South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 123 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Article 3 - WILDLIFE AND FRESH WATER FISHERIES DIVISION-HUNTING REGULATIONS
Subarticle 1 - HUNTING IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
Section 123-40 - Wildlife Management Area Regulations

1.1 The regulations governing hunting including prescribed schedules and seasons, methods of hunting and taking wildlife, and bag limits for Wildlife Management Areas and special restrictions for use of WMA lands are as follows:

2.1 Except as provided in these regulations, no person may hunt or take wildlife on areas designated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lands.

2.2 Entry onto WMA land is done wholly and completely at the risk of the individual. Neither the landowners nor the State of South Carolina nor the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources accepts any responsibility for acts, omissions, or activities or conditions on these lands which cause personal injury or property damage.

2.3 Entry onto WMA land constitutes consent to an inspection and search of the person, game bag or creel.

2.4 No person may hunt or take wildlife on WMA land unless an individual is in possession of a valid South Carolina license, a valid WMA permit, and other applicable federal or state permits, stamps or licenses.

2.5 No Sunday hunting is permitted on any WMA lands unless otherwise specified.

2.6 On all WMA lands, baiting or hunting over a baited area is prohibited. As used in this section, "bait" or "baiting" means the placing, depositing, exposing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain or other food stuffs to constitute an attraction, lure, or enticement to, on, or over any area. "Baited area" means an area where bait is directly or indirectly placed, deposited, exposed, distributed, or scattered and the area remains a baited area for ten (10) days following the complete removal of all bait. Salt/minerals are not considered bait.

2.7 On WMA lands, construction or use of tree stands is prohibited if the tree stand is constructed by driving nails or other devices into trees or if wire is wrapped around trees. Other tree stands are permitted provided they are not permanently affixed or embedded in the tree. Excluding deer stands erected by the Department on WMA lands for the purpose of special hunts, no deer stands or temporary climbing devices may be placed on WMA lands prior to August 10 in any given year and must be removed by January 15 of the succeeding calendar year. All deer stands and temporary climbing devices must be labeled with the DNR Customer ID number of the person responsible for the stand or climbing device in a conspicuous location using an identification tag, etching, or permanent marker.

2.8 On WMA lands, any hunter younger than sixteen (16) years of age must be accompanied by an adult (21 years or older). Sight and voice contact must be maintained.

2.9 Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, the Department may permit special hunts on any day during the regular hunting season.

2.10 No person may release or attempt to release any animal onto WMA lands without approval from the Department. This regulation does not apply on designated Public Bird Dog Training Areas where pen raised quail and pigeons may be released.

2.11 While participating in a hunt on WMAs, no person may possess, consume or be under the influence of intoxicants, including beer, wine, liquor or drugs.

2.12 On WMA lands, during the designated statewide youth deer hunt day, only still hunting is allowed. The limit is two deer total, either sex. Tags are not required

2.13 Taking or destroying timber, other forest products or cutting firewood on WMA lands without written permission from the landowner or his agent is prohibited. Users of WMA lands are prohibited from planting, attempting to plant, burning or otherwise attempting to manipulate crops, natural vegetation or openings without written permission from the landowner or his agent.

2.14 On WMA lands, hunting armadillos and coyotes at night is prohibited. Armadillos and coyotes may be hunted during any open season for game during daylight hours with no bag limit. Weapon(s) used to hunt armadillos and coyotes are limited to the weapon(s) that are allowed for the current open season on WMA.

2.15 On WMA lands during special designated hunts, a WMA may be closed to other public access.

2.16 Still hunting for hogs is permitted on WMAs during any open season for game during daylight hours with only the weapons allowed during the hunting season in progress unless otherwise prohibited. No hog may be transported alive from a WMA. Hogs may not be hunted at night. There is no bag limit on hogs. Hunters must wear a hat, coat, or vest of solid international orange while hog hunting. Buckshot is prohibited. During hog hunts with dogs, no still or stalk hunting is allowed and only handguns are permitted. No hog hunting with dogs is allowed except during special designated seasons. During firearms seasons for deer, hog hunters possessing big game weapons must possess licenses, permits, and tags applicable to deer hunting. Big game weapons include centerfire weapons, archery equipment with broad heads, shot larger than No. 2, and muzzle loading shotguns (larger than 20 gauge) and rifles/muskets (.36 caliber or greater).

2.17 Unless otherwise specified, small game hunting seasons and bag limits on WMA lands are the same as Game Zone seasons and bag limits except no hunting before Sept. 1 or after Mar. 1. The season for hunting beavers on WMA lands shall be October 1 through March 1.

