S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-950 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 50-9-950
SECTION 50-9-950. Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund.
Status: in_force

(A) The Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund is created for the purpose of supporting the department and its effort to conserve freshwater fisheries and wildlife. The assets of the fund are derived from the following sources: (1) revenue from the sale of freshwater fisheries and wildlife licenses, permits, stamps, and tags; (2) application fees for recreational events and charges for room and board on state property where the property was procured with proceeds from the fund and its predecessor funds; (3) revenue generated from the sale of timber and property procured with proceeds from the fund and its predecessor funds; (4) revenue transmitted to the department from the Department of Motor Vehicles for specialty license plates to support department operations; (5) restricted interest income, contributions, and donations; (6) indirect cost recoveries where the department matched a grant using the fund; and (7) any other source of revenue recognized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, where the disposition of such revenue to any other fund could be interpreted as a loss of control or misdirection of funds by the department. These funds shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a special account separate and distinct from the general fund. (B) Revenue shall be expended by the department for the protection, propagation, and management of freshwater fisheries and wildlife, the enforcement of related laws, the administration of the department, and the dissemination of information, facts, and findings the department considers necessary. Revenue may be expended on permanent improvement or deferred maintenance projects consistent with the purposes of the fund. (C) Interest earned on balances in the fund shall be credited to the fund and expended for those same purposes. (D) Balances in the fund shall be retained and carried forward annually and may be used to match available federal funds. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-1200 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 50-9-1200
SECTION 50-9-1200. Hunting or fishing while under suspension; violations; penalties.
Status: in_force

A person who hunts or fishes while under suspension is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, and must have his hunting and fishing privileges suspended for an additional three years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2650 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 41 / Section 50-19-2650
SECTION 50-19-2650. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article or any of the rules or regulations adopted and promulgated under the authority thereof is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1415 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 50-13-1415
SECTION 50-13-1415. Importation, possession, or placing water hyacinth and hydrilla in waters of State.
Status: in_force

No person shall possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring, or cause to be brought or imported into this State, or release or place into any waters of this State any of the following plants: (1) Water Hyacinth (2) Hydrilla Provided, however, that the department may issue special import permits to qualified persons for research purposes only. The department shall prescribe the methods, control, and restrictions which are to be adhered to by any person or his agent to whom a special permit under the provisions of this section is issued. The department is authorized to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section and the department, by regulation, is specifically authorized to prohibit additional species of plants from being imported, possessed, or sold in this State when, in the discretion of the department, such species of plants are potentially dangerous.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-90 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 50-3-90
SECTION 50-3-90. Conducting game and fish cultural operations and investigations; sampling fish populations.
Status: in_force

The authorized agents of the department may conduct game and fish cultural operations and scientific investigations in such manner, places, and at such times as are considered necessary and may use whatever methods are deemed advisable for sampling fish populations. No such operations and investigations shall be made upon private lands and waters except at the request of the owner or owners of such lands and waters. Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 230, SECTION 2.D, in the second sentence, deleted "Such operations and investigations shall be conducted only at the request of and with the permission from the board, and" from the beginning, and made a nonsubstantive change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-265 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-265
SECTION 50-18-265. Invoices, receipts, and bills of lading; inspections; documentation and record retention; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in this section, when an aquacultured product is exchanged for a commercial purpose between persons, an invoice or receipt is required showing the date, producer, origin, destination, permit, registration, and license numbers as appropriate, species name, product, and quantity exchanged. (B) When an aquacultured product is offered for sale, a corresponding invoice for that product must be available for inspection and maintained at the place of business where the product is offered for sale. (C) When an aquacultured product is shipped, a bill of lading is required showing the date, producer, origin, shipper, destination, permit, registration, and license numbers as appropriate, species name, product, and quantity shipped. Shippers must have the bills of lading in their possession while transporting any product. In accepting a shipment of aquacultured product, a shipper agrees to inspection by the department. (D) Persons involved in aquaculture commerce must maintain all invoices, receipts, and bills of lading required under this section for three years. (E) A person permitted, registered, or licensed under this chapter must keep accurate records and may be required to provide accurate information and reports to the department. (F) The documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting provisions of this section are not obligations on the consumer. (G) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, the person must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for each violation, and the department must suspend the permit, registration, or license under which the report or recordkeeping is required until accurate and complete reports are submitted to the department. Each delinquent or inaccurate report must be handled as a separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-1040 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 10 / Section 50-3-1040
SECTION 50-3-1040. Restrictions on expenditures from fund.
Status: in_force

The fund constitutes a special trust derived from a contractual relationship between the State and contributors to the fund, including members of the public. In recognition of the special trust, the following limitations and restrictions are placed on expenditures from the fund: (1) Any limitations or restrictions specified by the donors on the uses of the income derived from the gifts, grants, and voluntary contributions are respected but are not binding. (2) After applying income received and accruing from the investments of gifts, grants, and contributions, the board of trustees of the fund may liquidate and expend the principal of the fund. (3) The assets of the fund, both principal and income received and accruing from the investments, must be spent only in furthering the operation and maintenance of the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center and to acquire additional real property complementary to or protective of the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center. (4) Balances in this fund may be used to match available federal funds. (5) Balances in this fund shall be retained and carried forward from year to year and do not revert to the General Fund of the State and may be used to match available federal funds.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2410 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 37 / Section 50-19-2410
SECTION 50-19-2410. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this article, any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this article shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-700 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 50-11-700
SECTION 50-11-700. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this article: (1) "Night" means the period of time between one hour after official sundown of a day and one hour before official sunrise of the following day. (2) "Night hunting" means hunting during the period of time between one hour after official sundown of a day and one hour before official sunrise of the following day. (3) "Registered property" means property annually registered as prescribed by the department for night hunting feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos pursuant to Section 50-11-715.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-625 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-625
SECTION 50-13-625. Taking nongame fish with lawful devices.
Status: in_force

Nongame fish may be taken with any lawful game fishing device. 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. Effect of Amendment 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. § 50-5-300 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-300
SECTION 50-5-300. Commercial saltwater fishing license requirement for residents; 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 resident must obtain a commercial saltwater fishing license for a fee of twenty-five dollars unless specifically exempted in this article. A resident 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 resident. (B) To act as a striker, a resident need not acquire a commercial saltwater fishing license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-360 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-360
SECTION 50-11-360. Taking or attempting to take elk; penalty.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to take or attempt to take elk (Cervus elaphus). A person convicted of violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than twenty-five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-200 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 2 / Section 50-21-200
SECTION 50-21-200. Abandoned, derelict, and sunken vessels; public nuisances.
Status: in_force

Abandoned vessels, derelict vessels, and sunken vessels are declared to be public nuisances that must be abated as provided in this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2240 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 35 / Section 50-19-2240
SECTION 50-19-2240. Procedures for entering into reciprocal agreement with Georgia.
Status: in_force

The department shall also negotiate for and enter into a reciprocal agreement with the authorized officials of the state of Georgia, adopting rules and regulations for the preservation and propagation of fish and game within the area as provided by law, the recognition of the licenses and permits of one state by the other and the enforcement of the laws of the two states over the area involved. If necessary to reach such an agreement or it is deemed advisable for the better protection and management of the game and fish of this area, the department may increase the bag limit to not more than twelve bass and thirty other game fish in possession at one time and may make and agree to other reasonable rules and regulations with the Georgia authorities, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, and may change or alter them from time to time. Any rules and regulations so adopted by the authorized officials of the two states on the above subjects and not inconsistent with the laws of this State shall have the force and effect of law, after being published in newspapers circulating in the area at least once a week for three weeks and after copies thereof have been filed with the Secretary of State, as provided by law. Any reciprocal agreement so entered into shall contain a provision that either party thereto may cancel it upon ninety days' written notice to the other party. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, "as provided by law" was substituted for "described in Section 50-19-2220" in the first sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-10
SECTION 50-23-10. Marine dealer's permits.
Status: in_force

Each entity desiring to be a marine dealer shall apply for a permit each year. A permit is valid from January first to December thirty-first. The permit cost is ten dollars. Applications for renewals must be received by December fifteenth each year. A marine dealer shall have an established place of business with a street address separate from a residence. A marine dealer shall have a valid business license and permit for each separate facility. A facility is separate if it is not within the same compound or has a separate street address. Marine dealers who sell new or used watercraft shall sell a minimum of ten watercraft or outboard motors a year in order to renew the permit. A dealer who fails to meet minimum requirements each year may request in writing a review of the permit and sales. After review of the dealer's records and after good cause has been shown by the dealer for not meeting the minimum requirements, the department may renew the permit for the calendar year. Permitted marine dealers may apply for demonstration numbers. Marine dealers permitted under this article consent to inspections of the business and its records during regular business hours by department personnel and other law enforcement officers. A dealer who fails to cooperate with department inspections forfeits his permit. A marine dealer permit is invalid when a change is made to one or more of the following: (1) location address; (2) federal employer identification number; (3) South Carolina tax number; (4) ownership; or (5) business name.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-505 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-505
SECTION 50-5-505. Net use requirements and restrictions; mariculture impoundment net use permit.
Status: in_force

(A) A gill net used in the salt waters of this State must have at least one end buoy, international orange in color, which shows the name and license number of the owner. The operator of a gill net must be within five hundred feet of the net and have visual contact with the net at all times when deployed. (B) A trotline used in the inshore salt waters of this State must have at least one end buoy, international orange in color, which shows the name and license number of the owner. Recreational trotlines must be marked by the name and address of the owner in lieu of a license number. Any trotline used in the territorial sea must be marked with a buoy not less than twenty inches in diameter at each end, international orange in color, which floats in a manner to be clearly visible at all times. (C) A haul seine greater than one hundred feet in length must be marked with buoys, international orange in color, not less than twenty inches in diameter, which float in a manner to be clearly visible at all times. (D) No haul seine may be set within five hundred yards of any public fishing pier. (E) A buoy must be attached to the float line of any haul seine every three hundred feet, and a buoy must be attached to each end of any haul seine. (F) No haul seine may be set, hauled, or both, for a period exceeding one and one-half hours without being fully returned to the beach. (G) The department may grant a permit to the owner of a mariculture impoundment or his authorized agent, either of whom must be a licensed commercial saltwater fisherman, to attach a net on the downstream side or outside of the outlet to harvest fish exiting the impoundment. The department may place conditions on the permit as to season, type of equipment, and times.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1940 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1940
SECTION 50-11-1940. Unlawful to buy or barter for sale wild quail; penalty.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person to buy or barter for sale any wild quail within this State. Any person violating this section must be fined twenty-five dollars for each quail so bought or sold or imprisoned for not more than thirty days for each quail so bought or sold.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1610 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 11 / Section 50-13-1610
SECTION 50-13-1610. Sale or traffic in certain game fish unlawful; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, barter, traffic in, or purchase any fish classified as a game fish under the provisions of this title taken from the freshwaters of this State except as allowed by this title. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (1) for a first offense, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (2) for a second offense within three years of a first offense, by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (3) for a third or subsequent offense within three years of a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (4) for a fourth and subsequent offense within five years of the date of conviction for the first offense must be punished as provided for a third offense. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment made no apparent changes. 2022 Act No. 137, SECTION 11, in the first undesignated paragraph, in the first sentence, substituted "traffic in" for "trafficking in" and "taken from the freshwaters of this State except as allowed by this title" for "except as allowed by this title regardless of where caught".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-12-30 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 12 / Article X / Section 50-12-30
SECTION 50-12-30. Appointment of Compact Administrator; implementation; regulations; amendments.
Status: in_force

(A) The Director of the Department of Natural Resources shall appoint the Compact Administrator for South Carolina. The Compact Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. (B) The Department of Natural Resources must deny, suspend, or revoke the license, privilege, or right of any person to hunt, fish, trap, possess, or transport wildlife in this State to the extent that the license, privilege, or right has been denied, suspended, or revoked by another compact member under the provisions of this chapter. (C) The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (D) Any proposed amendment to the compact must be submitted to the General Assembly as an amendment to this act. In order to be endorsed by the State of South Carolina as provided by subsection (B) of Article IX of the compact, a proposed amendment to the compact must be enacted into law. Editor's Note 2011 Act No. 12, SECTIONS 2 and 3, provide as follows: "SECTION 2. The Department of Natural Resources is authorized to take all actions necessary to prepare for the implementation of this act including, but not limited to, the promulgation of regulations. "SECTION 3. This act takes effect one year after approval by the Governor, except Section 2 takes effect upon approval by the Governor."
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1540 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1540
SECTION 50-5-1540. Net placement.
Status: in_force

(A) No shad, herring, or sturgeon net, including its cables, lines, or attached devices, either set, drift, or fished in the waters of this State may be of a length greater than one-half the normal width of the water body at the place where used, regardless of the stage of the tide, river stage, water level, or method of net deployment. (B) No net may be: (1) set within six hundred feet of any gill net previously set; (2) drifted within six hundred feet of another drifting net; or (3) placed or set within seventy-five feet of the confluence of any tributary. (C) Nothing in this section prevents a lawfully drifted gill net from passing within six hundred feet of a lawfully anchored gill net.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-1130 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 50-9-1130
SECTION 50-9-1130. Deduction of accumulated points.
Status: repealed

