The South Carolina deer hunting season in Game Zones 3 and 4 begins on August 15 and lasts until January 1. This season will follow the same regulations as previous; the first few weeks are “bucks only,” and doe hunting begins in the middle of September. The dynamics of the season change throughout time, with afternoons being more promising early on.
South Carolina Deer Season Highlights
| Deer Season SC Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Deer Season Opening | Deer season on private lands in Game Zones 3 and 4 (most of the lower half of SC) starts on Aug. 15 and goes till Jan. 1. |
| Rules and Regulations | Check the 2023-24 Rules and Regulations on dnr.sc.gov for complete information including open and closed dates. |
| Season Start Conditions | Early season is "bucks only." Does allowed in mid-September. |
| Hunting Strategies | Afternoons are better early in the season; use bait due to limited natural food. |
| Tagging and Reporting | All harvested deer must be tagged and reported. |
| Resident Hunter Tags | 3 unrestricted buck tags, 2 antlerless tags; option to buy 2 antler restricted tags and 4 optional antlerless tags. |
| Tag Utilization | Resident hunters using all tags can harvest 5 antlered and 8 antlerless deer. |
| Unique Opportunity | SC's early start allows harvesting bucks in velvet before antlers harden. |
| Velvet Period | Bucks in velvet in mid-August, transition to hard antlers by September. |
| Care for Velvet Bucks | If harvesting a velvet buck for mounting, treat it like meat, cool it quickly, avoid sun exposure, handle with care. |
Deer Season SC 2023-2024
Game Zone-1
| Game Zone 1 | Deer Season Dates | Deer Season End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Antlered | Sunday, October 01, 2023 | Tuesday, October 10, 2023 |
| Antlerless | Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Sunday, September 24, 2023 | Sunday, September 24, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 |
Game Zone-2
| Game Zone 2 | Deer Season Dates | Deer Season End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Antlered | Friday, September 15, 2023 | Saturday, September 30, 2023 |
| Antlerless | Sunday, October 01, 2023 | Tuesday, October 10, 2023 |
| Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 | |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Sunday, September 10, 2023 | Sunday, September 10, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 |
Game Zone-3
| Game Zone 3 | Deer Season Dates | Deer Season End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Antlered | Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Sunday, August 13, 2023 | Sunday, August 13, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 |
Game Zone-4
| Game Zone 4 | Deer Season Dates | Deer Season End Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Antlered | Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | Thursday, August 31, 2023 |
| Antlerless | Friday, September 01, 2023 | Sunday, January 01, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Sunday, August 13, 2023 | Sunday, August 13, 2023 |
| Youth Deer Hunt Days | Saturday, January 07, 2023 | Saturday, January 07, 2023 |
SC Deer season Bag Limit 2023-2024
| Game Zone | Antlered Deer Limit | Antlerless Deer Limit | Youth Hunt Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Private Lands) | Statewide limits apply. | 2 per day, 3 total all seasons and methods combined. | Sept. 30 - Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 6 - Either-sex, limit 2. Tags not required. |
| 2 (Private Lands) | Statewide limits apply. | 2 per day, 5 total all seasons and methods combined. | Sept. 9 - Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 6 - Either-sex, limit 2. Tags not required. |
| 3 (Private Lands) | Statewide limits apply. | 2 per day, 8 total all seasons and methods combined. | Aug. 12 - Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 6 - Either-sex, limit 2. Tags not required. |
| 4 (Private Lands) | Statewide limits apply. | 2 per day, 8 total all seasons and methods combined. | Aug. 12 - Antlered deer only, limit 1. Jan. 6 - Either-sex, limit 2. Tags not required. |
SC Velvet Deer Season
The majority of bucks start to shift from velvet around August 15 and start to grow firm antlers around Labor Day. Antlers wrapped in velvet contain blood vessels and nerves that resemble velvet. As the skin dries and bucks brush their antlers against trees to lose it, the velvet stage is short-lived. When harvesting a velvet buck for mounting, treat it gently, calm it down quickly, and keep it out of the sun. Deliver it right away to a taxidermist so that it may be preserved.
