reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-525. Licenses for disabled residents.

(A) A resident who is determined to be disabled and receiving benefits under a Social Security program, the Civil Service Retirement System, the South Carolina State Retirement System, the Railroad Retirement Board, the Veterans Administration, or Medicaid, or their successor agencies or programs, may obtain a three year disability combination license or a three year disability fishing license at no cost. The license must be issued by the department from its designated offices and is valid for three years from the date of issue. Disability recertification is required for renewal. To recertify, an applicant must furnish proof, in the manner prescribed by the department, that he or she is currently receiving disability benefits and is a domiciled resident of this State. The department may waive the proof of disability benefit requirement for renewals where the resident is at least sixty-five years of age.
(B) A resident on the date of application for a disability license, with quadriplegia or paraplegia, who is certified as totally disabled, must be issued a lifetime disability combination license or a lifetime disability fishing license at no cost. Disability recertification or renewal of this license is not required.
(C) A resident on the date of application for a disability license who is certified legally blind as defined in Section 43-25-20 must be issued a lifetime disability combination license or a lifetime disability fishing license at no cost. Disability recertification or renewal of this license is not required.
(D) A resident born after June 30, 1979, who has not completed the required hunter education certification only may obtain a disability fishing license at no cost. Upon completion of the hunter education certification, the licensee may apply to the department for the additional disability hunting privileges at no cost.
(E) A disability license issued to a person who is no longer domiciled in this State is void and the person must obtain the required nonresident licenses, permits, stamps, and tags to hunt and fish in this State.
(F)(1) A disability combination license includes the statewide privileges of hunting big game, hunting migratory waterfowl, hunting on wildlife management area lands, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing.
(2) A disability fishing license includes the privileges of freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 8, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 6, eff July 1, 2013; 2023 Act No. 15 (S.101), Section 1, eff May 12, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "disabled and receiving benefits" for "totally disabled" in the first sentence, and added the last sentence relating to waiver.
2023 Act No. 15, Section 1, inserted (C), and redesignated former (C) to (E) as (D) to (F), respectively.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-530. Gratis, senior, and Catawba licenses.

(A) A resident born before July 1, 1940, may obtain from the department at its designated licensing locations a gratis lifetime hunting and fishing license at no cost.
(B) A resident born after June 30, 1940, who has attained the age of sixty-four years may obtain from the department at its designated licensing locations a senior lifetime hunting and fishing license for nine dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
(C) A resident born after June 30, 1979, who has attained the age of sixty-four years and who has not completed the required hunter education certification, may obtain a senior lifetime fishing license for nine dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain. Upon completion of the hunter education certification the licensee may apply to the department for the additional senior lifetime hunting privileges at no cost.
(D) A member of the Catawba Indian Tribe, who is a resident of this State, upon application to the department at its designated licensing locations may obtain a Catawba hunting and fishing license at no cost. A certification must be included with the application from the Chief of the Catawba Indian Tribe stating the applicant is a bona fide member of the tribe.
(E) A member of the Catawba Indian Tribe, who is a resident of this State born after June 30, 1979, and who has not completed the required hunter education certification, may obtain a Catawba fishing license at no cost. Upon completion of the hunter education certification the licensee may apply to the department for the additional Catawba hunting privileges at no cost.
(F) Gratis, senior, and Catawba licenses hunting privileges include statewide hunting, hunting big game, hunting on wildlife management area lands, and hunting migratory waterfowl. The fishing privileges of these licenses include freshwater fishing, freshwater fishing using a set hook, and saltwater fishing.
(G) There is no cost to a Catawba hunting and fishing licensee for any other tags required by law for recreational hunting and fishing except for those department hunting and fishing activities controlled by lottery.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 8, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 7, eff July 1, 2013.
Editor's Note
Former Section 50-9-530 was entitled "Migratory waterfowl permits; commemorative stamps" and was derived from 1962 Code Section 28-553.1; 1969 (56) 444; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 214, Section 1.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment added subsection (G).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-535. Conversion of lifetime licenses to senior lifetime license.

