Read from Department of Natural Resources on September 27, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Department of Natural Resources before you hunt.
Open the official South Carolina regulationsHunting South Carolina this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
South Carolina is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through March 1, 2027, with 28 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Department of Natural Resources within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 6 No open season on Harlequin Ducks. No more than 5 Black-bellied whistling ducks; 4 Mallards (no more than 2 hens); 3 Pintails; 3 Wood Ducks; 2 Redheads; 2 Scaup (2/day Nov. 21-28); 2 Canvasback; 1 Fulvous whistling duck; Black Duck/Mottled Duck: 1 east/south of I-95, up to 2 west/north of I-95; Sea Ducks: no more than 4 total (no more than 3 each Eiders (1 hen max), Scoters, Long-tailed ducks) No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 6 No open season on Harlequin Ducks. No more than 5 Black-bellied whistling ducks; 4 Mallards (no more than 2 hens); 3 Pintails; 3 Wood Ducks; 2 Redheads; Scaup: 2/day Dec. 12-22, 1/day Dec. 23-Jan. 31; 2 Canvasback; 1 Fulvous whistling duck; Black Duck/Mottled Duck: 1 east/south of I-95, up to 2 west/north of I-95; Sea Ducks: no more than 4 total (no more than 3 each Eiders (1 hen max), Scoters, Long-tailed ducks) No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Harlequin Duck closed | 0 | 0 |
| Mallard no more than 2 hens · no more than 4 each of the following: » Mallards (no more than 2 hens), • ... no more than 3 each of the following: » Pintails, Wood Ducks. • ... no more than 2 each of the following: » Redheads, » Scaup (2/day, Nov. 14, 21-28, Dec. 12-22, Feb. 6, 13); (1/day, Dec. 23 - Jan. 31), | 4 | 12 |
| Pintail (Northern) no more than 4 each of the following: » Mallards (no more than 2 hens), • ... no more than 3 each of the following: » Pintails, Wood Ducks. • ... no more than 2 each of the following: » Redheads, » Scaup (2/day, Nov. 14, 21-28, Dec. 12-22, Feb. 6, 13); (1/day, Dec. 23 - Jan. 31), | 3 | 9 |
| Wood Duck no more than 4 each of the following: » Mallards (no more than 2 hens), • ... no more than 3 each of the following: » Pintails, Wood Ducks. • ... no more than 2 each of the following: » Redheads, » Scaup (2/day, Nov. 14, 21-28, Dec. 12-22, Feb. 6, 13); (1/day, Dec. 23 - Jan. 31), | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead no more than 4 each of the following: » Mallards (no more than 2 hens), • ... no more than 3 each of the following: » Pintails, Wood Ducks. • ... no more than 2 each of the following: » Redheads, » Scaup (2/day, Nov. 14, 21-28, Dec. 12-22, Feb. 6, 13); (1/day, Dec. 23 - Jan. 31), | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback • Including no more than 2 each of the following: » Redheads, » Scaup (...), » Canvasback. | 2 | 6 |
| Long-tailed Duck sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Common Merganser combined with Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser; separate merganser limit | 5 | 15 |
| Red-breasted Merganser combined with Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser; separate merganser limit | 5 | 15 |
| Hooded Merganser within 5-merganser total (combined with Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser) | 1 | 3 |
| & Greater Scaup Statewide · combined with Lesser Scaup | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Statewide · from Dec 23 · combined with Lesser Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| & Lesser Scaup Statewide · combined with Greater Scaup | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · from Dec 23 · combined with Greater Scaup | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck Statewide · Nov 21–Nov 28 · combined with Mottled Duck; ONLY east and south of Interstate 95 (one black OR one mottled) | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck Statewide · Dec 12–Jan 31 · combined with Mottled Duck; ONLY east and south of Interstate 95 (one black OR one mottled) | 1 | 3 |
| Black Duck Statewide · Nov 21–Nov 28 · ONLY west and north of Interstate 95; black + mottled combined max 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck Statewide · Dec 12–Jan 31 · ONLY west and north of Interstate 95; black + mottled combined max 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Mottled Duck Statewide · Nov 21–Nov 28 · combined with Black Duck; ONLY east and south of Interstate 95 (one black OR one mottled) | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Statewide · Dec 12–Jan 31 · combined with Black Duck; ONLY east and south of Interstate 95 (one black OR one mottled) | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Statewide · Nov 21–Nov 28 · ONLY west and north of Interstate 95; combined with Black Duck (max 2 total) | 1 | 3 |
| Mottled Duck Statewide · Dec 12–Jan 31 · ONLY west and north of Interstate 95; combined with Black Duck (max 2 total) | 1 | 3 |
