S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1510 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1510
SECTION 50-5-1510. Special provisions as to shad and herring.
Status: in_force

(A) The following special provisions apply to shad and herring: (1) It is unlawful to take shad by hook and line or by skim-bow net while operating or possessing any commercial fishing equipment for taking shad or herring. (2) It is unlawful for a recreational fisherman to take shad or herring with any other fishing equipment except cast nets, skim-bow nets, and hook and line which includes rod and reel, provided that a properly licensed gill net may be used to take shad or herring for recreational purposes. Except from sanctuaries designated by the department, a recreational fisherman may take shad or herring: (a) by hook and line and cast net at any time of the year, (b) by skim-bow net from February 1 through April 30; and (c) by licensed gill net during those times provided in this article for commercial fishing. (3) It is unlawful to possess saltwater or freshwater gamefish or fishing tackle capable of taking saltwater or freshwater gamefish while taking or attempting to take shad or herring with gill nets. (4) Nongame fish taken in lawfully fished shad or herring nets or skim-bow nets may be kept by the fisherman. Any Atlantic sturgeon caught during the closed season for Atlantic sturgeon and any gamefish must be returned immediately to the water. (5) It is unlawful to set a net in a fixed position in the navigation channel of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. (6) A net used for shad in the territorial sea must have a stretched mesh size of no smaller than five and one-half inches and be freely drift fished. The gill net must not be staked or otherwise set in a fixed position, tied to a boat, or anchored in any manner or in any way restricted in its movement. For the purpose of this section, "anchored" includes the use of any weight not part of the normal construction of the net. (7) No gill net may be left unattended while in the territorial sea, and any such net is contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. (8) In the territorial sea no fisherman may set, fish, possess, or have aboard a boat shad or herring gill netting in excess of six thousand feet. (9) A gill net used for taking or attempting to take shad in the inshore salt waters of this State must have a stretched mesh size of no smaller than five and one-half inches and a length not exceeding nine hundred feet. Gill nets for taking shad in the inshore salt waters of this State may be drift fished or set in accordance with this chapter. Only one shad gill net may be drift fished by occupants of a boat, and the drift net must be attended at all times when deployed. Additional boats in tow may not be used to increase the number of authorized nets. (10) Except as otherwise provided by law or by regulation promulgated under this article, any gill net used for taking or attempting to take shad in the freshwaters of this State must have a stretched mesh size of no smaller than five and one-half inches and be no longer than six hundred feet. Gill nets for taking shad in the freshwaters of this State may be freely drift fished or set in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Only one shad gill net may be drift fished by occupants of a boat, and the drift net must be attended at all times when deployed. Additional boats in tow may not be used to increase the number of authorized nets. (11) A gill net used for taking or attempting to take herring in the salt waters of this State must have a mesh size of two and one-half inches stretched and a length no greater than nine hundred feet. Only one herring gill net may be used by occupants of a boat, and the drift net must be attended at all times when deployed. Additional boats in tow may not be used to increase the number of authorized nets. (12) A gill net used for taking or attempting to take herring in freshwaters must have a stretched mesh of two and one-half inches stretched and a length no greater than six hundred feet. (13) A gill net used for taking or attempting to take shad or herring in the salt waters of this State must have at least one end buoy attached which has the name and license number of the owner clearly marked on it. A buoy not less than twenty inches in diameter must be attached to each end of the net, and in any net more than three hundred feet in length a buoy not less than ten inches must be attached every three hundred feet on the float line. All buoys must be international orange in color and must float so as to be clearly visible at all times. (14) A gill net used for taking or attempting to take shad or herring in the freshwaters of this State must be marked with buoys, international orange in color and not less than six inches in diameter, which float in a manner to be clearly visible at all times. One buoy must be attached to the float line of the net every three hundred feet, and a buoy must be attached to each end of each net. At least one end buoy attached to the net must have the name and license number of the owner clearly marked on it. (15) Skim-bow nets must be used or fished only from high land or from a pier, dock, or other structure permanently affixed to high land without the aid of any power assisted device. Only shad, herring, and other nongame fish may be retained and no such fish may be sold. (B)(1) For a violation of subsection (A)(6) or (A)(8), a person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for twelve months. (2) A person who takes or attempts to take shad or herring in violation of any other subsection of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (3) Each net set or fished in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1220 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1220
SECTION 50-11-1220. Preserve acreage requirements.
Status: in_force

In order to be licensed as a shooting preserve operator, the operator must own or lease a minimum of one hundred contiguous acres, including water areas. The preserve is not restricted to a maximum number of contiguous acres. Proof of ownership or leasehold interest and accurate maps or plats identifying the proposed area must accompany all applications.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1250 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 50-13-1250
SECTION 50-13-1250. Fish sluices designated not more than once yearly.
Status: in_force

The governing bodies of the several counties shall designate and lay out the fish sluices but once a year and shall execute this duty on or before the first day of October whenever they shall determine to change them in any year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-851 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-851
SECTION 50-11-851. Shooting, killing, or maiming of "carrier pigeon" prohibited; penalties.
Status: in_force

The shooting, killing, or maiming of an Antwerp or homing pigeon, commonly known as a "carrier pigeon", is prohibited. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars or imprisonment not exceeding ten days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1120
SECTION 50-11-1120. Authority of department to declare open season on foxes upon request of county legislative delegation.
Status: in_force

Whenever it appears that foxes are destroying birds, poultry, pigs, lambs, or other property in any county in this State or there is an apparent epidemic of rabies in any county, the department, upon the written request of a majority of the legislative delegation of any such county, shall declare an open season on foxes, with the use of firearms, in the county suffering from the destruction and for so long as the delegation considers desirable.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-200 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 2 / Section 50-13-200
SECTION 50-13-200. Permissible numbers of game fishing devices.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to take freshwater game fish except by game fish devices. A fisherman only may use four game fishing devices. A fisherman fishing from a boat may use an unlimited number of game fishing devices if all persons in the boat sixteen years and older have valid fishing licenses. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-13-200 was entitled "Night fishing in Bridge Lake in Dorchester County prohibited; exception" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-586; 1952 Code SECTION 28-586; 1942 Code SECTION 1808; 1938 (40) 1549; 1942 (42) 1482; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote the section. The 2013 amendment substituted "in the boat sixteen years and older" for "in the boat older than sixteen years" in the third sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-510 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-510
SECTION 50-11-510. Prohibition against baiting wild turkeys; definitions.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to: (1) hunt or take or attempt to hunt or take a wild turkey by means of, or aid or use of, bait or baiting; or (2) hunt or take or attempt to hunt or take a wild turkey on or over any baited area. (B) As used in this section: (1) "bait" or "baiting" means placing salt, corn, grain, or other foodstuffs that constitute a lure, attraction, or enticement for wild turkeys over an area where hunters are attempting to take them; and (2) "baited area" means an area where salt, corn, grain, or other foodstuffs capable of luring, attracting, or enticing wild turkeys is placed. The area remains a baited area for ten days following complete consumption or removal of all bait. (C) It is not a violation of this section if a person hunts or takes or attempts to hunt or take a wild turkey over a baited area for wild bobwhite quail, and is located on a property that is permitted by the department for the restoration and sustainability of wild bobwhite quail. The property must not be leased for turkey hunting, and there must be no commercial hunts for wild turkey on the property. A permit issued by the department for the restoration and sustainability of wild bobwhite quail: (1) must contain conditions in conformance with best practices for managing wild bobwhite quail habitat; and (2) is contingent on the receipt and approval of a wild bobwhite quail management plan that must be updated no less than every five years. (D) The department may revoke a permit issued under subsection (C) if a permit condition is violated. Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 21, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-120
SECTION 50-3-120. Wildlife law-enforcement personnel designated as enforcement officers.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all law-enforcement personnel of the department are hereby designated enforcement officers with all the power and authority now possessed by game wardens, conservation officers, and inspectors as provided for in Chapters 1 through 19 of this title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1320 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 13 / Section 50-25-1320
SECTION 50-25-1320. Motor restrictions on Lake William C. Bowen.
Status: in_force

On Lake William C. Bowen: (1) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel with an outboard motor having a horsepower rating in excess of one hundred fifteen horsepower is permitted. (2) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel with an outboard motor in excess of the United States Coast Guard rating, with Coast Guard rating plate missing or changed, is permitted. (3) No boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel powered by an outdrive or inboard motor having an engine automotive horsepower rating in excess of two hundred horsepower is permitted. This restriction does not apply to towboats which have been approved by the American Waterski Association or any Coast Guard-approved boat commonly referred to as an inboard boat designed by the manufacturer for towing waterskiers with the motor or engine located near the midpoint of the boat between the bow and stern, propeller driven by a single rod drive shaft extending through the hull with the propeller located under the boat in front of a rudder. V-Drive towboats will not be permissible. (4) Personal watercraft may not exceed one hundred ninety horsepower. (5) There is no minimum or maximum restriction on length of boats, watercraft, or any other type of vessel. Boats, watercraft, and other vessels operated for law enforcement, emergency medical services, or dam maintenance and repair are exempted from the restrictions in items (1) and (3) of this section. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 139, SECTION 1, substituted "boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel" for "watercraft" throughout; and in subsection (4), added the second sentence. 2024 Act No. 168, SECTION 1, in (3), in the first sentence, substituted "two hundred horsepower" for "one hundred ninety horsepower", added the third sentence, and made a nonsubstantive change, inserted (4), and redesignated former (4) as (5).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-920 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 50-9-920
SECTION 50-9-920. Revenues from the sale of privileges, licenses, permits, and tags.
Status: repealed

(A) Revenue generated from the sale of lifetime privileges shall be deposited in the Wildlife Endowment Fund. Text of (B) effective until December 31, 2027. See, also, text of (B) effective January 1, 2028. (B) Revenue generated from the sale of other hunting and freshwater fishing licenses, permits, and tags shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and unless otherwise required by law credited to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund. Revenue from each: (1) wildlife management area permit shall be used for the management and the procurement of wildlife management area lands; (2) nonresident annual statewide hunting license shall be used as follows: (a) one dollar for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese in this State; and (b) the balance to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund; (3) nonresident temporary statewide hunting license shall be used as follows: (a) fifty cents for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese in this State; and (b) the balance to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund; (4) nonresident annual freshwater fishing license shall be distributed as follows: (a) twenty-five percent to the County Game and Fish Fund account for the respective county in which the license was sold, except that these licenses sold through a central point such as online, call centers, and department mass mailings shall be equally allocated to the counties; (b) twenty-five percent for the operation and management of department freshwater fish hatcheries; and (c) the balance to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund; (5) application fee, permit, tag, and nonresident hunting fee for the privilege of hunting alligators shall be used to administer the alligator management program; (6) Deer Quota Program permit shall be exclusively used to administer the Deer Quota Program and for deer management and research; (7) individual antlerless and nonresident antlered deer tags shall be used as follows: (a) eighty percent to administer the tag program, deer management, and research; and (b) the remaining twenty percent for law enforcement; (8) application fee, permit, and tag for the privilege of hunting bear shall be used to administer the tag program, protect bear habitats, and support bear research and management; (9) field trial permit and shooting preserve operation permit shall be used to support the management of small game programs; (10) lottery hunt application fee shall be used to administer the lottery hunt program and support management of lands on which the lottery hunts take place; (11) falconry permit shall be used to support the falconry permitting program; (12) resident antler restriction individual antlered deer tag shall be used to administer the Coyote Management Program; (13) resident and nonresident wild turkey tags shall only be used for the following purposes: (a) the funding of wild turkey scientific research on public lands and private lands with the consent of landowners; (b) the improvement of the wild turkey habitat and hunting opportunities for wild turkeys on public lands; (c) wild turkey predator control; (d) the enforcement of the wild turkey hunting laws and regulations; and (e) the printing and mailing of the wild turkey tags; (14)(a) resident and nonresident migratory waterfowl permit shall be used for the management of waterfowl habitats and for the development, protection, management, and propagation of wild waterfowl in this State and along the Atlantic Flyway as follows: (i) a minimum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars of revenue received annually from the waterfowl permit fee must be used to restore and manage waterfowl habitat on state wildlife management areas and such funds must be leveraged with other sources when available; (ii) ten percent of the revenue from the waterfowl permit fee contributed annually for the first three years following the enactment of this section to the AFWA Fall Flight Program for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese in the areas that benefit South Carolina; (iii) twenty percent of the revenue from the waterfowl permit fee contributed annually in the fourth and succeeding years following the enactment of this section to the AFWA Fall Flight Program for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese in the areas that benefit South Carolina; and (iv) all remaining annual funds shall be used for the development, protection, management, and propagation of wild waterfowl in this State. All balances must be retained and carried forward annually. (b) no revenue generated from the sale of a waterfowl permit may be expended for administrative salaries. Text of (B) effective January 1, 2028. See, also, text of (B) effective until December 31, 2027. (B) Revenue generated from the sale of other hunting and freshwater fishing licenses, permits, and tags shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and unless otherwise required by law credited to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund. Revenue from each: (1) wildlife management area permit shall be used for the management and the procurement of wildlife management area lands; (2) nonresident annual statewide hunting license shall be used as follows: (a) one dollar for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese in this State; (b) one dollar contributed by the department to proper agencies along the Atlantic Flyway for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese; and (c) the balance to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund; (3) nonresident temporary statewide hunting license shall be used as follows: (a) fifty cents for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese in this State; (b) fifty cents contributed by the department to proper agencies along the Atlantic Flyway for the propagation, management, and protection of ducks and geese; and (c) the balance to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund; (4) nonresident annual freshwater fishing license shall be distributed as follows: (a) twenty-five percent to the County Game and Fish Fund account for the respective county in which the license was sold, except that these licenses sold through a central point such as online, call centers, and department mass mailings shall be equally allocated to the counties; (b) twenty-five percent for the operation and management of department freshwater fish hatcheries; and (c) the balance to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund; (5) application fee, permit, tag, and nonresident hunting fee for the privilege of hunting alligators shall be used to administer the alligator management program; (6) Deer Quota Program permit shall be exclusively used to administer the Deer Quota Program and for deer management and research; (7) individual antlerless and nonresident antlered deer tags shall be used as follows: (a) eighty percent to administer the tag program, deer management, and research; and (b) the remaining twenty percent for law enforcement; (8) application fee, permit, and tag for the privilege of hunting bear shall be used to administer the tag program, protect bear habitats, and support bear research and management; (9) field trial permit and shooting preserve operation permit shall be used to support the management of small game programs; (10) lottery hunt application fee shall be used to administer the lottery hunt program and support management of lands on which the lottery hunts take place; (11) falconry permit shall be used to support the falconry permitting program; (12) resident antler restriction individual antlered deer tag shall be used to administer the Coyote Management Program; (13) resident and nonresident wild turkey tags shall only be used for the following purposes: (a) the funding of wild turkey scientific research on public lands and private lands with the consent of landowners; (b) the improvement of the wild turkey habitat and hunting opportunities for wild turkeys on public lands; (c) wild turkey predator control; (d) the enforcement of the wild turkey hunting laws and regulations; and (e) the printing and mailing of the wild turkey tags; (14) resident and nonresident migratory waterfowl permit shall be used for the management of waterfowl habitats and for the development, protection, and propagation of waterfowl in this State, provided that no revenue generated from the sale of a waterfowl permit may be expended for administrative salaries. (C) Revenue generated from the sale of recreational and commercial marine licenses, permits, and tags shall be deposited to the Marine Resources Fund. Revenue generated from the sale of recreational licenses, permits, and tags must be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 50-9-960 and 50-9-965, provided that a minimum of five dollars from the sale of each recreational saltwater fishing license must be used for the development and implementation of a flounder stocking program. (D) Two-thirds of the revenue generated from the sale of three year recreational saltwater licenses shall be allocated to the Marine Resources Deferred License Fund. (E) Two-thirds of the revenue generated from the sale of three year recreational freshwater fishing and hunting licenses shall be allocated to the Fish and Wildlife Deferred License Fund. (F) Revenue generated from the sale of duplicate or replacement licenses, permits, and tags shall be credited to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund. (G) The fees remitted to the department for each Federal Migratory Hunting and Conservation Stamp must be credited to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund, and distributed as follows: (1) one dollar to the issuing sales vendor; and (2) the balance according to the agreement signed between the department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to Section 50-9-630. Sunset 2022 Act No. 147, SECTION 5, provides: "SECTION 5. The amendments contained in SECTIONS 3 and 4 of this act are repealed on December 31, 2027, and the text of these SECTIONS therefore shall revert back to the language as contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 1, 2020." Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, Acts 233 and 286 were read together. Subsection (G) was added by Act 286 and the remainder of the section was added by act 233. Editor's Note Prior laws: 1996 Act No. 372, SECTION 26; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, SECTION 15; 2004 Act No. 246, SECTION 5; 2010 Act No. 183, SECTION 2. 2021 Act No. 91, SECTION 6, provides as follows: "SECTION 6. The Department of Natural Resources shall furnish a written report to the General Assembly on South Carolina's stock of flounder by December 31, 2023. The report must provide future projections." Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment rewrote the section. 2015 Act No. 42, SECTION 2, added (G). 2016 Act No. 257, SECTIONS 2-4, in (B)(6), substituted "Deer Quota Program permit" for "antlerless deer quota permit (ADQP)" and "Deer Quota Program" for "ADQP program"; in (B)(7), inserted "and nonresident antlered"; and added (B)(12), relating to the coyote management program. 2018 Act No. 263, SECTION 1, rewrote (C), revising the distribution of revenue generated from the sale of recreational and commercial marine licenses, permits, and tags. 2019 Act No. 51, SECTION 4, in (B), added (13), relating to resident and nonresident wild turkey tags. 2020 Act No. 152, SECTION 2, in (B), added (14), relating to resident and nonresident migratory waterfowl permits. 2021 Act No. 91, SECTION 4, in (C), in the second sentence, added ", provided that a minimum of five dollars from the sale of each recreational saltwater fishing license must be used for the development and implementation of a flounder stocking program". 2022 Act No. 147, SECTION 4, rewrote (B). SECTIONS 50-9-925, 50-9-940. Omitted by 2010 Act No. 233, SECTION 11, eff July 1, 2010. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-9-925 was entitled "Recreational saltwater license fee and related article sale revenue distribution" and was derived from 2009 Act No. 15. Former SECTION 50-9-940 was entitled "Balances to be carried forward" and was derived from 1996 Act No. 372, SECTION 2.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1730 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1730
SECTION 50-11-1730. Authorization and application to transport game birds or animals out of state; limits; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is lawful for any landowner or licensee to ship or carry beyond the limits of this State during any one week not over the bag limit for one day, as provided by law, of any domestic game birds or animals, when he has conformed to the regulations prescribed by the department under this section. Any landowner or licensee desiring to ship domestic game birds or animals beyond the limits of the State during the open season for such game birds or animals shall make application to the department, giving location of property and class and serial number of license held, and, upon the application, if it appears to the department that the shipment is for private, personal, or charitable use and not for sale of the game birds or animals, it may issue to the applicant a tag or label for use in shipping the game birds or animals. The tag or label must be of a design and in a form the department prescribes. Any person shipping or receiving for shipment beyond the limits of the State any domestic game birds or animals in violation of the provisions of this section is liable to a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days for each offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-350 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-350
SECTION 50-5-350. Display of licenses, permits, and vessel's identification decal; transfer of licenses; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) While exercising the privilege of a license or permit the licensee, operator, or permittee must display or keep on his person the license or permit, and the license or permit must be produced on demand of department personnel or other law enforcement personnel. (B) Licenses and permits, other than a limited commercial blue crab license, are not transferable; however, any licensed commercial saltwater fisherman may operate any licensed commercial equipment with written permission of the owner except: (1) channel nets; and (2) any commercial equipment licensed at the resident fee when the nonresident fee is greater if the operator is a nonresident. (C) The operator and the owner of a vessel used for commercial purposes must have aboard the required commercial equipment licenses and permits and display on its port and starboard sides the vessel's identification decals provided by the department. (D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Editor's Note 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Upon approval of this act by the Governor, a moratorium on the issuance of new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab takes effect, at which time the department must not issue any new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab. This moratorium expires on June 15, 2025. Commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab in effect for the 2023-2024 license year are extended and do not expire until June 30, 2025." Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 2, in (B), inserted ", other than a limited commercial blue crab license,".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2220 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 10 / Section 50-11-2220
SECTION 50-11-2220. Abuse of wildlife area land, Heritage Trust land, or department owned land or improvements; additional penalties.
Status: in_force