3.1 On WMA lands hunters may use any shotgun, rifle, bow and arrow, crossbow or hand gun except that specific weapons may be prohibited on certain hunts. Blow guns, dart guns, drugged arrows or arrows with exploding tips are not permitted. Small game hunters may possess or use shotguns with shot no larger than No. 2 or .22 rimfire or smaller rifles/handguns or primitive muzzle loading rifles/muskets of .40 caliber or smaller. Small game hunters may not possess or use buckshot, slugs or shot larger than No. 2. Small game hunters using archery equipment must use small game tips on the arrows (judo points, bludgeon points, etc.).

3.2 For Special Primitive Weapons Seasons, primitive weapons include bow and arrow, crossbow and muzzle loading shotguns (20 gauge or larger) and rifles/muskets (.36 caliber or larger) with open or peep sights or scopes, which use black powder or a black powder substitute that does not contain nitro cellulose or nitro glycerin components as the propellant charge. There are no restrictions on ignition systems (e.g. flintstone, percussion cap, shotgun primer, disk, electronic, etc.). During primitive weapons season, no revolving rifles are permitted.

3.3 On WMA lands big game hunters are not allowed to use armor piercing, tracer, incendiary, or full metal jacket bullets or .22 or smaller rimfire. Buckshot is prohibited during still gun hunts for deer on WMA lands in Game Zones 3 & 4.

3.4 On WMAs all firearms transported in vehicles must be unloaded and secured in a weapons case, or in the trunk of a vehicle or in a locked toolbox. On the Francis Marion Hunt Unit during deer hunts with dogs, loaded shotguns may be transported in vehicles. Any shotgun, centerfire rifle, rimfire rifle or pistol with a shell in the chamber or magazine, or a muzzleloader with a cap on the nipple or a flintlock with powder in the flash pan is considered loaded.

3.5 No target practice is permitted on WMA lands except in specifically designated areas.

3.6 On WMA lands during gun hunts for deer or hogs there shall be no hunting or shooting from, on or across any road open to vehicle traffic. During any deer or hog hunt there shall be no open season for hunting on any designated recreational trail on U.S Forest Service or S.C. Public Service Authority property.

4.1 On WMA lands with designated check stations, all deer bagged must be checked at a check station. Deer bagged too late for reporting one day must be reported the following day.

4.2 Unless otherwise specified by the Department, only antlered deer may be taken on all WMA lands. Deer with visible antlers of less than two (2) inches above the hairline are considered antlerless deer and must be tagged with an antlerless deer tag issued by the Department. A point is any projection at least one inch long and longer than wide at some location at least one inch from the tip of the projection.

4.3 On WMA lands, man drives for deer are permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. only. A man drive is defined as an organized hunting technique involving two (2) or more individuals whereby an attempt is made to drive game animals from cover or habitat for the purpose of shooting, killing, or moving such animals toward other hunters. On WMA lands, drivers participating in man drives are prohibited from carrying or using weapons.

4.4 For all WMAs combined statewide, the limit for all seasons and methods combined is two deer per day, 5 deer total, no more than two antlered bucks, unless otherwise specified. For WMAs in Game Zone 1, the limit for antlerless deer for all seasons and methods combined is 3. Antlerless deer limit is two deer per day, unless otherwise specified. On special mobility impaired and youth deer hunts sanctioned by the Department and during the statewide youth deer hunt day prescribed by the Department, participants may take two deer total, either sex.

4.5 Individual Antlerless Deer Tags are valid in Game Zone 1 beginning Oct. 1 and in Game Zones 2, 3 & 4 beginning Sept. 15. For all WMAs combined, a maximum of 5 individual antlerless deer tags may be used during primitive weapons or still gun deer seasons in all Game Zones except three individual antlerless deer tags may used in Game Zone 1. Tags do not alter the daily (2 per day) or seasonal limit or change the type of weapons that can be used during special weapons seasons.

4.6 All deer must be tagged immediately after harvest as prescribed by the Department and before being moved from the point of kill and the tag must be validated as prescribed by the Department. A valid tag must remain attached until the deer or carcass is quartered or received by a processor.

4.7 For WMAs designated as Quality Deer Management Areas, all antlered bucks must have a minimum 4 points on one side or a minimum 12 inch inside antler spread except during designated special youth hunts. Inside antler spread is measured at a right angle to centerline of the skull at its widest point between the main beams.

4.8 On WMA lands, deer, hogs, or bear may not be hunted with a firearm within 300 yards of a residence.

5.1 On all WMA lands, dogs may be used for small game hunting unless otherwise specified.

5.2 Dogs may be trained for quail, rabbit and squirrel hunting from Sept. 1-14 (no guns), except on designated Public Bird Dog Training Areas where bird dog training is allowed from September 15 to March 15 (Sundays excluded).