A resident who holds a lifetime hunting, lifetime combination, lifetime freshwater fishing, or lifetime saltwater recreational fishing license, upon attaining the age of sixty-four, may convert that license to a senior lifetime license for a fee of nine dollars, one dollar of which the issuing sales vendor may retain.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 8, eff July 1, 2010.
Editor's Note
Former Section 50-9-535 was entitled "Migratory game bird permits; fees; integration with other hunting licenses; when not required" and was derived from 1998 Act No. 305, Section 1; 2008 Act No. 214, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-545. Type of license required for taking shad, herring, or eels.

A person taking shad, herring, or eels for recreation:
(1) in the saltwaters of this State must have a recreational saltwater fishing license; if using a gill net or eel pot, must have an annual recreational saltwater license and a saltwater commercial equipment license and related permits;
(2) in the freshwaters of this State must have a recreational freshwater fishing license; if using a gill net or eel pot, must have an annual recreational freshwater fishing license and a saltwater commercial equipment license and related permits.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 200, Section 9, eff May 28, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-550, 50-9-560. Omitted by 2010 Act No. 233, Section 8, eff July, 1, 2010.

Editor's Note
Former Section 50-9-550 was entitled "Reservoirs, lakes, and streams freshwater permit; fee" and was derived from 1962 Code Section 28-558; 1952 Code Section 28-558; 1942 Code Section 1767; 1937 (40) 303, 586; 1938 (40) 1659, 1688; 1952 (47) 2179; 1981 Act No. 94, Section 12; 1986 Act No. 502, Part II, Section 9; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2000 Act No. 370, Section 3.
Former Section 50-9-560 was entitled "Recreational saltwater fishing licenses; fees" and was derived from 2009 Act No. 15, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-570. Unlawful to hunt migratory game birds without permit; exception.

(A) It is unlawful to hunt, take, or possess migratory game birds without first obtaining a migratory game bird permit. Migratory game birds include mourning dove, Wilson snipe, woodcock, the Anatidae (commonly known as goose, brant, and duck), and the Rallidae (commonly known as marsh hen, coot, gallinule, and rail).
(B) Residents who have attained the age of sixty-four and hold a lifetime statewide hunting license, lifetime statewide combination license, gratis lifetime hunting and fishing license, senior lifetime hunting and fishing license, or Catawba hunting and fishing license are not required to obtain a migratory game bird permit.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 8, eff July 1, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-610. Additional requirements for attempting to take nongame freshwater fish.

(A) In addition to the licenses required for freshwater fishing, each licensee attempting to take nongame freshwater fish must obtain:
(1) a tag for each eel pot, at five dollars a tag for residents and fifty dollars a tag for nonresidents;
(2) a tag for each fyke net, at ten dollars for residents and fifty dollars for nonresidents;
(3) a tag for each gill net, at five dollars a tag for residents and fifty dollars a tag for nonresidents;
(4) a tag for each hoop net, at ten dollars a tag for residents and fifty dollars a tag for nonresidents;
(5) a tag for each trap, at five dollars a tag for residents and fifty dollars a tag for nonresidents;
(6) a tag for each trotline, not to exceed fifty hooks each, at two dollars fifty cents a tag for residents and fifty dollars a tag for nonresidents;
(7) a permit for using up to fifty jugs, at five dollars a permit for residents and fifty dollars for nonresidents;
(8) a permit for using up to fifty set hooks, at five dollars a permit for residents and fifty dollars for nonresidents.
(B) Permits for jugs and set hooks are not required for residents assisting permit holders.
(C) The licensee must affix the tag or identification information to the respective device.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 200, Section 10, eff May 28, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 9, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "for freshwater fishing, each licensee attempting to take nongame freshwater fish must obtain" for "to take freshwater fish each licensee taking nongame freshwater fish, when using these devices must have"; and rewrote subsection (C).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-630. Federal Migratory Hunting and Conservation Stamp required; endorsement; fee.

(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.
HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 42 (H.3393), Section 1, eff July 1, 2015.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-640. Wild turkey tag fees.