A person convicted of abusing, damaging, or destroying wildlife management area land, Heritage Trust land, or department owned land or improvements loses the privilege of entering onto these lands for one year. A person who enters onto wildlife management land, Heritage Trust land, or department owned land after losing the privilege to enter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both and, in addition, shall lose the privilege to enter these lands for an additional two years and the privilege to hunt and fish for one year. The provisions of this section are in addition to other criminal penalties. Effect of Amendment The 2007 amendment rewrote this section. The 2009 amendment in the first sentence deleted "twice within a three-year period" following "convicted" and added ", Heritage Trust land, or department owned land", and in the second sentence substituted "onto wildlife management land, Heritage Trust land, or department owned land" for "a wildlife management area", added ", or both" following "thirty days", and substituted "these lands" for "wildlife management areas" throughout.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-355 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-355
SECTION 50-5-355. Bait dealer licenses; fees; inspections; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) For the privilege of taking or landing any saltwater species to be sold, bartered, or traded as bait or offered for sale as bait or selling or offering for sale as bait any saltwater species taken or landed in this State, a resident must first acquire a bait dealer license for twenty-five dollars. A nonresident must acquire a bait dealer license for one hundred twenty-five dollars. The department may inspect the business premises or floating equipment, or both, of a person applying for a bait dealer license and of a licensed bait dealer engaged in harvesting and selling bait. A person who takes, attempts to take, sells, or offers for sale any saltwater fish or fishery product for bait, except maricultured fish or fishery product in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (B) A licensed bait dealer who only sells fish or fishery products to be used solely as bait does not have to acquire a wholesale seafood dealer license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-60 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-60
SECTION 50-5-60. Conspiracy to violate provision of chapter.
Status: in_force

A person who conspires to violate a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as if he had violated that provision.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1345 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 13 / Section 50-5-1345
SECTION 50-5-1345. Season for taking blue crabs by trap.
Status: in_force

(A) The department must promulgate regulations establishing criteria for the designation of closed seasons and closed or partially closed areas for the taking of blue crabs by trap. In accordance with the established criteria, the department may designate closed seasons and closed or partially closed areas for the taking of blue crabs by trap upon at least forty-five days' public notice. (B) A trap that is in the waters of this State during a closed season or in a closed or partially closed area may be confiscated by the department or by an agent of the department. (C) It is unlawful to take or attempt to take blue crabs by trap during a closed season or in a closed or partially closed area. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. (D) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the department under Section 50-5-32. Editor's Note 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Upon approval of this act by the Governor, a moratorium on the issuance of new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab takes effect, at which time the department must not issue any new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab. This moratorium expires on June 15, 2025. Commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab in effect for the 2023-2024 license year are extended and do not expire until June 30, 2025."
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-80 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-80
SECTION 50-3-80. Investigations; reports and recommendations.
Status: in_force

The department shall continuously investigate the game and fish conditions of the State and the laws relating thereto. It shall annually make report of its activities to the General Assembly and recommend legislation and other action by the General Assembly in its judgment conducive to the conservation of wildlife.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-900 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-900
SECTION 50-5-900. Commercial shellfish culture or mariculture permits; term.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may grant permits to any state resident for the exclusive use of portions of the intertidal or subtidal state-bottoms or waters for commercial shellfish culture or mariculture not to exceed an aggregate of five hundred acres of bottoms or an aggregate of one hundred surface acres of waters to any entity. In exercising its discretion the department may consider applicants' previous performance and compliance with natural resources laws. (B) Each permit is valid for five years and may be renewed for additional terms.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-545 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 50-9-545
SECTION 50-9-545. Type of license required for taking shad, herring, or eels.
Status: in_force

A person taking shad, herring, or eels for recreation: (1) in the saltwaters of this State must have a recreational saltwater fishing license; if using a gill net or eel pot, must have an annual recreational saltwater license and a saltwater commercial equipment license and related permits; (2) in the freshwaters of this State must have a recreational freshwater fishing license; if using a gill net or eel pot, must have an annual recreational freshwater fishing license and a saltwater commercial equipment license and related permits. SECTIONS 50-9-550, 50-9-560. Omitted by 2010 Act No. 233, SECTION 8, eff July, 1, 2010. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-9-550 was entitled "Reservoirs, lakes, and streams freshwater permit; fee" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-558; 1952 Code SECTION 28-558; 1942 Code SECTION 1767; 1937 (40) 303, 586; 1938 (40) 1659, 1688; 1952 (47) 2179; 1981 Act No. 94, SECTION 12; 1986 Act No. 502, Part II, SECTION 9; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, SECTION 2; 2000 Act No. 370, SECTION 3. Former SECTION 50-9-560 was entitled "Recreational saltwater fishing licenses; fees" and was derived from 2009 Act No. 15, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-150 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-150
SECTION 50-3-150. Use of present uniforms and motor vehicles.
Status: in_force

In order to carry out the provisions of Sections 50-3-120 to 50-3-160 in an orderly and economical manner it is intended that all serviceable uniforms be continued in use until such time as the board deems it necessary for them to be replaced. These provisions shall also apply to the emblems for motor vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-250 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-250
SECTION 50-1-250. Acquiring rights of way to certain waters for public use.
Status: in_force

The department may contract with owners of land contiguous to the Catawba River and its tributaries for rights of ingress and egress to such waters over and upon such lands for the use of the public who wish to go lawfully upon said stream and waters. Such rights of way shall be leased for such terms as the landowners and the department shall agree upon and compensation for them, if need be, may be paid from the game fund of York County. The purpose of this provision is to make sure that the public have reasonable access to the waters above referred to.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-130 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-130
SECTION 50-21-130. Duties of vessel operator involved in collision; offense and penalties; immunity of person rendering assistance; accident reports; suspension of privileges.
Status: repealed

(A) It is the duty of the operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty, if he can do so without serious danger to his own vessel, crew, or passengers, to render assistance as may be practical or necessary to persons affected by the collision, accident, or other casualty including personal injury or property damage and also to give his name, address, and identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any property damaged in the collision, accident, or other casualty. A person who fails to stop or to comply with the requirements of this section, is guilty of: (1) a misdemeanor, when personal injury or property damage results but great bodily injury or death does not result, and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than one year or fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, or both; (2) a felony when great bodily injury results and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than ten years and fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars; or (3) a felony when death results and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years and fined not less than ten thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars. (B) Any person who complies with subsection (1) of this section or who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of the rendering of assistance or for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment, or other assistance. (C) In the case of a reportable accident, the operator or owner of any vessel involved shall file a full description of the accident with the department and provide any information the department may require when requested as part of the investigation within forty-eight hours of the accident. The owner or operator of a watercraft involved must furnish his name, address, and identification of his watercraft in writing to any person injured or the owner of any property damaged in the accident as soon as possible after the collision. In the event an accident results in death, loss of consciousness, or serious bodily injury, the owner or operator immediately shall notify the department. (D) The accident report must be without prejudice, and must be for the information of the department. However, a person alleged to have sustained injury or property damage or alleged to have caused injury or property damage, their attorney, personal representative, or an insurer may obtain a copy of the report. The fact the report has been made is admissible solely to show compliance with this section, but no report or any part or statement contained in the report is admissible as evidence in a civil trial. An insured alleged to be responsible for the accident cannot be reimbursed for property damages until the report is filed. (E) The department shall administer a State Casualty Reporting System which shall be in conformity with that established by the United States Coast Guard. (F) The department must suspend the privileges of a person convicted under this section for: (1) two years if the operator of a vessel is convicted of not rendering assistance to persons affected in a collision, accident, or other casualty; (2) one year if the operator of a vessel is convicted of not reporting a boating accident; (3) a person's privilege to operate a watercraft shall not be reinstated until the person attends and completes a boating safety education program approved by the department. The person required to attend the class shall reimburse the department for the expense of the program. (G) The suspension penalties assessed under this section are in addition to and not in lieu of any other civil remedies or criminal penalties which may be assessed. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in subsection (A), in the first sentence deleted ", and guests," following "passengers"; and rewrote subsections (C) and (D). SECTIONS 50-21-132 to 50-21-139. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 321, SECTION 6, eff 6 months after approval (approved June 16, 2008). Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-21-132 was entitled "Lake Moultrie no wake zone established; boundaries" and was derived from 2000 Act No. 276, SECTION 1. Former SECTION 50-21-133 was entitled "Sullivan's Island and Combahee River no wake zones established; penalty" and was derived from 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 1; 2000 Act No. 385, SECTION 1. Former SECTION 50-21-135 was entitled "Ashley River no wake zone established" and was derived from 1991 Act No. 160, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1269. Former SECTION 50-21-136 was entitled "Hilton Head Island no wake zones established; offense; punishment" and was derived from 1998 Act No. 361, SECTION 1; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, SECTION 101; 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 49. Former SECTION 50-21-137 was entitled "No wake zone on Ashley River near certain historic sites" and was derived from 1992 Act No. 344, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1269. Former SECTION 50-21-138 was entitled "No wake zone on Lucy Point Creek" and was derived from 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 3. Former SECTION 50-21-139 was entitled "No wake zone established in Tail Race Canal" and was derived from 1990 Act No. 402, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1269.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1500 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1500
SECTION 50-5-1500. Regulation of devices for taking shad, herring, or eels.
Status: in_force

(A) This article governs specific diadromous fisheries in both freshwaters and salt waters. (B) The department may restrict the number of devices for taking shad, herring, or eels in any body of water because of statutory limitations on placement of devices or to prevent congestion of devices or watercraft or for conservation purposes. The department may grant permits to commercial saltwater or commercial freshwater fishermen for this purpose. Permits may be limited in number and may be conditioned so as to designate areas, size, and take limits, hours, type, and amount of equipment, and catch reporting requirements. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2305 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 50-5-2305
SECTION 50-5-2305. Permit to remove live wild rock; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may grant permits to remove wild live rock solely for scientific or educational purposes. (B) The department shall: (1) facilitate the aquaculture of live rock in state waters; (2) establish a permitting system to enable interested parties to establish live rock culture operations within state waters, including ocean waters from three nautical miles or less offshore; and (3) promulgate regulations to guide the operation, maintenance, and harvesting activities of live rock culture operations. (C) It is unlawful for a person to engage in a directed effort to catch, take, remove, or harvest wild live rock from state waters for the purposes of sale or trade. The incidental take of wild live rock during trawling operations and the taking of wild live rock washed ashore and deposited upon a beach or shoreface are activities which are exempt from these restrictions if these exempt activities are not a directed effort to take wild live rock. (D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for the first offense, and fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, for each subsequent offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1110 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 11 / Section 50-25-1110
SECTION 50-25-1110. Noise control requirements.
Status: in_force

Any motorboat operating upon waters on Lake Wylie shall comply with the following noise control requirements: (1) Motorboats with inboard-outboard propulsion machinery shall exhaust through the propeller. (2) Inboard motorboats with "V"—drives—jets or propeller propulsion machinery with exhaust through the transom shall be water cooled with a steady stream of water or exhaust underwater while under way or exhaust through an automotive type sealed (baffle) muffler for each exhaust stack, with exhaust openings not to exceed two inches in diameter. Boats with original propulsion machinery made before 1970 are exempt from the requirements of this item. (3) Motorboats and their propulsion machinery which exhaust over the transom shall exhaust through an automotive sealed (baffle) type muffler for each exhaust stack, with exhaust openings not to exceed two inches in diameter. Glass pack mufflers, resonators and above water open exhausts are prohibited for such motorboats. Baffle inserts are prohibited on all inboard boats. (4) Motorboats with outboard propulsion machinery shall exhaust under water at all times unless designed or modified to exhaust above water and comply with the provisions of item (3) of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-22 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-22
SECTION 50-11-22. Harming actively nesting waterfowl or disturbing nest or nest box; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to harm, disturb, molest, or take an actively nesting waterfowl, its nest, or eggs, including the male, except by permit issued by the federal government or its agent. (B) It is unlawful to disturb, damage, or destroy the nest including a nest box or eggs of any waterfowl except by permit issued by the federal government or its agent. Provided, nothing in this section prohibits inspection of nests for biological purposes. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days. In addition, anyone convicted forfeits all hunting and fishing privileges for one year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-250 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 2 / Section 50-21-250
SECTION 50-21-250. Removal of derelict vessel notice.
Status: in_force