SC Deer Licenses & Tags
Deer License Fees
| License/Permit/Tag | Duration | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Game Permit | Annual | $6.00 | $100.00 | Required to hunt deer, plus hunting license and tags |
| Deer Tags | Season | No Cost | N/A | Get 5 total: 2 antlerless, 3 unrestricted antlered buck tags |
| Individual Antlerless Deer Tags (optional extra) | Season | $5.00 | $10.00 | Hunting license and permit required |
| Restricted Antlered Buck Tags (optional extra) | Season | $5.00 | N/A | Limit 2 per hunter, 4+ points on one side or 12" min spread |
| Unrestricted Antlered Buck Tag | Season | N/A | $50.00 | Must buy this before other buck tags; no restrictions |
| Unrestricted Antlered Buck Tag | Season | N/A | $20.00 | Limit 1; must buy $50 tag first; no restrictions |
| Restricted Antlered Buck Tags | Season | N/A | $20.00 | Limit 2; must buy $50 tag first; 4+ points or 12" spread min |
Resident Deer Tags
| Resident Deer Tags | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Set of Tags | Automatically received when purchasing Hunting License/Big Game Permit or having an active one during deer season. |
| Consists of 3 Unrestricted Antlered Deer Tags. | |
| Includes 2 Individual Antlerless Deer Tags. | |
| Antlerless tags valid from Sept. 15 (Game Zones 2, 3, 4) and Oct. 1 (Game Zone 1) until end of season. | |
| Additional Antler Restriction Buck Tags | Residents can purchase 2 tags for $5 each. |
| Buck must have 4 points on one antler or a minimum 12-inch inside spread. | |
| Individual Antlerless Tags | Residents can purchase up to 4 tags for $5 each. |
| Valid from Sept. 15 (Game Zones 2, 3, 4) and Oct. 1 (Game Zone 1) until end of season. | |
| Bonus Tags | Residents who buy 4 tags receive 2 free bonus tags for private land (Game Zones 3 and 4) to control deer damage to agriculture. |
Nonresident Deer Tags
| Resident Deer Tags | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Set of Tags | Automatically received when purchasing Hunting License/Big Game Permit or having an active one during deer season. |
| Consists of 3 Unrestricted Antlered Deer Tags. | |
| Includes 2 Individual Antlerless Deer Tags. | |
| Antlerless tags valid from Sept. 15 (Game Zones 2, 3, 4) and Oct. 1 (Game Zone 1) until end of season. | |
| Additional Antler Restriction Buck Tags | Residents can purchase 2 tags for $5 each. |
| Buck must have 4 points on one antler or a minimum 12-inch inside spread. | |
| Individual Antlerless Tags | Residents can purchase up to 4 tags for $5 each. |
| Valid from Sept. 15 (Game Zones 2, 3, 4) and Oct. 1 (Game Zone 1) until end of season. | |
| Bonus Tags | Residents who buy 4 tags receive 2 free bonus tags for private land (Game Zones 3 and 4) to control deer damage to agriculture. |
South Carolina Deer Regulations
- Bait is commonly used due to limited natural food sources. Deer harvested must be identified and recorded. In addition to two antlerless tags and the option to purchase two more antler-restricted tags, resident hunters are entitled to three unrestricted buck tags. Two additional tags may be obtained by purchasing four optional antlerless deer tags. Due to the state’s early start, velvet-covered bucks may be harvested, which is a rare opportunity.
- Tagging and Movement: Prior to being moved from the kill site, each deer must be marked with an appropriate deer tag as prescribed by the department. Until the deer is quartered or transported to a processor, the tag should stay on. For processing requirements, see the Deer Rules & Regulations.
- Hunting Hours: Deer hunting is permitted from one hour before the start of the day until one hour after the conclusion of the day.
- Dogs and Deer Hunting: Game Zones 1 and 2 prohibit the use of dogs to hunt deer.
- Hunting, shooting, or killing deer from motorboats, rafts, or other watercraft is prohibited, as is harassing deer while they are in the water.
- Deer with Detached Heads: It is illegal to hold a deer while it is being transported away from the kill scene.
- Firearm Proximity to Residences: Except for landowners on their own property or those with a department permit, using guns to hunt deer within 300 yards of a dwelling, less than ten feet above the ground, needs owner consent.
- Archery, muzzleloaders, crossbows, and pneumatic weapons are all permissible during gun hunts.
- Antlered Deer: A deer with antlers that are 2 inches or more above the hairline is referred to as an antlered deer.
- Definition of an Antlerless Deer: An Antlerless Deer is a deer without antlers or with antlers that are less than two inches above the hairline. Antlerless deer may be taken at certain times of the year or with a designated permission.
- The Individual Antlerless Deer Tag Program offers two free tags with their basic set and the opportunity to purchase up to four extra tags to resident and non-resident hunters. Tags are not valid on properties that are part of the Deer Quota Program and have distinct validity periods for each game zone.
For thorough information, hunters should consult the 2023–24 Rules and Regulations on dnr.sc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the deer season start in South Carolina?
On private property in Game Zones 3 and 4 (the lower part of the state), the deer season begins on August 15, 2023, and lasts until January 1, 2024.
Are there any changes in the rules and regulations for the SC Deer Season 2023-2024?
There are no modifications to the laws and restrictions for the 2023–2024 deer season, according to Charles Ruth, the large game coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
When can hunters start taking does in the Lowcountry?
Starting in the middle of September, does may be taken by hunters in the Lowcountry. Seasonal opening weeks are “bucks only.”
What is the best time of day to hunt deer early in the season?
Charles Ruth asserts that early in the season, afternoons are often preferable over mornings. Deer often migrate just before sunset while hiding around morning.
Can I use bait for deer hunting?
On privately owned territory across the state, it is legal to bait deer or hunt them using bait.
How are deer tagged in South Carolina?
Before being transported, every harvested deer must be marked at the scene of the killing. The tags must stay on the animal until it is quartered or is picked up by a processor.
What are the bag limits for deer in different Game Zones?
Game Zones have various luggage restrictions. For instance, in Game Zone 1, the antlered deer restriction is in accordance with state regulations, while the antlerless limit is 2 each day, a total of 3 per season and method. Similar restrictions are made for other zones.
Can I hunt deer with dogs in Game Zones 1 and 2?
No, it is not permitted to use dogs to chase deer in Game Zones 1 and 2.
What's the significance of hunting bucks in velvet?
Due to South Carolina’s early season, hunters have a rare chance to take down velvet-covered bucks. On August 15 the majority of dollars will be in velvet, and by Labor Day it’s about 50/50. Bucks only retain velvet for a few weeks before shedding it as their antlers develop.
How can I participate in the Individual Antlerless Deer Tag Program?
Residents of South Carolina are entitled to two complimentary Individual Antlerless Tags in addition to their standard deer tag set. Residents may buy extra badges for $5 apiece, but non-residents must pay $10 each. Utilization restrictions are dependent on Game Zones.
Dates & Regulations source: DNR SC
- Indiana Hunting Season 2024 New Dates & Rules! - April 18, 2024
- Montana Hunting Seasons 2024-2025 New Dates & Regulations - April 5, 2024
- 2024-2025 Nebraska Hunting: New Dates & Bags & More! - April 3, 2024
