Read from Department of Natural Resources on September 6, 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bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice.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) | 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) | 18 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks (general) 6 total aggregate | 6 | 18 |
| Mallard no more than 2 hens | 4 | 12 |
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · 2/day Dec. 12-22; 1/day Dec. 23-Jan. 31 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Statewide · 2/day Nov. 21-28 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Statewide · 2/day Dec. 12-22; 1/day Dec. 23-Jan. 31 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Statewide · 2/day Nov. 21-28 | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Black Duck 1 east/south of I-95; up to 2 west/north of I-95 | 2 | 6 |
| Sea Ducks (general) No more than 3 each of Eiders (1 hen max), Scoters, Long-tailed ducks | 4 | 12 |
| Mottled Duck 1 east/south of I-95; 1 west/north of I-95 (combined with black duck limit) | 1 | 3 |
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)
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)
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 | 15 | |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Third Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 Canada Geese & White-Fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese | 15 | |
| Feb 15 – Mar 1 Late Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 Canada Geese & White-Fronted Geese combined; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese | 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
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
6Combined Canada Goose and White-fronted Goose bag of 5, no more than 2 White-fronted.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 5 Combined with Canada Geese in 5-bird aggregate; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 Combined with Canada Geese in 5-bird aggregate; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese | 15 | |
| Feb 15 – Mar 1 Late Season · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 5 Combined with Canada Geese in 5-bird aggregate; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese | 15 |
1Combined with Canada Geese in 5-bird aggregate; no more than 2 White-Fronted Geese
2Season listed jointly with Canada Geese in seasons table under 'White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese'. The source lists White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese together with the same dates as duck season remainder splits.
3Season concurrent with duck season second split.
4Late season concurrent with Canada Goose late season.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Jan 2 – Jan 31 Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 1 | 3 |
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 25 Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit | – |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 25 Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit | – | |
| Feb 15 – Mar 1 Late Season | 25 Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit | – |
1Snow Geese: 25/day; no possession limit
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3,4 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 15 American Coots 15/day. Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules 15/day. | 45 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 15 American Coots: 15/day; Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules: 15/day | 45 |
1American Coots 15/day. Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules 15/day.
2Concurrent with duck season (First Split). American Coots listed alongside ducks in seasons table.
3American Coots: 15/day; Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules: 15/day
4American Coots listed concurrently with duck season second split. Bag limit 15 Total.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2,3 | Nov 21 – Nov 28 First Split | 5 5 total, no more than 1 Hooded Merganser | 15 |
| Dec 12 – Jan 31 Second Split | 5 5 total, no more than 1 Hooded Merganser | 15 |
15 total, no more than 1 Hooded Merganser
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. | 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. | 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. | 18 |
1Legal species: Ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, gallinules. Youth 17 and younger; accompanied by person 18+. Scaup limit: 2/day.
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.
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.
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. | 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. | 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.
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.
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 Extended Falconry First Segment · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 Legal species: Ducks, coots, mergansers. Daily bag 3, possession 9 singly or in aggregate. | 9 |
| 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 | 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 | 9 | |
| Dec 1 – Dec 11 Extended Falconry Second Segment · Source unconfirmed — check state regs | 3 Legal species: Ducks, coots, mergansers. Daily bag 3, possession 9 singly or in aggregate. | 9 |
1Legal species: Ducks, coots, mergansers. Daily bag 3, possession 9 singly or in aggregate.
2Extended falconry season Oct. 28–Nov. 20, 2026.
3Ducks, coots and mergansers only; daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate
4Extended falconry season between the early teal and main duck season.
5Second extended falconry segment between the two duck season splits.
6Extended falconry season Dec. 1–11, 2026.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 26 – Nov 28 Rails, Moorhens & Gallinules — Second Split | 15 King and Clapper Rails: 15 total; Sora and Virginia: 25 total | 45 |
1King and Clapper Rails: 15 total; Sora and Virginia: 25 total
2Marsh Hens/Rails, Common Moorhens & Purple Gallinules second split.
Season 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 6, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.