The department, or a local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction, must remove a derelict vessel notice if within fourteen days of the posting of the notice a responsible party provides a bona fide plan of removal to the department. If the vessel remains wrecked or junked thirty days from the date the notice was posted, then another derelict vessel notice must be posted on the vessel, and no additional bona fide plan of removal may be submitted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-860 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-860
SECTION 50-11-860. Department to designate and establish sanctuaries; agreements with landowners.
Status: in_force

The department, without any costs whatsoever to the State, shall designate and establish sanctuaries where game, birds, and animals may breed unmolested, if any landowner enters into an agreement with the department to set aside and turn over to the State for that purpose a certain number of acres of land. There may be no hunting or trespassing upon these lands so designated as a sanctuary by anyone for five years from the date of the agreement. The department may post those lands so designated as a sanctuary in the name of the State and prosecute any persons hunting or trespassing on the lands. Any agreement entered into under authority given in this section may be terminated at any time by the landowner and the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-970 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-970
SECTION 50-5-970. Mechanical harvest permits; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to take or attempt to take shellfish from any bottoms or waters of this State for any purpose by mechanically operated devices, including dredges, hydraulic escalators, patent tongs, hoists, cranes, and mechanical shellfish harvesters without obtaining a mechanical harvest permit from the department. A person taking or attempting to take shellfish by mechanically operated devices without an appropriate, valid mechanical harvesting permit is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for twelve months. Any commercial equipment or vessel used in violating this section and any shellfish in possession at the time of a violation is contraband.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-270 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-270
SECTION 50-23-270. False statement in document or other submission to department; penalty.
Status: in_force

A transfer of a watercraft or outboard motor is subject to this chapter. A person making a false statement in a document or other submission to the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment rewrote this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-251 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 5 / Section 50-19-251
SECTION 50-19-251. Slade Lake fishing and recreational requirements.
Status: in_force

(A) The lawful size for black bass in Slade Lake in Edgefield County is twelve inches. The lawful catch limit for bass in Slade Lake is two per day, and the lawful catch limit for all other fish is fifteen per day. (B) The open season for fishing on Slade Lake is the first day of April and ends on the first day of November. During the open season, fishing is only allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, opening one-half hour before sunrise and closing one-half hour after sundown. A valid fishing license is required for a person sixteen years of age or older. (C) It is unlawful to take any fish of any kind from Slade Lake except by hook and line, which includes poles, rod and reel, and natural or artificial bait, excluding minnows, and no person may use more than two poles at the same time. Nongame fishing devices may not be used. (D) It is unlawful on Slade Lake or the recreational area of Slade Lake to: (1) use watercraft of any kind on Slade Lake unless the watercraft is operated using oars or an electric trolling motor; (2) have rifles, shotguns, or other firearms in one's possession; (3) litter; (4) have a glass container in one's possession; (5) have beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages in one's possession; (6) operate a motor vehicle off designated roadways or park a vehicle outside of designated parking areas. (E) A person violating a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than ten dollars or more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not less than ten days or more than thirty days, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1180 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1180
SECTION 50-11-1180. Authority of department to issue permits to collect protected wildlife for scientific or propagating purposes; penalties.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this section: (a) "Take" means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill. (b) "Protected wildlife" means any wildlife, part, product, egg, offspring nest, dead body, or part thereof which is managed or protected or the taking of which is specifically regulated by the department. Permits may be granted by the department to any properly accredited competent person permitting him to collect protected wildlife for strictly scientific or propagating purposes only. No permit is required for the collecting or taking of nonprotected wildlife. Applications for a permit must be made to the department which shall investigate the applicant and the project or program for which the collection is to be made. The application must be accompanied by a payment of a ten-dollar fee to cover the cost of the examination and the issuing of the permit. If the department considers the applicant to be qualified and the program or project to be necessary or desirable, it shall issue a permit which expires on December thirty-first of the year in which it is issued. Permits may be renewed for one year upon application and the payment of a ten-dollar renewal fee if the department determines the applicant and the program or project is still qualified. Permits are not transferable but any student assistant working under the direct supervision of the permittee in collecting activities may participate under the permit. All collecting or taking must be conducted so as to adhere to recognized scientific methods. Wherever practicable, data, results, and specimens must be made available to the public upon request. The permittee shall submit a report at the end of the permit period of the specimens collection and of other information as may be included on the report form, which must be furnished by the department. Collecting permits for endangered species must be issued only in accordance with Section 50-15-40. The provisions of Section 50-17-70 are not superseded by the provisions of this section. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in an amount of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for a term not to exceed thirty days and any permit issued to that person is revoked. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the former reference to Section 50-15-50 was changed to Section 50-15-40 to reflect the renumbering of sections in Chapter 15, Title 50 by 2014 Act No. 159.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-350 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 50-3-350
SECTION 50-3-350. Official badge.
Status: in_force

The enforcement officers, when acting in their official capacity, shall wear a metallic shield with the words "South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Officer" inscribed thereon. Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 230, SECTION 2.I, substituted "'South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Officer'" for "'Enforcement Officer of the Natural Resources Enforcement Division'".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-760 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-760
SECTION 50-3-760. Expenditures to be in accordance with general appropriation act.
Status: in_force

Expenditure of the income derived from the fund must be made through the board in accordance with the provisions of the general appropriation act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-55 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-55
SECTION 50-23-55. Certificate of title as evidence of ownership; watercraft from other states.
Status: in_force

(A) A certificate of title to a watercraft or outboard motor is prima facie evidence of ownership of a watercraft or outboard motor. All watercraft and outboard motors subject to the titling requirements of this chapter must be titled. (B) No person may acquire a watercraft or outboard motor, subject to the titling requirements of this chapter, without obtaining a certificate of title or in the case of a new watercraft or outboard motor a manufacturer's or importer's statement of origin reflecting the person acquiring the watercraft or outboard motor as the original purchaser as provided in this chapter. In the case of watercraft or outboard motors from other jurisdictions that do not require titling, a bill of sale and proof of registration may be substituted for the title. (C) No person may dispose of a watercraft or outboard motor subject to the titling provisions of this chapter without transferring to the person acquiring the watercraft or outboard motor a certificate of title reflecting the transfer of the watercraft or outboard motor. In the case of new watercraft, a manufacturer's statement of origin must be delivered to the purchaser. In the case of watercraft or outboard motors from other states or foreign jurisdictions, which do not title such watercraft or outboard motors, a bill of sale and proof of registration may be substituted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-260 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-260
SECTION 50-23-260. List of owners furnished to county auditors.
Status: in_force

The department shall annually, between January first and January thirty-first, furnish to each county auditor a list of motors and watercraft registered and titled pursuant to this chapter in the previous year to residents of such auditor's county, which list shall include the names and addresses of the owners of such watercraft and motors and sufficient additional information as will permit the auditors to identify the chattels titled for tax purposes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-137 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-137
SECTION 50-1-137. Impeding or obstructing hunting, trapping, fishing, or harvesting of marine species unlawful; penalty.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person wilfully to impede or obstruct another person from lawfully hunting, trapping, fishing, or harvesting marine species. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as provided by Section 50-1-130. In addition to the criminal penalty, any person convicted must have his privilege to hunt, trap, fish, or harvest marine species recreationally or commercially revoked for one year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-540 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 50-3-540
SECTION 50-3-540. Omitted by 2010 Act No. 186, SECTION 1, eff May 28, 2010.
Status: in_force

Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-3-540 was entitled "State Forester to mark trees to be cut" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-148; 1955 (49) 623; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1258.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-175 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-175
SECTION 50-21-175. Watercraft to heave to on Coast Guard signal; cooperation by operator, crew and passengers; penalties; magistrates court jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

(A) The operator and crew of any watercraft operating in state waters are required to heave to when signaled or hailed and allow boarding by law enforcement officers or U.S. Coast Guard personnel. (B) The operator, crew, and passengers of any watercraft operating in state waters are required to cooperate with law enforcement officers or U. S. Coast Guard personnel. (C) Any operator, crew member, or passenger of any watercraft violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (D) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the magistrates court retains jurisdiction for violations of this section. Effect of Amendment The 2008 added subsection (D) relating to magistrates court jurisdiction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-200 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-200
SECTION 50-1-200. Powers of department over national forest lands.
Status: in_force

The department may close all hunting and fishing within such lands so contracted for with the Federal Government for such period of time as may, in the opinion of the department, be necessary. The department may from time to time prescribe the season for hunting and fishing therein, fix the amount of fees required for special hunting and fishing licenses and issue such licenses, prescribe the number of animals and game, fish and birds that may be taken therefrom and the size thereof and prescribe the conditions under which they may be taken.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1710 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1710
SECTION 50-11-1710. Unlawful for transportation company to receive for shipment state game birds or animals; exceptions.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any transportation company to receive for shipment any of the game birds or animals of the State, except in season and unless the package containing them is so labeled as to show the consignor or consignee and the number and kind of birds or animals.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1280 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1280
SECTION 50-11-1280. Harvest limits.
Status: in_force

There is no harvest limit on species designated as shooting preserve species.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1508 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1508
SECTION 50-5-1508. Zones, seasons, times, catch limits, size limits, methods, and equipment for taking sturgeon.
Status: in_force

In addition to other provisions of law, the following provisions govern seasons, times, methods, equipment, size limits, and take limits in fishing for Atlantic sturgeon in the waters of this State: (a) Territorial sea: Season: No open season. (b) Internal waters: Season: No open season.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 50-13-1210
SECTION 50-13-1210. Permanent obstruction to migration of fish prohibited; destruction of obstruction.
Status: in_force

No permanent obstruction of any kind or nature whatever, other than a dam for manufacturing purposes, shall be placed in any of the inland creeks, streams or waters of the State so as to obstruct the free migration of fish. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof before any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined in the sum of two hundred dollars or be imprisoned for a period of not less than three nor more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the court trying the case. Whenever any such permanent obstruction shall be found, any enforcement officer or any law enforcement officer may, in the name of the State, destroy or take down such obstruction or so much of it as is necessary to again permit the free migration of fish.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-525 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 50-9-525
SECTION 50-9-525. Licenses for disabled residents.
Status: in_force

(A) A resident who is determined to be disabled and receiving benefits under a Social Security program, the Civil Service Retirement System, the South Carolina State Retirement System, the Railroad Retirement Board, the Veterans Administration, or Medicaid, or their successor agencies or programs, may obtain a three year disability combination license or a three year disability fishing license at no cost. The license must be issued by the department from its designated offices and is valid for three years from the date of issue. Disability recertification is required for renewal. To recertify, an applicant must furnish proof, in the manner prescribed by the department, that he or she is currently receiving disability benefits and is a domiciled resident of this State. The department may waive the proof of disability benefit requirement for renewals where the resident is at least sixty-five years of age. (B) A resident on the date of application for a disability license, with quadriplegia or paraplegia, who is certified as totally disabled, must be issued a lifetime disability combination license or a lifetime disability fishing license at no cost. Disability recertification or renewal of this license is not required. (C) A resident on the date of application for a disability license who is certified legally blind as defined in Section 43-25-20 must be issued a lifetime disability combination license or a lifetime disability fishing license at no cost. Disability recertification or renewal of this license is not required. (D) A resident born after June 30, 1979, who has not completed the required hunter education certification only may obtain a disability fishing license at no cost. Upon completion of the hunter education certification, the licensee may apply to the department for the additional disability hunting privileges at no cost. (E) A disability license issued to a person who is no longer domiciled in this State is void and the person must obtain the required nonresident licenses, permits, stamps, and tags to hunt and fish in this State. (F)(1) A disability combination license includes the statewide privileges of hunting big game, hunting migratory waterfowl, hunting on wildlife management area lands, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing. (2) A disability fishing license includes the privileges of freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "disabled and receiving benefits" for "totally disabled" in the first sentence, and added the last sentence relating to waiver. 2023 Act No. 15, SECTION 1, inserted (C), and redesignated former (C) to (E) as (D) to (F), respectively.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-765 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 50-5-765
SECTION 50-5-765. Use of turtle excluder devices; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in this section, a turtle excluder device must be used in trawl nets in the salt waters of this State under the same conditions required by federal regulations. (B) Until the federal regulations are amended to require turtle excluder device escape openings having dimensions equal to or greater than those required in item (1) of this subsection, each trawl net using a hard turtle excluder device in the salt waters of this State: (1) must have a turtle excluder device escape opening of no less than thirty-five inches in taut horizontal length and no less than twenty inches in simultaneous vertical taut height, or (2) must have a federally approved leatherback or double cover flap hard turtle excluder device modification. (C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-965 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-965
SECTION 50-5-965. Taking shellfish from bottoms designated for commercial harvest; individual harvester permits; written approvals; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who takes shellfish from bottoms or waters designated for commercial harvest must possess an individual harvesting permit granted by the department if the person: (1) harvests or possesses quantities greater than those provided in this article for personal use; or (2) harvests for commercial purposes. (B) In order to obtain an individual harvesting permit, a person must be a licensed commercial saltwater fisherman, hold all other appropriate valid commercial licenses, and complete any shellfish training required by regulations promulgated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control pursuant to Section 44-1-140. (C) Permits issued pursuant to this section may include conditions related to: (1) harvest dates and harvest areas; (2) shellfish size and quantity limits; (3) cull requirements; and (4) protection of the natural resources of this State. (D) The department may limit the number of areas not under Shellfish Culture Permit or Shellfish Mariculture Permit on which an individual may be permitted to harvest. (E) When bottoms or waters are under permit for shellfish culture or mariculture, permittees may allow persons to harvest shellfish from bottoms and waters permitted to him. In addition to the permit required in subsection (A), harvesters must possess written approval from the Shellfish Culture permittee or Shellfish Mariculture permittee in a form approved by the department. Culture and Mariculture permittees must provide approved harvesters with the written permission and must maintain accurate record of harvesters' names, addresses, and, if available, telephone numbers. (F) It is unlawful for a person to take or attempt to take shellfish in quantities greater than those for personal use provided in this article from any state-owned bottoms or waters without having in his possession a valid individual commercial harvesting permit granted to him. (G) It is unlawful for any person to take or attempt to take shellfish from state-owned bottoms or waters under permit for shellfish culture or mariculture without a valid individual harvester permit granted to him by the department. (H) A person who violates this section, or a condition of a permit issued pursuant to this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 30, SECTION 4, amended and redesignated (G) as (B), relating to requirements for obtaining an individual harvester permit, inserted (C), relating to permit conditions, and redesignated accordingly; and in (H), inserted ", or a condition of a permit issued pursuant to this section,".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-5 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-5
SECTION 50-1-5. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this title unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) "Board" means the governing body of the department. (2) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (3) "Director" means the administrative head of the department, appointed by the board. (4) "Enforcement officer" means an enforcement officer of the Natural Resources Enforcement Division of the department. (5) The following terms define wildlife, fish, and plant species under the jurisdiction of the department or its successor agency: (a) "Established" or "naturalized" means a nonindigenous organism with one or more reproducing wild populations. (b) "Exotic" means an organism or species indigenous to a foreign ecosystem. (c) "Indigenous" or "native" means an organism or species found naturally in this State prior to the arrival of the first European settlers. (d) "Introduced" means an organism or species moved by human action to an area or ecosystem where it was not found historically. (e) "Invasive" means nonindigenous organisms or species that establish in a new area or ecosystem, extend their geographic range and usually include native ecological or economic impacts. (f) "Locally established" means a nonindigenous species with one or more naturally reproducing populations in an area or ecosystem but with very restricted distribution and no evidence of range expansion. (g) "Nonindigenous", "alien", "exotic", "foreign", "transplanted", "nonnative", or "introduced" means an organism or species found in an area or ecosystem outside its historic or native geographic range. (h) "Transplant" or "translocated" means an organism or species moved by human action, deliberately or accidentally from its indigenous ecosystem to an area outside of its native range. (i) "Wild" means an organism or species living in the environment not cultivated or domesticated. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment added subsection (5) relating to terms that define wildlife, fish, and plant species.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1556 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1556
SECTION 50-5-1556. Striped bass.
Status: in_force

