General Migratory Bird Seasons, Shooting Hours, & Bag Limits
Migratory Bird Seasons |
|
Species |
Dates |
Mourning Doves |
September 2, 2023 - October 7, 2023 November 11, 2023 - November 25, 2023 December 24, 2023 - January 31, 2024 |
Early Teal (Blue & Green Winged) |
September 15, 2023 - September 30, 2023 |
Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots |
November 18, 2023 - November 25, 2023 December 12, 2023 - January 31, 2024 |
Canada Geese |
September 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023 November 18, 2023 - November 25, 2023 December 12, 2023 - January 31, 2024 February 15, 2024 - March 1, 2024 |
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese |
November 18, 2023 - November 25, 2023 December 12, 2023 - January 31, 2024 February 15, 2024 - March 1, 2024 |
Marsh Hens/Rails, Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules |
September 1, 2023 - September 4, 2023 September 27, 2023 - December 1, 2023 |
Common Snipe |
November 12, 2023 - February 26, 2024 |
Woodcock |
December 18, 2023- January 31, 2024 |
Brant |
January 2, 2024 - January 31, 2024 |
Swans |
No Open Season |
Scaup (Greater & Lesser) |
2/day 1/day |
Migratory Bird Shooting Hours |
|
Species |
Shooting Hours |
Mourning Dove |
12 Noon until Sunset |
Mourning Dove |
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 |
Migratory Bird 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 |
State Youth Day: Nov. 11, 2023 (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.
Federal Youth Days: Feb. 3 and Feb. 10, 2024 (Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, 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, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl 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. 3 and Feb. 10, 2024 (Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules). Veterans and active duty military who hunt on these dates must possess a valid South Carolina hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl 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 all areas, the sea duck limit is 4 with no more than 3 scoters, 3 eiders (only 1 hen) or 3 long-tailed 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 October 30, 2023 through Nov. 17, 2023 and Dec. 1, 2023 through Dec. 11, 2023. 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.