(A) Each time a person is convicted of a violation enumerated in Section 50-9-1120, the number of points assigned to the violation must be charged against the person. For each calendar year that passes after assignment in which the person received no points, the department shall deduct one-half of the accumulated points if the total number of points is greater than three. If a person has three or less points at the end of a calendar year in which no points were received, the department shall reduce his point total to zero; however, a person's record must not be less than zero points. (B) The department shall deduct four accumulated points from a person's record upon a showing that the person successfully completed a department program of instruction established pursuant to Section 50-9-310. (C) A person is not eligible for a reduction in points under the provisions of subsection (B) if at the time he accumulated eighteen or more points: (1) he had any hunting, trapping, or fishing suspension within the previous five years; or (2) he had a previous point reduction under the provisions of subsection (B) within the previous five years. (D) The department is authorized to promulgate appropriate regulations to effectuate the provisions of this section. Editor's Note 2010 Act No. 174, SECTION 2, provides: "Any regulations in conflict with the provisions of this act are repealed." Effect of Amendment The two 2010 amendments made identical changes, they added the subsection (A) identifier to the first paragraph, substituted "than" for "then" before "zero points" in the last sentence of subsection (A), and added subsections (B), (C) and (D).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-280 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-280
SECTION 50-18-280. Transfer, alteration, use, and acquisition of permit, registration, license, or required instrument; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to transfer, alter, damage, deface, tamper with, reuse, counterfeit, or use in a fraudulent manner a permit, registration, license, method of labeling, record, or other instrument required by this chapter; or to attempt to transfer, alter, damage, deface, tamper with, reuse, counterfeit, or use in a fraudulent manner a permit, registration, license, method of labeling, record, or other instrument required by this chapter. (B) It is unlawful to acquire or to attempt to acquire fraudulently a permit, registration, or license provided in this chapter. (C) It is unlawful to acquire or attempt to acquire a permit, registration, or license provided in this chapter if the privilege to hold the permit or license has been suspended. (D) It is unlawful to misuse any instrument required by this chapter to defraud any person or the department. (E) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (F) A person who violates this section for a second or subsequent offense within three years of a first offense must be fined one thousand dollars, no part of which may be suspended, or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-555 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-555
SECTION 50-5-555. Trap placement and attention requirements; department inspection, removal, seizure, and disposal.
Status: in_force

(A) No trap may be placed within six hundred feet of a public boat ramp or launching area. (B) No trap may be set so as to leave any portion of the trap dry at any stage of the tide. (C) No trap may be unattended for more than five days. Without having written permission of the owner, no person may retrieve or remove catch from any trap the buoy of which is marked with a number assigned by the department to another person. (D) No trap may be set so as to obstruct navigation in any creek or other navigable water course, access point, or mooring point. A trap determined by the department to be in violation of this section may be removed by the department and disposed of as provided in this chapter. (E) The department may inspect traps for compliance with this section at any time. If the department finds any trap: (1) set in violation of this section; (2) containing excessive dead catch or only dead catch; or (3) with buoy, line, or trap displaying excessive marine growth, the trap is contraband and must be seized and disposed of as provided in this chapter. (F) No trap may be in the waters of the General Trawling Zone as established by Section 50-5-705 when these waters are open to trawling for shrimp. (G) The department may impose a civil penalty of up to one hundred dollars for each trap in violation of this section for a first offense, up to three hundred dollars for a second offense, and up to five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent offense. 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 2022 Act No. 198, SECTION 1, added (F). 2024 Act No. 212, SECTION 10, added (G).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1960 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 13 / Section 50-13-1960
SECTION 50-13-1960. Designation and marking of fish sanctuaries in rivers and streams.
Status: in_force

The department may select any place upon any river or stream within this State as a fish sanctuary. Upon making this selection, the board, upon approval in writing of a majority of the members of the county legislative delegation from the county in which this proposed fish sanctuary is to be located, may designate and set apart the place as a fish sanctuary. A sanctuary may not exceed two miles in length along any river or stream. When a sanctuary is so designated and set apart, the board shall have it adequately and conspicuously marked and shall designate the limits of it in all directions. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment substituted "A sanctuary may not" for "No one sanctuary shall", and made other, nonsubstantive, changes. SECTIONS 50-13-1970 to 50-13-1980. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 114, SECTION 6, eff July 1, 2012. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-13-1970 was entitled "Designation of fish sanctuaries in lakes and ponds" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-718; 1952 Code SECTION 28-718; 1942 Code SECTION 1774-1; 1938 (40) 1598; 1952 (47) 2179; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. Former SECTION 50-13-1980 was entitled "Operation and posting of fish sanctuaries" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-719; 1952 Code SECTION 28-719; 1942 Code SECTION 1774-1; 938 (40) 1598; 952 (47) 2179; 990 Act No. 468, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-271 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 2 / Section 50-13-271
SECTION 50-13-271. Trout size and limits in Lake Jocassee.
Status: in_force

On Lake Jocassee it is unlawful to possess more than three trout. It is unlawful to possess trout less than fifteen inches in total length or possess more than one trout greater than twenty inches in total length. Provided, from June first through September thirtieth, there is no length limit but it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than three trout.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-26-50 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 26 / Section 50-26-50
SECTION 50-26-50. Exemption from ad valorem personal property taxes for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Status: in_force

All-terrain vehicles are exempt from ad valorem personal property taxes beginning with calendar year 2011.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-1510 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 25 / Section 50-19-1510
SECTION 50-19-1510. License unnecessary for hunting crows in York County.
Status: in_force

It shall be lawful for residents of York County to hunt and kill crows in said county without a hunting license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-65 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-65
SECTION 50-11-65. Training of bird dogs.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this section, "training birds" means pen raised quail, chukar, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, or any other upland game birds approved by the Department of Natural Resources and identified in the Bird Dog Trainer's License required pursuant to subsection (B). (B) Persons engaged in the business of training bird dogs in return for money, goods, or services may obtain a Bird Dog Trainer's License entitling them to the privileges provided in this section. (C) The applicant for the license shall provide proof of ownership in or a recorded leasehold instrument for a tract of land to be designated as a bird dog training area. The applicant also shall provide a county or highway map designating the location of the property together with a tax map, aerial photograph, or plat designating the property boundaries. The bird dog training area may not exceed fifty acres for each licensee. (D) The boundaries of the area must be posted every one hundred fifty feet or less with signs designating the area as follows: "Private Bird Dog Training". (E) The application and the license must list the trainer and not more than two assistants, all of whom must have hunting licenses. Upon receiving a training license, the trainer and his two assistants may train dogs by taking training birds as provided in the license required pursuant to subsection (B). No person, trainer, or assistant may be listed on more than one license. (F) The licensee shall maintain records showing the number of training birds purchased or raised, released for bird dog training, and harvested as part of the training program, together with other records the department may require as a condition of the license. A copy of these records must be open for inspection by agents of the department at reasonable times and must be furnished to the department in an annual report before issuance of the next year's license. The fee for the license is fifty dollars, and the license expires annually June thirtieth. (G) The trainer and his assistants shall make reasonable efforts to minimize the disturbance of wild birds during training. Training birds released pursuant to this section must be banded, and recovery or recall pens may be used if the trainer is issued a permit for the pens. Unbanded birds taken in recall pens must be released immediately. (H) A person possessing a hunting license may train bird dogs on private land at any time during the year. However, outside the established hunting season for the birds identified in subsection (A), only weapons capable of firing blank ammunition may be used unless feral pigeons have been released and are being used in the training. (I) A person violating subsection (D), (E), (F), (G), or (H) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. A trainer or assistant trainer who violates one or more of these subsections must have his privileges provided under this section suspended for two years from the date of conviction. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment added subsection (A); redesignated former subsections (A) through (H) as (B) through (I); in subsection (E) substituted in the second sentence "train dogs by taking training birds as provided in the license required pursuant to subsection (B)" for "take pen-raised quail during the closed season for training dogs"; in subsection (F) inserted "training" before "birds" in the first sentence; in subsection (G) substituted "birds" for "quail" in the first and third sentences, and in the second sentence substituted "Training birds" for "Birds"; in the second sentence of subsection (H) substituted "hunting" for "quail" and inserted "for the birds identified in subsection (A)" after "season"; and in subsection (I) deleted "(C)" after "subsection", deleted "or" before (G), and added "or (H)".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2445 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2445
SECTION 50-11-2445. Removal of trapped wildlife by owner of trap or owner's designee; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for a person, other than the owner of the trap, or the owner's designee, to remove any lawfully trapped wildlife from any legally set trap. A designee must have in his possession written permission from the owner of the trap or the owner's agent, and must meet all commercial fur licensing requirements or be listed on a valid depredation permit. 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 no more than thirty days. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1350 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 13 / Section 50-25-1350
SECTION 50-25-1350. Waterskiing and towing restrictions on Lake William C. Bowen; times boating prohibited.
Status: in_force

On Lake William C. Bowen it is unlawful to: (1) operate a personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessel in excess of idle speed within one hundred feet of a wharf, dock, bulkhead, or pier or within fifty feet of a moored or anchored vessel or person in the water; (2) waterski and tow rafts, discs, or other similar floating devices upstream and west of the Interstate Highway 26 bridge which crosses over Lake William C. Bowen; (3) pull more than two persons at one time from any boat or to waterski while carrying one or more persons piggyback; (4) operate any boat, watercraft, or any other type of a vessel between midnight and one hour before sunrise. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 139, SECTION 1, in subsection (4), substituted "any boat, watercraft, or any other type of a vessel" for "a watercraft". 2024 Act No. 168, SECTION 2, rewrote (1), and in (3), substituted "two persons" for "two skiers".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-695 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-695
SECTION 50-13-695. Unlawful use of nongame fishing devices owned and tagged by another person; penalties for stealing or tampering with nongame fishing device.
Status: in_force

(A) Except for department personnel in their official capacity, it is unlawful for a person to fish, inspect, or use in any manner nongame fishing devices owned and tagged by another person or to remove any fish from a device unless under the immediate supervision of the owner. A person found guilty of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both. (B) A person who steals any nongame fishing device or any fish in a device or who tampers with or damages a nongame fishing device or makes it ineffective for the purpose of taking fish is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction: (1) for tampering with or damaging or making ineffective a device, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days; and (2) for stealing a device or fish caught in the device, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-10
SECTION 50-21-10. Definitions.
Status: reserved

As used in this title unless the context clearly requires a different meaning: (1) Reserved; (2) "Boat" means a vessel. (3) "Associated equipment" does not include radio equipment and means: (a) a system, part, or component of a boat as originally manufactured or a similar part or component manufactured or sold for replacement, repair, or improvement of the system, part, or component; (b) an accessory or equipment for, or appurtenance to, a boat; (c) a marine safety article, accessory, or equipment intended for use by a person on board a boat. (4) "Boat livery" means a business that holds watercraft for rent, lease, or charter. (5) "Certificate of number" means the registration. (6) "Certificate of origin" means a document establishing the initial chain of ownership, such as manufacturer's certificate of origin or statement of origin, importer's certificate of origin, or builder's certification. (7) "Dealer's permit" means a certificate issued by the department to a marine business to extend the privilege of using marine dealer demonstration numbers on boats or motors for demonstration or testing purposes and assignment on appropriate documents. Abuse of these privileges results in termination of the dealer's permit. (8) "Demonstration numbers" means a temporary certificate of number issued to permitted marine dealers or manufacturers for the purpose of demonstrating watercraft held for sale, or used on watercraft which are being repaired or tested or used by an established customer whose boat is being repaired. (9) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (10) "Hull identification number" means the letter and number combination required by the United States Coast Guard or its successor agency on all watercraft manufactured after November 1, 1972. (11) "Marina" means a facility which provides mooring or dry storage for watercraft. (12) "Marine dealer" means a business that engages in buying or selling, exchanging, brokering, manufacturing, or servicing watercraft or outboard motors for watercraft. (13) "Marine manufacturer" means a person engaged in the manufacturing of watercraft or outboard motors for sale or trade. (14) "No Wake-Idle Speed" means a regulated boating area established for the safety of the public. "No Wake-Idle Speed" means that a vessel cannot proceed at a speed greater than that speed which is necessary to maintain steerageway. (15) "Operate" means to navigate, steer, drive, or be in control. It also includes the manipulation of moving water skis, a moving aquaplane, a moving surfboard, or similar moving device. (16) "Operator" means the person who operates or has charge or command of the navigation or use of a vessel or watercraft. (17) "Outboard motor" means a combustion engine or electric propulsion system, which is used to propel a watercraft and which is detachable from the watercraft as a unit. No outboard motor of less than five horsepower or its equivalent is required to be titled under this chapter. (18) "Owner" means a person, other than a lienholder, who claims lawful possession of a vessel or outboard motor by virtue of legal title or equitable interest in it which entitled him to possession. (19) "Person" means an individual, a partnership, a firm, a corporation, an association, or other legal entity. (20) "Personal watercraft" means a vessel, usually less than sixteen feet in length, that uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of propulsion and that is intended to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull. (21) "Reportable boating accident" means an accident, collision, or other casualty involving a vessel subject to this chapter which results in loss of life, injury which results in loss of consciousness, necessity for medical treatment, necessity to carry a person from the scene, disability which prevents the discharge of normal duties beyond the day of casualty, or actual physical damage to property including vessels in excess of the minimum amount set by the United States Coast Guard for reportable accidents. (22) "Serial number" means the identifying manufacturer's number affixed to a watercraft before November 2, 1972, and to outboard motors before, on, and after that date. The serial number of watercraft manufactured after November 1, 1972, is part of the hull identification number. (23) "Specialty propcraft" means a vessel that is similar in appearance and operation to a personal watercraft but is powered by an outboard or propeller-driven motor. (24) "Temporary certificate of number" is a temporary registration assigned to a vessel to allow operation for a limited purpose. (25) "Tender" means a small watercraft attendant to a larger vessel that meets United States Coast Guard requirements and is used solely for ferrying supplies or passengers and crew between its parent vessel and shore. (26) "Use" means operate, navigate, or employ. (27) "Vessel" means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane regulated by the federal government, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (28) "Water device" means a motorboat, boat, personal watercraft or vessel, water skis, an aquaplane, surfboard, or other similar device. (29) "Waters of the State" means waters within the territorial limits of the State but not private lakes or ponds. (30) "Watercraft" means anything used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water but does not include: a seaplane regulated by the federal government, water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, windsurfers, tubes, rafts, and similar devices or anything that does not meet construction or operational requirements of the state or federal government for watercraft. (31) "Wake surf" means to operate a vessel that is ballasted in the stern so as to create a wake that is, or is intended to be, surfed by another person. Code Commissioner's Note This section was amended by 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, SECTIONS 64.G and 64.H and by 1999 Act No. 124, SECTION 2.B. The two definitions of "dealer's permit" from Act No. 100 and Act No. 124 are being read together and the definition of "demonstration numbers" from Act No. 100 is being added as item (7) and the remaining items renumbered at the direction of the Code Commissioner. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment rewrote this section. 2022 Act No. 124, SECTION 1, added (29), which related to the definition of "wake surf". 2023 Act No. 74, SECTION 1, inserted (20), relating to the definition of "Personal watercraft", and redesignated former (20) to (21) as (21) to (22); and inserted (23), relating to the definition of "Specialty propcraft", and redesignated former (22) to (29) as (24) to (31). 2025 Act No. 22, SECTION 3, deleted (1), the definition for "abandon".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-710 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-710
SECTION 50-3-710. Wildlife Endowment Fund; purpose.
Status: in_force