(A) In the inshore waters, except for that portion of the Savannah River from the saltwater-freshwater dividing line downstream to the mouth of the Savannah River defined by a line from Jones Island, S.C. (also known as Oysterbed Island) point at N. 32° 02' 18" (N 32.03833°), W. 80° 53' 21" (W 80.88917°); across Cockspur Island, Georgia, point at N. 32° 01' 58" (N 32.03278°), W. 80° 52' 56" (W 80.88222°) to Lazaretto Creek, Georgia, point at N. 32° 01' 2" (N 32.01722°), W. 80° 52' 51" (W 80.88083°), and the territorial sea from June sixteenth through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to possess any striped bass (rockfish). Any striped bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came. (B) In the inshore waters, except for that portion of the Savannah River from the saltwater-freshwater dividing line downstream to the mouth of the Savannah River defined by a line from Jones Island, S.C. (also known as Oysterbed Island) point at N. 32° 02' 18" (N 32.03833°), W. 80° 53' 21" (W 80.88917°); across Cockspur Island, Georgia, point at N. 32° 01' 58" (N 32.03278°), W. 80° 52' 56" (W 80.88222°) to Lazaretto Creek, Georgia, point at N. 32° 01' 2" (N 32.01722°), W. 80° 52' 51" (W 80.88083°), and the territorial sea from October first through June fifteenth it is unlawful to: (1) take or possess more than three striped bass per day; (2) take any striped bass less than twenty-six inches in length; or (3) land any striped bass without the head and tail fin intact. Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 164, SECTION 2, in (A), in the first sentence, substituted "June sixteenth" for "June first"; in (B), substituted "June fifteenth" for "May thirty-first"; and made nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-210
SECTION 50-18-210. Definitions.
Status: in_force

When used in this chapter: (1) "Aquaculture" means controlled cultivation of an aquatic species in confinement. (2) "Aquaculture business" means being involved in aquaculture for a commercial purpose. (3) "Aquacultured product" means any living or nonliving form, part, or portion of an aquatic species spawned, raised, or produced by means of aquaculture, including an egg or offspring thereof. (4) "Aquaculturist" means a person or entity engaged in aquaculture. (5) "Commercial purpose" means the culture, processing, purchase, sale, transfer, exchange, or the offer or exposure for sale, transfer, or exchange of a product, or engaging in aquaculture or aquaculture business in order to derive income or other consideration. (6) "Nonindigenous species" means a species, strain, or variety not native to this State and not established in the wild in this State. (7) "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, club, private body, or other entity. (8) "Processor" means a person who engages in cutting, dressing, or filleting a product for commercial purposes, other than when prepared and sold directly to the consumer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-170 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-170
SECTION 50-3-170. Quarterly reports on county fish and game funds and watercraft funds.
Status: in_force

The board shall file a quarterly report to each member of the General Assembly explaining the status of each county fish and game fund and watercraft fund, to include total funds for each county and an itemized list of expenditures for the past quarter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-30 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 50-13-30
SECTION 50-13-30. Penalties for violation of chapter.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided, a person convicted of a violation of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. The magistrates court retains jurisdiction of offenses in this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-400 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-400
SECTION 50-11-400. Unlawful to possess deer with head detached when in transit from woods, swamps, fields, or roads; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for anyone in this State to have in his possession any deer with the head detached when the person is in transit from any woods, swamps, fields, or roads. Any person convicted of transporting a deer with the head detached must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1320 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1320
SECTION 50-11-1320. Care of penned animals.
Status: in_force

(A) Proper care must be given to all penned animals to assure: (1) Clean water is provided as necessary. (2) Food is wholesome, palatable, and free from contamination. (3) Animals are provided adequate cover and bedding to assure the safety of the animals during adverse environmental conditions. (4) Excreta are removed from cages or enclosures as often as necessary to prevent contamination of the animals. (5) An effective program for the control of insects, parasites, and avian and mammalian pests is established and maintained. (6) Animals with a propensity to fight or which are otherwise incompatible are kept segregated. (B) The cage facility must be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury, to minimize the possibility of escape, and to prevent entrance by other animals.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-460 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 4 / Section 50-9-460
SECTION 50-9-460. Alligator propagation facility permits.
Status: in_force

(A) An applicant for an alligator propagation facility permit must remit a nonrefundable fee of five hundred dollars with the application. (B) Upon approval of an alligator propagation facility permit, the applicant must remit a fee of one hundred dollars to obtain the permit. (C) Before renewal of a valid alligator propagation facility permit, the permittee must remit a fee of one hundred dollars to renew the permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-940 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-940
SECTION 50-5-940. Replanting for Shellfish Culture permittees; notice to department; revocation of permit or reduction of acreage for failure to replant.
Status: in_force

(A) Each Shellfish Culture permittee must plant fifty bushels of shell, seed oysters, seed clams, or other approved culch, or equivalent as determined by the department, annually for each acre of bottoms in his permit. All culch planting must be done between May 1 and August 31, inclusive, except permittees may replant green oyster shell from current operations if the shell is replanted within three days after gathering. Seed oysters and seed clams may be planted at any time of the year. All planting must be done only after notice to and with the approval of the department. (B) The department may allow credit for planting on shellfish bottoms not under permit. If the plantings are previously approved by the department, credit must be given toward the permittee's annual quota in an amount equal to two times that of the number of bushels actually planted. (C) The department may provide incentives to permittees for improved or innovative management and cultivation techniques in the form of additional planting credits or planting variances. (D) If a permittee does not plant the required quota of approved culch or seed, his permit must be revoked or the permitted acreage reduced based upon the percentage of quota actually planted. In the event a permittee believes a permitted area, or a portion thereof, does not require planting for reasons of sound management, he must apply in writing to the department for a variance in his annual quota. The decision as to whether or not the bottoms must be planted or a variance given is within the discretion of the department. One cubic yard of approved culch is considered as twenty-one and seven-tenths bushels. (E) The provisions of this section do not apply to Shellfish Mariculture Permits.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-650 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 6 / Section 50-9-650
SECTION 50-9-650. Deer hunting.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) For the privilege of hunting and taking deer on property with a Deer Quota Program permit, a person must obtain the required hunting license, any other required permits, and have access and authorization to utilize Deer Quota Program tags for the property on which the person is hunting. (2) A landowner or lessee may apply to the Deer Quota Program for a permit at a cost of fifty dollars per land tract application. The applicant may request a quota for antlerless deer, antlered deer, or both antlered and antlerless deer. The department shall determine an appropriate number of Deer Quota Program tags for antlered and antlerless deer to be issued under each permit, and there is no cost for these tags. (B)(1) For the privilege of hunting and taking deer on property without a Deer Quota Program permit, a person must obtain the required hunting license, any other required permits, and a set of individual deer tags from the department issued in the person's name. (2)(a) With the purchase of a South Carolina hunting license and a big game permit, a resident shall be issued two individual antlerless deer tags and three unrestricted individual antlered deer tags. Persons under the age of sixteen, lifetime, and gratis licensees may receive these tags upon request to the department. Residents, including persons under the age of sixteen, lifetime, and gratis licensees also may purchase: (i) two antler restriction individual antlered deer tags valid for deer with a minimum of four points on one antler or a minimum twelve-inch inside antler spread for five dollars per tag; and (ii) additional individual antlerless deer tags for five dollars per tag. (b) Fees for nonresident deer tags are as follows: (i) fifty dollars for the first antlered deer tag and twenty dollars for each additional antlered deer tag up to a maximum of four tags; two of which must be an antler restriction individual antlered deer tag valid only for deer with a minimum of four points on one antler or a minimum twelve-inch inside antler spread; and (ii) ten dollars per individual antlerless deer tag. Effect of Amendment 2016 Act No. 257, SECTION 1, rewrote the section, revising the procedure whereby the Department of Natural Resources issues and charges a person for the privilege of hunting and taking deer in this state. 2019 Act No. 19, SECTION 1, in (2)(a), in the first sentence, substituted "two individual antlerless deer tags" for "eight date-specific individual antlerless deer tags which are valid only on specified days".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1750 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1750
SECTION 50-11-1750. Application to ship game birds or animals.
Status: in_force

Any person so desiring to ship domestic game birds or animals during the open season for these game birds or animals or within five days after the closing of the season shall make application to the department and upon the application, if it appears that the shipment is for private and personal use and not for the sale of the game birds or animals, the department shall issue to the applicant a tag or label for use in shipping the game birds or animals. The label must be of a design and in a form the department prescribes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-315 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-315
SECTION 50-11-315. Bag limit for antlered deer taken with individual antlered deer tags; bag limit for deer taken on property with a Deer Quota Program; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) The bag limit for antlered deer taken with individual antlered deer tags is five per year for all seasons combined of which two have antler restrictions with a minimum of four points on one antler or a minimum twelve-inch inside antler spread. No more than two antlered deer may be taken daily. For the purpose of this section: (1) a point is a projection that is at least one inch long and longer than wide at some location at least one inch from the tip of the projection; and (2) inside antler spread is measured at a right angle to the center line of the skull at its widest point between the main beams. No more than two antlerless deer may be taken daily with individual tags. (B) The bag limit for deer taken on property with a Deer Quota Program permit shall be set by the department. (C) It is unlawful to take more than the legal limit of deer. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Each animal over the limit is a separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1935 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 19 / Section 50-5-1935
SECTION 50-5-1935. Commemorative stamps authorized.
Status: in_force

The department may produce stamps as commemorative or collectors items which must be sold for not less than five dollars and fifty cents. The stamp does not authorize recreational fishing. The proceeds must be retained by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-1120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 50-9-1120
SECTION 50-9-1120. Point system for violations.
Status: repealed

There is established the following point system for violations of certain provisions of law: (1) Common violations: (a) resisting arrest by the use of force, violence, or weapons against an employee of the department while engaged in his duties, a law enforcement officer aiding in the work of the department, or a federally commissioned employee engaged in like or similar employment: 18; (b) attempting escape after lawful arrest: 14; (c) hunting or fishing in a state sanctuary at any time: 14; (d) hunting, fishing, or trapping out of season, except in a state sanctuary: 10; (e) selling game or game fish: 14; (f) taking game or fish in an illegal manner not mentioned specifically elsewhere in this section. However, no points may be assessed pursuant to this subitem for fish taken on the seaward side of the saltwater-freshwater dividing lines as provided in Section 50-17-30: 8; (g) using a borrowed or altered hunting or fishing license: 10; (h) taking more than the legal limit of game or fish: 8; (i) hunting or fishing without a license in possession: 6; (j) trespassing to hunt, fish, or trap: 14; (k) violating game management area regulations: 8; (l) hunting, taking, possessing, or selling alligators in violation of law or department regulations: 14. (2) Hunting violations: (a) killing or attempting to kill or molest deer from a motorboat: 14; (b) night hunting deer, bear, or turkey: 18; (c) illegally transporting furs or hides and possessing untagged hides: 10; (d) trapping quail or wild turkeys: 10; (e) hunting over bait: 8; (f) killing or possessing antlerless deer, except as expressly provided by law: 14; (g) illegally night hunting other game, except deer, or hunting game in prohibited hours: 8; (h) possessing buckshot illegally: 5; (i) possessing unplugged gun while hunting, violation of Section 50-11-10: 4; 1. killing or possessing a wild turkey during the closed season: 18; 2. killing or possessing a wild turkey hen during the spring gobbler season: 14; (j) roost shooting wild turkeys between official sunset and official sunrise: 18; (k) intentional trespassing to hunt, fish, or trap: 18; (l) shooting wild turkeys over bait: 18; (m) hunting wild turkeys over bait: 10; (n) trespassing to hunt waterfowl: 18; (o) hunting waterfowl over bait: 10; (p) shooting waterfowl over bait: 10; (q) hunting waterfowl out of posted season: 15; (r) taking more than one waterfowl over the legal limit: 15; (s) illegally possessing, taking, or attempting to take raccoons during the season for hunting without weapons: 14. (t) failing to report the harvest of big game species as required by Section 50-11-546: 6. (3) Fishing violations: (a) trapping, netting, or seining game fish illegally: 10; (b) taking or possessing more than the legal limit of striped bass: 14; (c) taking or possessing an undersized striped bass: 14; (d) taking or possessing more than the legal creel or size limit of blue catfish: 14. Editor's Note 2014 Act No. 254, SECTION 5, provides as follows: "SECTION 5. This act takes effect April 1, 2015, and shall be automatically repealed on June 30, 2018, unless reauthorized by a joint resolution for that specific purpose." 2021 Act No. 40, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "SECTION 3. The Department of Natural Resources shall conduct a study of the blue catfish fishery in the Santee and Cooper river systems and make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the fishery on or before January 1, 2025." Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in item (3), designated paragraph (a) and added paragraphs (b) and (c) relating to striped bass. 2014 Act No. 250, SECTION 2, added subsection (2)(k), and redesignated the remaining paragraphs accordingly. 2014 Act No. 254, SECTION 2, added subsection (3)(d). 2017 Act No. 88, SECTION 5, in (2)(b), substituted "deer, bear, or turkey" for "deer or bear". 2019 Act No. 51, SECTION 7, in (2), added (t), relating to failing to report the harvest of wild turkey. 2021 Act No. 40, SECTION 2, in (3), added (d). 2023 Act No. 65, SECTION 4, in (2)(t), substituted "big game species" for "wild turkey".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-1190 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 50-9-1190
SECTION 50-9-1190. Other laws of the State.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this article affects the action of the department in suspending, revoking, or canceling a license when the action is mandatory under the provisions of another law of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-647 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-647
SECTION 50-13-647. Taking robust redhorse prohibition.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to take, harm, or kill robust redhorse (moxostoma robustum) from public waters. Any robust redhorse taken must be returned immediately to the water from which it was taken. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars for a first offense and not more than one thousand dollars for each subsequent offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-320 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 50-9-320
SECTION 50-9-320. Certificate of completion required for license.
Status: in_force

No resident or nonresident born after June 30, 1979, may obtain a hunting license in this State unless he first exhibits the certificate of completion he receives pursuant to Section 50-9-310 to the authorized hunting license agent from whom he desires to buy a license. A certificate of successful completion of a hunter's education program issued by other states or territories of the United States, Canadian provinces, or other nations is valid for purposes of this article if the department approves the course as comparable to the program required by this article. A license issued in violation of this section is invalid.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2560 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2560
SECTION 50-11-2560. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any person violating the provisions of this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than sixty days for each violation. In addition, upon conviction, the department shall suspend the fur buyer's license for one year from the date of the conviction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-546 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-546
SECTION 50-11-546. Electronic harvest reporting system.
Status: in_force

(A) In order to document the harvest of big game species and to assist with the enforcement of seasons, methods of harvest, and bag limits, the department must implement an electronic harvest reporting system. (B) A person who harvests a big game species must report the harvest to the electronic harvest reporting system as prescribed by the department. A harvest report must be submitted by midnight of the day of harvest unless a person is incapable of accessing the reporting system, in which case a report must be submitted prior to the carcass leaving the person's possession. (C) Upon completion of the harvest reporting process, a harvest report confirmation number will be provided by the department and it must be recorded by the person submitting the harvest report. A person who takes a big game carcass to a processor must provide the tag number and harvest report confirmation number to the processor at the time the carcass transfers from the person to the processor. The processor must record and maintain the harvest report confirmation number until the processed meat is received by the hunter or their designee. (D) The department must promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including the methods of telephonic and electronic reporting, contents of the report, and recording and maintenance of the harvest report confirmation number. (E) The department is prohibited from requesting or acquiring the geolocation data of a person submitting a harvest report through electronic means and from requesting a person to self-report location information to the harvest reporting system more specific than the county and wildlife management area, if applicable, in which a big game species is harvested. (F) There is no cost to a person for reporting a harvest, and the department may exempt the harvest reporting requirement for persons who harvest big game species under specific conditions or department programs. (G) A person who violates this section or provisions established by the department for electronic harvest reporting is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than twenty-five dollars. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 65, SECTION 1, in (A), substituted "big game species" for "wild turkeys"; in (B), in the first sentence, substituted "big game species" for "wild turkey", and in the second sentence, substituted "day of harvest" for "day a wild turkey is taken"; in (C), added the second and third sentences, and made nonsubstantive changes; in (E), substituted "and wildlife management area, if applicable, in which a big game species" for "in which a turkey"; and in (F), substituted "big game species" for "wild turkeys".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1015 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-1015
SECTION 50-5-1015. Unlawful removal of shell; penalty.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to remove shell from any shell deposits under state jurisdiction except as provided by this article. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-125 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-125
SECTION 50-23-125. Electronic transmission of information for watercraft title.
Status: in_force

