Deer Tag Information
All harvested deer in South Carolina are required to be tagged at the point of kill. Tag must remain attached until the deer/carcass is quartered or received by a processor. For Additional Deer Tag Information visit
Deer tags ARE NOT available over the counter at point of sales vendors (Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, etc.). They are available over the counter at SCDNR offices located in Aynor, Charleston, Clemson, West Columbia at the State Farmer’s Market, Florence, and York. Tags may be requested after July 1 online at:
Tags are valid for the entire deer season, however, hunters must maintain an active License/Big Game Permit to legally deer hunt. The statewide limit on antlered bucks using personal tags is 5 for residents and 4 for non-residents. In each case, 2 of these bucks must have at least 4 points on one antler or a 12-inch inside spread. Daily limit of 2 for antlered bucks or antlerless deer using personal tags for residents and non-residents.
Residents
When a resident purchases a Hunting License/Big Game Permit OR if they have an active Hunting License/Big Game Permit that will be valid when deer season begins they will automatically receive a free base set of deer tags prior to deer season or 7-10 days following the purchase of the Hunting License/Big Game Permit if deer season has begun.
Youth hunters and 3-year Disability Licensees must request the free base set of tags annually. Lifetime/Senior/Gratis/Disability Licensees receive tags annually after requesting them one time. (Note: Lifetime Licensees that now live out-of-state should call SCDNR Licensing directly at 803-734-4DNR.)
The base set of resident tags consist of the following:
- 3 Unrestricted Antlered Deer Tags
- 2 Individual Antlerless Deer Tags — Based on feedback from hunters, SCDNR worked with the legislature to eliminate the 8 date-specific antlerless tags and replace them with 2 antlerless tags that may be used on any day beginning Sept. 15 in Game Zones 2, 3, and 4 and Oct. 1 in Game Zone 1 until the end of the deer season. This increases resident hunter’s opportunity and flexibility to take antlerless deer from 8 days to 109 days.
Residents — optional deer tag purchases
Residents including youth hunters and Lifetime and Senior/Gratis/Disability Licensees may purchase 2 additional antler restriction buck tags for $5 each. The restriction is the buck must have 4 points on one antler or a minimum 12-inch inside spread. There is no particular order in which the antlered buck tags must be used.
All residents may purchase up to 4 individual antlerless tags for $5 each. Tags are valid on any day beginning September 15 in Game Zones 2, 3, 4 and October 1 in Game Zone 1 until the end of the deer hunting season.
Hunters who purchase 4 tags receive 2 free bonus tags valid on private land only in Game Zones 3 and 4 to help control deer damage to agriculture.
Non-Residents
Non-Resident adults receive no free tags with the purchase of their Hunting License/Big Game Permit and must also purchase deer tags in order to deer hunt.
Non-Resident deer tags are as follows:
- May purchase up to 4 antlered deer tags.
- 2 Unrestricted Antlered Deer Tags
- 2 Antler Restriction Deer Tags — 4 points on one antler or a minimum 12-inch inside spread. Cost: $50 for first antlered buck tag- $20 for each additional ($110 for all 4).
- After the purchase of an unrestricted buck tag, there is no particular order in which the buck tags must be purchased or used.
May purchase up to 4 Individual Antlerless Tags ($10 each) as in the past.
Hunters who purchase 4 tags receive 2 free bonus tags valid on private land only in Game Zones 3 and 4 to help control deer damage to agriculture.
Non-resident youth receive base set of tags for free by request. May then purchase one antler restriction buck tag ($50) and up to 4 Individual Antlerless Tags ($10 each).
Need Deer or Turkey Tags Immediately?
If you have just purchased a Hunting License and Big Game Permit, or have just requested or purchased deer or turkey tags and want to hunt immediately, a temporary set of deer or turkey tags can be downloaded and printed by accessing the Customer Privileges Portal on the SCDNR website at
Measurement Procedures & Standards for Antlered Deer
For the 2 Optional Antler Restriction Tags a deer must have a minimum of 4 points on one antler OR a minimum 12” inside antler spread.
- A point is defined as a projection that is at least one inch long. Points are measured starting at base where it arises from the top of the beam or another point. (Fig. 1)
- Inside antler spread is measured at a right angle (perpendicular) to the center line of the skull at its widest point between the main beams. (Fig. 2)