(A) For the privilege of hunting wild turkey, in addition to the required hunting license and big game permit, a person must possess a wild turkey tag issued in the person's name. The fee for a:
(1) resident is five dollars for three tags, one dollar of which may be retained by the license sales vendor; and
(2) nonresident is one hundred dollars for two tags, one dollar of which may be retained by the license sales vendor.
(B) There is no cost for wild turkey tags for persons under the age of sixteen, lifetime licensees, and gratis licensees upon request to the department.
HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 51 (S.575), Section 5, eff July 1, 2019.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-650. Deer hunting.

(A)(1) For the privilege of hunting and taking deer on property with a Deer Quota Program permit, a person must obtain the required hunting license, any other required permits, and have access and authorization to utilize Deer Quota Program tags for the property on which the person is hunting.
(2) A landowner or lessee may apply to the Deer Quota Program for a permit at a cost of fifty dollars per land tract application. The applicant may request a quota for antlerless deer, antlered deer, or both antlered and antlerless deer. The department shall determine an appropriate number of Deer Quota Program tags for antlered and antlerless deer to be issued under each permit, and there is no cost for these tags.
(B)(1) For the privilege of hunting and taking deer on property without a Deer Quota Program permit, a person must obtain the required hunting license, any other required permits, and a set of individual deer tags from the department issued in the person's name.
(2)(a) With the purchase of a South Carolina hunting license and a big game permit, a resident shall be issued two individual antlerless deer tags and three unrestricted individual antlered deer tags. Persons under the age of sixteen, lifetime, and gratis licensees may receive these tags upon request to the department. Residents, including persons under the age of sixteen, lifetime, and gratis licensees also may purchase:
(i) two antler restriction individual antlered deer tags valid for deer with a minimum of four points on one antler or a minimum twelve-inch inside antler spread for five dollars per tag; and
(ii) additional individual antlerless deer tags for five dollars per tag.
(b) Fees for nonresident deer tags are as follows:
(i) fifty dollars for the first antlered deer tag and twenty dollars for each additional antlered deer tag up to a maximum of four tags; two of which must be an antler restriction individual antlered deer tag valid only for deer with a minimum of four points on one antler or a minimum twelve-inch inside antler spread; and
(ii) ten dollars per individual antlerless deer tag.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 9, eff July 1, 2010; 2016 Act No. 257 (S.454), Section 1, eff July 1, 2017; 2019 Act No. 19 (H.3750), Section 1, eff April 3, 2019.
Effect of Amendment
2016 Act No. 257, Section 1, rewrote the section, revising the procedure whereby the Department of Natural Resources issues and charges a person for the privilege of hunting and taking deer in this state.
2019 Act No. 19, Section 1, in (2)(a), in the first sentence, substituted "two individual antlerless deer tags" for "eight date-specific individual antlerless deer tags which are valid only on specified days".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-655. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Pig transport and release permit; pig enclosure permit, had the following history: 2010 Act No. 211, Section 4, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 8, 2010). Repealed by 2021 Act No. 71, Section 3, eff May 17, 2021.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-660. Alligator Draw Hunt Program; Private Lands Alligator Program; nonresident alligator hunting fee; fees nonrefundable.

Except pursuant to a person operating under a depredation permit:
(1) For the privilege of taking an alligator, in addition to the required hunting license, a person first must apply to the department's Alligator Draw Hunt Program. The application fee is ten dollars. Successful selection provides the applicant an opportunity to obtain one alligator tag at a cost of one hundred dollars.
(2) The property permit fee for participation in the Private Lands Alligator Program is ten dollars. The cost for each tag issued under the permit is ten dollars.
(3) A nonresident sixteen years of age or older who hunts alligators under any alligator management program must pay a nonresident alligator hunting fee of two hundred dollars, four dollars of which may be retained by the issuing sales vendor.
(4) Application, permit, and tag fees are nonrefundable.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 183, Section 4, eff May 28, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-665. Bear tags.