(A) In lieu of paper documents, the department is authorized to transmit and receive the following information through secure electronic means for a certificate of title: (1) the title for a watercraft or outboard motor with any liens or security interests; (2) to the first lienholder on the title, the addition of subsequent liens; and (3) the discharge of a security interest or lien from a lienholder on the title. The certificate of title record must contain the same information noted on a paper certificate of title. Upon receipt of the discharge of the final lien, a clear title must be printed and conveyed to the owner at the address on file with the department. The provisions of this section do not alter the priority of lienholders and encumbrances against a certificate of title. A duly certified copy of the department's electronic record of the lien is admissible in a civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding as evidence of existence of the lien. (B) The department is authorized to collect an electronic transaction fee not to exceed five dollars for each transaction from commercial parties who transmit or retrieve data from the department pursuant to this section. The fee collected by the department is an official fee and must be used to defray the expenses of the electronic lien program. (C) Notwithstanding Sections 37-2-202 and 37-3-202, commercial entities and lenders who transmit or receive data from the department pursuant to the provisions of this section may collect an electronic transfer fee not to exceed five dollars for each transaction from the owners of watercraft or outboard motors. A fee charged by the department related to a titled watercraft or outboard motor for the purposes of transmittal or retrieval of this data is deemed an official fee as referenced in Sections 37-2-202 and 37-3-202. (D) All businesses and commercial lenders who are regularly engaged in the business or practice of selling watercraft or outboard motors as a licensed dealer pursuant to this chapter or in the business or practice of financing watercraft or outboard motors shall utilize the electronic lien system to transmit and retrieve electronic lien information. The department shall maintain contact information on its website for service providers utilizing an electronic interface between the department, lienholders, and sellers of watercraft or outboard motors. The department must establish procedures to ensure compliance with the use of the electronic lien system and provide for valid exceptions as determined by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-20 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 50-9-20
SECTION 50-9-20. Duration of hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags for recreational purposes.
Status: in_force

(A) The duration for hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and tags for recreational purposes is as follows: (1) a temporary license, permit, or tag expires after the specified number of consecutive days inclusive of the start date and expiration date; (2) an annual license, permit, or tag expires on the last day of the license year for which the license was issued; provided, the department may issue an annual license, permit, or tag that expires the day before the anniversary of the date of its issuance; (3) a three year license or permit expires on the last day of the third license year of issue; provided, the department may issue a three year license or permit that expires the day before the third anniversary of the date of its issuance; (4) a three year disability license expires the day before the third anniversary of the date of its issuance; and (5) the Catawba Indian license expires October 27, 2092. (B) For commercial purposes, an annual license, permit, or tag expires on the last day of the license year for which the license, permit, or tag was issued. (C) This section does not alter the start date or expiration date of a permit which by law has other terms. Effect of Amendment The 2009 amendment in the first sentence deleted "resident and nonresident hunting and fishing" preceding "licenses" and added ", permits, stamps, and tags issued by the department", and in the second sentence deleted"Resident and nonresident" preceding "Temporary", added and permits", and substituted "of issue" for "as indicated on the license". The 2010 amendment rewrote the section. The 2013 amendment rewrote subsections (A) and (B).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-450 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 4 / Section 50-9-450
SECTION 50-9-450. Commercial fur license required; exceptions.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to a valid state hunting license, an annual commercial fur license is required of all persons who sell or take by any means, for commercial purposes, and all persons who trap or who attempt to trap any fur bearing animals. The license is issued by the department at a cost of twenty-five dollars for residents and two hundred dollars for nonresidents. Any person having in his possession more than five fur bearing animals or raw or green pelts shall have a valid commercial fur license. The provisions of this section do not apply to a processor, manufacturer, or retailer. (B) A person under the age of sixteen may purchase a commercial fur license without having to purchase a state hunting license after completing the "Trappers Education Course". (C) A person under the age of sixteen is exempt from the licensing requirements of this section while in the presence of a commercial fur licensee, but may not sell any fur bearing animals or raw or green pelts unless licensed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1350 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1350
SECTION 50-11-1350. "Pen-raised quail" defined.
Status: in_force

A "pen-raised quail" is one that is hatched and subsequently wholly raised and confined in a pen or coop.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-95 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-95
SECTION 50-11-95. Computer-assisted remote hunting and remote hunting facilities; penalties; exceptions.
Status: in_force

(A) As used in this section: (1) "Computer-assisted remote hunting" means the use of a computer or any other device, equipment, or software, to remotely control the aiming and discharge of a firearm at an animal. (2) "Computer-assisted remote hunting facilities" means real property and improvements on the property associated with hunting, including hunting blinds, offices, and rooms equipped to facilitate computer-assisted remote hunting. (B) No person may engage in computer-assisted remote hunting in this State. This subsection shall apply to any person who is engaged in computer- assisted remote hunting if either the animal hunted, or any device, equipment, or software to remotely control the firearm are located in this State. (C) No person shall establish or operate computer-assisted remote hunting facilities in this State. (D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense must be fined not less than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, and for a subsequent offense must be fined not less than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Upon conviction for a first offense, a person who violates this section must forfeit any South Carolina hunting or fishing license for ten years. If the person does not possess a South Carolina hunting or fishing license, the person is ineligible to obtain a South Carolina hunting or fishing license for ten years. Upon conviction for a second offense, a person who violates this section must permanently forfeit any South Carolina hunting or fishing license and is permanently ineligible to obtain a South Carolina hunting or fishing license. (E) This section does not apply to a person who only provides: (1) general-purpose equipment, including a computer, camera, fencing, and building materials; (2) general-purpose computer software including an operating system and communications programs; or (3) general telecommunications hardware or networking services for computers, including adapters, modems, servers, routers, and other facilities associated with Internet access. (F) The provisions of this section do not apply to a disabled hunter using medical equipment or devices designed to assist with his disability while engaged in the act of hunting.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-580 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-580
SECTION 50-11-580. Season for hunting and taking male wild turkey; bag limits; taking female wild turkey; annual report.
Status: in_force

Section effective until May 11, 2028. See, also, section 50-11-580 effective May 11, 2028. (A) The season for the hunting and taking of legal male wild turkeys is April 3 through May 3. (B) The season bag limit for legal male wild turkeys is two statewide for residents and two statewide for nonresidents. The daily bag limit is one, provided that only one legal male wild turkey may be taken prior to April 10. (C) It is unlawful for a person to take a female wild turkey unless authorized by the department pursuant to Section 50-11-500(3). (D) The department shall provide an annual report on wild turkey resources in South Carolina to the Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, to include an itemized list of expenditures from the revenues generated from the sale of resident and nonresident wild turkey tags.Section effective May 11, 2028. See, also, section 50-11-580 effective until May 11, 2028. (A) The season for hunting and taking a male wild turkey is: (1) in Game Zones 1 and 2, April 1 through May 10; and (2) in Game Zones 3 and 4, March 22 through April 30. (B) The season bag limit for male wild turkeys is three statewide for residents and two statewide for nonresidents. The daily bag limit is one, provided that: (1) only one male wild turkey may be taken from April 1 through April 10 from within Game Zones 1 and 2; and (2) only one male wild turkey may be taken from March 22 through March 31 from within Game Zones 3 and 4. (C) It is unlawful for a person to take a female wild turkey unless authorized by the department pursuant to Section 50-11-500(3). (D) The department shall provide an annual report on wild turkey resources in South Carolina to the Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Code Commissioner's Note 2024 Act Nos. 193 and 224 both purported to amend Section 50-11-580. The amendments from Act No. 224, as the last passed act, control and are reflected in the section. Editor's Note 2015 Act No. 41, SECTION 7, as amended by 2018 Act No. 227, SECTION 1, and repealed by 2019 Act No. 51, SECTION 9, provided as follows: "SECTION 7. This act takes effect on June 30, 2015. Provided, upon the effective date of this act until July 1, 2019, the provisions of Section 50-11-520 are suspended. On July 1, 2019, the turkey hunting seasons and bag limits in effect for the respective counties prior to the effective date of this act and delineated in Section 50-11-520 are effective, and Section 50-11-580 is repealed." 2019 Act No. 51, SECTION 9, provides as follows: "SECTION 9. SECTION 7 of Act 41 of 2015 is repealed." 2024 Act No. 224, SECTION 6, provides as follows: "SECTION 6. The amendments contained in SECTIONS 1 and 4 of this act are repealed on May 11, 2028, and the text of these SECTIONS shall revert back to the language contained in the South Carolina Code of Laws as of January 1, 2024." Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 51, SECTION 2, rewrote the section, revising the season for hunting and taking a male wild turkey, revising the bag limits, deleting the provision establishing Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend, and providing for the taking of female wild turkey. 2024 Act No. 224, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-160 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-160
SECTION 50-3-160. Injunctions.
Status: in_force

Any violation of Sections 50-3-130 to 50-3-160 may be enjoined by the court of common pleas upon petition of the department after due notice to the person violating the provisions of Sections 50-3-130 to 50-3-160 and after a hearing on the petition.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-380 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-380
SECTION 50-23-380. Transfer of registration upon change of ownership; fee.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon the transfer of ownership of a watercraft, the purchaser shall file an application for transfer of a registration at a cost of six dollars. The application for transfer must be made by the purchaser within thirty days from date of purchase. The purchaser may operate the watercraft for not more than sixty days on a temporary certificate of number. (B) The provisions of this section for the transfer charge do not apply to watercraft owned by volunteer rescue squads used exclusively for the purposes of the squads. Editor's Note 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1614 provides as follows: "Notwithstanding any permanent or temporary provision of law, any enactment, or portion thereof, of the General Assembly in 1993 in conflict with any provision of this act shall be suspended as to its force and effect until March 1, 1994. Where there is no conflict the provisions of any other enactments shall supersede the provisions of this act. For the purposes of this section, "conflict" shall not include: "(1) where provisions of the Code of Laws of 1976, as amended, are repeated herein so as to incorporate only changes in the names of agencies, divisions or departments, except so far as such change in name conflicts with another enactment or a portion of another enactment, or. "(2) where provisions of the Code of Laws of 1976, as amended, are repeated herein so as to incorporate only changes in the governance or structure of an agency, division or department except so far as such governance or structure is in conflict with another enactment or some portion of another enactment." 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2T, provided for the transfer of the sections from Article 3, Chapter 21 where this section was numbered SECTION 50-21-380. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, is subsection (A), in the first sentence deleted "card" following "registration".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2330 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 37 / Section 50-19-2330
SECTION 50-19-2330. Removal and control of nongame fish.
Status: in_force

The Department may use whatever methods are deemed wise and expedient to remove and control nongame fish in the waters of Lake Greenwood and its immediate tributaries and Boyd's Mill, provided that such methods are conducted under the supervision of personnel of the Department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-330 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-330
SECTION 50-23-330. Conformity to United States Government numbering system.
Status: in_force

In the event that an agency of the United States Government shall have in force an overall system of identification (numbering) for vessels within the United States, the numbering system employed pursuant to this chapter by the department shall be in conformity therewith. Editor's Note 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2.T, provided for the transfer of the sections from Article 3, Chapter 21 where this section was numbered SECTION 50-21-330.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-245 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-245
SECTION 50-18-245. Requirements to engage in aquaculture of nonindigenous species.
Status: in_force

To engage in the aquaculture of a nonindigenous species a person must first obtain: (1) a nonindigenous species permit as provided in this title, and (2) an aquaculture permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 50-13-310
SECTION 50-13-310. Game fish caught with nets or other nongame fishing devices must be returned to water.
Status: in_force

A game fish taken by net or other nongame fishing device, except for landing nets (dip nets), must be returned immediately to the water from whence it came. A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Any equipment used in committing the offense must be seized and disposed of as provided by law. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote the section. 2022 Act No. 137, SECTION 6, in the first sentence, inserted "except for landing nets (dip nets)," following "fishing device,".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-90 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-90
SECTION 50-11-90. Controlled substances for the capture and immobilization of wildlife.
Status: in_force

The department may obtain and utilize Schedule III nonnarcotics and Schedule IV controlled substances for the capture and immobilization of wildlife. The department must apply for a Controlled Substance Registration Certificate from the federal Drug Enforcement and Administration (DEA) and a State Controlled Substances Registration from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The administration of tranquilizing agents must be done only by department employees trained and certified for this purpose. Department applicants issued a certificate by the DEA and a registration by DHEC are responsible for maintaining their respective records regarding the inventory, storage, and administration of controlled substances and are subject to inspection and audit by DHEC and the DEA.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1615 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 11 / Section 50-13-1615
SECTION 50-13-1615. Freshwater nongame fish sale requirements.
Status: in_force

A person selling, offering for sale, or possessing for sale freshwater nongame fish must have in possession dated invoices, bills of sale, or other documentation verifying the origin of the fish and from whom procured. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment made no apparent changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1410 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1410
SECTION 50-11-1410. Information required on package of pen-raised quail shipped out of state; records.
Status: in_force

Before being offered for sale other than alive or for propagation purposes or shipped within the State, all packages or bags of pen-raised quail carcasses must be labeled, marked, or stamped, in such a way so as to give the following information: the hatchery in which the quail is produced, its location, and address. This information must not be removed from the package or bag of quail except by the ultimate consumer. In addition, the hatchery is required to keep accurate records of all sales of pen-raised quail and to make these records available for inspection upon request by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-675 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-675
SECTION 50-13-675. Nongame fishing devices or gear permitted in certain bodies of freshwater.
Status: repealed