5.3 On WMA lands, dogs may be used for hunting foxes, raccoons, bobcats or opossums only between thirty (30) minutes after official sunset and 30 minutes before official sunrise.

5.4 Unless otherwise specified, deer hunting with dogs on WMA lands is prohibited. The Department may permit deer hunting with dogs on WMA lands not located in Game Zones 1 and 2. For the purposes of tracking a wounded deer, a hunter may use one dog which is kept on a leash.

5.5 Dogs may be used to hunt bear on WMA lands in Game Zone 1 during the special party dog bear season.

5.6 On WMA lands, dogs may be used to hunt hogs only during special designated hog hunts with dogs.

6.1 On all WMA lands, no hunter may shoot from a vehicle unless permitted by the Department.

6.2 On WMA lands, motor driven land conveyances must be operated only on designated roads or trails. Unless otherwise specified, roads or trails which are closed by barricades and/or signs, either permanently or temporarily, are off limits to motor driven land conveyances.

6.3 A person may not obstruct or cause to be obstructed travel routes on WMA lands.

7.1 On all WMA lands during any gun and muzzleloader hunting seasons for deer, bear and hogs, all hunters including small game hunters must wear either a hat, coat, or vest of solid visible international orange. Archery hunters during archery only deer seasons and hunters for dove, turkey, ducks, geese and other hunted migratory birds including crows are exempt from this requirement while hunting for those species.

8.1 Camping is not permitted on WMA lands except in designated camp sites.

9.1 Trapping on WMA lands is not permitted.

10.1 Unless specially designated by the Department as a Wildlife Management Area for Waterfowl or a Wildlife Management Area for Dove, all Wildlife Management Areas are open during the regular season for hunting and taking of migratory birds except where restricted.

10.2 The Department may designate sections of Wildlife Management Areas and other lands and waters under the control of the Department as Designated Waterfowl Management Areas or Designated Dove Management Areas. All laws and regulations governing Wildlife Management Areas apply to these special areas. In addition, the Department may set special shooting hours, bag limits, and methods of hunting and taking waterfowl and doves on those areas. All State and Federal migratory bird laws and regulations apply. Regulations pertaining to the use of Dove Management Areas will be filed annually.

10.3 On areas where blinds are not provided, only portable blinds which are removed at the conclusion of the hunt or temporary blinds of native vegetation may be used. Temporary blinds once vacated may be used by other hunters.

10.4 On Designated Waterfowl Areas, no species other than waterfowl may be taken during waterfowl hunts. On Designated Dove Management Areas no species other than doves may be taken during dove hunts. Only dove hunting is allowed at Lake Wallace.

10.5 No fishing is permitted in any Category I Designated Waterfowl Area during scheduled waterfowl hunts.

10.6 The Bordeaux Work Center Area is closed to hunting except for special hunts as designated by the SCDNR.

10.7 Impoundments on Bear Island, Beaverdam Creek, Bonneau Ferry, Broad River, Clemson, Donnelley, Samworth, Sandy Beach, Santee Coastal Reserve, Santee Cooper, Wateree River, and Santee Delta WMAs are closed to all public access during the period Nov. 1 - Feb. 8 except during special hunts designated by the Department. All public access during the period Feb. 9 - Oct. 31 is limited to designated areas. On Bear Island WMA, Mathews' Canal is closed to all hunting from Nov. 1 - Feb. 15 beyond a point 0.8 mile from the confluence of Mathews' Canal with the South Edisto River.

10.8 Potato Creek Hatchery Waterfowl Area is closed to hunting access and fishing during the period one week prior to and two weeks after the Federal waterfowl season except for scheduled waterfowl hunts. All hunters must enter and leave the Potato Creek Hatchery Waterfowl Area through the designated public landing on secondary road 260 and complete a data card and deposit card in receptacle prior to leaving the area No airboats are allowed for hunting or fishing and no hunting from secondary road 260.

10.9 On Hatchery WMA, hunters must leave the area by 1 PM, except on the last Saturday of the waterfowl season when hunters may hunt until sunset. Each hunter is limited to twenty five Federally approved nontoxic shot shells per hunt. No airboats are allowed in the Hatchery WMA for hunting or fishing during the period Nov. 15 - Jan. 31. No fishing allowed during scheduled waterfowl hunts.

