reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-400. Unlawful to possess deer with head detached when in transit from woods, swamps, fields, or roads; penalties.

It is unlawful for anyone in this State to have in his possession any deer with the head detached when the person is in transit from any woods, swamps, fields, or roads. Any person convicted of transporting a deer with the head detached must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2040 (1962 Code Section 28-453; 1952 (47) 1944; 1954 (48) 1764; 1985 Act No. 68, Section 3)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-410. Antlerless deer defined; unlawful to hunt, kill, take, or possess antlerless deer; exceptions; penalties.

For purposes of this chapter, antlerless deer means a female (doe) deer, a male (buck) deer not exhibiting two inch antlers visible above the natural hairline, or a male (buck) deer that has shed, broken, or otherwise lost its antlers. In South Carolina, it is unlawful to hunt, kill, take, or possess any antlerless deer on any property unless an open season has been declared on that property or an antlerless deer quota permit has been issued for the legal harvest of antlerless deer on that specific property. 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.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2035 (1985 Act No. 68, Section 1)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-420. Penalty for possession of recently killed venison or fresh deerskin during closed season.

Any person in whose possession recently killed venison or fresh deerskin is found during the closed season for hunting deer in that game zone by law is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2120 (1962 Code Section 28-460; 1952 Code Section 28-460; 1942 Code Section 1783-2; 1932 Code Section 1776; Cr. C. '22 Section 754; Cr. C. '12 Section 729; Cr. C. '02 Section 541; G. S. 1688; R. S. 421; 1952 (47) 2179; 1976 Act No. 511, Section 3)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-435. Weight restriction on bear taken; penalties.

It is unlawful to take or attempt to take a bear of less than one hundred pounds. A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. In addition, each person convicted of a violation of this section may be required to pay restitution to the department of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars for each bear that is taken in violation of this section.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 286, Section 2, eff June 29, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-440. Black bears; feeding or enticing with food; penalty.

(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.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2145 (En 1984 Act No. 327)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2000 Act No. 251, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-450. Unprocessed bait authorized in Game Zone 4.

(A) For the purposes of this section, "unprocessed bait" means any natural food item harvested from a plant crop that is not modified from its raw components. Unprocessed bait includes unmodified grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
(B) Notwithstanding Section 50-11-430(E)(8) and Section 50-11-440, a person may take a bear with the aid or use of unprocessed bait, including over an area with unprocessed bait, on private land in Game Zone 4.
HISTORY: 2021 Act No. 75 (H.3694), Section 3, eff May 17, 2021.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-500. Provisions applicable to wild turkey.

(1) It is unlawful for a person to rob any wild turkey nest or own, possess, control, sell, or otherwise dispose of wild turkey eggs unless the possession of the eggs is authorized by permit issued by the department under the provisions of Section 50-11-1180.
(2) It is unlawful for a person to trap or snare any wild turkey.
(3) It is unlawful for a person to hunt, kill, or possess female wild turkeys at any time unless the department sets special open seasons for their taking.
(4) It is unlawful for a person to buy, sell, offer for sale, barter, or have in possession for sale any wild turkeys.
(5) It is unlawful for a person to release in the wild any pen-raised wild turkey unless that person is granted a permit to do so by the department. These permits are made after the department has caused a thorough study of the area on which pen-raised turkeys are to be released. The release of these turkeys is to take place under the supervision of department personnel. No pen-raised turkey may be released for any purpose unless it has been examined for parasites or disease and the release approved by the department not less than thirty days before the date of its release.
(6) It is unlawful for a person to shoot any wild turkey between thirty minutes after official sunset and thirty minutes before official sunrise.
(7) It is unlawful for a person to take or attempt to take a wild turkey with a rifle, pistol, buckshot, or shotgun slug.
(8) It is unlawful for a person to take or attempt to take a wild turkey from a vehicle on a public road.
(9) It is unlawful for a person to take or attempt to take a wild turkey from a watercraft on the waters of this State.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Sections 50-11-2020 (1962 Code Section 28-452; 1952 Code Section 28-452; 1942 Code Section 1781; 1932 Code Section 1751; 1945 (44) 110, 330; 1948 (45) 2013; 1952 (47) 2179; 1965 (54) 283; 1979 Act No. 186, Section 2); 50-11-2180 (1962 Code Section 28-468; 1952 Code Section 28-468; 1942 Code Section 1783-4; 1932 Code Section 1774; Cr. C. '22 Section 752; Cr. C. '12 Section 726; 1910 (26) 572; 1952 (47) 2179; 1979 Act No. 186, Section 4); 50-11-2210 (1962 Code Section 28-470.1; 1969 (56) 729; 1972 (57) 2431; 1979 Act No. 186, Section 1; 1984 Act No.318, Section 1; 1988 Act No. 573, Section 1; 1988 Act No. 581, Section 1; 1988 Act No. 582, Section 1)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2002 Act No. 210, Section 2; 2005 Act No. 65, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-510. Prohibition against baiting wild turkeys; definitions.

