How Much Does a South Carolina Hunting License Cost?
A South Carolina hunting license costs $12 a year for residents and $125 a year for non-residents, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). That base license covers small game only, so anyone after deer, turkey, or bear needs to add a Big Game Permit on top of it.
South Carolina runs its license on a fixed license year, expiring every June 30, though residents also have the option of a 3-year license at a proportional rate. Non-residents can instead choose a short-term 10-day or 3-day license if they're only visiting for a single trip.
Once you add a Big Game Permit, a WMA Permit, or deer tags, the total cost of a South Carolina season looks very different for residents versus non-residents. Here's what to know about hunting license costs in South Carolina.
How Much Does a South Carolina Hunting License Cost?
South Carolina keeps its base license notably affordable for residents, but non-residents pay roughly ten times the resident rate once a Big Game Permit is added.
Common South Carolina License Fees | ||
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
| State Hunting License (small game only) | $12.00 | $125.00 |
| Big Game Permit (deer, turkey, bear) | $6.00 | $100.00 |
| Combination License (State Hunting, Big Game, and Freshwater Fishing) | $25.00 | Not available |
| Sportsman License (adds Wildlife Management Area access) | $50.00 | Not available |
| Junior Sportsman License (ages 16–17) | Not available | $16.00 |
Non-residents can also buy a 10-day license for $75 or a 3-day license for $40 instead of the full annual rate. This is a useful option for a single hunting trip rather than a season. Either way, non-residents still need the separate $100 Big Game Permit to pursue deer, turkey, or bear.
Required Stamps and Permits
A South Carolina hunting license alone only covers small game. You'll need to add the right permit or tag for whatever you're hunting, and non-resident deer tags in particular cost far more than the resident equivalent.
South Carolina Hunting Permits and Stamps | |
| Item | Cost |
| Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Permit | Resident $30.50 / Non-Resident $76.00 |
| Bear Tag (Game Zone 1 only, in addition to Big Game Permit) | $25.00 |
| Turkey Tags (Set of 3, resident. Free for youth, lifetime, senior, disability holders) | $25.00 |
| State Migratory Waterfowl Permit (State Duck Stamp) | $15.50 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $30.00 |
| Non-Resident Antlered Buck Tag | $50.00 first tag, $20 each additional (up to 4 total) |
| Non-Resident Antlerless Deer Tag (optional, up to 4) | $10.00 each |
Residents get a free base set of five deer tags with the Big Game Permit (two antlerless and three unrestricted antlered) while non-residents receive no free tags and must purchase every deer tag separately. That asymmetry is worth knowing before budgeting a non-resident deer hunt in South Carolina.
Youth and Discounted Licenses
South Carolina offers some of the most generous long-term discounts of any state for its oldest and youngest resident hunters.
- Senior Combination Lifetime License (residents 64 and older): A one-time $9 fee covers hunting, Big Game, WMA access, and freshwater fishing for life, and a completely free Gratis License is available for residents born on or before July 1, 1940.
- Junior Sportsman License (ages 16–17): $16 annually, bundling State Hunting, Big Game, WMA access, and Freshwater Fishing into one discounted license that remains valid regardless of age until it expires.
- Disability Combination License: No cost for qualifying residents receiving disability benefits, covering the same privileges as the standard Combination License for three years at a time.
These programs make South Carolina notably affordable for younger hunters starting out and for longtime resident hunters well into retirement.
What Is a South Carolina Hunting License?
A South Carolina hunting license is the legal document issued by SCDNR that allows you to hunt small game in the state. It comes in several forms, including:
- The standalone State Hunting License
- A Combination License that bundles in freshwater fishing
- A Sportsman License that adds Wildlife Management Area access
The license is separate from your hunter education certification. The certification proves you completed an approved safety course. Once you earn it, it's valid for life.
Your hunting license itself expires every June 30 unless you choose the 3-year option, and must be renewed to keep hunting.
Who Needs a South Carolina Hunting License?
South Carolina residents and non-residents age 16 or older need a hunting license to legally hunt in the state.
Hunters younger than 16 don't need a license at all, though they still need the appropriate tags to hunt deer, turkey, or bear, and must follow hunter education rules if they were born after June 30, 1979.