Archery equipment, cast nets, crayfish traps, gigs, hand grabbing, landing nets (dip nets), minnow seines, minnow traps, and spears, may be used in freshwaters, except in lakes owned or managed by the department and the freshwaters of the State in Game Zone 1, to take nongame fish except for species-specific restrictions in this title. Where permitted, a recreational fisherman may fish one gill net not more than one hundred yards in length or not more than three gill nets, none of which exceeds thirty yards in length; a commercial fisherman may fish four or more gill nets. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, it is unlawful to use or possess any nongame fishing device or gear or the number not authorized by this section on the particular body of water. Nongame fishing devices, except as provided in this section, must not be used in freshwater including tributaries of rivers or creeks unless listed and regulated in this section: (1) Ashepoo River: (a) eel pots: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (2) Ashley River: (a) eel pots: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (3) Black Creek; (Darlington, Florence, and Chesterfield Counties) including Lakes Robinson and Prestwood: (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (4) Black River: (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps—only from Pea House landing downstream: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—ten; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (5) Broad River: (a) seines upstream from S.C. State Highway 34 Bridge to the North Carolina/South Carolina State line only: (i) recreational license only—one; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (6) Bush River, Laurens County: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (7) Catawba River from the Lake Wylie Dam to the Cedar Creek Dam including the in-stream reservoirs: (a) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—two; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (8) Combahee River: (a) eel pots: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (9) Congaree River: (a) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—ten; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (d) hoop nets: (i) recreational license—residents sixty-five years of age or older-one; (ii) the provisions contained in Section 50-13-675(9)(d) expire on January 1, 2030; (10) Cooper River (Berkley and Charleston Counties): (a) eel pots: not allowed upstream from Wadboo Creek: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (b) elver fyke nets: allowed on all tributaries and on the main branch from the saltwater/freshwater dividing line upstream to the CSX railroad trestle on the Tail Race Canal: (i) commercial license only—ten nets; (c) pump nets: (i) recreational license only—one; (d) set hooks: not allowed upstream from Wadboo Creek: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (e) skimbow nets: (i) recreational license only—one; (f) traps: not allowed upstream from Wadboo Creek: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—twenty-five; (g) trotlines: not allowed upstream from Wadboo Creek: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (11) Coosawhatchie River: (a) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (12) Durbin Creek: (Greenville and Laurens Counties): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (13) Edisto River, including the North and South Forks: (a) eel pots: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (14) Enoree River: (a) seines: from the Norfolk-Southern Railroad in Greenville County downstream to the confluence with the Broad River: (i) recreational license only—one; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license- fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—two; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (15) Four Holes Lakes system in Dorchester County which includes Bridge Lake, John's Hole Lake, Little Pond Lake, Mallard's Lake, Mims Lake, Mouth of Four Holes Lake, Rock's Lake, Shuler Lake, Steed's Lake and Woods Lake: (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (16) Great Pee Dee River: the waters from U.S. Interstate Highway 95 to the saltwater/freshwater dividing line including the navigable oxbows and sloughs and Bull Creek: (a) eel pots: downstream from U.S. Highway 701 to the saltwater/freshwater dividing line: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (c) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (d) skimbow nets: (i) recreational license—one; (e) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (f) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (17) Great Pee Dee River, the waters from U.S. Interstate Highway 95 to the North Carolina/South Carolina State Line including the navigable oxbows and sloughs: (a) gill nets: nongame nets allowed in season; (b) hoop nets: upstream from S.C. State Highway 34 to the North Carolina/ South Carolina state line: (i) commercial license only—fifty; (c) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (d) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (e) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (18) Jefferies Creek (Florence County): (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (19) Lake Greenwood: (a) jugs: (i) recreational license only—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (20) Lake Hartwell: (a) jugs: (i) recreational license only—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (21) Lake J. Strom Thurmond and Stevens Creek Reservoir: (a) jugs: (i) recreational license only—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (22) Lake Keowee: (a) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (b) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (23) Lakes Marion and Moultrie, and the upper reach of the Santee River: (a) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—twenty-five; (b) trotlines: Hooks must have a gap or clearance between point and shank no greater than seven-sixteenths inch: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with not more than four hundred hooks on each line; (c) set hooks: Recreational license—Upper Reach of the Santee River—fifty hooks. The use of set hooks in the Upper Reach of the Santee River as described in this item expire on January 1, 2030. (24) Lake Murray: (a) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (b) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (25) Lake Richard B. Russell: (a) jugs: (i) recreational license only—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (26) Lake Secession: (a) jugs: (i) recreational license only—fifty; (b) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (27) Lake Wateree: (a) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (b) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (28) Lake Wylie: (a) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—five; (b) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (29) Little Pee Dee River including Russ's Creek and other navigable oxbows and sloughs: (a) gill nets: nongame nets allowed in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (30) Little River: from Mars Bridge in McCormick County up to the confluence of Barkers Creek (Long Branch) and Corner Creek in Anderson County: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (31) Log Creek (Edgefield County): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (32) Long Cane Creek, (McCormick County) from above Patterson Bridge on S. C. State Highway S-33-117 upstream to S.C. State Highway S-1-75 in Abbeville County: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (33) Louther's Lake (Darlington County): (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (34) Lumber River: (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (35) Lynches River (includes Clarks Creek, Mill Creek and Muddy Creek): (a) gill nets: nongame nets allowed in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (36) Mulberry Creek (Greenwood County): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (37) New River: (a) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (38) Pacolet River: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—two; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (39) Rabon Creek (Laurens County): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (40) Reedy River: (a) seines: from the Norfolk-Southern Railroad in Greenville County downstream to the backwaters of Lake Greenwood: (i) recreational license only—one; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—two; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (41) Rocky River (Anderson County): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (42) Salkehatchie River: (a) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (43) Saluda River—from S.C. State Highway 183 in Greenville County to the backwaters of Lake Greenwood and on the Middle Reach of the Saluda River: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—two; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (44) Saluda River—Lower reach: (a) traps: (i) recreational license only—two; (b) trotlines: (i) recreational license only—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (45) Sampit River: (a) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) skimbow nets: (i) recreational license only—one; (d) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—twenty-five; (46) Santee River, from USGS gauging station 1715 about 2.4 miles below Santee Dam downstream to the saltwater/freshwater dividing line including the North and South Santee Rivers: (a) eel pots: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) skimbow nets: (i) recreational license only—one; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (e) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (47) Savannah River—Lower Reach to the saltwater/freshwater dividing line: (a) eel pots: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (c) hoop nets: (i) commercial license only—ten; (d) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (e) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—forty; (f) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (48) Stevens Creek from S.C. State Highway S-19-53 upstream to the confluence of Hard Labor and Cuffytown Creeks: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (49) Thicketty Creek, (Cherokee County): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (50) Tulifinny River: (a) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (51) Turkey Creek (Edgefield and Greenwood Counties): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (52) Tyger River: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—two; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (53) Waccamaw River: (a) eel pots: downstream of the junction of Bull Creek to the saltwater/freshwater dividing line: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—seventy-five; (b) gill nets: nongame nets in season; (c) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (d) skimbow nets: (i) recreational license only—one; (e) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—five lines with two hundred fifty hooks maximum; (54) Warrior Creek (Laurens County): (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one; (55) Wateree River: (a) hoop nets: (i) commercial license only—ten; (b) set hooks: (i) recreational license—fifty; (ii) commercial license—fifty; (c) traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—forty; (d) trotlines: (i) recreational license—one line with fifty hooks maximum; (ii) commercial license—three lines with one hundred fifty hooks maximum; (56) Wilson Creek (Greenwood County): from the confluence of Wilson Creek and Ninety—Six Creek upstream to U.S. Highway 25/U.S. Highway 178 in Greenwood County: (a) seines: (i) recreational license only—one. Editor's Note "SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. However, Section 50-13-675(55)(a)(i) and Section 50-13-675(55)(a)(ii) are repealed on January 1, 2021." Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote the section. 2016 Act No. 220, SECTION 1, in (55)(a), added (i), redesignated former (i) as (ii), and in (ii), deleted "only" following "license". 2021 Act No. 57, SECTION 1, in (46), added (e). 2021 Act No. 57, SECTION 2, in (55)(a), added (i). 2021 Act No. 57, SECTION 3, rewrote (9). 2022 Act No. 137, SECTION 10, in the first undesignated paragraph, in the first sentence, inserted "landing nets (dip nets)," following "hand grabbing," and substituted "and the freshwaters of the State in Game Zone 1, to take nongame fish except for species-specific restrictions in this title" for ", to take nongame fish". 2024 Act No. 193, SECTION 6, in (9), inserted (d). 2024 Act No. 193, SECTION 7, in (23), inserted (c).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1170 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1170
SECTION 50-11-1170. Department to cooperate with United States government to control predatory animals.
Status: in_force

In order to more effectively control predatory animals, the employees of the department shall cooperate with the employees of the United States and its agencies in trapping programs and may accept aid and advice from federal employees.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-1630 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 27 / Section 50-19-1630
SECTION 50-19-1630. Appropriation and taxes.
Status: in_force

Whatever funds are necessary for the carrying out of the purpose and intent of this article are hereby appropriated for the payment of expenses, including salaries. Whatever the amount, the county auditor and the county treasurer shall fix a levy and collect the taxes upon all of the taxable property in York County to meet the needs of the funds herein appropriated and such taxes shall be collected as any other taxes are collected.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-80 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-80
SECTION 50-1-80. Peace officers to assist in enforcement of game and fish laws.
Status: in_force

It shall be the positive duty of all sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, rural policemen and special officers to actively cooperate with the department in the enforcement of the game and fish laws of the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-520 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 5 / Section 50-13-520
SECTION 50-13-520. Unlawful taking of saltwater crabs.
Status: in_force

Except as allowed by the department, it is unlawful to take saltwater crabs in the freshwaters of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-148 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-148
SECTION 50-21-148. Prohibition against obstruction of pier, dock, wharf, boat ramp, or access areas; erection of signs; penalties for violation.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to obstruct any pier, dock, wharf, boat ramp, or the access area to the facilities. Any vessel, vehicle, or other object left unattended which obstructs any of the facilities or the access to them may be removed entirely at the risk and expense of the owner. The department, with the advice of the Department of Transportation, shall erect signs at appropriate locations advertising the provisions of this section. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-230 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-230
SECTION 50-23-230. Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission authorized to promulgate rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The department is authorized and empowered to make, adopt, promulgate, amend, and repeal all rules and regulations necessary, or convenient for the carrying out of the duties and obligations and powers conferred on the department by this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2620 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 50-11-2620
SECTION 50-11-2620. Obtaining foxes and coyotes to stock enclosures.
Status: in_force

(A) Foxes and coyotes for stocking hunting enclosures may be obtained only from a South Carolina licensed trapper and must be lawfully taken within this State during the regular trapping season. (B) Foxes and coyotes for stocking hunting enclosures may be obtained only by the owner or enclosure operator of a permitted enclosure. Foxes and coyotes may be released only into an enclosure that is permitted by this title by the owner or enclosure operator of the permitted enclosure. (C) The owner and enclosure operator shall record all fox and coyote purchases, transfers, and releases into the hunting enclosures daily on a form provided by the department. These forms must be retained and made available for reasonable inquiry by department employees. No later than April fifteenth the owner and enclosure operator shall furnish the department all of the daily register forms for the permit period. It is unlawful for a person to fail to report to the department as required by this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-780 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-780
SECTION 50-3-780. Fund not affected by dissolution or substitution of trustee agency or by amendment or repeal of statutes.
Status: repealed

If the board of the Department of Natural Resources is dissolved, the succeeding agency shall assume the trusteeship of the fund and is bound by all the limitations and restrictions placed by this article on expenditures from the fund. No repeal or modification of this article or title alters the fundamental purposes to which the fund is applied. No future dissolution of the board of the Department of Natural Resources or substitute agency invalidates any lifetime license issued in accordance with Chapter 9 of this title. SECTIONS 50-3-790, 50-3-800. Repealed by 2010 Act No. 233, SECTION 13, eff July 1, 2010. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-3-790 was entitled "Increase in existing lifetime license fees when annual fees increase" and was derived from 1989 Act No. 101, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1258; 2000 Act No. 370, SECTION 2. Former SECTION 50-3-800 was entitled "Lifetime licenses not affected by transfer of residency of licensees" and was derived from 1989 Act No. 101, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1258.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-760 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 50-5-760
SECTION 50-5-760. Illegal trawling.
Status: in_force

The operator of any vessel operating in an area or during a time when trawling is restricted or prohibited and which vessel does not have its trawl doors completely out of the water is illegally trawling.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-915 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-915
SECTION 50-11-915. Playcard Environmental Education Center sanctuary in Horry County.
Status: in_force

The land owned, leased, or managed by the Playcard Environmental Education Center in Horry County is declared a sanctuary for the protection of game, birds, and other animals. There may be no hunting, fishing, or trespassing in the sanctuary. Fishing may be permitted only by written authorization from the management of the center. The management of the center shall post along the outer boundaries of the land and mouths of all streams and creeks entering into the Playcard Environmental Education Center signs notifying the public that the area is a sanctuary and is closed to hunting and fishing except as authorized. No flowers, shrubs, trees, or other plants may be damaged or removed from the park without permission from the management. A person convicted of violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-340 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 50-15-340
SECTION 50-15-340. Tagging and labeling requirements; bond.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to possess, buy, sell, barter, ship, transport, or offer to buy, sell, barter, ship, or transfer alligator carcasses, skins, or parts unless tagged or labeled according to department regulations. (B) A person applying for an alligator propagator permit must first secure a bond to insure faithful performance naming the department as beneficiary in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars. The bond must be renewed as a condition of the permit. In the event the facility is closed, abandoned, or destroyed, or the permit is revoked, the department may use the proceeds of the bond to clean up and close the facility.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-390 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 50-15-390
SECTION 50-15-390. Unlawful acts.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to take or possess the eggs of alligators, alligators, or their parts or skins in this State except as provided for in this article. The provisions of this section do not apply to legal finished products, alligators or their parts legally acquired before the effective date of this article, alligators or their parts legally acquired from other legal sources, or alligators harvested or collected under a permit from the department. (B) It is unlawful to release any captive alligator. (C) It is unlawful for an alligator propagation facility to offer for barter, sale, or trade the opportunity for a person to hunt or take an alligator at the facility except that a permitted facility may contract with an outside contractor to assist with the normal processing of alligators.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-310
SECTION 50-11-310. Open season for antlered deer.
Status: in_force

(A) The open season for the hunting and taking of antlered deer is: (1) In Game Zone 1: October 1 through October 10, with primitive weapons only; October 11 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms. (2) In Game Zone 2: September 15 through September 30, with archery equipment only; October 1 through October 10, with primitive weapons only; October 11 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms. (3) In Game Zone 3: August 15 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms. (4) In Game Zone 4: August 15 through August 31, with archery equipment; and September 1 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms. (B) In Game Zones 1 and 2, it is unlawful to pursue deer with dogs. (C) The department may promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act to establish the seasons for the hunting and taking of deer, methods for the hunting and taking of deer, and other restrictions for the hunting and taking of deer on wildlife management areas, heritage trust lands, and properties owned or leased by the department. (D) It is unlawful to pursue deer with dogs except during the prescribed season for hunting deer. (E) For special primitive weapons seasons, primitive weapons include bow and arrow, crossbows, muzzle-loading shotguns of twenty gauge or larger, and rifles of .36 caliber or larger with open or peep sights or scopes, which use black powder or a black powder substitute that does not contain nitrocellulose or nitroglycerin components as the propellant charge. There are no restrictions on ignition systems including flintstone, percussion cap, shotgun primer, disk, or electronic. During primitive weapons seasons, no revolving rifles are permitted. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment rewrote subsection (B); added subsection (C); redesignated subsection (C) as subsection (D); and added subsection (E). The 2010 amendment in subsection (A), inserted "hunting and" and in paragraph (A)(1), inserted "with archery equipment and firearms; October 17 through October 30, with archery equipment only;". The first 2013 amendment, in subsection (B), deleted from the end ", and it is unlawful to bait for deer". The second 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "the hunting and taking of" for "hunting and taking"; in subsection (A)(1), substituted "through January 1" for "through October 16", and deleted "October 17 through October 30, with archery equipment only; and October 31 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms"; and in subsection (C), substituted "seasons for the hunting and taking of deer, methods for the hunting and taking of deer, and other restrictions for the hunting and taking of deer" for "methods for hunting and taking of deer and for other restrictions for hunting and taking deer". 2014 Act No. 227, SECTION 4, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-710 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 7 / Section 50-21-710
SECTION 50-21-710. Placing of aids to navigation and regulatory markers; certain conduct prima facie evidence of negligence; prohibited acts.
Status: in_force

(A) As used in this section: (1) "Aids to navigation" means any device designed or intended to assist a navigator to determine his position or safe course or to warn him of danger or obstructions to navigation. (2) "Regulatory markers" means any device which indicates to a vessel operator the existence of dangerous areas as well as those which are intended to restrict or control, such as speed zones and areas dedicated to a particular use or to provide general information and directions. This includes bathing markers, speed zone markers, information markers, danger zone markers, boat keep out areas, mooring buoys, wharves, docks, obstructions or hazards to navigation, and any activity, object, or construction in the waters of the State. (B) The department may promulgate regulations for the uniform marking of the waters of the State and may regulate the operation of all vessels, watercraft, and water devices through the placement of aids to navigation and regulatory markers. The regulations shall establish a marking system compatible with the system of aids to navigation prescribed by the United States Coast Guard or its successor agency. No city, county, or person shall mark or obstruct the waters of this State in any manner so as to endanger the operation of watercraft or conflict with the marking system prescribed by the department. (C) The operation of any vessel, watercraft, or water device within a prohibited area is negligent operation unless the seriousness of the operation within a prohibited area constitutes reckless operation. (D) It shall be unlawful for a person to operate a vessel, watercraft, or water device on the waters of this State in a manner other than that prescribed or permitted by regulatory markers. (E) No person may moor or fasten a vessel, watercraft, or water device to or wilfully damage, tamper, remove, obstruct, or interfere with any aid to navigation or regulatory marker established pursuant to this chapter. (F) All no wake zones heretofore established are considered established pursuant to the authority of this section. (G) A person who violates a provision of this section or regulation promulgated pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as provided in this chapter. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment added subsection (F) relating to no wake zones and redesignated subsection (F) as subsection (G).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-80 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 50-13-80
SECTION 50-13-80. Taking fish by snagging.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to take fish by snagging. Nothing in this section prohibits the use of lures or baited hooks. (B) It is unlawful to take trout by snagging. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-13-80 was entitled "Conduct which is prima facie evidence of violating season closed on recommendation of county legislative delegation" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-579; 1952 Code SECTION 28-579; 1942 Code SECTION 1769-1; 1932 Code SECTION 1807; 1931 (37) 340; 1952 (47) 2179; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote this section. 2022 Act No. 137, SECTION 4, in (A), in the first sentence, deleted "within one thousand feet downstream of a hydroelectric facility" following "snagging".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-540 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 50-9-540
SECTION 50-9-540. Recreational statewide saltwater fishing licenses; recreational statewide freshwater fishing licenses; annual saltwater public fishing pier licenses; annual charter vessel licenses.
Status: in_force