| Scoter (Black) combined with Scoter (Surf), Scoter (White-winged); sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Scoter (Surf) combined with Scoter (Black), Scoter (White-winged); sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Scoter (White-winged) combined with Scoter (Black), Scoter (Surf); sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| Common Eider no more than 1 hen · combined with King Eider; sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
| King Eider no more than 1 hen · combined with Common Eider; sea-duck aggregate: no more than 4 sea ducks (scoters, eiders, long-tailed ducks) combined | 3 | 9 |
1No open season on Harlequin Ducks. No more than 5 Black-bellied whistling ducks; 4 Mallards (no more than 2 hens); 3 Pintails; 3 Wood Ducks; 2 Redheads; 2 Scaup (2/day Nov. 21-28); 2 Canvasback; 1 Fulvous whistling duck; Black Duck/Mottled Duck: 1 east/south of I-95, up to 2 west/north of I-95; Sea Ducks: no more than 4 total (no more than 3 each Eiders (1 hen max), Scoters, Long-tailed ducks) No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Includes Sea Ducks. No open season on Harlequin Ducks.
3No open season on Harlequin Ducks. No more than 5 Black-bellied whistling ducks; 4 Mallards (no more than 2 hens); 3 Pintails; 3 Wood Ducks; 2 Redheads; Scaup: 2/day Dec. 12-22, 1/day Dec. 23-Jan. 31; 2 Canvasback; 1 Fulvous whistling duck; Black Duck/Mottled Duck: 1 east/south of I-95, up to 2 west/north of I-95; Sea Ducks: no more than 4 total (no more than 3 each Eiders (1 hen max), Scoters, Long-tailed ducks) No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
4Scaup limit changes Dec. 23: drops from 2/day to 1/day through Jan. 31.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 19 – Sep 27 September Teal | 6 Blue & Green-winged Teal only | 18 |
1Blue & Green-winged Teal only
2Blue & Green-winged teal
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5,6 | Sep 1 – Sep 30 Early Canada Goose Season | 15 Canada Geese only; 15/day | 45 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 5 5 total Canada and White-fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-fronted Geese No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 15 | |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Third Split | 5 Canada Geese & White-Fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 15 | |
| Feb 15 – Mar 1 Late Season | 5 Canada Geese & White-Fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 15 |
1Canada Geese only; 15/day
2Early season September Canada Geese only; bag limit 15/day.
35 total Canada and White-fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-fronted Geese No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
4Combined Canada Goose and White-fronted Goose bag for remainder of season.
5Canada Geese & White-Fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
6Combined Canada Goose and White-fronted Goose bag of 5, no more than 2 White-fronted.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Jan 2 – Jan 31 | 1 No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 3 |
1No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 25 Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | – |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 25 Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | – | |
| Feb 15 – Mar 1 Late Season | 25 Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | – |
1Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Snow Geese listed under 'White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese' in the seasons table. No possession limit for snow geese per footnote.
3Snow Geese; no possession limit per footnote.
4Snow Geese late season Feb. 15–Mar. 1; no possession limit per footnote.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 15 American Coots 15/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 45 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 American Coots 15/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 45 |
1American Coots 15/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Concurrent with duck season (First Split). American Coots listed alongside ducks in seasons table.
3American Coots listed concurrently with duck season second split. Bag limit 15 Total.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 10 – Sep 15 Gallinules First Split | 15 Common moorhens and purple gallinules. | 45 |
| Sep 26 – Nov 28 Gallinules Second Split | 15 Common moorhens and purple gallinules. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 45 |
1Common moorhens and purple gallinules.
2Common moorhens and purple gallinules. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 5 5 total, no more than 1 Hooded Merganser No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 5 5 total, no more than 1 Hooded Merganser No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 15 |
15 total, no more than 1 Hooded Merganser No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Concurrent with duck season; listed in shooting hours with ducks/geese.