There is created the South Carolina Wildlife Endowment Fund, the income and principal of which must be used only for the purpose of supporting wildlife conservation programs of the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-320 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 50-13-320
SECTION 50-13-320. Traps and eel pots; crab pots; crayfish traps; minnow traps.
Status: in_force

(A) A trap or eel pot may be suspended above the bottom of the body of water in which they are used at a depth that does not create a hazard to watercraft. (B) There is no restriction on the type of bait permissible in a trap or eel pot, except that game fish or any part of a game fish must not be used for bait. (C) There is no closed season for fishing with a trap or eel pot in the freshwaters of this State in which the use of a trap or eel pot is permitted except temporary closure by the department. (D) A trap or eel pot must not be placed within one hundred feet of the mouth of a tributary stream and a trap or eel pot must not be placed anywhere in the Diversion Canal connecting Lakes Marion and Moultrie nor placed within two hundred yards of a manmade structure in Lakes Marion and Moultrie. (E) A crab pot or trap of like design must not be used in the freshwaters of this State unless permitted by regulation. (F) All crayfish traps must be identified with the name and department customer identification number of the user. These traps only may be used in those bodies of water permitted under this chapter. A commercial fisherman may fish up to fifty crayfish traps. A recreational fisherman may fish up to five crayfish traps. (G) All minnow traps must be identified with the name and department customer identification number of the user. A minnow trap may be fished with a recreational license only with a limit of five for each person and must not be fished for commercial purposes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1525 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 50-5-1525
SECTION 50-5-1525. Unlawful taking of Atlantic sturgeon; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Any sturgeon taken during the closed season or in closed areas or with unauthorized equipment must be released immediately back into the waters where taken. (B) A person taking or possessing any Atlantic sturgeon or any part or product thereof, except as allowed by regulations set by the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (C) A person taking or possessing for a commercial purpose, buying, or selling any Atlantic sturgeon or any part or product thereof, except as allowed by regulations set by the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars and not 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.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1480 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 50-13-1480
SECTION 50-13-1480. Informers not subject to criminal prosecution or civil suit.
Status: in_force

Any person who shall swear out a warrant, give information or testify as a witness against anyone for violating Section 50-13-1440 shall not be subject to a criminal prosecution for slander or malicious prosecution, neither shall he be subject to a civil action for damages in any court of competent jurisdiction for any alleged damages to the person so accused growing out of or in connection with such use of explosives.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-115 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-115
SECTION 50-5-115. Responsibility for determining location of commercial fishing vessel.
Status: in_force

The operator of any vessel engaged in commercial fishing is responsible for accurately determining the location of his vessel in order that he not violate any closed or restricted area.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2500 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 50-5-2500
SECTION 50-5-2500. Point values for suspension of saltwater privileges; relation to other penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) There are established the following point values to be assigned by the department in suspending the saltwater privileges of persons or entities found to be in violation of one or more of the items listed below. Point assignments shall be: (1) failing to keep records or make reports required by law, permit, or regulation: 4; (2) violating law pertaining to crab size limit or sponge crabs: 4; (3) violations of a section of Title 50 pertaining to saltwater privileges not mentioned specifically in this section: 6; (4) taking, attempting to take, or possessing fish, shellfish, or crustaceans in an unlawful manner, in unlawful or closed areas including areas closed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, during unlawful hours, or during the closed season for the activity, except trawling violations: 8; (5)(a) taking, attempting to take, or possessing shellfish for a commercial purpose in an unlawful manner; in unlawful or closed areas, including areas closed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control; during unlawful hours; or during the closed season for the activity; or (b) violating Department of Health and Environmental Control regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 44-1-140 related to the harvesting and handling of shellfish resulting in an adulterated product as defined in Regulation 61-47: 10; (6) selling or offering for sale fish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other seafood or marine products without a proper license: 8; (7) unlawfully buying fish, shellfish, crustaceans, or other seafood or marine products: 8; (8) trawling inside the General Trawling Zone other than in restricted areas: (a) more than one-quarter nautical mile during the closed season: 10; (b) more than one-quarter nautical mile at a time more than ten minutes before daily opening or ten minutes after daily closing times during the open season: 10; (9) trawling in a restricted area during closed season: 10; (10) trawling outside the General Trawling Zone: (a) one hundred yards or less distance from the nearest point of the General Trawling Zone during the open season: 10; (b) more than one hundred yards distance from the nearest point of the General Trawling Zone during the open season: 18; (c) during the closed season: 18; (11) taking or attempting to take fish, shellfish, or crustaceans for a commercial purpose without a proper license, permit, or stamp: 10; (12) captain or crew of a boat failing to cooperate with an enforcement officer: 18; (13) channel netting in an area closed to channel netting or during closed season for channel netting: 18; and (14) applying for or obtaining any resident license as provided in this chapter using a falsified application or supporting documentation, or simultaneously possessing any currently valid South Carolina resident license as provided in this chapter while possessing any resident license from another state: 18. (B) The points and penalties assessed under this article are in addition to criminal penalties which may be assessed. Statutory suspension of saltwater privileges provided in other articles of this chapter take precedence over assessment of points under this article. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 30, SECTION 7, in (A), substituted "one or more of the items listed below" for "this chapter", inserted (A)(5), providing for violations related to harvesting and handling shellfish, and redesignated accordingly.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2215 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 10 / Section 50-11-2215
SECTION 50-11-2215. Noninterference with agency duties and landowner rights.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in Section 50-11-2200 or 50-11-2210 shall interfere with the use and management of lands by a state agency charged with the management of those lands as part of the functions of the agency authorized by law or with the management and use by a landowner of his lands with the WMA program; nor shall anything contained in Section 50-11-2200 or 50-11-2210 be deemed to alter in any way the rights of owners of easements and rights of way within the boundaries of those lands.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-290 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-290
SECTION 50-18-290. Jurisdiction of magistrates court; restitution; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the magistrate's court has jurisdiction to try any criminal case that arises under this chapter and to impose the penalties set forth herein up to a maximum fine of five thousand dollars or imprisonment for up to thirty days. In addition to any penalty imposed under this chapter, the presiding magistrate may order restitution for losses or damages to natural resources and order full compensation to the aquaculture business for losses sustained. (B) Unless otherwise provided, any person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished: (1) for a first offense, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment of not more than thirty days; (2) for a second offense within three years of a first offense, by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days; (3) for a third or subsequent offense within three years of a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 5 / Section 50-25-210
SECTION 50-25-210. Surfing unlawful at certain times on certain beaches in unincorporated community of Garden City.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to use a surfboard or similar device used as a surfboard from May fifteenth until Labor Day on the beaches of the unincorporated community of Garden City in Horry County between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. except in the area from Holliday Drive south for a distance of six hundred ninety feet to a ten-foot alley or to engage in surfing at any time within three hundred feet of any fishing pier. The county sheriff shall arrange for the posting of signs to designate both the prohibited and permitted areas for surfing and the date and time limitations prescribed in this section. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-745 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 50-11-745
SECTION 50-11-745. Releasing confiscated property to innocent owner or lienholder; failure to recover property.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, the Department of Natural Resources may administratively release any vehicle, boat, trailer, other means of conveyance, animal, firearm, or device confiscated from a person charged with hunting of deer, bear, or turkey at night to an innocent owner or lienholder of the property. (B) Notwithstanding another provision of law, if an innocent owner or lienholder of property contained in subsection (A) fails to recover property contained in that subsection, then the Department of Natural Resources may maintain or dispose of the property. (C) Before confiscated property is released to an innocent owner or lienholder, he shall provide the department with: (1) proof of ownership or a lienholder interest in the confiscated property; (2) certification that he will not release the property to a person who has been charged with a violation of this chapter which resulted in the confiscation of the property to be released. Effect of Amendment The 2013 amendment inserted "trailer, other means of conveyance, animal,", deleted "hunting" preceding "device", and substituted "hunting of deer or bear at night" for "a violation of this chapter" in paragraph (A). 2017 Act No. 88, SECTION 4, in (A), substituted "deer, bear, or turkey" for "deer or bear".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2710 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 43 / Section 50-19-2710
SECTION 50-19-2710. Enforcement of fishing regulations in boundary streams; authority to establish reciprocal agreements with Georgia.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department is hereby authorized to establish and enforce such regulation of fishing in the boundary streams between this State and the state of Georgia above the Hartwell Reservoir as may be necessary to make the regulation by the two states uniform. The department is further authorized to enter into or modify such reciprocal agreements with the state of Georgia as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-720 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-720
SECTION 50-3-720. Board of Trustees of Wildlife Endowment Fund; State Treasurer as custodian of fund.
Status: in_force

There is created the Board of Trustees of the Wildlife Endowment Fund of the Department of Natural Resources, with full authority over the administration of the fund, whose chairman and members are the chairman and members of the board of the Department of Natural Resources. The State Treasurer is the custodian of the fund and shall invest its assets in accordance with the provisions of Title 11.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2610 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 41 / Section 50-19-2610
SECTION 50-19-2610. Reciprocal agreement with Georgia as to recognition of resident fishing licenses.
Status: repealed

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 Hartwell Reservoir, with no other license being required, provided, any resident of this State, properly licensed by this State, shall be permitted the same privilege of fishing anywhere in the Hartwell Reservoir, with no other license being required. SECTIONS 50-19-2620, 50-19-2630. Repealed by 2010 Act No. 200, SECTION 15, eff May 28, 2010. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-19-2620 was entitled "Fishing regulations for Hartwell Reservoir" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1295; 1961 (52) 471; 1962 (52) 1948; 1981 Act No. 170, SECTION 8; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-2630 was entitled "Amendments and additions to regulations" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1296; 1961 (52) 471; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-4-20 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 4 / Section 50-4-20
SECTION 50-4-20. Voluntary site management practices.
Status: in_force

An owner of a ground-mounted commercial solar energy generation site is encouraged to follow voluntary site management practices that: (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitats beneficial to gamebirds, songbirds, and pollinators; and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at the solar generation site.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-510 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 50-3-510
SECTION 50-3-510. Authorization to contract; required findings; approval by State Forester.
Status: in_force

The department may, subject to the provisions of this article, contract for the harvest of timber on any lands held by the department. No contract for such cutting and sale may be entered into and no timber may be cut or sold unless the board votes that the cutting and sale of the timber is for the best interests of the department and the improvement of its lands, by reason of thinning the timber, harvesting the over-age trees and improving general forestry conditions. Before selling or cutting the timber the department shall coordinate with the State Forester to have the timber cruised and an estimate of the value made. If the State Forester finds that the sale is not in keeping with good forestry practices or will adversely affect the remainder of the timber, the sale must not be made. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-340 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 50-13-340
SECTION 50-13-340. Minnow seine.
Status: repealed