It is unlawful for a person to hunt or take or attempt to hunt or take a wild turkey by means of, or aid or use of, bait or baiting or on or over any baited area.
As used in this section, "bait" or "baiting' means the placing, "depositing, exposing, distributing, or scattering of salt, shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain, or other foodstuffs to constitute for wild turkeys a lure, attraction, or enticement to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them, and "baited area" means an area where salt, shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat, or other grain, or other foodstuffs capable of luring, attracting, or enticing wild turkeys 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.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 584, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-515. Use of wild turkey feathers in art.

(A) An American Indian artist, who is a member of a tribe recognized by (1) Public Law 101-644, the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act, and (2) the state's Commission on Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40, may use wild turkey feathers in arts and crafts that are offered for sale and sold to the general public if the artist has on his person a tribal identification card demonstrating his authorization pursuant to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act.
(B) This section does not authorize the sale of other parts of wild turkeys, whether taken lawfully or unlawfully, including, but not limited to, capes, beards, and fans.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 286, Section 8, eff June 11, 2008 and by 2008 Act No. 300, Section 1, eff June 11, 2008.
Editor's Note
Both 2008 acts enacted identical versions of this section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-520. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Wild turkey season; declaration of open or closed seasons, had the following history: [Derived from former Sections 50-11-585 (1962 Code Section 28-334.5; 1977 Act No. 93); 50-11-1030 (1979 Act No. 101, Section 5)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2006 Act No. 289, Section 7; 2008 Act No. 286, Section 3, eff June 11, 2008. Repealed by 2019 Act No. 51, Section 8, eff July 1, 2019.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-525. Authority to promulgate regulations.

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.
HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 41 (H.3118), Section 1, eff June 30, 2015.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-530. Authority to promulgate emergency regulations relating to harvest of wild turkeys in game zones.

The department may promulgate emergency regulations considered necessary and expedient for the proper control of the harvesting of wild turkeys in the game zones.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Sections 50-11-586 (En 1962 Code Section 28-234.6; 1977 Act No. 93, Section 1); 50-11-1040 (1979 Act No. 101, Section 5)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2002 Act No. 210, Section 3; 2015 Act No. 41 (H.3118), Section 3, eff June 30, 2015.
Effect of Amendment
2015 Act No. 41, Section 3, rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-540. Penalties for violating rules applicable to wild turkey hunting; forfeiture of hunting and fishing privileges.

Any person taking, attempting to take, or having in his possession turkey illegally or taking, attempting to take, or killing turkey in any way not prescribed by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. In addition, a person taking a wild turkey unlawfully must be required to make restitution to the department in the amount of up to five hundred dollars for each bird taken. In addition, a person convicted of taking a wild turkey illegally forfeits hunting and fishing privileges for one year for each bird taken.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Sections 50-11-587 (1962 Code Section 28-334.7; 1977 Act No. 93, Section 1); 50-11-1050 (1979 Act No. 101, Section 5; 1981 Act No. 24, Section 1; 1982 Act No. 462, Section 1)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2002 Act No. 210, Section 4; 2015 Act No. 41 (H.3118), Section 4, eff June 30, 2015.
Effect of Amendment
2015 Act No. 41, Section 4, substituted "nor more than five hundred dollars" for "nor more than one hundred dollars" in the first sentence, and in the second sentence, inserted "be required to" and "up to".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-544. Wild turkey tags.