(A) For the privilege of hunting bear, in addition to the required hunting license and big game permit the licensee must obtain a bear tag issued in his name, and the fee:
(1) for a resident is twenty-five dollars per tag, one dollar of which may be retained by the license sales vendor;
(2) for a nonresident is one hundred dollars per tag, two dollars of which may be retained by the license sales vendor.
(B) Youth under the age of sixteen are required to obtain youth tags for bear from the department at its designated licensing locations at no cost.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 286, Section 1, eff June 29, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 10, eff July 1, 2013; 2017 Act No. 71 (H.3601), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017.
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 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "privilege of hunting bear" for "privilege of taking bear", and substituted "the licensee" for "a hunter".
2017 Act No. 71, Section 1, deleted (B), relating to applicants for bear tags being chosen by a random drawing in game zones other than Game Zone 1, and redesignated (C) as (B).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-670. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Migratory waterfowl permits; commemorative stamps, had the following history: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 9, eff July 1, 2010. Repealed by 2020 Act No. 152, Section 3.B, eff July 1, 2021.
Editor's Note
Prior laws: 1962 Code Section 28-553.1; 1969 (56) 444; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 214, Section 1; 1976 Code Section 50-9-530.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-675. Falconry permit.

(A) For the privilege of engaging in falconry, in addition to a statewide hunting license, a person must obtain a falconry permit. The fee for the permit is one hundred dollars, and the permit expires three years from the date of its issuance.
(B) A person holding a valid federal falconry permit on January 1, 2014, may engage in falconry without a South Carolina falconer's permit until the federal permit expires.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 165 (S.913), Section 1, eff May 16, 2014.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-710. Children under sixteen years of age; private ponds; pay-to-fish businesses.

(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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 28-475; 1956 (49) 2151; 1958 (50) 1613, 1931; 1964 (53) 2154; Repealed by 1977 Act No. 183, Section 21; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2003 Act No. 60, Section 2; 2010 Act No. 233, Section 10, eff July 1, 2010.
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.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-715. Exemptions from recreational saltwater fishing license requirements.

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.
HISTORY: 2009 Act No. 15, Section 2, eff July 1, 2009.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-720. Physically or mentally disabled persons; residents of eleemosynary institutions; Boy or Girl Scouts.

(A) The department may permit physically or mentally disabled persons, residents of an orphanage or another eleemosynary institution of this State, or a Boy or Girl Scout to hunt or fish for up to three consecutive days within a county of this State without obtaining a license to do so if:
(1) The person or the institution receives a permit from the department.
(2) The name of each person to whom the permit applies is furnished to the department.
(B) The residents of institutions must be accompanied on the hunting or fishing trip for which the permit is granted by a representative of the institution.
(C) No blind or mentally disabled person may carry or use a weapon while hunting or fishing pursuant to this section.
HISTORY: 1975 (59) 205; Repealed by 1977 Act No. 183, Section 21; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › 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.

(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.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2012 Act No. 245, Section 1, eff July 1, 2012.
Effect of Amendment
The 2012 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-740. Designation of youth hunting days; requirements.

(A) The department may select one or more days to designate as a "South Carolina Youth Hunting Day", in addition to the regular seasons for a species of wild game. A youth hunting day must be held outside a regular season on a weekend, holiday, or other nonschool day when a youth hunter may have the maximum opportunity to participate. A day must be held on the Saturday before the regular game zone season framework for hunting antlered deer only. The daily bag limit on this day is one antlered deer. For all other game, the day may be held up to fourteen days before or after a regular season framework or within a split of a regular season, or within another open season.
(B) A person who is less than eighteen years of age may be a youth hunter. Youth hunters who have not completed the hunter education program pursuant to Section 50-9-310, who hunt on a statewide youth hunting day, must be accompanied by an adult who is at least twenty-one years of age. The adult may not harvest or attempt to harvest game during this special hunting event. A license or tag requirement pursuant to this chapter is waived for a youth hunter on a youth hunting day. A daily harvest limit remains the same as allowed during regular seasons for each species of game.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 299, Section 1; 2007 Act No. 23, Section 1, eff May 14, 2007; 2018 Act No. 200 (S.913), Section 1, eff May 17, 2018.
Effect of Amendment
The 2007 amendment, in subsection (B), rewrote the first sentence which formerly provided "Youth hunters must be at least ten years of age through seventeen years of age" and made nonsubstantive changes throughout subsections (A) and (B).
2018 Act No. 200, Section 1, rewrote the section, providing for a youth hunting day for hunting antlered deer only and a bag limit, providing that youth hunters who have not completed the hunter education program must be accompanied by an adult, and providing that the license or tag requirement is waived for a youth hunter on a youth hunting day.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-750. Special authorization for hunting and fishing.