10.10 On Crackerneck WMA, waterfowl may be hunted only on Fri., Sat. and Thanksgiving Day within the regular migratory bird seasons and no hunting on Dec. 25; Fant's Grove WMA is open AM only on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the regular migratory bird seasons; Palachucola WMA, Tillman Sand Ridge WMA, Hamilton Ridge WMA and Webb WMA are open AM only for waterfowl hunting during the regular migratory bird seasons only on days when small game hunting is allowed and the entire week of Thanksgiving, Sundays excluded.

10.11 Category I Designated Waterfowl Areas include Beaverdam, Bonneau Ferry, Broad River, Clemson, Sandy Beach, Samworth, Santee Coastal Reserve, Santee Delta, Tibwin, Bear Island, Wateree River Heritage Preserve and portions of Donnelley Wildlife Management Areas. Hunting in Category I Designated Waterfowl Areas is by special permit obtained through annual computer drawing.

10.12 Category II Designated Waterfowl Areas include Biedler Impoundment, Carr Creek (bounded by Samworth WMA), Little Carr Creek (bounded by Samworth WMA), Lake Cunningham, Russell Creek, Monticello Reservoir, Parr Reservoir, Duncan Creek, Dunaway, Dungannon, Enoree River, Moultrie, Hatchery, Hickory Top, Hickory Top Greentree Reservoir, Lancaster Reservoir, Turtle Island, Little Pee Dee River Complex (including Ervin Dargan, Horace Tilghman), Great Pee Dee River, Potato Creek Hatchery, Sampson Island Unit (Bear Island), Tyger River, Marsh, Wee Tee, Woodbury, Ditch Pond, Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve, Sumter National Forest, Santee Cooper, portions of Donnelley, and 40 Acre Rock Waterfowl Management Areas. Hunting on Category II Designated Waterfowl Areas is in accordance with scheduled dates and times.

10.13 On Hickory Top WMA public waterfowl hunting without a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit is allowed on all land and water below 76.8'. Waterfowl hunting at or above elevation 76.8' requires a WMA permit. A WMA permit is required for waterfowl hunting in the Hickory Top Greentree Reservoir.

10.14 Designated Dove Management Areas include all dove management areas as published by the Department in the annual listing of WMA public dove fields and are subject to regulations filed annually.

10.15 Hickory Top Greentree Reservoir is closed to hunting access November 1 until March 1, except for special hunts designated by SCDNR. All hunters must accurately complete a data card and deposit card in receptacle prior to leaving the area. Hunting hours are from 30 minutes before legal sunrise until 11:00 am. Hunters may not enter the area prior to 5:00 am on hunt days. No open season on roads and dikes. Hunters may only use electric motors on boats.

10.16 On all State owned, US Forest Service and other Federally owned Category I and II Waterfowl Management Areas each hunter is limited to 25 Federally approved non toxic shells per hunt.

10.17 On Enoree River, Dunaway, Duncan Creek, Russell Creek and Tyger River Waterfowl Areas data cards are required for hunter access during scheduled waterfowl hunts. Completed data cards must be returned daily upon leaving each of these areas.

10.18 Woodbury Waterfowl Management Area includes all SCDNR owned property south of US Hwy 378 and bounded on the west by the Great Pee Dee River and Bluff Road and to the east by the Little Pee Dee River except no waterfowl hunting allowed in the area known as Hass Pond that is bounded on all sides by Hass Pond Road.

10.19 Donnelley Wildlife Management Area Category II Waterfowl Area is open Wednesday mornings only during the November thru January regular waterfowl season. The Category II area is defined as all wetlands east of Donnelley Drive and Blocker Run Road except those areas south of Blocker Run Road between Stocks Creek Road and the intersection of Mary's Island Road and the property boundary. No trailered boats and no electric or gas motors allowed. No entry before 5:00 AM and all users must sign in and sign out at designated check stations. No hunting is allowed from the dikes.

11.1 Taking of any amphibian or reptile, except the bullfrog, is prohibited on any Department owned Wildlife Management Areas without written permission of the Department.

12.1 The Department may establish Public Bird Dog Training Areas on Wildlife Management Area lands. A valid hunting license and WMA permit is required to train bird dogs on these lands.

12.2 It shall be unlawful to take game by any means while training bird dogs, except during the lawful open seasons for such game; provided, however, that pen raised quail or pigeons may be taken at any time on designated Public Bird Dog Training Areas for training bird dogs.

12.3 It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession any firearms or other equipment for taking game while training bird dogs, provided that handguns with blank ammunition or shot cartridges may be used for training bird dogs, and shotguns with number eight shot or smaller shot may be used while training bird dogs using pen raised quail and pigeons.

12.4 All participants in bird dog training must wear either a hat, coat, or vest of solid visible international orange.