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.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 210, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 65, Section 2; 2015 Act No. 41 (H.3118), Section 5, eff June 30, 2015; 2019 Act No. 51 (S.575), Section 1, eff July 1, 2019.
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".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-546. Electronic harvest reporting system.

Section effective until July 1, 2024. See, also, Section 50-11-546 effective July 1, 2024.
(A) In order to document the harvest of wild turkeys and to assist with the enforcement of seasons, methods of harvest, and bag limits, the department must implement an electronic harvest reporting system.
(B) A person who harvests a wild turkey must report the harvest to the electronic harvest reporting system as prescribed by the department. A harvest report must be submitted by midnight of the day a wild turkey is taken unless a person is incapable of accessing the reporting system, in which case a report must be submitted prior to the carcass leaving the person's possession.
(C) Upon completion of the harvest reporting process, a harvest report confirmation number will be provided by the department, which must be recorded by the person submitting the harvest report.
(D) The department must promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including the methods of telephonic and electronic reporting, contents of the report, and recording and maintenance of the harvest report confirmation number.
(E) The department is prohibited from requesting or acquiring the geolocation data of a person submitting a harvest report through electronic means and from requesting a person to self-report location information to the harvest reporting system more specific than the county in which a turkey is harvested.
(F) There is no cost to a person for reporting a harvest, and the department may exempt the harvest reporting requirement for persons who harvest wild turkeys under specific conditions or department programs.
(G) A person who violates this section or provisions established by the department for electronic harvest reporting is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than twenty-five dollars.
HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 51 (S.575), Section 6, eff July 1, 2020.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-546. Electronic harvest reporting system.

Section effective July 1, 2024. See, also, Section 50-11-546 effective until July 1, 2024.
(A) In order to document the harvest of big game species and to assist with the enforcement of seasons, methods of harvest, and bag limits, the department must implement an electronic harvest reporting system.
(B) A person who harvests a big game species must report the harvest to the electronic harvest reporting system as prescribed by the department. A harvest report must be submitted by midnight of the day of harvest unless a person is incapable of accessing the reporting system, in which case a report must be submitted prior to the carcass leaving the person's possession.
(C) Upon completion of the harvest reporting process, a harvest report confirmation number will be provided by the department and it must be recorded by the person submitting the harvest report. A person who takes a big game carcass to a processor must provide the tag number and harvest report confirmation number to the processor at the time the carcass transfers from the person to the processor. The processor must record and maintain the harvest report confirmation number until the processed meat is received by the hunter or their designee.
(D) The department must promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including the methods of telephonic and electronic reporting, contents of the report, and recording and maintenance of the harvest report confirmation number.
(E) The department is prohibited from requesting or acquiring the geolocation data of a person submitting a harvest report through electronic means and from requesting a person to self-report location information to the harvest reporting system more specific than the county and wildlife management area, if applicable, in which a big game species is harvested.
(F) There is no cost to a person for reporting a harvest, and the department may exempt the harvest reporting requirement for persons who harvest big game species under specific conditions or department programs.
(G) A person who violates this section or provisions established by the department for electronic harvest reporting is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than twenty-five dollars.
HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 51 (S.575), Section 6, eff July 1, 2020; 2023 Act No. 65 (H.3538), Section 1, eff July 1, 2024.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 65, Section 1, in (A), substituted "big game species" for "wild turkeys"; in (B), in the first sentence, substituted "big game species" for "wild turkey", and in the second sentence, substituted "day of harvest" for "day a wild turkey is taken"; in (C), added the second and third sentences, and made nonsubstantive changes; in (E), substituted "and wildlife management area, if applicable, in which a big game species" for "in which a turkey"; and in (F), substituted "big game species" for "wild turkeys".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-550. Repealed by 2008 Act No. 286, Section 11, eff June 11, 2008.