For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, SCDNR's license fee schedule lays out every option in detail.
What Are the Requirements to Get a License?
Before buying a license, most South Carolina hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement.
Anyone born after June 30, 1979, must complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing any hunting license, regardless of the age-16 licensing threshold itself.
The course covers:
- Firearm and archery safety
- Wildlife identification and conservation
- South Carolina-specific hunting laws and ethics
South Carolina's online course requires no separate field day to finish certification, a rare setup compared to many neighboring states. The Hunter-Ed South Carolina course is approved for residents 10 and older. An 8-hour, free in-person classroom course remains available to hunters of any residency or age.
How to Get a South Carolina Hunting License
Getting licensed in South Carolina is straightforward once you've cleared hunter education, if it applies to you.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born after June 30, 1979.
- Choose your license type: State Hunting License, Combination License, Sportsman License, or Junior Sportsman if you qualify.
- Purchase your license online through Go Outdoors SC, by mail, or at an authorized license agent.
- Add a Big Game Permit if you plan to hunt deer, turkey, or bear.
- Add a WMA Permit if you plan to hunt on Wildlife Management Areas, or the State Migratory Waterfowl Permit and Federal Duck Stamp if hunting waterfowl.
- Carry your license, hunter education certificate if required, and any permits or tags any time you hunt.
Purchase your hunting license directly through Go Outdoors SC, SCDNR's official online licensing system, by mail, or in person at an authorized license agent statewide.
Why It's Important to Have a Hunting License
Buying a South Carolina hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.
- Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and sustainable for everyone afield.
- Legal Compliance: Hunting without a required license or permit can lead to fines and citations that cost more than getting licensed correctly from the start.
- Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and permit revenue funds SCDNR's work managing deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl populations statewide.
- Population Management: South Carolina's Big Game Permit and tag system gives SCDNR the harvest data needed to keep herds balanced across the state's game zones.
- Public Land Access: License revenue helps support the more than 1 million acres SCDNR manages for public hunting statewide.
Costs and rules vary by species and game zone, so it's worth checking current season dates and bag limits before you finalize your plans. Because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's also worth confirming South Carolina's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.
Ready to Hunt in South Carolina? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License
A South Carolina hunting license is one of the most affordable base licenses in the country for residents, but the real cost climbs once a Big Game Permit and deer tags enter the picture, especially for non-residents. Whether you're budgeting for a non-resident buck tag or getting a senior resident hunter a lifetime license for just $9, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.
Complete your hunter education course if it applies to you. Then buy your license and you'll be ready for opening day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the South Carolina hunting license fee a one-time payment?
A: No, a South Carolina hunting license expires every June 30 unless you choose the 3-year option, and must be renewed to keep hunting. The hunter education course, however, is a one-time requirement. The certification never expires once you get it.
Q: Are there discounts for South Carolina hunting licenses?
A: Yes, South Carolina offers a one-time $9 Senior Combination Lifetime License for residents 64 and older, a completely free Gratis License for residents born on or before July 1, 1940, and a free Disability Combination License for qualifying residents. A $16 Junior Sportsman License is also available for residents ages 16 to 17.
Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in South Carolina?
A: A non-resident annual State Hunting License costs $125, plus a separate $100 Big Game Permit for deer, turkey, or bear. Non-residents can also choose a 10-day license for $75 or a 3-day license for $40 instead of the full annual rate.
Q: Do I need a separate permit to hunt deer, turkey, or bear in South Carolina?
A: Yes. The base State Hunting License covers small game only, so hunters need a Big Game Permit on top of it to pursue deer, turkey, or bear. Residents pay $6 for the permit and receive a free base set of deer tags, while non-residents pay $100 and must purchase every deer tag separately.
Q: Does a South Carolina hunting license expire on a fixed date?
A: Yes, the standard South Carolina hunting license expires June 30 regardless of when you bought it, though residents can also choose a 3-year license at a proportional rate. Non-resident short-term licenses instead expire after their specific 3-day or 10-day window.
Q: How much does the South Carolina hunter education course cost?
A: South Carolina's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed costs $29.95 and is available to residents 10 and older, with no separate field day required to finish certification. The in-person classroom course, offered directly through SCDNR, is completely free and open to hunters of any residency or age.