It is unlawful to use or have in possession a minnow seine in the freshwaters of this State from ten o'clock p.m. to official sunrise. SECTIONS 50-13-350 to 50-13-370. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 113, SECTION 1, eff July 1, 2012. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-13-350 was entitled "Unlawful to fish or trespass in private artificial ponds used to breed fish or oysters" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-601; 1952 Code SECTION 28-601; 1942 Code SECTION 1771-1; 1932 Code SECTION 1811; Cr. C. '22 SECTION 781; Cr. C. '12 SECTION 764; Cr. C. '02 SECTION 534; G. S. 1680; R. S. 414; 1872 (15) 161; 1993 Act No. 184, SECTION 246; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. Former SECTION 50-13-370 was entitled "Fishing restrictions not applicable to United States Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife and agents" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-602; 1952 Code SECTION 28-602; 1942 Code SECTION 1776; 1932 Code SECTIONS 3424, 3425; Civ. C. '22 SECTIONS 1040, 1041; 1917 (30) 192; 1931 (37) 328; 1952 (47) 2179; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1263. SECTIONS 50-13-385 to 50-13-400. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 113, SECTION 1, eff July 1, 2012; repealed by 2012 Act No. 114, SECTION 8, eff July 1, 2012. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-13-385 was entitled "Minimum size for large mouth bass in Lake Wylie; penalties" and was derived from 2001 Act No. 3, SECTION 1; 2008 Act No. 286, SECTION 6; 2010 Act No. 144, SECTION 2. Former SECTION 50-13-390 was entitled "Daily limit on Arkansas blue catfish" and was derived from 2007 Act No. 2, SECTION 1; 2010 Act No. 140, SECTION 2. Former SECTION 50-13-400 was entitled "Lake Murray crappie creel and size limits" and was derived from 2009 Act No. 47, SECTION 2.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1360 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1360
SECTION 50-11-1360. Authorization to engage in business of propagating pen-raised quail.
Status: in_force

With the approval of the department, any person may engage in the business of propagating pen-raised quail for commercial purposes upon compliance with this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-120
SECTION 50-23-120. Assignment and warranty of title; transferee or purchaser to obtain new certificate of title.
Status: in_force

(a) The owner at the time of delivery of the watercraft or outboard motor shall execute the assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided on the back of the certificate of title. If the title is voided, due to a change, cancellation of an assignment on a title due to error, or failure of a purchase to materialize the owner, shall make application for a duplicate title within thirty days. (b) The transferee or purchaser shall obtain a new certificate of title by application to the department accompanied by the required fee and upon the form or forms prescribed and furnished by the department. This application for certificate of title must be filed within thirty days after the delivery to him of the watercraft or outboard motor. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in subsection (a), in the second sentence substituted "If" for "In the event" and "thirty days" for "five days"; in subsection (b), in the second sentence substituted "thirty days" for "twenty days"; and deleted subsections (c) and (d) relating to liens and lienholders.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2440 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2440
SECTION 50-11-2440. Frequency of visitations.
Status: in_force

A trapper must visit his traps at least once each day from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset and remove any animal caught with the exception that a trapper must visit body gripping traps when used in water sets and other traps when used in "submersion sets" at least once every forty-eight hours. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-180 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-180
SECTION 50-23-180. Stolen or converted watercraft or outboard motor; records of reports of theft or conversion; notification of recovery.
Status: in_force

(a) Every law enforcement agency, peace officer, owner, or insurer in the State, having knowledge of a stolen or converted watercraft or outboard motor, immediately shall furnish the department with full information concerning the theft or conversion. (b) The department, whenever it receives a report of the theft or conversion of a watercraft or outboard motor, shall make a record of it, including the make of the stolen or converted watercraft or outboard motor and its hull number or serial number, and shall file the same in the numerical order of the hull number or serial number with the index records of the watercraft or outboard motors of such make. The department shall prepare a report listing watercraft and outboard motors stolen and recovered as disclosed by the reports submitted to it, to be distributed as it deems advisable. (c) In the event of the recovery of a stolen or converted watercraft or outboard motor, the owner or insurer immediately shall notify the department in writing. (d) Law enforcement agencies shall notify the department of recovery of any stolen watercraft or outboard motor immediately. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in subsection (a), added "law enforcement agency," and ", owner, or insured"; in subsection (b), in the first sentence substituted "hull number or" for "manufacturer's or assigned" in two places preceding "serial number"; in subsection (c), added "or insurer" and at the end substituted "in writing" for ", who shall remove the record of the theft or conversion from its file" added subsection (d) relating to notification of recovery by law enforcement agencies; and made nonsubstantive language changes throughout.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-201 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-201
SECTION 50-23-201. Obtaining or attempting to obtain certificate of title or number or decals by fraud or misrepresentation; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) Any person or entity that attempts to obtain a certificate of title, certificate of number or decals by fraud or misrepresentation or who obtains a certificate of title or certificate of number or decals by fraud or misrepresentation is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. (B) Any certificate or decal obtained by fraud or misrepresentation is void.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-5 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 50-13-5
SECTION 50-13-5. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 113, SECTION 1, eff July 1, 2012.
Status: in_force

Editor's Note See now SECTION 50-13-10.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-200 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-200
SECTION 50-23-200. Unlawful acts; forging or altering statement of origin, assignment, or certificate of title; stolen property; altered, removed number.
Status: in_force

No person may: (1) alter, forge, or counterfeit a certificate of title or manufacturer's or importer's statement of origin for a watercraft or for an outboard motor; (2) alter or falsify an assignment of a certificate of title, or an assignment or cancellation of a security interest on a certificate of title to a watercraft or to an outboard motor; (3) hold or use a certificate of title to a watercraft or to an outboard motor nor hold or use an assignment or cancellation of a security interest on a certificate of title to a watercraft or to an outboard motor knowing it to have been altered, forged, counterfeited, or falsified; (4) have possession of, buy, receive, sell or offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of a watercraft or an outboard motor knowing or having reason to believe the watercraft or outboard motor has been stolen. No person may procure or attempt to procure a certificate of title to a watercraft or an outboard motor or pass or attempt to pass a certificate of title or an assignment to a watercraft or an outboard motor knowing or having reason to believe the watercraft or the outboard motor has been stolen; (5) have possession of, buy, receive, sell or offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of in this State a watercraft or an outboard motor on which a manufacturer's hull identification number or part of it or assigned serial number has been destroyed, removed, covered, altered, or defaced, knowing or having reason to believe of the destruction, removal, covering, alteration, or defacement of the manufacturer's hull identification number or part of it or assigned serial number; or (6) destroy, remove, cover, alter, or deface the manufacturer's hull identification number or part of it or assigned serial number on a watercraft or an outboard or inboard motor. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in item (1), substituted "statement of origin for" for "certificate to" and "for" for "to" preceding "an outboard motor".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-710 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 50-9-710
SECTION 50-9-710. Children under sixteen years of age; private ponds; pay-to-fish businesses.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as required by law, children under sixteen years of age are not required to procure or possess a hunting or fishing license or any other permit or license required for hunting or fishing unless that child engages in the taking of wildlife or fish for commercial purposes. (B) A person is not required to possess a recreational freshwater fishing license if fishing in a private pond. However, if the pond is used for commercial purposes, it is not considered a private pond. (C) Resident and nonresident patrons of commercial fishing lakes or pay-to-fish commercial businesses are exempt from the requirement to purchase a recreational freshwater fishing license if the commercial fishing lake or pay-to-fish commercial business has a valid aquaculture permit or registration issued by the department. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment in subsection (A), inserted "Except as required by law,"; in subsection (B), inserted "recreational freshwater"; in subsection (C) substituted "a recreational freshwater fishing" for "an individual annual", and deleted "of Natural Resources" after "department"; and made other nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-146 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-146
SECTION 50-21-146. Discharging firearm at boat landing or ramp prohibited.
Status: in_force

A person who discharges a firearm at a public boat landing or ramp is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as provided in Section 50-1-130.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2240 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 10 / Section 50-11-2240
SECTION 50-11-2240. Wildlife management area lottery hunt.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to any other action that may be taken by an enforcement officer, a hunter's privilege to participate in a wildlife management area lottery hunt may be revoked for the remainder of the hunt if an enforcement officer witnesses, or has probable cause to believe that, the hunter violated any provision of this article, or regulations promulgated pursuant to this article, during the hunt. (B) If the hunter is not convicted of a violation of this article arising from the occurrence precipitating the revocation of his privilege to participate in the lottery hunt, then he, without having to pay any fees associated with participation, may elect to: (1) participate in the next lottery hunt of the type for which his privilege was revoked; or (2) have reinstated his preference points for determining his status for a future lottery hunt of the type for which his privilege was revoked.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-630 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 6 / Section 50-9-630
SECTION 50-9-630. Federal Migratory Hunting and Conservation Stamp required; endorsement; fee.
Status: in_force

(A) For the purposes of this section: (1) "Service" means the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and its' successors. (2) "Stamp" means a Federal Migratory Hunting and Conservation Stamp. (B) For the privilege of hunting migratory waterfowl in this State, a hunter also shall obtain a Federal Migratory Hunting and Conservation Stamp in addition to the required state hunting license and permits. The stamp must be endorsed as required by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (C) The department may enter into an agreement or memorandum of understanding with the service to offer the stamp through the licensing system of the department. At the time of purchase, the department must endorse a purchaser's license with the name of the stamp and the period for which the endorsement is valid; provided, however, that this period of validity may not exceed forty-five days unless authorized by the agreement or memorandum of understanding. (D)(1) The fee for a stamp purchased from the department may not exceed the stamp cost set by the service, plus the fulfillment cost set by the stamp fulfillment contractor, plus one dollar. Of these funds, the issuing sales vendor may retain one dollar. The department may remit stamp revenue and fulfillment costs as provided in the agreement or memorandum of understanding. (2) When a stamp purchase is made and immediately fulfilled in a department office, the fulfillment fee portion may not be charged. (E) The department only may offer the endorsement of the stamp on a state hunting license for the convenience of hunters and to encourage compliance with federal and state law. The provisions of this section may not be interpreted to diminish the original jurisdiction of the United States government over the stamp or the applicability of the stamp for hunting migratory waterfowl in this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-1120 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 11 / Section 50-3-1120
SECTION 50-3-1120. Board; administration of fund.
Status: in_force

The board of the Department of Natural Resources serves ex officio as the Conservation Grant Fund Board with full authority over the administration of the fund.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-970 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-970
SECTION 50-11-970. Certain lands owned by Lake Dogwood Corporation designated waterfowl sanctuary.
Status: in_force

The area in Richland County consisting of the lands and waters owned by the Lake Dogwood Corporation is designated a waterfowl sanctuary. It is unlawful for any person to trap, hunt, or molest in any manner any species of duck or goose, or to molest any duck or goose nest in the refuge. Anyone violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-320 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 7 / Section 50-25-320
SECTION 50-25-320. Boating within one hundred feet above dam unlawful.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for anyone to enter in a boat or any other boating device within the watercourse above the Duke Power Company Wateree Dam in Kershaw County for a distance of one hundred feet. The department shall place appropriate signs or markers on each side of the watercourse indicating the zoned area for boats. Nothing in this section or Section 50-19-1820 shall be construed to prohibit fishing in waters within one hundred feet of the dam from a boat which is further than one hundred feet from the dam. Anyone violating the provisions of this section shall 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. § 50-5-995 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-995
SECTION 50-5-995. Shellfish mariculture operation permits.
Status: in_force

The department may permit persons and entities engaged in shellfish mariculture operations to take, possess, and sell maricultured shellfish at any time during the year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-740 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 50-11-740
SECTION 50-11-740. Confiscation, forfeiture, and sale of property used in hunting of deer, bear, or turkey at night; procedures.
Status: in_force

(A) Every vehicle, boat, trailer, other means of conveyance, animal, firearm, or device used in the hunting of deer, bear, or turkey at night is forfeited to the State and must be seized by any peace officer who shall forthwith deliver it to the department. (B) "Hunting" as used in this section in reference to a vehicle, boat, or other means of conveyance includes the transportation of a hunter to or from the place of hunting or the transportation of the carcass, or any part of the carcass, of a deer, bear, or turkey which has been unlawfully killed at night. (C)(1) For purposes of this section, a conviction for unlawfully hunting deer, bear, or turkey at night is conclusive as against any owner of the above mentioned property. (2) In all other instances, forfeiture must be accomplished by the initiation by the State of an action in the circuit court in the county in which the property was seized giving notice to owners of record and lienholders of record or other persons having claimed an interest in the property subject to forfeiture and an opportunity to appear and show, if they can, why the property should not be forfeited and disposed of as provided for by this section. Failure of any person claiming an interest in the property to appear at the above proceeding after having been given notice of the proceeding constitutes a waiver of his claim and the property must be immediately forfeited to the State. (3) Notice of the above proceedings must be accomplished by: (a) personal service of the owner of record or lienholder of record by certified copy of the petition or notice of hearing; or (b) in the case of property for which there is no owner or lienholder of record, publication of notice in a newspaper of local circulation in the county where the property was seized for at least two successive weeks before the hearing. (D) The department shall sell any confiscated device at public auction for cash to the highest bidder in front of the county courthouse in the county where it is confiscated, after having given ten days' public notice of the sale by posting advertisement thereof on the door or bulletin board of the county courthouse or by publishing the advertisement at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. (E)(1) If an individual is apprehended for a first offense and the device is of greater value than two thousand five hundred dollars, the owner may at any time before sale redeem it by paying to the department the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. When the device is of lesser value than two thousand five hundred dollars, the owner may at any time before sale redeem it by paying to the department the retail market value. (2) If an individual is apprehended for a second offense and the device is of greater value than five thousand dollars, the owner may, at any time before sale, redeem it by paying to the department the sum of five thousand dollars. When the device is of lesser value than five thousand dollars, the owner may, at any time before sale, redeem it by paying to the department the retail market value. (3) If an individual is apprehended for a third or subsequent offense, the device must be forfeited to the State. (F) Upon sale or redemption of a confiscated device, the department shall pay over the net proceeds, after payment of any proper costs and expenses of the seizure, advertisement, and sale, including any proper expense incurred for the storage of the confiscated device, to the State Treasurer for deposit in the County Game and Fish Fund. Code Commissioner's Note 2009 Act No. 79, SECTION 2.B provides as follows: "The name of the 'Game Protection Fund' as contained in Title 50 is hereby changed to the 'Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund'. Wherever the term 'Game Protection Fund' appears in the 1976 Code, it shall mean the 'Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund' and the Code Commissioner is directed to change this reference at a time and in a manner that is timely and cost effective." Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote the first three paragraphs. The 2013 amendment rewrote the section. 2017 Act No. 88, SECTION 3, in (A), (B), and (C)(1), substituted "deer, bear, or turkey" for "deer or bear".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-75 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 50-15-75
SECTION 50-15-75. Omitted by 2014 Act No. 159, SECTION 1, eff April 14, 2014.
Status: in_force

Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-15-75 was titled Removal of certain turtles from state; exceptions; penalties and was derived from 2009 Act No. 6, SECTION 1, eff May 6, 2009. See, now, SECTION 50-15-70.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1080 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1080
SECTION 50-11-1080. No closed season on coyotes.
Status: in_force

There is no closed season for hunting or taking coyotes with weapons. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-370 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 50-5-370
SECTION 50-5-370. Purchase or removal from State for commercial purpose of saltwater fishery products not handled by licensed wholesale seafood dealer; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person not licensed as a wholesale seafood dealer to purchase, handle, barter, or trade or to attempt to purchase, handle, barter, or trade saltwater fishery products taken, landed, produced, or cultured in this State unless first handled by a licensed wholesale seafood dealer. As to the products specified, this section does not apply to: (1) persons receiving live bait from a licensed live bait dealer; or (2) persons or entities receiving cultured product from persons or entities that solely produce fish or fishery products reared as offspring from brood stock in captivity. (B) No person may remove from this State for a commercial purpose any saltwater fish or fishery products landed in this State unless the fish or product is accompanied by original, dated bills of lading, invoices, receipts, bills of sale, or similar documents showing the quantity of each type of saltwater fish or fishery product being transported and the name of the licensed wholesale seafood dealer or retail establishment from whom the products were purchased or received. (C) 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. § 50-3-740 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-740
SECTION 50-3-740. Limitations and restrictions on expenditures from fund.
Status: in_force

The fund constitutes a special trust derived from a contractual relationship between the State and the members of the public whose investments contribute to the fund. In recognition of the special trust, the following limitations and restrictions are placed on expenditures from the fund: (1) Any limitations or restrictions specified by the donors on the uses of the income derived from the gifts, grants, and voluntary contributions are respected but are not binding. (2) No expenditure or disbursement may be made from the principal of the fund except as otherwise provided by law. (3) The income received and accruing from the investments of the fund must be spent only in furthering the conservation of wildlife resources and the efficient operation of the department in accomplishing the purposes of the department as set forth in this title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-50 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 50-15-50
SECTION 50-15-50. Criteria of designating land as certified management area for endangered species; review and revision.
Status: in_force

(A) The department shall promulgate regulations addressing criteria for designating land as certified management area for endangered species or of species in need of management in order to qualify a taxpayer for the income tax credit provided for in Section 12-6-3520. (B) Every five years the department may review the population status of species subject to certified management agreements and shall revise the regulations accordingly. The department may revise criteria at that time as necessary for lands to retain their designation as certified management areas. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 159, SECTION 1, reenacted the section with no apparent change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-430 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-430
SECTION 50-11-430. Bear hunting; unlawful acts; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) The open season for hunting and taking bear in Game Zone 1 is as follows: (a) for still gun hunts, October 11 through October 23 on private land and October 11 through October 16 on wildlife management areas; and (b) for dog hunts, October 17 through October 30 on private land and on wildlife management areas. (2) In all other game zones, the General Assembly finds it in the best interest of the State to allow the taking of black bear under strictly controlled conditions and circumstances. The department may establish a bear management program that allows for hunting and selective removal of bear in order to provide for the sound management of the animals and to ensure the continued viability of the species. The department must promulgate regulations to set the conditions for taking, including methods of take, areas, times, limits, and seasons, and other conditions to properly control the harvest of bear. (B) In Game Zones, 2, 3, and 4 where the department declares an open season, the department shall determine an appropriate quota of bear to be harvested in each game zone, or county within a game zone and shall further promulgate regulations necessary to properly control the harvest of the bear. The department may close an open season at any time, provided that the department gives at least twenty-four hours' notice to the public of the closure. (C) In Game Zones 2, 3, and 4 where the department declares an open season for hunting and taking bears on wildlife management areas, and all other areas under the ownership, control, or lease of the department, the season will be set by the department. The department may close an open season at any time, provided that the department gives at least twenty-four hours' notice to the public of the closure. (D) Any bear taken must be tagged with a valid bear tag and reported by midnight of the day of the harvest to the department as prescribed. The tag must be attached to the bear as prescribed by the department before being moved from the point of kill. (E) It is unlawful to: (1) hunt, take, or attempt to take a bear except during the open season; (2) possess an untagged bear; (3) take more than one bear per person during all seasons. In Game Zone 1 a person who has taken a bear during the season may participate in a dog hunt as long as the hunting license shows the bear tag endorsement, but the person may not take another bear; (4) take or attempt to take a sow bear with cubs; (5) possess or transport a freshly killed bear or bear part except during the open season for hunting and taking bear. This prohibition does not apply to bear lawfully taken in other jurisdictions. The department may issue a special permit for possession or transportation of a freshly killed bear or bear part outside of the season; (6) possess a captive bear except pursuant to a permit issued by the department. A violation of the terms of the permit may result in revocation or a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars, or both. An appeal must be made in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act; (7) pursue bear with dogs; except during the open season for hunting and taking bear with dogs; (8) hunt or take bear by the use or aid of bait; or attempt to hunt or take bear by use or aid of bait; hunt or take bear on or over a baited area. As used in this item: (a) "Bait" means salt or shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, or other foodstuffs that could constitute a lure, attraction, or enticement for bear. (b) "Baiting" or "to bait" means placing, depositing, exposing, distributing, or scattering bait. (c) "Baited area" means an area where bait is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, and the area remains a baited area for ten days following complete removal of all bait. Nothing in this section prohibits the hunting and taking of bear on or over lands or areas that are not otherwise baited and where: (i) there are standing crops on the field where grown, including crops grown for wildlife management purposes; or (ii) shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, or seeds that have been distributed or scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural practice as prescribed by the Clemson University Extension Service or its successor; (9) buy, sell, barter, or exchange or attempt to buy, sell, barter, or exchange a bear or bear part; (10) take or attempt to take a bear from a watercraft or other water conveyance or molest, take, or attempt to take a bear while the bear is swimming in a lake or river; (11) fail to report a bear harvest in the manner provided by law. (F)(1) Each of the acts provided for in subsection (E) is a violation of this section and is a separate offense. (2) A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than sixty days, or both. Hunting and fishing privileges of a person convicted under the provisions of this section must be suspended for three years. In addition, each person convicted of a violation of this section shall pay restitution to the department of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars for each bear or bear part that is the subject of a violation of this section. The magistrates court retains concurrent jurisdiction for offenses contained in this section. Editor's Note 2017 Act No. 71, SECTION 3, provides as follows: "The department shall provide a report of a one-year study by July 1, 2018, to the Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. The report will include, but will not be limited to, the harvest summary of Black Bear in Game Zones 1-4." Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote this section. 2014 Act No. 227, SECTION 6, in subsection (A)(2), substituted "In Game Zones 2, 3, and 4" for "In Game Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6,"; and in subsection (B), substituted "In Game Zones 2, 3, and 4" for "In Game Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6". 2017 Act No. 71, SECTION 2, rewrote the section, deleting language authorizing the department to issue bear tags to allow bear hunting in any Game Zone where bear occur, providing that the department must promulgate regulations relating to methods of take, areas, time, limits, seasons, and other conditions, providing a requirement that any bear taken must be tagged and reported to the department, and providing that the magistrates court retains jurisdiction for offenses. 2021 Act No. 75, SECTION 1, in (B), in the first sentence, substituted "bear to be harvested" for "tags to be issued". 2021 Act No. 75, SECTION 2, in (D), in the first sentence, substituted "Any bear" for "In order to properly implement the provisions of subsections (B) and (C), any bear". 2025 Act No. 46, SECTION 1, rewrote (A)(1); and in (E)(3), substituted "person who has taken a bear during the season may participate in a dog" for "registered party dog hunt may take up to five bear per season per party; a person who has taken a bear during the season may participate in a registered party".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-840 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 9 / Section 50-21-840
SECTION 50-21-840. Certain conduct which endangers person on water skis, surfboard, or similar device prohibited.
Status: in_force

No person shall operate or manipulate any vessel, tow rope or other device by which the direction or location of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device may be affected or controlled in such a way as to cause the water skis, surfboard, or similar device, or any person thereon to collide with or strike against any object or person.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-180 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-180
SECTION 50-1-180. Consent of General Assembly to Congressional rulemaking.
Status: in_force

The consent of the General Assembly is hereby given to the making by the Congress of the United States, or under its authority, of all such rules and regulations as the Federal Government shall determine to be needful in respect to game animals, game birds and nongame birds and fish on such lands in this State as shall have been, or may hereafter be, purchased by the United States under the terms of the act of Congress of March 1, 1911, entitled "An Act to Enable any State to Cooperate with any other State or States, or with the United States for the Protection of the Watersheds of Navigable Streams and to Appoint a Commission for the Acquisition of Lands for the Purpose of Conserving the Navigability of Navigable Rivers" (36 United States Statutes at large, page 961) and acts of Congress supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-16-40 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 16 / Section 50-16-40
SECTION 50-16-40. Exception to permit requirement for wildlife imported for exhibition purposes.
Status: in_force

Wildlife imported for exhibition purposes only by state wildlife departments, municipal zoos or parks, public museums, public zoological parks, and public scientific or educational institutions operated not for profit, and transient circuses are not required to procure a permit under Section 50-16-20. Nothing in this chapter prohibits the department or its duly authorized agents from possessing, importing, or releasing wildlife.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-730 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 50-9-730
SECTION 50-9-730. July fourth and National Memorial Day exempt from freshwater recreational fishing license and permit requirements; exceptions; free hunting days must be established.
Status: in_force

(A) A resident is not required to possess a license or permit for recreational fishing in the freshwaters of this State on the following days: (1) the fourth day of July; and (2) the date observed by the State for National Memorial Day. (B) The department also may designate department-sanctioned fishing events in the freshwaters of the State as exempt from recreational freshwater fishing license requirements. However, the events may not exceed one for each county a year. (C) This section does not apply to individuals fishing for a commercial purpose or when a commercial fishing license is required to use certain nongame fishing devices. (D) The department must designate two days a year as "free hunting days" during which state residents may hunt without procuring the necessary licenses and permits. These days need not be consecutive. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-180 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-180
SECTION 50-21-180. Riding surfboard near fishing piers.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful to ride a surfboard within one hundred yards of any fishing pier in Game Zone No. 7 and Georgetown County. Anyone violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Editor's Note 2000 Act No. 245, SECTION 20 redesignated SECTION 50-13-990 as SECTION 50-21-180.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1090 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1090
SECTION 50-11-1090. Authority of department to permit taking of game animal; requirements.
Status: in_force

The department has the authority during any season of the year to permit the taking of any game animal and prescribe the method by which they may be taken when they cause damage to crops or property or when they pose a significant human health risk. Any animal taken under these conditions is under the supervision of the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-875 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-875
SECTION 50-11-875. Bird sanctuary within City of Charleston.
Status: in_force

The following area in Charleston County within the City of Charleston is declared to be a bird sanctuary: From William Kennerty Drive along Highway 61, approximately 2,800 feet to Ashley Hall Plantation Road, then from Highway 61 along Ashley Hall Plantation Road, approximately 4,600 feet to Captiva Row, then from Ashley Hall Plantation Road along Captiva Row, approximately 1,500 feet to Ashley Hall Road, then from Captiva Row along Ashley Hall Road, approximately 400 feet to Boone Hall Drive, then from Ashley Hall Road along Boone Hall Drive, approximately 3,250 feet to William Kennerty Drive, then from Boone Hall Drive along William Kennerty Drive, approximately 1,050 feet to Highway 61 at the point of beginning. It is unlawful for any person to trap, hunt, molest, or attempt to molest in any manner any bird or wild fowl or to molest any birds' nests or wild fowls' nests within the sanctuary. Any person 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. § 50-15-90 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 50-15-90
SECTION 50-15-90. Article not retroactive; certain importation not prohibited.
Status: in_force