Editor's Note
Former Section 50-11-550 was entitled "Unlawful to discharge any weapon other than shotgun during certain times of year in certain areas of Catawba River and India Hook Dam" and was derived from [Derived from former Section 50-11-1010 (1962 Code Section 28-355; 1952 Code Section 28-355; 1951 (47) 76)]. 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-565. Archery equipment defined.

As used in this chapter, archery equipment means a bow and arrow, a long bow, a recurve bow, a compound bow, or a crossbow.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 347, Section 1; 2004 Act No. 246, Sections 1 and 6; 2008 Act No. 286, Section 4, eff June 11, 2008.
Effect of Amendment
The 2008 amendment rewrote this section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-580. Season for hunting and taking male wild turkey; bag limits; taking female wild turkey; annual report.

(A) The season for hunting and taking a male wild turkey is:
(1) in Game Zones 1 and 2, April 1 through May 10; and
(2) in Game Zones 3 and 4, March 22 through April 30.
(B) The season bag limit for male wild turkeys is three statewide for residents and two statewide for nonresidents. The daily bag limit is one, provided that:
(1) only one male wild turkey may be taken from April 1 through April 10 from within Game Zones 1 and 2; and
(2) only one male wild turkey may be taken from March 22 through March 31 from within Game Zones 3 and 4.
(C) It is unlawful for a person to take a female wild turkey unless authorized by the department pursuant to Section 50-11-500(3).
(D) The department shall provide an annual report on wild turkey resources in South Carolina to the Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 41 (H.3118), Section 2, eff June 30, 2015; 2019 Act No. 51 (S.575), Section 2, eff July 1, 2019.
Editor's Note
2015 Act No. 41, Section 7, as amended by 2018 Act No. 227, Section 1, and repealed by 2019 Act No. 51, Section 9, provided as follows:
"SECTION 7. This act takes effect on June 30, 2015. Provided, upon the effective date of this act until July 1, 2019, the provisions of Section 50-11-520 are suspended. On July 1, 2019, the turkey hunting seasons and bag limits in effect for the respective counties prior to the effective date of this act and delineated in Section 50-11-520 are effective, and Section 50-11-580 is repealed."
2019 Act No. 51, Section 9, provides as follows:
"SECTION 9. SECTION 7 of Act 41 of 2015 is repealed."
Effect of Amendment
2019 Act No. 51, Section 2, rewrote the section, revising the season for hunting and taking a male wild turkey, revising the bag limits, deleting the provision establishing Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend, and providing for the taking of female wild turkey.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-590. Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend.

(A) The Saturday and Sunday preceding the start of a game zone turkey season is declared to be "Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend" within the game zone for youth turkey hunters under eighteen years of age.
(B) A license or tag requirement is waived for a youth turkey hunter during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend.
(C) The bag limit during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is one male wild turkey for the weekend that shall count toward the season bag limit. A turkey harvest must be reported to the electronic harvest reporting system pursuant to the provisions of Section 50-11-546.
(D) Youth turkey hunters who have not completed the hunter education program pursuant to Section 50-9-310, and who hunt during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend, must be accompanied by an adult who is at least twenty-one years of age. An adult may not harvest or attempt to harvest turkeys during Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend but is permitted to call turkeys for a youth turkey hunter.
HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 51 (S.575), Section 3, eff July 1, 2019.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-600. Falconry; unlawful acts; penalties; regulations.

(A) Falconry is the hunting of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey or raptor (Order Falconiformes or Order Strigiformes other than bald eagle).
(B) It is unlawful to use birds of prey to take any wildlife except as authorized in this section. Any person convicted of violating this section or regulations promulgated pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned up to thirty days, or both.
(C) The department may promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 165 (S.913), Section 2, eff May 16, 2014.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-700. Definitions.

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.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 88 (S.443), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-708. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Use of artificial lights; penalties, had the following history: 1998 Act No. 266, Section 1; 2006 Act No. 289, Section 87; 2008 Act No. 286, Section 5, eff June 11, 2008. Repealed by 2017 Act No. 88, Section 6, eff May 19, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-715. Night hunting prohibited; exceptions; hunting of feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos; penalties.