3Concurrent with duck season second split.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5,6 | Nov 14 – Nov 14 State Youth Day | 6 Legal species: Ducks, mergansers, coots. Youth 17 and under only; must be accompanied by adult 21+. Youth 16-17 must possess Migratory Bird Permit and valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Scaup limit: 2/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 |
| Feb 6 – Feb 6 Federal Youth Day 1 | 6 Legal species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by person 18+. Scaup limit: 2/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 | |
| Feb 13 – Feb 13 Federal Youth Day 2 | 6 Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Youth 17 and younger only; accompanied by person 18+. Youth 16-17 must have SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Scaup limit is 2. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 |
1Legal species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by person 18+. Scaup limit: 2/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Youth 16-17 must possess valid SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp.
3Legal species: Ducks, mergansers, coots. Youth 17 and under only; must be accompanied by adult 21+. Youth 16-17 must possess Migratory Bird Permit and valid Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Scaup limit: 2/day. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
4State Youth Day Nov. 14, 2026. Same bag limits as regular season except scaup limit is 2.
5Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Youth 17 and younger only; accompanied by person 18+. Youth 16-17 must have SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Scaup limit is 2. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
6Federal Youth Day; same bag limits as regular season except scaup is 2.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Feb 6 – Feb 6 Veteran/Active Duty Day 1 | 6 Legal species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Scaup limit: 2/day. Must possess valid SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 |
| Feb 13 – Feb 13 Veteran/Active Duty Military Day 2 | 6 Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Must have SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Scaup limit is 2. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 18 |
1Legal species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Scaup limit: 2/day. Must possess valid SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Veteran/Active Duty Military Day Feb. 6, 2027. Same bag limits as regular season except scaup limit is 2.
3Legal Species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Must have SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Scaup limit is 2. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
4Same bag limits as regular season except scaup is 2.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4,5,6 | Oct 28 – Nov 20 First Falconry Segment | 3 Ducks, coots and mergansers only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 9 |
| Oct 28 – Nov 20 Extended Falconry First Segment | 3 Legal species: Ducks, coots, mergansers. Daily bag 3, possession 9 singly or in aggregate. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 9 | |
| Dec 1 – Dec 11 Extended Falconry Second Segment | 3 Legal species: Ducks, coots, mergansers. Daily bag 3, possession 9 singly or in aggregate. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 9 | |
| Dec 1 – Dec 11 Second Falconry Segment | 3 Ducks, coots and mergansers only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 9 |
1Ducks, coots and mergansers only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
2Extended falconry season between the early teal and main duck season.
3Legal species: Ducks, coots, mergansers. Daily bag 3, possession 9 singly or in aggregate. No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
4Extended falconry season Oct. 28–Nov. 20, 2026.
5Extended falconry season Dec. 1–11, 2026.
6Second extended falconry segment between the two duck season splits.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Sep 10 – Sep 15 First Split | 15 King and Clapper Rails: 15 total; Sora and Virginia: 25 total | 45 |
| Sep 26 – Nov 28 Rails, Moorhens & Gallinules — Second Split | 15 King and Clapper Rails: 15 total; Sora and Virginia: 25 total No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land. | 45 |
1King and Clapper Rails: 15 total; Sora and Virginia: 25 total
2Marsh Hens/Rails, Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules first split. Rails use game_type 'other' as no matching enum. Common Moorhen season has two parts; Sept 10-15 and Sept 26-Nov 28.
3King and Clapper Rails: 15 total; Sora and Virginia: 25 total No Sunday hunting on WMA lands; Sunday hunting legal on private land.
4Marsh Hens/Rails, Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules second split.
Spring 2027 turkey season
Checked October 16, 2026.
Official regulations
South Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesZones, tags, bag limits and public-land rules.
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See the turkey hunting appOfficial regulations
South Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
South Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the upland bird hunting appOfficial regulations
Hunting allowedper South Carolina DNR
South Carolina DNRThe state sets the feral hog seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the feral hog hunting appOfficial regulations
South Carolina Department of Natural ResourcesThe state sets the alligator seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your alligator hunts free in BlindBook.
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See the alligator hunting appSeason dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on September 27, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.