None of the provisions of this article shall be construed to apply retroactively or to prohibit importation into the State of wildlife which may be lawfully imported into the United States or lawfully taken or removed from another state or to prohibit entry into the State or possession, transportation, exportation, processing, sale or offer for sale, or shipment of any wildlife whose species or subspecies is deemed to be threatened with statewide extinction in this State but not in the state where originally taken if the person engaging therein demonstrates by substantial evidence that such wildlife was lawfully taken or removed from such state; provided, that this section shall not be construed to permit the possession, transportation, exportation, processing, sale or offer for sale, or shipment within this State of wildlife on the United States' List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife, as amended and accepted in accordance with Section 50-15-30(D), except as permitted in the proviso to Section 50-15-30(C) and Section 50-15-40(D). Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 159, SECTION 1, substituted "article" for "chapter", twice added a comma after "sale or offer for sale"; and substituted "Section 50-15-30(D), except as permitted in the proviso to Section 50-15-30(C) and Section 50-15-40(D)" for "SECTION 50-15-40(d), except as permitted in the proviso to SECTION 50-15-40(c) and SECTION 50-15-50(d)".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2510 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 50-5-2510
SECTION 50-5-2510. Suspension of saltwater privileges for accumulation of points.
Status: in_force

(A) The department must suspend for one year the related saltwater privileges and associated licenses and permits issued to a person or entity that has accumulated eighteen or more points under any point category. Privileges related to each point category are as follows: (1) commercial: commercial saltwater fishing license, equipment license, and bait dealer license, and (2) recreational: recreational saltwater fishing license, pier license, charter fishing vessel license, shrimp baiting license, and any other saltwater licenses utilized for recreational purposes. (B) Any suspension under this article begins the twenty-first day after the department mails written notice of the suspension and ends the same day the following year. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 64, SECTION 2.A, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-220 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-220
SECTION 50-18-220. Out-of-state aquaculturists and common carriers; permits, licenses, and proper documentation.
Status: in_force

(A) Out-of-state aquaculturists who buy or sell in the State must acquire the permit and licenses required under this chapter unless selling to or buying from a permitted aquaculturist. (B) Common carriers who carry aquaculture products in transit through the State are not subject to this chapter so long as the shipment does not originate or terminate in this State. (C) Common carriers who deliver or receive for transport products in this State are required to have the documentation required by this chapter. (D) Persons buying, receiving, or selling out-of-state aquaculture products must comply with the registration, permitting, licensing, and documentation requirements provided for in this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 50-9-10
SECTION 50-9-10. Unlicensed activities; violations; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to hunt, fish, or take fish or wildlife without obtaining a license and applicable permits, tags, or stamps which allow these activities. A person convicted of violating this section 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.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-80 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-80
SECTION 50-5-80. Dividing line between salt and fresh water on rivers.
Status: in_force

The dividing line between salt water and freshwater on the rivers listed is defined in this section, and all waters of the rivers and their tributaries, streams, and estuaries lying seaward of the dividing lines are considered salt waters, and all waters lying landward or upstream from all dividing lines are considered freshwaters for purposes of licensing and regulating commercial and recreational fishing. Except as otherwise provided below, the saltwater/freshwater dividing line is U.S. Highway 17: (1) On Savannah River the dividing line is the abandoned Seaboard Railroad track bed located approximately one and three-fourths miles upstream from the U.S. Highway 17A bridge. (2) Wright River is salt water for its entire length. (3) On Ashepoo River the dividing line is the old Seaboard Railroad track bed. (4) On New River the dividing line is at Cook's Landing. (5) Wallace River, Rantowles Creek, Long Branch Creek, and Shem Creek are salt water for their entire lengths. (6) On Edisto River the dividing line is the abandoned Seaboard Railroad track bed near Matthews Canal Cut. (7) On Ashley River the dividing line is the confluence of Popper Dam Creek directly across from Magnolia Gardens. (8) On Cooper River the dividing line is the seaward shoreline of Old Back River at the confluence of Old Back River downstream from Bushy Park Reservoir. (9) Wando River is salt water for its entire length. (10) On the Intracoastal Waterway in Horry County the dividing line is the bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway at the intersection of S.C. Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 17.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-715 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 50-9-715
SECTION 50-9-715. Exemptions from recreational saltwater fishing license requirements.
Status: in_force

The following are exempt from purchasing the recreational saltwater fishing license a: (1) fisherman fishing from a licensed charter fishing vessel or from a licensed public fishing pier; (2) drop net fisherman using no more than three drop nets; (3) fold up fisherman using no more than three fold up traps; (4) hand line fisherman using no more than three hand lines with a single bait each and no hooks; and (5) fisherman taking shrimp with bait.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2515 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 50-5-2515
SECTION 50-5-2515. Notice of suspension; request for review.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon determination by the department that a person or entity has accumulated sufficient points to warrant the suspension of any saltwater privilege, the department must notify the person or entity in writing that the person's or entity's saltwater privilege has been suspended, and the person or entity must return all the suspended licenses or permits in the person's or entity's name to the department no later than ten days following the effective date of the suspension. (B) The notice of the suspension must be given by the department by depositing the notice in the United States mail with postage prepaid addressed to the person or entity at the address contained in the records of the department. The giving of notice by mail is complete twenty days after the deposit of the notice. A certificate by the director of the department, or his designee, that the notice has been sent as required in this section is presumptive proof that the requirements as to notice of suspension have been met even if the notice has not been received by the addressee. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 64, SECTION 2.B, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-400 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 50-3-400
SECTION 50-3-400. Enforcement officers granted powers and authorities of constables and authority of inspectors.
Status: in_force

The enforcement officer qualified under Sections 50-3-320 and 50-3-330 shall possess and exercise all of the power and authorities held and exercised by the constable at common law and under the statutes of this State. He shall also have the authority of inspector as provided for in Chapter 5 of this title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-20-10 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 20 / Section 50-20-10
SECTION 50-20-10. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the "Interstate Boating Violator Compact".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2630 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 50-11-2630
SECTION 50-11-2630. Sales of live foxes or coyotes by trappers; records of sales.
Status: in_force

(A) A commercial fur license permits a trapper to possess, sell, barter, or exchange live foxes or coyotes taken by the trapper. The possession, sale, barter, or exchange is lawful only during the trapping season and for thirty days following the closing date of the trapping season. (B) Live foxes or coyotes may be sold or transferred only to an owner or enclosure operator of a permitted enclosure by the trapper who took the animal. (C) A trapper shall maintain accurate records on a daily basis of all sales, purchases, transfers, or exchanges on the furbearer harvest record forms provided by the department. These forms must be retained and made available for reasonable inquiry by department employees. A trapper shall furnish the department all of the daily forms and the fur harvest report for the previous year no later than April fifteenth. It is unlawful for a person to fail to report to the department as required by this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-525 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-525
SECTION 50-11-525. Authority to promulgate regulations.
Status: in_force

The department may promulgate regulations for wildlife management areas, heritage trust lands, and other properties owned or leased by the department to establish seasons, dates, areas, bag limits, and other restrictions for hunting and taking of wild turkey.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-905 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-905
SECTION 50-5-905. Permit applications; fee.
Status: in_force

(A) A person or entity desiring to acquire a Shellfish Culture Permit or a Shellfish Mariculture Permit for any bottoms or waters must make written application to the department on a form provided by the department. A nonrefundable sum of twenty-five dollars must accompany the application for each permit. If the proposed area is available for shellfish culture or mariculture, the department shall determine: (1) the acreage of waters or shellfish bottoms; and (2) the acreage capable of producing shellfish. (B) No other Shellfish Culture Permit may be granted for the bottoms delineated within an existing Shellfish Culture Permit area. However, within the perimeter boundary of an existing Shellfish Culture Permit, the department may grant permits for mariculture for waters or bottoms not then under culture permit.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-760 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 50-11-760
SECTION 50-11-760. Hunting from certain public roads and railroad rights-of-way prohibited; definitions; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to hunt from a public road or railroad right-of-way if the person does not have permission to hunt the land immediately adjacent to the public road or railroad right-of-way. (B)(1) For purposes of this section, "hunting" includes: (a) taking deer by occupying stands for that purpose; or (b) possessing, carrying, or having readily accessible: (i) a loaded centerfire rifle; or (ii) a shotgun loaded with shot size larger than number four. (2) For purposes of this section, "loaded" means a weapon within which any ammunition is contained. (3) For purposes of this section, the terms "possessing", "carrying", and "having readily accessible" do not include a centerfire rifle or shotgun which is contained in a: (a) closed compartment; (b) closed vehicle trunk; or a (c) vehicle traveling on a public road. (C) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (D) In addition to any other penalties, the department must suspend the hunting privileges of a person convicted of violating this section for one year from the date of the conviction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-26-20 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 26 / Section 50-26-20
SECTION 50-26-20. All-terrain vehicle (ATV) defined.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, "all-terrain vehicle" or "ATV" means a motorized vehicle designed primarily for off-road travel on low-pressure tires which has three or more wheels and handle bars for steering, but does not include lawn tractors, battery-powered children's toys, or a vehicle that is required to be licensed or titled for highway use. The term "ATV" includes Type I-single passenger all-terrain vehicles and Type II-tandem passenger all-terrain vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-250 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 5 / Section 50-19-250
SECTION 50-19-250. Night fishing prohibited.
Status: in_force

Fishing at night in that portion of Four Hole Swamp known as Bridge Lake, in Dorchester County, is prohibited except during the shad season.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1410 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 50-13-1410
SECTION 50-13-1410. Pollution of waters injuring fish and shellfish unlawful; enforcement.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, run, drain or deposit any dyestuffs, coal tar, oil, sawdust, poison or other deleterious substance in any of the waters, either fresh or salt, which are frequented by game fish within the territorial jurisdiction of this State in quantities sufficient to injure, stupefy or kill any fish or shellfish or be destructive to their spawn which may inhabit such waters, and the master or captain in charge of any boat, ship or vessel shall be responsible for the discharge of any of such substances from his vessel. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not less than three months nor more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned in the discretion of the court. The department shall diligently enforce this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-425 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-425
SECTION 50-23-425. Denial of renewal of registration; proof of payment of property taxes on watercraft.
Status: in_force

A registration of watercraft may not be renewed pursuant to this chapter if the department has notice that property taxes are owed on the watercraft. If renewal of registration has been denied pursuant to this section, a tax receipt from the person officially charged with the collection of ad valorem taxes in the county of residence must be accepted as proof that the taxes have been paid. 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 as SECTION 50-21-425.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-2215 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 35 / Section 50-19-2215
SECTION 50-19-2215. Authority for reciprocal agreement with Georgia as to recognition of resident fishing licenses applicable between highway bridge and Hartwell Reservoir Dam.
Status: repealed

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 its tributaries, in that area between the highway bridge between Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, and Elberton, Georgia, and the Hartwell Reservoir Dam, including all waters impounded by the Richard B. Russell Dam. SECTIONS 50-19-2220, 50-19-2230. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 286, SECTION 11, eff June 11, 2008. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-19-2220 was entitled "Fishing regulations for certain waters of the Savannah River" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1255; 1952 (47) 1926; 1953 (48) 365; 1954 (48) 1560; 1959 (51) 359; 1961 (52) 152; 1975 (59) 621; 1981 Act No. 170, SECTION 6; 1982 Act No. 439, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-2230 was entitled "Amendments and additions to fishing regulations" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1256; 1954 (48) 1560; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-190 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 1 / Section 50-23-190
SECTION 50-23-190. Unlawful acts; possession, operation, or transfer without certificate; failure to surrender certificate; improper disposal of rejected or defective hull or motor.
Status: in_force

No person may: (1) be in possession of or operate on the waters of this State a watercraft or an outboard motor for which a certificate of title is required unless a certificate of title has been issued to the owner; (2) be in possession of or operate on the waters of this State a watercraft or an outboard motor for which a certificate of title is required upon which the certificate of title has been canceled; (3) be in possession of or operate on the waters of this State a sailboat or outboard motor required to be titled without properly displaying the title decal; (4) sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a watercraft or an outboard motor without delivering to the purchaser or transferee a certificate of title or a manufacturer's or importer's statement of origin assigned to the purchaser or transferee as required by this chapter; (5) fail to surrender to the department a certificate of title upon cancellation of the title by the department for a valid reason set forth in this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant to it; or (6) dispose of a rejected or defective watercraft hull or outboard motor in the manufacturing process except by upgrading the hull to meet United States Coast Guard requirements or destroying the hull or outboard motor. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment added item (3) relating to sailboats and outboard motors required to be titled; redesignated items (3) to (5) as items (4) to (6); and, in item (4), substituted "statement of origin" for "certificate".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-2016 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 13 / Section 50-13-2016
SECTION 50-13-2016. Prohibition of herring fishing at St. Stephens Powerhouse.
Status: in_force

Herring fishing is prohibited within one hundred feet of the fish lift exit channel at St. Stephens Powerhouse.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1140 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 6 / Section 50-11-1140
SECTION 50-11-1140. United States Fish and Wildlife Service may allow hunting of deer on sea island within federally owned or controlled reserve.
Status: in_force

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service may allow the hunting of antlered and antlerless deer by those holding proper hunting licenses of this State on any sea island within any federally owned or controlled game reserve, national park, or game refuge during the open season for deer hunting under the laws of this State, whenever the officials of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service determine that the deer population of the island exceeds that which can properly maintain itself on any island. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall notify the department, in writing, at least ten days prior to allowing such hunting, of the opening and shall also advertise it at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the coastal area of the State at least one week before any hunting is permitted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-750 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 50-9-750
SECTION 50-9-750. Special authorization for hunting and fishing.
Status: in_force