(A) It is unlawful to night hunt for feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos in violation of the provisions of this section.
(B)(1) Feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos may be hunted at night on registered property on which a person has a lawful right to hunt:
(a) with any legal firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow; and
(b) with or without the aid of bait, electronic calls, artificial light, or night vision devices.
(2) It is unlawful to:
(a) hunt feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos at night with a firearm within three hundred yards of a residence without the permission of the occupant. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a landowner hunting on his own land or a person taking feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos pursuant to a department depredation permit; or
(b) shoot or attempt to shoot a feral hog, coyote, or armadillo, at night, from, on, or across any public paved road.
(C) Persons who have been convicted of night hunting for deer, bear, or turkey during the previous five years are not eligible to participate in night hunting for feral hogs, coyotes, or armadillos under the provisions of this section.
(D) A person who violates this section, upon conviction, must:
(1) for a first offense, be fined not more than five hundred dollars, be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both;
(2) for a second offense within two years from the date of conviction for the first offense, be fined not more than one thousand dollars nor less than four hundred dollars, be imprisoned as provided for a first offense, or both; and
(3) for a third or subsequent offense within two years of the date of conviction for the last previous offense, be fined not more than one thousand five hundred dollars nor less than five hundred dollars, be imprisoned as provided for a first offense, or both.
(E) In addition to any other penalty, any person convicted for a second or subsequent offense under this section within three years of the date of conviction for a first offense may have his privilege to hunt in this State suspended for a period of two years. No hunting license may be issued to an individual while his privilege is suspended, and any license mistakenly issued is invalid.
(F) In order to assess the night hunting program, the person registering the property must report to the department the number of feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos taken under the provisions of this section within thirty days following the end of the twelve-month registration period, or prior to registering the property again. Properties for which reports have not been submitted will not be registered again until such time that reports are submitted.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 88 (S.443), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-717. Use of artificial lights at night; exceptions.

(A) The use of artificial lights for the purpose of observing or harassing wildlife is unlawful, except that a property owner, or person with permission from the property owner, may use artificial lights to observe wildlife prior to 11:00 p.m. This section does not prohibit:
(1) a property owner from using artificial lights for the purpose of protecting the property;
(2) a person or group, with permission of the property owner, from observing wildlife with the use of artificial lights, while engaged in research or documentary filming;
(3) a person from using artificial lights to night hunt pursuant to this article; or
(4) a person from using remote trail monitors or cameras on a property.
(B) A person who violates this section, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 88 (S.443), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-720. Repealed.

HISTORY: Former Section, titled Penalties for night hunting for deer or bear, had the following history: [Derived from former Section 50-11-25 (1978 Act No. 602; 1984 Act No. 328, Section 2)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262. Repealed by 2017 Act No. 88, Section 6, eff May 19, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-730. Unlawful to hunt, shoot, or kill deer from a water conveyance; penalties.

It is unlawful for any person to hunt, shoot, or in any way kill deer from a motorboat, raft, or other water conveyance or to molest deer while any part of the deer is in the water. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days or be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.
"Hunting", as used in this section in reference to a vehicle, boat, or device, includes the transportation of a hunter to or from the place of hunting in violation of this section, or the transportation of the carcass of a deer, or any part of a deer, which has been unlawfully hunted or killed in violation of this section.
In addition to the penalty herein, every boat, raft, or other water conveyance, vehicle, animal, firearm, and any other device being used in the violation of this section must be confiscated and delivered to the department.
For purposes of this section, a conviction for unlawfully hunting deer from boats or other water conveyances is conclusive as against any convicted owner of the above-mentioned property.
In all other cases, the forfeiture and sale is accomplished by the procedure set forth in Section 50-11-740.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2080 (1962 Code Section 28-456; 1952 Code Section 28-456; 1942 Code Section 1783; 1939 (41) 427; 1947 (45) 316; 1952 (47) 2179; 1963 (53) 487; 1972 (57) 2372, 2431; 1982 Act No. 462, Section 2)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-745. Releasing confiscated property to innocent owner or lienholder; failure to recover property.

