Zone 1. The new season structure will include still gun hunts for black bear starting on both private and WMA land on October 11, with the still gun hunt season ending on WMA lands October 16th and continuing on private lands until October 23rd. This makes for a full two week still gun hunting season for black bears on private lands. Dog drives for black bears in game zone 1 will now have a two-week season on both private and WMA lands that will open on October 17th and close on October 30th. It is no longer required to register for a party dog hunt.
Alligator Lottery Slot Tags
Starting in 2025, applicants in the public alligator hunting lottery will have the option to select an alligator slot tag to permit a hunter to take one alligator between 4 and 8 feet in total length. Those hunting with a Slot Tag, may not use harpoons, bows, or any other device that propels a dart, arrow, spear, gig, or anything designed to embed into the alligator as you may have to release an alligator above the slot size limit. Slot Tag hunters are restricted to snatch hooks, handheld snares, and ropes. Applicants will only be chosen for one tag, and any accumulated preference points will revert to zero when chosen regardless of whether it is a traditional alligator tag or a size-restricted slot tag. If you do not want a slot tag, do not select one at the time of application.
Regulations Published July 2025
Property-specific regulations outlined here could change due to the need for emergency regulations. Such changes will be publicized on the SCDNR website as any new emergency legislation is passed. Discrepancies between this book and any statute or regulation shall be governed by the statute or regulation. To research current laws and legislative information in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Legislature's official website. SCDNR will issue news releases to clarify any changes to regulations, errors or omissions in this booklet.
Other information is published only in SCDNR news releases. This includes announcements relative to shrimp baiting, public hearings, SCDNR Board decisions and position statements, new legislation, youth activities, mobility impaired US Dept. of Agriculture cost-share programs, special lottery hunts, schedules for newly acquired areas and many other items of interest. SCDNR news releases are available to the public on the SCDNR website.
About This Guide
The information contained here is provided as summary information. The specific laws governing fish and wildlife may be found in Title 50, S.C. Code of Laws.
You can review the full text of Title 50, which covers South Carolina's fish, game, and watercraft laws, by visiting the South Carolina Code of Laws.
To search for specific legislation, use the South Carolina General Assembly’s bill search tool.
Para obtener información en español concerniente a reglas, regulaciones, programas educativos, trámites para licencias de pesca, caza o registro de embarcaciones, por favor visite, envíenos un correo electrónico o llame al 803-734-9885.