(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.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 12 (H.3517), Section 1, eff April 24, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-910. Revenue from fines and forfeitures.

(A) Revenue from fines and forfeitures for violations of Chapters 1 through 16 must be transmitted to the treasurer of the county where the revenue was collected. The treasurer shall transmit the revenue to the department accompanied by a statement showing the names of persons fined, the amount of each fine, the summons or warrant number, and the court in which each fine was collected. The revenue must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to the County Game and Fish Fund subaccount for the county from which the revenue was collected.
(B) Revenue from fines and forfeitures for violations on wildlife management area lands must be used for the management and the procurement of wildlife management area lands.
(C) Unless otherwise specified, revenue from the fines and forfeitures for violations of other sections of this title and for all other offenses investigated or prosecuted by the department must be used exclusively for law enforcement operations and any remaining balances must be retained and carried forward by the department and used for the same purposes.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010.
Editor's Note
Prior laws: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 1998 Act No. 419, Part II, Section 15A; 2008 Act No. 263, Section 3.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-925, 50-9-940. Omitted by 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010.

Editor's Note
Former Section 50-9-925 was entitled "Recreational saltwater license fee and related article sale revenue distribution" and was derived from 2009 Act No. 15.
Former Section 50-9-940 was entitled "Balances to be carried forward" and was derived from 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-950. Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund.

(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.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 12, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-955. Fish and Wildlife Deferred License Fund.

(A) The Fish and Wildlife Deferred License Fund is created for the purpose of receiving revenue generated from the sale of three year hunting and freshwater fishing licenses, permits, stamps, and tags.
(B) Receipts from each license year shall be transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund as follows:
(1) fifty percent during the first fiscal year after receipt; and
(2) the balance during the second fiscal year after receipt.
Where applicable, each transfer shall distribute the receipts based on the allocations specified in Section 50-9-920(B).
(C) Interest earned on balances in the fund shall be credited to the fund and transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Protection Fund in the same manner.
(D) Balances in the fund shall be retained and carried forward annually.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 13, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-960. Marine Resources Fund.

(A) The Marine Resources Fund is created for the purpose of supporting the department and its effort to conserve marine fisheries. The assets of the fund are derived from the following sources:
(1) revenue from the sale of saltwater licenses, permits, stamps, and tags;
(2) revenue generated from the sale of posters, prints, and related articles;
(3) revenue generated from the sale of 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;
(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.
(B) Revenue generated from the sale of:
(1) recreational saltwater privileges shall be expended by the department for purposes authorized pursuant to the South Carolina Marine Resources Act of 2000. The Saltwater Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee shall assist in prioritizing the expenditure of saltwater license funds for:
(a) the protection, maintenance, or enhancement of saltwater habitat important to the continued production of marine fish stocks and their food sources of significance to recreational saltwater fisheries;
(b) development of recreational saltwater fishing facilities;
(c) scientific research and management of recreational saltwater fisheries;
(d) permanent improvement or deferred maintenance projects consistent with the purposes described herein;
(e) other programs directly benefiting recreational saltwater fisheries recommended by the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee; and
(f) an annual report made available on the department website indicating how the previous year's funds were expended;
(2) commercial saltwater privileges, culture and mariculture permits, and marine permits shall be expended for the administration and implementation of programs in the Marine Resources Division and may be expended on permanent improvement or deferred maintenance projects consistent with the purposes of the fund.
(C) Funds generated pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a special account separate and distinct from the general fund.
(D) Interest earned on balances in the fund shall be credited to the fund and expended for the same purposes.
(E) Balances in the fund shall be retained and carried forward annually and may be used to match available federal funds.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 14, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-965. Marine Resources Deferred License Fund.