(A) For the privilege of recreational statewide fishing in saltwater: (1) a resident must purchase: (a) a fourteen-day temporary saltwater fishing license for ten dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) an annual saltwater fishing license for fifteen dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (c) a three-year saltwater fishing license for forty-five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (d) a lifetime statewide saltwater fishing license for three hundred dollars at designated licensing locations; or (e) any other license which grants saltwater fishing privileges; (2) a nonresident must purchase: (a) a one-day temporary saltwater fishing license for ten dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) a seven-day temporary saltwater fishing license for thirty-five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (c) an annual saltwater fishing license for seventy-five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (d) any other license which grants saltwater fishing privileges. (B) For the privilege of recreational statewide fishing in freshwater: (1) a resident must purchase: (a) a fourteen day temporary freshwater fishing license for five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) an annual freshwater fishing license for ten dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (c) a three year freshwater fishing license for thirty dollars, three dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (d) a lifetime statewide freshwater fishing license for three hundred dollars at designated licensing locations; or (e) any other license which grants freshwater fishing privileges; (2) a nonresident must purchase: (a) a fourteen day temporary freshwater fishing license for eleven dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (b) an annual freshwater fishing license for thirty-five dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; (c) a three year freshwater fishing license for one hundred five dollars, three dollars of which the issuing sales vendor may retain; or (d) any other license which grants freshwater fishing privileges. (C) For the privilege of operating a public fishing pier in the salt waters of this State, the owner or operator must purchase an annual saltwater public fishing pier license. For a pier with a total length: (1) of one hundred feet or less, the fee is one hundred fifty dollars; (2) greater than one hundred feet, the fee is three hundred fifty dollars. (D) For the privilege of operating a charter fishing vessel in the salt waters of this State, the owner or operator must purchase an annual charter vessel license for each vessel. For a vessel: (1) to carry six or fewer passengers, the fee is two hundred seventy-five dollars for residents and five hundred fifty dollars for nonresidents; (2) to carry seven but no more than forty-nine passengers, the fee is four hundred fifty dollars for residents and nine hundred dollars for nonresidents; (3) to carry fifty or more passengers, the fee is six hundred fifty dollars for residents and one thousand three hundred dollars for nonresidents. (E) For the privilege of fishing more than two and up to five crab traps recreationally, a recreational saltwater license holder must purchase an annual enhanced recreational crab trap endorsement at a cost of five dollars. Editor's Note Prior laws: 1962 Code SECTION 28-553.2; 1969 (56) 444; 1981 Act No. 94, SECTION 11; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1261; 1996 Act No. 373. SECTION 2; 2008 Act No. 268, SECTION 4; 2009 Act No. 15, SECTION 9. 2021 Act No. 91, SECTION 6, provides as follows: "SECTION 6. The Department of Natural Resources shall furnish a written report to the General Assembly on South Carolina's stock of flounder by December 31, 2023. The report must provide future projections." 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. Upon approval of this act by the Governor, a moratorium on the issuance of new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab takes effect, at which time the department must not issue any new commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab. This moratorium expires on June 15, 2025. Commercial equipment licenses to use traps for the taking of blue crab in effect for the 2023-2024 license year are extended and do not expire until June 30, 2025." Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment added "recreational freshwater fishing" in subsections (A) to (E); in subsection (C), substituted "designated licensing locations" for "Columbia office"; and added subsection (F) relating to recreational saltwater fishing. The 2009 amendment, in subsection (F), substituted "recreational saltwater fishing license" for "saltwater recreational fisheries license" and made nonsubstantive changes. The 2013 amendment, inserted subsections (A)(1)(e), (A)(2)(d), (B)(1)(e), and (B)(2)(d), relating to other license which grants freshwater fishing privileges; in subsection (B)(2)(a) substituted "fourteen day" for "seven day"; deleted former subsection (C), relating to a lakes and reservoirs permit, and redesignated the subsections accordingly; and made other nonsubstantive changes. 2021 Act No. 91, SECTION 3, rewrote (A) and (D). 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 9, added (E).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-117 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-117
SECTION 50-21-117. Operation of water device while privileges suspended; offense; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who operates any water device while his privileges are suspended is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days for the first violation; for a second violation must be fined five hundred dollars and imprisoned for sixty consecutive days; and for a third or subsequent violation must be imprisoned for not less than ninety days nor more than six months, no portion of which may be suspended by the trial judge. (B) If the privileges of the person convicted were suspended pursuant to the provisions of Section 50-21-112 or 50-21-113, he must be punished as follows and no part of the minimum sentence may be suspended: (1) for a first offense, imprisoned for not less than ten nor more than thirty days; (2) for a second offense, imprisoned for not less than sixty days nor more than six months; (3) for a third and subsequent offense, not less than six months nor more than three years. (C) A person who is convicted under the provisions of subsection (A) must have his privileges suspended for an additional three years by the department. (D) The suspension penalties assessed under this section are in addition to and not in lieu of any other civil remedies or criminal penalties which may be assessed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-50 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 50-9-50
SECTION 50-9-50. Possession on person of license, permit, tag, or stamp; violations.
Status: in_force

(A) Licenses, permits, tags, and stamps issued pursuant to this title must be carried on the person while exercising the privileges of the license, permit, tag, or stamp, and the person shall produce the license, permit, tag, or stamp to a law enforcement officer upon demand. (B) A person exercising the privileges of a license, permit, or stamp may provide proof of the license, permit, or stamp to a law enforcement officer upon demand by use of a mobile electronic device in a format prescribed by the department. A person carrying a mobile electronic device with access to electronic proof of a license, permit, or stamp is deemed to be carrying the license, permit, or stamp on his person. (C) A person who has been issued a license, permit, tag, or stamp but who fails to keep it in possession or provide electronic proof of the license, permit, or stamp while exercising the privileges granted under it is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 12, SECTION 2, rewrote the section, allowing for a person hunting or fishing to display their license, permit, or stamp electronically.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-24 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-24
SECTION 50-23-24. Boat liveries prohibited from leaving premises unless properly registered, numbered, and titled.
Status: in_force

Neither the owner of a boat livery nor his agent or employees may permit any of his vessels to depart from his premises unless it is registered properly, numbered, and titled.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-210
SECTION 50-23-210. Suspension or revocation of certificate.
Status: in_force

(a) The department shall have the authority to suspend or revoke a certificate of title to a watercraft, or to an outboard motor, upon reasonable notice and hearing, when authorized by any other provision of law or if he finds: (1) The certificate of title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued, or (2) The watercraft, or outboard motor, has been scrapped, dismantled, or destroyed, or transferred and registered in another state. (b) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it; (c) When the department suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the department; or (d) The department may seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended and revoked.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1555 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1555
SECTION 50-5-1555. Commercial eel taking permits; conditions; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may grant permits to licensed commercial saltwater or freshwater fishermen to engage in the fishery for eels in the waters of this State for commercial purposes. A person taking American eels for commercial purposes must first acquire a permit from the department. (B) Permits granted under this section may be limited in number and may be conditioned so as to designate seasons, size limits, take or catch limits, hours, areas, fishing methods, type and amount of equipment, and catch reporting requirements. (C) The department may define an approved fyke net for the taking of eels in the waters of this State and may permit and limit its use by means of permits granted under this section. (D) A person who takes or attempts to take eels for a commercial purpose without first acquiring an eel permit is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-420 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-420
SECTION 50-23-420. Display of hull identification number.
Status: in_force

No vessel constructed after November 1, 1972, shall be offered for sale in this State unless the hull identification number is permanently displayed and affixed in accordance with United States Coast Guard rules and regulations. Editor's Note 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2T, provided for the transfer of the sections from Article 3, Chapter 21 where this section was numbered 50-21-420.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1505 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1505
SECTION 50-5-1505. Taking of shad, herring, or sturgeon.
Status: in_force

The department must monitor the various drainage basins and water bodies of this State and may promulgate regulations to set seasons, take (catch) and size limits, areas, methods, times, equipment requirements, and catch reporting requirements for taking of shad, herring, and sturgeon as needed for proper management in each basin or water body as a zone. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take shad, herring, or sturgeon except as authorized by this article. It is unlawful to possess more than the legal limit of shad, herring, or sturgeon.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-650 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-650
SECTION 50-13-650. Commercial trotlines.
Status: in_force

(A) No more than four hundred hooks may be attached to a single commercially fished trotline. A trotline must not be attached to another trotline or to the support or float of another trotline. A trotline must not be longer than two thousand feet. (B) April first to October first a trotline is not permitted in waters in this State one hour after official sunrise to one hour before official sunset unless the trotline is sunk to the bottom or to a minimum depth of four feet below the water surface. October second to March thirty-first trotlines may be left in the water twenty-four hours a day at any depth. (C) A trotline must not be placed within one hundred feet of the mouth of a tributary stream. (D) A trotline, cable, line, or any other device used for support may not extend more than halfway across a stream or body of water. (E) A trotline or any part of it may not remain in the waters of this State more than twenty-four hours without inspection and removal of the fish taken on it. (F) A trotline must not be placed within two hundred yards of a manmade structure on Lakes Marion and Moultrie nor placed in the Diversion Canal connecting Lakes Marion and Moultrie. (G) Trotline hooks used in Lakes Marion and Moultrie and the upper reach of the Santee River must have a gap or clearance between point and shank no greater than seven-sixteenths inch. (H) Stainless steel hooks must not be used on a trotline. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION50-13-650 was entitled "Use of nets and seines in Savannah River" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-616.1; 1967 (55) 342; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263; 2000 Act No. 245, SECTION 17. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-530 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-530
SECTION 50-5-530. Placement of stationary and channel nets; time for setting and removal of channel nets; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to set any stationary nets except channel nets, within six hundred feet of any other net or device for taking fish except traps. It is unlawful to set any channel net within two hundred feet of any other channel net. No channel net may be set within four hundred feet of the centerline of a marked navigation channel. Any channel nets must be removed not later than the close of the channel net season. Lines, buoys, anchors, and associated equipment may be set no earlier than three days before the opening of the channel net season and must be removed not later than three days following the close of the channel net season. (B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-17 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-17
SECTION 50-5-17. Flounder Population Study Program.
Status: in_force

(A) There is established the Flounder Population Study Program to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The program shall study the effects of flounder catch limits and the prohibition of artificial illumination produced by motor fuel powered generators on flounder (Paralichthys species), located in the waters of Pawleys Inlet north to the northern terminus of Main Creek at Garden City Beach. For purposes of this resolution, "gigging" means using a prong, spear, or similar device, including a bow and arrow to spear a fish. (B) During the term of the program in the area defined in subsection (A): (1) the lawful flounder gigging and fishing catch limit is ten per day for any individual, not to exceed twenty flounder in any one day on any boat; (2) it is unlawful to use any type of artificial illumination produced by motor fuel powered generators while gigging or fishing for flounder from a boat or while wading in the water. (C) The program shall run for five years, beginning January 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2014. (D) For purposes of this section, "motor fuel" has the same meaning as defined in Section 12-28-110(39).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-20 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-20
SECTION 50-5-20. Jurisdiction of Department of Natural Resources.
Status: in_force

(A) The department has jurisdiction over all saltwater fish, fishing, fisheries, and marine resources within the salt waters of this State, including the territorial sea. (B) The department is authorized to conduct research, surveys, and other investigations to manage fish and marine resources; to provide for protection of the salt waters and the marine habitat upon which these resources are dependent; and to provide for the development of saltwater fisheries and mariculture. (C) Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of this chapter do not apply to fish or fishing in the freshwaters of this State. (D) The provisions of this chapter apply to all impounded waters seaward of the freshwater/saltwater dividing line which are intermittently filled or drained by the action of the tide. (E) Impoundments seaward of the freshwater/saltwater dividing line which are naturally occurring or are not influenced by the action of the tide are freshwaters for purposes of jurisdiction of this title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-390 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-390
SECTION 50-11-390. Departmental authority over game zones.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may promulgate regulations to permit the taking of antlerless deer between September fifteenth and January first. (B) In all game zones, the department may issue individual tags for antlerless deer which must be used as prescribed by the department. These tags are valid statewide, except on property receiving a Deer Quota Program permit for antlerless deer pursuant to subsection (C), and must be possessed and used only by the individual to whom they are issued. (C) In all game zones, the department may issue Deer Quota Program permits to landowners or lessees. The department will determine the appropriate number of Deer Quota Program tags, and issue the tags for the permitted property. (D) Deer taken pursuant to a Deer Quota Program permit must be tagged with a valid Deer Quota Program tag and reported to the electronic harvest reporting system pursuant to the provisions of Section 50-11-546. Each tag must be attached to the deer as prescribed by the department before the animal is moved from the point of kill. (E) The department may suspend the taking of deer or revoke any Deer Quota Program permit when environmental conditions or other factors warrant. (F) It is unlawful to take, possess, or transport deer, except as permitted by this section. A person violating the provisions of this section or the provisions for taking deer established by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty and not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote subsections (B) and (C), and made other nonsubstantive changes. 2016 Act No. 257, SECTION 7, rewrote the section, providing that the department may promulgate regulations for the taking of antlerless deer during certain periods of time, providing for the establishment of antlerless days, and providing for the regulation of the deer quota program. 2019 Act No. 19, SECTION 2, in (A), deleted the (1) identifier and deleted (2), which required the department to establish a minimum number of antlerless days in the state's game zones. 2023 Act No. 65, SECTION 3, in (D), in the first sentence, substituted "electronic harvest reporting system pursuant to the provisions of Section 50-11-546" for "department as prescribed".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-120
SECTION 50-21-120. Duty of boat livery as to equipment, registration and the like; liability of owner for negligent operation of vessel.
Status: in_force

Neither the owner, his agent, or employees of a boat livery operating in this State shall permit any vessel to depart from his premises unless it is in sound and safe operating condition, have a valid registration, is properly numbered and is provided, either by the owner or the renter, with the equipment required pursuant to Section 50-21-610 and any regulations made pursuant thereto; and the owner of a boat livery shall be liable for damage or injury which may result directly from his failure to meet the requirements of this paragraph; provided, however, that readily identifiable livery boats of less than twenty-six feet in length leased or rented to another for the latter's noncommercial use for less than seven days may have the registration certificate retained ashore by the owner or his representative. The owner of a vessel shall be liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of such vessel whether the negligence consists of a violation of the provisions of the statutes of this State or neglecting to observe the ordinary care in the operation as the regulations of common law require. The owner shall not be liable, however, unless the vessel is being used with his express or implied consent or is in the possession of a person or organization legally responsible therefor. It shall be presumed that the vessel is being operated with the knowledge and consent of the owner if, at the time of the injury or damage, it is under control of a member of the owner's household. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to relieve any other person from any liability which he would otherwise have. Provided, the owner of a boat livery shall not be liable as an owner as provided in this paragraph, and in case of any negligent injury or damage occasioned by the operation of a vessel rented or hired from a boat livery, the operator of the vessel shall be liable as owner thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-960 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 50-3-960
SECTION 50-3-960. Fund and income not to take place of state appropriations or department receipts.
Status: in_force

The fund and income do not take the place of state appropriations or department receipts placed in the fund and must be used in accordance with Section 50-3-930(3).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-15 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 50-15-15
SECTION 50-15-15. Native reptiles; regulations; unlawful acts.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may promulgate regulations for the appropriate management of native reptile and amphibian species, including limitations on, and permitting for, the possession, transfer, sale, barter, trade, shipment, and removal from this State of native reptile and amphibian species. (B) It is unlawful to possess, transfer, sell, barter, trade, ship, or remove from this State, or attempt to possess, transfer, sell, barter, trade, ship, or remove from this State native reptile and amphibian species, including parts, products, eggs, offspring, and derivatives thereof, in violation of a limit or a permit condition established by the department pursuant to this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 3 / Section 50-25-120
SECTION 50-25-120. Operation of motorboats at Bailey's Beach in Beaufort County.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person to operate a boat propelled at the time by an inboard or outboard motor between the low and high tide water marks and within two hundred feet east or west of a dock owned by George Bailey at Bailey's Beach on the north side of the Colleton River in Beaufort County. It is declared that the operation of such craft in the area referred to constitutes an undue hazard to persons using the area on this beach for bathing and swimming. Any violation of the provisions of this section is declared to be a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the offender shall be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for a term not exceeding thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-690 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-690
SECTION 50-13-690. Seizure and sale of fish or fishing devices; confiscation and sale of items of persons charged with unlawful use or possession of gill net or hoop net; suspension of licenses.
Status: repealed