(A) The Director of the Department of Natural Resources may issue special authorization for hunting and fishing to any person not more than twenty-one years of age who has been diagnosed with a terminal or life threatening illness or injury. All licenses, tags, and fees specified in this chapter are waived for a person issued special authorization pursuant to this section. The director may impose any terms and conditions he deems necessary to implement the special authorization. This may include allowing members of family, chaperones and others to assist with the hunt. (B) The director may prepare an application to be used by persons requesting special authorization and may require signed documentation from a licensed physician. (C) The person seeking special authorization must be sponsored by a nonprofit charitable organization that has within its mission to provide opportunities and experiences to persons with life threatening illnesses or injuries. (D) The special authorization is valid for a time period designated by the director.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 50-5-2310
SECTION 50-5-2310. Display of dolphins and whales prohibited; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person, which includes a corporation, to display a wild caught or captive-bred mammal of the order Cetacean (dolphins and whales). (B) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months. Effect of Amendment The 2011 amendment rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-590 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 11 / Section 50-19-590
SECTION 50-19-590. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as follows: (1) For a first offense by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment of not less than ten days or more than thirty days; (2) For a second offense by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment of not less than fifteen days or more than thirty days; and (3) For a third offense by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment of not less than thirty days, in the discretion of the court having jurisdiction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-15-360 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 50-15-360
SECTION 50-15-360. Retention of records by retailers.
Status: in_force

Any retailer, including retail food businesses, possessing, buying, or selling alligator parts must maintain an invoice or bill of sale for each purchase or sale for a period of six months. These records must be made available for inspection at any and all reasonable hours by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-40 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 50-13-40
SECTION 50-13-40. Consent to inspection of creels.
Status: in_force

Fishing in the freshwaters constitutes consent to inspection of creels at any time by a law enforcement officer. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1010 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 10 / Section 50-25-1010
SECTION 50-25-1010. Motorboats on Tugalo Lake; maximum horsepower.
Status: in_force

Except for law enforcement and dam operation and maintenance watercraft, no motor in excess of twenty-five horsepower shall be used on any watercraft operated on Tugalo Lake. A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 161, SECTION 1, substituted "twenty-five horsepower" for "twenty horsepower".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-360 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-360
SECTION 50-23-360. Display of number.
Status: in_force

The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the forward half of the vessel the identification number in such a manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the department; in order that it may be clearly visible the number shall be maintained in legible condition. No number other than the number validly assigned to a vessel shall be painted, attached or otherwise displayed on each side of the forward half of such vessel. Only one valid number may be displayed at any time. 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 SECTION 5-21-360.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 50-23-310
SECTION 50-23-310. Numbering of vessels.
Status: in_force

Every vessel using the waters of this State shall be numbered except those exempt by Section 50-23-320. No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any such vessel on such waters unless the vessel is numbered in accordance with this chapter or in accordance with applicable Federal law or in accordance with a Federally-approved numbering system of another state and unless (1) The certificate of number issued to such a vessel is on board and in full force and effect. (2) The identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel. (3) The decals issued by the department are attached to each side of the bow of the boat within six inches following the identifying number. Such decals, when a certificate of number is issued or renewed, shall be deemed a part of the registration number. 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 50-21-310.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-18-215 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 18 / Article 2 / Section 50-18-215
SECTION 50-18-215. Authority of the Department of Natural Resources; permits and licenses; exclusion of saltwater species.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Natural Resources has regulatory authority for permitting and licensing pertaining to aquaculture and aquaculture businesses, as provided in this chapter. The Department of Natural Resources has authority for enforcement as it affects the public waters of the State. (B) This chapter does not apply to any saltwater species. (C) Applicants for permits or licensure under this chapter may be required to obtain additional federal or state permits required pursuant to Chapter 39, Title 48 of the 1976 Code and Regulation 61-9.122.25.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-1060 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 10 / Section 50-3-1060
SECTION 50-3-1060. State appropriations or department receipts placed in fund.
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 50-3-1040(3).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-25 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 1 / Section 50-13-25
SECTION 50-13-25. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 113, SECTION 1, eff July 1, 2012.
Status: in_force

Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-13-25 was entitled "Catch and size limits for bass and other fish in Slade Lake; fishing season; equipment and other restrictions; penalties" and was derived from 2000 Act No. 244, SECTION 1; 2004 Act No. 178, SECTION 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-90 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 50-5-90
SECTION 50-5-90. Authority to enter and inspect buildings or stop and search fishing vessels; penalty for refusal to comply with order.
Status: in_force

(A) It is lawful for enforcement officers to enter and inspect any and all premises, houses, sheds, or warehouses used in commercial fishing or any fishing industry; and to stop and search any boat or vessel used in fishing and in the fishing industry; and to stop and search any vehicle used in the commercial fishing industry; and to arrest, without warrant, all persons violating the natural resources or boating laws or regulations punishable by a criminal penalty. (B) Failure or refusal to comply with any lawful order or direction or to obstruct or evade or interfere with any officer enforcing the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and a person convicted thereof must be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than twenty-five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-30 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-30
SECTION 50-21-30. Watercraft laws and ordinances; special rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

(A) For the purposes of this section, "floating structure" means a man-made object other than a watercraft that is capable of flotation and that is not authorized by a permit issued by an agency of this State. (B) The provisions of Title 50 and other applicable laws of this State shall govern the operation, equipment, titling, numbering, and all other matters relating thereto for watercraft and water devices using or held for use on the waters of this State. A local government may not adopt an ordinance regulating watercraft or water devices used or held for use on the waters of this State unless the ordinance is: (1) identical to a provision of this chapter; (2) identical to a regulation promulgated under the authority of a provision of this chapter; or (3) authorized pursuant to the provisions of this section. (C)(1) A local government may adopt an ordinance requiring a permit for a watercraft or floating structure to remain moored, anchored, or otherwise located in any one five-mile radius on public waters within its local jurisdiction for more than fourteen consecutive days. The cost of a permit required by a local government may not exceed fifteen dollars. An ordinance adopted pursuant to this subsection must not apply to watercraft: (a) moored to a dock or marina berth with permission from the dock or berth owner; (b) moored to a mooring buoy that is permitted by the Department of Health and Environmental Control with permission from the buoy owner; or (c) moored to a mooring buoy with permission from the buoy owner, provided that the buoy is in the location as it existed on public waters on June 30, 2021. (2) Notwithstanding Section 5-7-140(B), the corporate limits of any municipality bordering on the high-water mark of a navigable body of water, other than the Atlantic Ocean, are extended to the center of the channel of the navigable body of water for the sole purpose of enforcing an ordinance adopted pursuant to this subsection. (D) An officer of the department who reasonably believes that watercraft within a local government's jurisdiction is in violation of an ordinance adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section must provide the location of the watercraft to the local government. (E) The department is hereby authorized to make special rules and regulations with reference to the operation of watercraft on the waters of this State. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, in subsection (1), substituted "Title 50" for "this chapter", added "titling", substituted "for watercraft and water devices using or held for use on" for "whenever any vessel shall be operated on" and "watercraft;" for "vessels the provisions of which are identical to the provisions of this chapter, amendments thereto, or regulations issued thereunder;" and made nonsubstantive language changes. 2021 Act No. 77, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-40 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 50-9-40
SECTION 50-9-40. License procedures and fees.
Status: in_force

(A) The department shall prescribe the form of the license and method by which licenses, permits, and tags must be distributed and sold. (B) The department shall establish procedures and agreements for allowing license sales vendors to sell and distribute certain department licenses and permits. (C) License and permit fees collected by a license sales vendor, except for any sales vendor's retained fee, must be remitted to the department in the time and manner prescribed by the department. (D) The department may offer to fulfill any privilege for applicants on a card made of durable materials such as plastic or a similar product. The fee is six dollars of which the issuing vendor may retain one dollar. Effect of Amendment The 2009 amendment substituted ", unless otherwise specified, apply to recreational freshwater fishing" for "apply to freshwaters of the State only". The 2010 amendment rewrote the section. 2021 Act No. 12, SECTION 1, added (D).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-28 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 50-11-28
SECTION 50-11-28. Unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl on Lake Greenwood; penalties.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl on Lake Greenwood within two hundred yards of a dwelling without written permission of the owner and occupant. As used in this section, Lake Greenwood includes the area from the Buzzard's Roost Dam upstream to the Smith Road Bridge pilings on the Saluda River, upstream to the Old Burnt Bridge on the Reedy River, and upstream to the SC Highway 72 bridge on Cane Creek. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1210 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 7 / Section 50-11-1210
SECTION 50-11-1210. Annual fees.
Status: in_force

The annual fee for obtaining a shooting preserve license is two hundred dollars for the first one hundred acres of shooting preserve area, plus fifty dollars for each additional one hundred acres or part of it. A separate application and fee is required for each area of contiguous acreage as specified in Section 50-11-1220.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-580 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-580
SECTION 50-5-580. Gigging for fish in saltwaters of Georgetown County.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful in Georgetown County for a person to gig for fish in saltwaters from the northern tip of North Island to the northern tip of Magnolia Beach during the daylight hours. Any person violating the provisions of this section, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-20 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-20
SECTION 50-21-20. Legislative declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

It is the policy of this State to promote safety for persons and property in and connected with the use, operation, and equipment of vessels and to promote uniformity of laws relating thereto.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-710 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 13 / Section 50-19-710
SECTION 50-19-710. Temporary use of nongame fishing devices on the Little Pee Dee River.
Status: in_force

Beginning on July 1, 2012, and for three years thereafter on the Little Pee Dee River, the following nongame devices are permitted: (1) Hoop nets: (i) recreational license—one; (ii) commercial license—twenty-five; (2) Traps: (i) recreational license—two; (ii) commercial license—twenty-five. To fish these devices only in the Little Pee Dee River the department will issue special tags valid for three years at no cost. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment rewrote the section. SECTIONS 50-19-720 to 50-19-780. Omitted by 2012 Act No. 114, SECTION 7, eff July 1, 2012. Editor's Note Former SECTION 50-19-720 was entitled "Terms of commissioners; organization; election of officers; vacancies" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1062; 1952 Code SECTION 28-1062; 1946 (44) 1353; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-730 was entitled "Meetings of Commission" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1063; 1952 Code SECTION 28-1063; 1946 (44) 1353; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-740 was entitled "Compensation of commissioners" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1064; 1952 Code SECTION 28-1064; 1951 (47) 506; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-750 was entitled "Salaries of conservation officers" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1066; 1952 Code SECTION 28-1066; 1946 (44) 1353; 1952 (47) 2890; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-760 was entitled "Reports on conservation officers; recommendation of suspension or discharge" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1067; 1952 Code SECTION 28-1067; 1946 (44) 1353; 1952 (47) 2890; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-770 was entitled "Fish and game seasons" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1068; 1952 Code SECTION 28-1068; 1946 (44) 1353; 1952 (47) 2890; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267. Former SECTION 50-19-780 was entitled "Unlawful to bathe, fish, or trespass near ocean fishing piers" and was derived from 1962 Code SECTION 28-1069; 1956 (49) 1815; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1267.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-87 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-87
SECTION 50-21-87. Operation of vessel prohibited within fifty feet of vessel displaying diver down flag; diving prohibited within fifty feet of vessel whose occupant is fishing.
Status: in_force

(A) A person may not operate a vessel within fifty feet of another vessel when a diver is displaying a diver down flag (red with a diagonal white stripe) to mark the location of the diver. When the flag is being displayed in a water body too narrow to allow passage of another vessel other than within fifty feet, a vessel operator may proceed only past the displayed flag at a no-wake speed and allowing as much clearance between his vessel and the displayed flag as is safe and practical. (B) A person may not engage in diving activities within fifty feet of a vessel whose occupant is fishing. (C) A person does not violate this section if he fishes or displays a dive flag in an area before another person subsequently engages in diving activities or operates a vessel within fifty feet of a displayed dive flag.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2300 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 50-5-2300
SECTION 50-5-2300. Taking and possessing diamond-backed terrapins; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to take or possess diamond-backed terrapin for a commercial purpose. A person may possess no more than two diamond-backed terrapin for a noncommercial purpose. Nothing in this section prohibits the incidental catch of terrapin by persons engaged in a lawful fishery when the terrapin are returned immediately to the water. (B) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Each terrapin taken or possessed in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-25-1370 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 25 / Article 13 / Section 50-25-1370
SECTION 50-25-1370. Penalty for violation.
Status: in_force

A person violating a provision of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be punished as provided in Section 50-1-130. Effect of Amendment 2014 Act No. 139, SECTION 1, reenacted the section with no apparent change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-1765 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 8 / Section 50-11-1765
SECTION 50-11-1765. Possession, importation, or sale of live wolves.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to sell live wolves or to ship or import live wolves into this State, except as provided in regulations promulgated by the department. It is unlawful to possess a live wolf without a permit issued by the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-150 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 50-21-150
SECTION 50-21-150. Penalties.
Status: in_force

A person who violates this chapter or regulations promulgated by the department pursuant to it where the penalty is not specified is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for each violation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2605 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 50-11-2605
SECTION 50-11-2605. Coyote and fox purchase and release.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to buy, sell, transfer, possess, or release a live coyote, coyote-hybrid, or fox within the State except as permitted by the department pursuant to this title.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-4-30 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 4 / Section 50-4-30
SECTION 50-4-30. Native vegetation habitat and pollinator management plan.
Status: in_force