(A) The Marine Resources Deferred License Fund is created for the purpose of receiving revenue generated from the sale of three year saltwater licenses, permits, stamps, and tags.
(B) Receipts from each license year shall be transferred to the Marine Resources Fund as follows:
(1) fifty percent during the first fiscal year after receipt; and
(2) the balance during the second fiscal year after receipt. Where applicable, each transfer shall distribute the receipts based on the allocations specified in Section 50-9-920(C).
(C) Interest earned on balances in the fund shall be credited to the fund and transferred to the Marine Resources Fund in the same manner.
(D) Balances in the fund shall be retained and carried forward annually.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010; 2013 Act No. 94, Section 15, eff July 1, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-970. County Game and Fish Fund created.

(A) The County Game and Fish Fund is created for the purpose of receiving revenue generated from the following sources:
(1) the designated portion of each annual nonresident freshwater fishing license;
(2) revenue from fines, fees, and forfeitures for violations of Chapters 1 through 16;
(3) unexpended revenue from prior years;
(4) restricted interest income;
(5) revenue generated from the disposal of surplus equipment.
These funds must be remitted to the State Treasurer and credited to a special account separate and distinct from the general fund. The funds only may be used for the purposes set forth in this section.
(B) Revenue must be expended by the department for the protection, promotion, propagation, and management of 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.
(C) The fund must be further separated into forty-six subaccounts, one for each county. A report must be made annually to each member of the forty-six county delegations as to the balances in these accounts. Following the annual report distribution, the most recent report of balances available must be furnished to a delegation member making a request. Each county delegation may make recommendations to the department regarding the expenditure of funds from the County Game and Fish Fund for the protection, promotion, propagation, and management of fisheries and wildlife. The department must give these recommendations primary consideration over any other projects.
(D) If any equipment purchased by the department with these funds is sold, the proceeds of the sale retained by the department must be credited to the county fund from which the original purchase was made.
(E) Expenditures from this fund that have the approval of the county delegation are exempt from Act 651 of 1978, as amended.
(F) Interest earned on revenues deposited to the County Game and Fish Fund must be credited to the fund and expended for those same purposes.
(G) Balances must be retained and carried forward annually and may be used to match available federal funds.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 233, Section 11, eff July 1, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1110. "Conviction" defined.

"Conviction" as used in this article includes the entry of a plea of guilty, the entry of a plea of nolo contendere, and the forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court.
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 401, Section 10; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1261; 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1130. Deduction of accumulated points.

(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.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2010 Act No. 209, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 1, 2010); 2010 Act No. 174, Section 3, eff July 1, 2010.
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).
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1140. Suspension of hunting and fishing privileges.

The department shall suspend for one year the hunting and fishing privileges of a person who has eighteen or more points. The suspension begins the twenty-first day after the department mails written notice of the suspension, and ends the same day the following year.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2023 Act No. 64 (H.3433), Section 3.A, eff May 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 64, Section 3.A, in the second sentence, substituted "twenty-first day" for "eleventh day" and "department mails written notice" for "person receives written notice by mail, return receipt requested,".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1150. Notice of suspension; appeals.

(A) Upon determination that a person has accumulated sufficient points to warrant suspension of privileges, the department shall notify him in writing that his privileges are suspended, and the person shall return the license and any tags in the person'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 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.
(C) A person whose privileges have been suspended may appeal the decision of the department under the Administrative Procedures Act.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2; 2023 Act No. 64 (H.3433), Section 3.B, eff May 19, 2023.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 64, Section 3.B, rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1160. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Review by circuit judge, had the following history: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2. Repealed by 2023 Act No. 64, Section 1, eff May 19, 2023.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1180. Administration; promulgation of regulations.

The department shall administer and enforce this article and may promulgate regulations necessary for its administration not inconsistent with the article. The department shall print and distribute at the time of selling hunting or fishing licenses a card or brochure explaining the point system.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1190. Other laws of the State.

Nothing contained in this article affects the action of the department in suspending, revoking, or canceling a license when the action is mandatory under the provisions of another law of this State.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 9 - Hunting And Fishing Licenses › Section 50-9-1200. Hunting or fishing while under suspension; violations; penalties.

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.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 372, Section 2.