(A) In addition to any specific penalty provided in this article, any fish or fishing device taken or found to be in possession of a person charged with a violation of this article must be seized. The fish must be sold in the same manner as provided by law for the sale of perishable items. If the person charged is convicted, the money received from the sale must be forwarded to the department and placed to the account of the "Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund" of the State Treasury. After conviction, the fishing devices must be sold at public auction. The sale of the fish and fishing devices must be conducted using the procedures as provided by law. If the person is acquitted, the devices must be returned to him along with any money that may have come from the sale of the fish. (B) In addition to the specific penalties provided in this article and the penalties provided in subsection (A), the boat, motor, and fishing gear of a person who is charged with unlawfully using or having in possession a gill net or hoop net on any freshwater lake or reservoir of this State must be confiscated and sold at auction within this State after conviction using the procedure as provided by law. The money received from the sale must be forwarded to the department and placed in the account of the "Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund" of the State Treasury. If the person is acquitted, the boat, motor, and fishing gear must be returned to him. Upon conviction, the department shall suspend the person's license or privilege to fish in this State for a period of one year from the date of conviction. (C) In addition to the specific penalties provided in this article, upon the conviction of a commercial freshwater fisherman of illegal possession of game fish or the sale or trafficking in game fish, the department shall suspend the person's license or privilege to fish in this State for a period of one year from the date of conviction. Editor's Note Prior Laws: Former SECTION 50-13-690 was entitled "Use of nets or other devices to take nongame fish from private ponds in Chesterfield County" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-596.1; 1963 (53) 156; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263; repealed by 2012 Act No. 113, SECTION 4. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 10 / Section 50-11-2210
SECTION 50-11-2210. Abuse of wildlife management area land, Heritage Trust land, or department owned land or improvements; penalties.
Status: in_force

The abuse, misuse, damage, or destruction of wildlife management area land, Heritage Trust land, or department owned land or improvements on these lands is unlawful. A person who abuses, misuses, damages, or destroys these lands or improvements on them including, but not limited to, roads, vegetation, buildings, structures, or fences or leaves refuse, trash, or other debris on the property, or who otherwise abuses, damages, destroys, or misuses these lands is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined two hundred dollars and be required to make restitution to the landowner in an amount determined by the court to be necessary to repair, rebuild, clean up, or restore the property to its condition before the abuse occurred. A person failing to make restitution within the time limit set by the court must serve a mandatory ten-day sentence in the county jail which may not be suspended in whole or in part. The provisions of this section are in addition to other criminal penalties. Effect of Amendment The 2009 amendment in the first sentence added ", Heritage Trust land, or department owned land", in the second sentence deleted "or sets, makes, or builds a fire except in an area specially designated by the landowner, operates a motor conveyance in an area or on a road closed to operation, conducts target practice except in a designated target practice area, camps in an area not designated as a campsite, disregards a safety or restrictive posting by the landowner" and substituted "these lands" for "wildlife management area land" throughout.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1330 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 13 / Section 50-25-1330
SECTION 50-25-1330. Watercraft restrictions on Lake H. Taylor Blalock.
Status: in_force

(A) No boat, watercraft, or any other vessel may operate on Lake H. Taylor Blalock with an engine greater than thirty horsepower or greater than twenty-five feet in length, and in the case of a pontoon boat, the engine may not be greater than forty horsepower or greater than twenty-five feet in length, unless: (1) the gas line has been disconnected and the engine or prop is trimmed out of water; and (2) an electric trolling motor or engine of thirty horsepower or less is mounted. Boats, watercraft, and other vessels operated for law enforcement, emergency medical services, or dam maintenance and repair are exempted from the restrictions contained in this subsection. (B) It is unlawful on Lake H. Taylor Blalock to: (1) operate personal watercraft, including jet skis; (2) operate any boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel between midnight and one hour before sunrise, except that public access to Lake H. Taylor Blalock for the purpose of hunting waterfowl on department-leased premises shall be open on Wednesday mornings during the federal waterfowl hunting season beginning at 5:00 a.m., provided the hunting of waterfowl shall no longer be allowed on Lake H. Taylor Blalock after the 2028-2029 federal waterfowl hunting season, unless reauthorized in statute; (3) operate any boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel with an outboard motor having horsepower in excess of the United States Coast Guard rating for the watercraft or with the Coast Guard rating plate missing or changed; (4) operate, anchor, moor, or dock any boat, watercraft, or allow such vessel to enter within five hundred feet of any pump station, water intake of a dam, hydroelectric generator outfall, or spillways, and these restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System. Boats, watercraft, and other vessels operated for law enforcement, emergency medical service, or dam maintenance and repair are exempted from this requirement; (5) operate, anchor, moor, or dock any boat, watercraft, or any other type of vessel within one hundred fifty feet of public fishing piers; (6) operate sailing craft with a mast height in excess of thirty feet; (7) wade, bathe, or swim within two hundred feet of any public landing, bridge, or restricted area, and these restricted areas must be clearly marked with signs designed and installed by the Spartanburg Water System. (C) The lake wardens may limit entrance of boats, watercraft, or any other type of vessel onto the lake via the public landings when conditions including, but not limited to, overcrowding or adverse weather create an unsafe boating environment. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 139, SECTION 1, rewrote the section 2018 Act No. 190, SECTION 1, in (B)(2), substituted "department leased premises shall be open on Wednesday mornings during the federal waterfowl hunting season beginning at 5:00 a.m." for "South Carolina Department of Natural Resources leased premises shall be open weekly on Wednesday mornings beginning at 5:00 a.m. during the federal waterfowl hunting season" and "the 2023-2024 federal waterfowl hunting season" for "December 31, 2018". 2024 Act No. 193, SECTION 5, in (B)(2), substituted "2028-2029" for "2023-2024", and made a nonsubstantive change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-70 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-70
SECTION 50-21-70. Limit on expenses and costs of administration.
Status: in_force

The expenses and cost of administration of this chapter shall at no time exceed the revenue derived through the provisions of this chapter and funds received from the federal government for use in administering boating laws.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-340 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-340
SECTION 50-11-340. Penalty for hunting deer during closed season.
Status: in_force

Any person convicted of hunting deer during the closed season must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. None of the fine may be suspended.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-250 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-250
SECTION 50-23-250. Employment and duties of investigators.
Status: in_force

The director, for the purpose of more effectively carrying out the provisions of this chapter, shall have the power to employ and appoint the necessary enforcement officers for enforcement of this chapter. The duties of such enforcement officers shall include but not be limited to investigating applications for certificate of title, inspecting watercraft, or outboard motors, in or at public facilities for purposes of locating stolen property, and investigating and reporting thefts of watercraft, or outboard motors. With respect to the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, such enforcement officers shall have and may exercise throughout this State all of the powers of peace officers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-10
SECTION 50-3-10. Former Wildlife and Marine Resources Department transferred to Department of Natural Resources.
Status: in_force

The head and governing board of the former South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department as it was constituted before the effective date of this section shall become the board of the Department of Natural Resources until the terms of its current members expire and until their successors are appointed and qualify pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4 of Title 48.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1515 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1515
SECTION 50-5-1515. Shad hook and line catch limits.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in this section, a person taking or attempting to take shad by cast net, skim-bow net, or by hook and line including rod and reel may take or possess no more than an aggregate of ten American and hickory shad in any one day. (B) A person taking or attempting to take shad by hook and line including rod and reel in the Santee River may take or possess no more than an aggregate of twenty American and hickory shad in any one day. (C) No shad taken by cast net, skim-bow net, or by hook and line including rod and reel may be sold, offered for sale, or purchased. In freshwaters, a person must hold a freshwater fishing license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-520 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-520
SECTION 50-5-520. Channel net violations; forfeiture of license; seizure of equipment.
Status: in_force

In addition to any other penalty, a person who violates channel net laws forfeits the privilege to hold a channel net license for the next thirty open season days. Any boat, motor, boat trailer, and equipment used in aid of a violation related to channel nets or during the period for which the channel net license has been suspended or revoked must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. This seizure requirement does not apply to requirements relating to lighting of channel nets, distances from the centerline of marked navigation channels if the distance is greater than three hundred feet, and distances between channel nets and other fishing devices.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-1110 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 50-9-1110
SECTION 50-9-1110. "Conviction" defined.
Status: in_force

"Conviction" as used in this article includes the entry of a plea of guilty, the entry of a plea of nolo contendere, and the forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-330 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 50-9-330
SECTION 50-9-330. Lifetime hunting and fishing combination licenses.
Status: in_force

Lifetime hunting and lifetime combination licenses may be issued to persons required to be certified who have not completed the hunter education program pursuant to Section 50-9-310. However, a license issued under this section does not authorize the person to hunt until the program is completed. The requirements of this section do not apply to persons who purchased a lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license before its effective date.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1557 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1557
SECTION 50-5-1557. Shad, herring, or eel sale requirements.
Status: in_force

A commercial fisherman who sells shad, herring, or eels must sell to either a licensed wholesale seafood dealer or a licensed bait dealer or must be licensed as a wholesale seafood dealer or bait dealer. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, this section was renumbered from 50-5-1557 to accommodate the new section added by 2010 Act No. 193, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-160 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-160
SECTION 50-21-160. Disposition of fees and fines.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in subsection (B), all fees or fines collected pursuant to this chapter must be held and utilized for the purpose of paying the expenses of the Natural Resources Enforcement Division of the department and other department operations. Twenty-five percent of all fines must be retained by the county in which the fine is levied. (B) To the extent fees collected pursuant to Sections 50-21-340, 50-21-370, and 50-21-380, in connection with registration of boats, are attributable to fee increases beginning July 1, 1999, revenues from those fee increases must be used by the department for its law enforcement responsibilities. Any surplus may be carried forward for that use.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1910 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1910
SECTION 50-11-1910. Sale of deer or deer parts; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to buy or sell, offer for sale, barter, or have in possession for sale the following: any live deer (family cervidae), the venison of any deer except as provided in subsection (B) or in Section 50-11-1920, any whitetail deer gametes or antler velvet, or any whitetail deer antlers attached to the pedicel. (B) The department may promulgate regulations to permit deer processors to process legally taken female (doe) deer donated by a hunter or crop depredation permittee or designee and recover the fee of processing the deer from a person other than the individual who donated the deer. (C) For a violation of this section, upon conviction, the guilty party for a first offense must be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days; for a second offense within three years of the date of conviction for a first offense, the person must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days; for a third or subsequent offense within three years of the date of conviction for a first offense, the person must be fined one thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than sixty days. Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 149, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted "subsection (B) or in"; inserted (B) and redesignated former (B) as (C); and in (C), substituted "three hundred dollars" for "one hundred dollars", "five hundred dollars" for "three hundred dollars" in two places, and "one thousand dollars" for "five hundred dollars".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 35 / Section 50-19-2210
SECTION 50-19-2210. Authority for reciprocal agreement with Georgia as to recognition of resident licenses applicable below Clark Hill Dam.
Status: in_force

The department may negotiate a reciprocal agreement with the authorities of the state of Georgia whereby any resident of Georgia properly licensed by that state may fish anywhere in the Savannah River, but not in its tributaries, below Clark Hill Dam with no other license being required, provided any resident of this State, properly licensed by this State, shall be permitted the same fishing privilege.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-45 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-45
SECTION 50-11-45. Certain rifle defined as primitive weapon.
Status: in_force

In addition to weapons defined as primitive weapons by statute or regulation, a rifle, .36 caliber or larger, which uses black powder only as its propellant charge and which has a one-eighth inch nonmagnified peep site on the rear of the barrel, is a primitive weapon.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-435 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-435
SECTION 50-11-435. Weight restriction on bear taken; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to take or attempt to take a bear of less than one hundred pounds. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. In addition, each person convicted of a violation of this section may be required to pay restitution to the department of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars for each bear that is taken in violation of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2450 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2450
SECTION 50-11-2450. Commercial fur licensees to report annually to department.
Status: repealed

Any person required to be licensed under Section 50-11-2420 shall report to the department by April fifteenth of each year the number and type of furbearing animals taken, sold, or shipped, together with the names and addresses of persons to whom sold or shipped using forms as the department may prescribe. Any person failing to report by April fifteenth of each year shall, on the second offense, be denied a license for the following fiscal year. Editor's Note Section 50-11-2420 was repealed by 2012 Act No. 257.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-310
SECTION 50-5-310. Commercial saltwater fishing license for nonresidents; fee; striker exception.
Status: in_force

(A) For the privilege of taking or landing anadromous fish, saltwater fish, or fisheries products for commercial purposes, a nonresident must obtain a nonresident commercial saltwater fishing license for a fee of three hundred dollars unless specifically exempted in this article. A nonresident must also obtain a commercial saltwater fishing license for the privilege of selling, exchanging, or bartering such fish or product taken or landed by the nonresident. (B) To act as a striker, a nonresident need not acquire a commercial saltwater fishing license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-961 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-961
SECTION 50-11-961. Greenville Technical College campus declared wildlife sanctuary.
Status: in_force

The campus of Greenville Technical College in Greenville County bounded on the north by East Faris Road, on the east by South Pleasantburg Drive (Highway 291), on the south by Cleveland Street, and on the west by the Reedy River, is designated as a bird and wildlife sanctuary. It is unlawful for a person to trap, hunt, molest, or attempt to molest in any manner a bird or wild fowl or to molest any birds' nests or wild fowls' nests within the sanctuary, and it is unlawful for a person to trap, hunt, molest, or attempt to molest in any manner any wildlife within the sanctuary. A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1340 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1340
SECTION 50-11-1340. Responsibility of manager, owner, or licensee for violations on preserve; penalties.
Status: in_force

The violation of any of the sections of this article is a misdemeanor. The manager, owner, or licensee, or any of them, of any shooting preserve provided for in this article is responsible for any violation of this article and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than fifteen days nor more than thirty days and the license of the preserve must be revoked, within the discretion of the department. The preserve is not eligible for another license during the calendar year, nor thereafter, except on terms and conditions prescribed by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-285 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-285
SECTION 50-1-285. Admissibility of photographs; authentication.
Status: in_force

In any prosecution for a violation of state fish, game, wildlife, or natural resources laws, photographs of either wildlife or fish alleged to have been taken, possessed, sold, transported, or imported illegally are considered competent evidence of the wildlife or fish and are admissible if properly authenticated in any proceeding of the case to the same extent as if the wildlife or fish had been introduced as evidence. The photographer shall affix his signature and the date to the back of each photograph for identification purposes. When the photograph is so identified, is authenticated, and is admitted, it shall constitute substantive evidence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-16-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 16 / Section 50-16-10
SECTION 50-16-10. "Wildlife" defined.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, "wildlife" means a member of the animal kingdom including without limitation a mammal, fish, bird, amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, or other invertebrate.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-350 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 50-15-350
SECTION 50-15-350. Records; inspection; seizure.
Status: in_force

(A) Permittees must maintain records related to the possession, source, and disposition of alligators and alligator eggs as prescribed by department regulations. These records must be kept on-site and are subject to inspection at any time by department personnel during reasonable hours. (B) Department personnel may, during reasonable hours, enter and inspect all alligator facilities permitted under provisions of law different from this article and all alligator propagators' places of business, farm buildings, farm lands, vessels, and motor vehicles that are used or are of a type that could be used in the production, storage, sale, or transportation of any alligators, meat, parts, or skins, and conduct partial or complete inventories to determine whether the permittee is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. (C) Any alligator tags that have been issued to an alligator propagator in excess of the number of harvestable alligators actually present on a farm, as revealed by inventory or records, may be seized by department personnel.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-1030 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 10 / Section 50-3-1030
SECTION 50-3-1030. Assets of fund.
Status: in_force

The assets of the fund may be derived from: (1) appropriations of state general funds, federal funds, donations, gifts, bond-issue receipts, securities, and other monetary instruments of value; (2) the proceeds of any gifts, grants, and contributions to the State which are designated specifically for inclusion; (3) funds derived from the Yawkey Foundation, a charitable trust established under the will of Thomas A. Yawkey, deceased; (4) funds received through sale, exchange, or otherwise, of products of the property including, but not limited to, timber; (5) restricted interest income, contributions, and donations; (6) other lawful sources; and (7) the reimbursement for monies expended from this fund which must be redeposited into the fund.