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, working in conjunction with other state agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations, shall establish a native vegetation habitat and pollinator management plan to be used as technical guidance for the purposes of this act. An owner of a solar energy generation site implementing solar site management practices under this section may claim that the site increases the habitat value by providing benefits to gamebirds, songbirds, pollinators, and small mammals only if the site adheres to guidance set forth by the wildlife habitat and pollinator plan provided by the department or any other gamebird, songbird, or pollinator foraging-friendly vegetation standard established by the department. An owner wishing to make a beneficial habitat claim must make the site's vegetation management plan available to the public and provide a copy of the plan to the department for review. The department or another entity may issue a certificate of compliance to the owner of a solar site meeting the plan guidelines that the owner may use to promote its participation in the program.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-685 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 6 / Section 50-13-685
SECTION 50-13-685. Penalties for violation of article; suspension of license, tags, or permits.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided, a person violating this article 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, or both. In addition to that penalty, the court may order the department to suspend the fishing license and any tags or permits for up to one year. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment renumbered and rewrote this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-780 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 4 / Section 50-11-780
SECTION 50-11-780. Dogs engaged in hunting not required to be constrained by leash.
Status: in_force

No dog is required to be constrained by a leash while it is actually engaged in hunting game and under supervision. As used in this section "supervision" means that the owner of the dog or his designee is either in the vicinity of the dog or in the process of trying to retrieve the dog.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-990 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-990
SECTION 50-11-990. Penalties for hunting or trespassing upon land designated sanctuary.
Status: in_force

Anyone hunting or trespassing upon any land designated as a sanctuary under the provisions of this article must be fined for each offense not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-9-1170 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 9 / Article 11 / Section 50-9-1170
SECTION 50-9-1170. Expiration of suspension period.
Status: in_force

After the expiration of the period of suspension, the person's record shall be cleared of points and the person starts anew with no points.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-440 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-440
SECTION 50-11-440. Black bears; feeding or enticing with food; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to feed or entice with food any black bear (Ursus americanus) except as follows: (1) those persons feeding bears maintained in protective captivity under a permit issued by the department for education, scientific, commercial, or recreational purposes; (2) department personnel; (3) persons licensed or otherwise authorized by the department; or (4) county or municipal animal personnel when relocating bears by baiting or enticement. (B) Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2565 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 12 / Section 50-11-2565
SECTION 50-11-2565. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person violating the provisions of this article unless otherwise specified in Section 50-11-2560 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 for each violation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-565 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 50-5-565
SECTION 50-5-565. Time restrictions for placement of commercial traps.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to set, move, fish, retrieve, or remove catch from traps during the following times: (1) from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following day, local time, from April 1 through September 15; and (2) from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m the following day, local time, from September 16 through March 31. This prohibition does not apply to recreational fishermen using properly marked personal traps.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-950 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 50-3-950
SECTION 50-3-950. Procedure for making expenditures.
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. § 50-1-125 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-125
SECTION 50-1-125. Wildlife defined; penalties for trafficking in wildlife.
Status: in_force

Wildlife, as used in this section, means a wild animal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other wild animal, or product, egg, offspring, or the dead body parts of the wildlife. A person illegally buying, selling, trading, trafficking, or bartering any wildlife, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (1) For the first offense, if the money or other consideration exchanged for the wildlife is of a value of two hundred dollars or less, the penalty must be a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or imprisonment for no more than thirty days. (2) For the first offense, if the money or other consideration exchanged for the wildlife is of a value of more than two hundred dollars, the penalty must be a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than one year, or both. In addition, the person convicted shall lose his hunting and fishing privileges for one year from the date of conviction. (3) For a second offense, within three years of the first offense, the fine must be not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than one year. In addition to this penalty, the person shall lose his hunting and fishing privileges for three years. (4) For a third or subsequent offense, within three years of the last previous conviction, the fine must be five thousand dollars, no part of which may be suspended, or imprisonment for one year, or both. In addition to this penalty, the person shall lose his hunting and fishing privileges for three years from the date of conviction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-2600 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 50-11-2600
SECTION 50-11-2600. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this article: (1) "Fox and coyote hunting enclosure" and "enclosure" mean a structure that restricts the free movement of foxes and coyotes into or out of an area. (2) "Enclosure operator" means the owner, manager, or operator of an enclosure. Only one operator is allowed for each enclosure in addition to the owner. (3) "Owner" means the person that owns the property enclosed, or one that leases the property with an agreement with the enclosed lands owner to retain possession of the improvements to the property.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-70 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-70
SECTION 50-1-70. Application of game laws to zones.
Status: in_force

All laws of this State in force on April 24, 1952, affecting game shall, until changed, apply to all of the zones of the State, and all laws of the State thereafter enacted shall apply to the entire State except where otherwise specified.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1300 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 13 / Section 50-5-1300
SECTION 50-5-1300. Taking of sponge crabs prohibited; import permits; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to take, possess, sell, or offer for sale, any sponge crab or female crab from which the sponge has been removed. It is not unlawful to temporarily take sponge crabs incidental to lawful crabbing operations so long as the sponge crabs are returned immediately to the water without further harm. (B) The department may grant permits to licensed wholesale seafood dealers to import and possess sponge crabs from states where taking and selling are lawful. (C) The prohibitions of subsection (A) do not apply to the importation or sale of sponge crabs by a licensed wholesale seafood dealer who holds a permit granted under this section. 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. § 50-11-2640 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 13 / Section 50-11-2640
SECTION 50-11-2640. Importing foxes and coyotes.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to bring, import, or cause to have imported a live coyote or fox into this State, except those brought into the State and kept in captivity by permit from the department for exhibition purposes. It is unlawful to release a coyote in this State except as authorized by this title. (B) A person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year. A conviction for a second offense occurring within five years of a first offense conviction is punishable by a fine of five thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years. For a second offense conviction within five years of the date of a first conviction, the enclosure and associated property is ineligible permanently for an enclosure permit. (C) A commercial fur license held by a person convicted of a second offense within five years of a first conviction must be suspended for five years. (D) Each animal taken or possessed in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. Effect of Amendment The 2012 amendment added subsection (D).
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-550 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 11 / Section 50-19-550
SECTION 50-19-550. "No trespass" signs posted.
Status: in_force

The Greenwood County Electric Power Commission shall establish and maintain proper and suitable "no trespass" signs so that members of the public shall be sufficiently warned and notified as to the lines established.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-730 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 50-5-730
SECTION 50-5-730. Trawling near public fishing pier; penalty.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to trawl within one-half nautical mile of any public fishing pier in the salt waters. 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 five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-544 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 50-11-544
SECTION 50-11-544. Wild turkey tags.
Status: in_force

A person who hunts wild turkeys is required to possess a wild turkey tag issued by the department. All turkeys taken must be tagged before being moved from the point of kill. All tags must be validated as prescribed by the department before a turkey is moved from the point of kill. No resident may obtain or possess more than three wild turkey tags, and no nonresident may obtain or possess more than two wild turkey tags. Effect of Amendment 2015 Act No. 41, SECTION 5, added the third sentence, relating to validation of tags. 2019 Act No. 51, SECTION 1, in the first sentence, substituted "a wild turkey tag issued by the department" for "a set of wild turkey transportation tags issued by the department at no cost", and in the fourth sentence, substituted "No resident" for "No person" and "three wild turkey tags, and no nonresident may obtain or possess more than two wild turkey tags" for "one set of turkey tags".
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-945 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-945
SECTION 50-5-945. Permit to take shellfish for replanting or use in mariculture; conditions.
Status: in_force

(A) Shellfish Culture permittees must acquire a permit to take shellfish for replanting from state bottoms designated by the department for that purpose. The permittee must make application to the department ten days before removing shellfish. (B) Shellfish Mariculture permittees must acquire a permit from the department to take wild shellfish seed for use in mariculture. (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. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 30, SECTION 3, inserted the paragraph designators; in (A), in the first sentence, substituted "must" for "may"; and added (B) and (C), relating to shellfish mariculture permits and permit conditions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-920 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 50-5-920
SECTION 50-5-920. Mitigation of adverse impacts on shellfish bottoms and waters.
Status: in_force

(A) If this State authorizes any activity or use which requires closure of shellfish bottoms or waters, the portion of permitted bottoms or waters which falls within the closed area may be removed from the permit acreage, and the permit acreage agreement and annual fee adjusted on the annual renewal date. (B) If any activity or use is permitted: (1) over the objections of the department; or (2) for a project of overriding public need; and if the activity or use causes shellfish bottoms or waters to be unsuitable for the purposes of shellfish propagation or diminishes the productivity of any shellfish bottoms or waters, the agency which allowed the activity, upon recommendation by the department, must require mitigation for the loss of the resource. Mitigation must not be considered as a factor to justify adverse impacts, and this section must not be interpreted as authorizing any adverse impact on shellfish bottoms or waters. (C) If an unauthorized action results in an adverse impact on shellfish bottoms or waters, the responsible party may be required by the department to mitigate for the loss of the resource and to compensate the department's shellfish permittee. (D) Where shellfish grounds have been adversely impacted or closed by previous state authorization and there is additional adverse impact authorized by a state agency, the proponent (permittee) of the additional activity or use must mitigate the additional adverse impact. All such mitigation must benefit the resource. (E) Mitigation of adverse impacts on shellfish bottoms and waters must be determined by the department. The determination constitutes a final agency decision for the purposes of the Administrative Procedures Act.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-1940 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 19 / Section 50-5-1940
SECTION 50-5-1940. Creation and design of stamps, licenses, prints, and related articles.
Status: in_force

The department may create and design the stamp and license and develop saltwater recreational fisheries prints and related articles. The department is responsible for the administration, sale, and distribution of the stamps, licenses, prints, and related articles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-11-853 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 50-11-853
SECTION 50-11-853. Unlawful to catch, kill, capture, or detain homing, racing or carrier pigeon; penalties.
Status: in_force

No person, except the owner, shall catch, kill, capture, or detain a homing, racing, or carrier pigeon which at the time of its capture or detention has the name or initials of its owner, its number, or another mark designating it as a homing, racing, or carrier pigeon. A person 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. § 50-3-770 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 7 / Section 50-3-770
SECTION 50-3-770. Fund as supplement to state appropriations.
Status: in_force

The fund and income do not take the place of state appropriations or department receipts placed in the fund, but any portion of the income of the fund available for the purpose set out in Section 50-3-740(3) must be used to supplement other income of and appropriations to the department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-19-310 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 19 / Article 7 / Section 50-19-310
SECTION 50-19-310. Fishing on causeway crossing Belle Isle Lake prohibited.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to fish at any time on the causeway crossing Belle Isle Lake on the Old South Island Road in Georgetown County. Any person found guilty of violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not to exceed the sum of twenty-five dollars or be confined for a period not to exceed thirty days, in the discretion of the court, for each separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-910 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 50-3-910
SECTION 50-3-910. Board of Trustees; duties; members.
Status: in_force

There is created the Board of Trustees of the Jocassee Gorges Trust Fund of the Department of Natural Resources, with full authority over the administration of the fund, whose chairman and members are the chairman and members of the board of the Department of Natural Resources. The State Treasurer is the custodian of the fund and shall invest its assets in accordance with the provisions of Title 11.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2740 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 27 / Section 50-5-2740
SECTION 50-5-2740. Penalty for violation of article.
Status: in_force

A person who violates this article 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 and must pay restitution to the department. Each fish, lobster, or other marine resource taken, possessed, sold, offered for sale, purchased, or attempted to be sold, purchased, brought to the dock, or landed in violation of this article is a separate offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-13-1430 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 13 / Article 9 / Section 50-13-1430
SECTION 50-13-1430. Casting impurities in waters prohibited.
Status: in_force

Should any person cause to flow into or be cast into any of the creeks, streams or inland waters of this State any impurities that are poisonous to fish or destructive to their spawn, such person shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished with a fine of not less than five hundred dollars or imprisonment of not less than six months in the county jail.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-2505 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 50-5-2505
SECTION 50-5-2505. Point system administration.
Status: in_force

(A) Each time a person is convicted of a violation enumerated in Section 50-5-2500 the number of points assigned to a violation must be charged against him under a point category. Point categories are: (1) commercial, and (2) recreational. Points resulting from any violation must be assigned under only one point category. (B) Points assigned for any violation for a commercial purpose except related to an activity authorized solely under a wholesale seafood dealer license must be assigned to the commercial category. (C) Points assigned for any violation not for a commercial purpose or not related to an activity authorized solely under a wholesale seafood dealer license must be assigned to the recreational category. (D) For each twelve-month period in which the person received no points, the department shall deduct one-half of the accumulated points under each point category if the number of points under that point category is greater than three. If a person has three or less points under a point category at the end of a calendar year in which no points were received, the department shall reduce his point total to zero under that point category. (E) Nothing in this article affects the action of the department in suspending, revoking, or canceling a license or permit when the action is mandatory under the laws of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 50-1-220 — SC Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-220
SECTION 50-1-220. Application of Sections 50-1-180 to 50-1-220 to other federal or state lands.
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 50-1-180 to 50-1-220 shall also apply to (a) other properties of the United States Government, (b) any other properties acquired or to be acquired from the United States Government by the State, or (c) any other lands or waters purchased by the United States or the State. But hunting and fishing shall not be allowed on any lands under the control or ownership of the State Commission of Forestry except by written agreement with that Commission. Nothing contained in such sections shall interfere in any manner with the use and management of lands by a state agency in charge of such lands in the functions of such agency as authorized by law. Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 230, SECTION 2.C, in the first sentence, substituted "50-1-220" for "50-1-230", and made a nonsubstantive change.