(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.
HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 18, Section 1; 2013 Act No. 54, Section 2, eff June 7, 2013; 2017 Act No. 88 (S.443), Section 4, eff May 19, 2017.
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".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-750. Unlawful to feed or entice with food any alligator; exceptions; penalties.

It is unlawful for any person to feed or entice with food any American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), except those persons feeding alligators maintained in protective captivity under a permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 50-15-40 for education, scientific, commercial, or recreational purposes; or department personnel, persons licensed, or otherwise authorized by the department, or county or municipal animal control personnel when relocating alligators by baiting or enticement. 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 two hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2295 (En 1984 Act No. 388)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
Code Commissioner's Note
At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the former reference to Section 50-15-50 was changed to Section 50-15-40 to reflect the renumbering of sections in Chapter 15, Title 50 by 2014 Act No. 159.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-760. Hunting from certain public roads and railroad rights-of-way prohibited; definitions; penalties.

(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.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-90 (1962 Code Section 28-308; 1958 (50) 1935; 1961 (52) 30, 506; 1965 (54) 477; 1969 (56) 274; 1977 Act No. 164, Section 1)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2001 Act No. 69, Section 1; 2003 Act No. 50, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-780. Dogs engaged in hunting not required to be constrained by leash.

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.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-150 (1985 Act No. 142, Section 1)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-810. Game birds for which no specific open season is designated are protected; department authorized to regulate taking of exotic game birds; penalties.

All species of game birds for which the legislature has not provided a specific open season are protected and may not be shot, trapped, destroyed, or attempted to be shot, trapped, or destroyed at any time. The department may prescribe an open season for the taking of exotic game birds, prescribe the method by which they may be taken, and fix the specific areas of any zone in which these exotic species may become numerous enough to be harvested. All areas not specifically open to hunting are closed to hunting. The department may designate the sex that may be taken and may prescribe any other regulations that may be considered wise and expedient for the harvest of these new game birds. Any person taking, attempting to take, or having in his possession these exotic game birds illegally or taking, attempting to take, or killing these exotic game birds in any way not prescribed by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than fifteen days nor more than thirty days. The provisions of this section are applicable to ruffed grouse.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Sections 50-11-320 (1962 Code Section 28-332; 1961 (52) 475; 1964 (53) 2143); 50-11-2010 (1962 Code Section 28-451; 1952 Code Section 28-451; 1942 Code Section 1777; 1939 (41) 483; 1948 (45) 1758; 1952 (47) 2179)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-820. Unlawful to kill, catch, have in possession, or offer or expose for sale resident or migratory wild bird; exception.

No person within the State may kill, catch, or have in his possession, living or dead, any resident or migratory wild bird, other than a game bird, or purchase or offer or expose for sale any wild nongame bird after it has been killed or caught, except as permitted by Section 50-11-1180.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2410 (1962 Code Section 28-401; 1952 Code Section 28-401; 1942 Code Section 1787-1; 1932 Code Section 1789; Cr. C. '22 Sections 757, 761; Cr. C. '12 Sections 734, 739; 1905 (24) 950; 1918 (390) 794; 1952 (47) 1686, 2179; 1984 Act No. 282, Section 2)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-830. Unlawful to sell or have in possession for sale plumage, skin, or body of protected bird.

No part of the plumage, skin, or body of any bird protected by Section 50-11-820 may be sold or had in possession for sale whether the bird was captured or killed within or without the State.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2420 (1962 Code Section 28-402; 1952 Code Section 28-402; 1942 Code Section 1787-1; 1932 Code Section 1780; Cr. C. '22 Sections 757, 761; Cr. C. '12 Sections 734, 739; 1905 (24) 950; 1918 (30) 794; 1952 (47) 2179)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-840. Destroying active wild bird nest or eggs; permit for removal.

(A) No person may take or destroy, or attempt to take or destroy, an active nest or the eggs of a wild bird or have an active nest or eggs in his possession, except pursuant to a permit issued by the department. An "active nest" means a nest with birds or eggs present.
(B) The department may issue a permit for the removal of an active nest or eggs that constitute a public safety threat or when birds are causing damage to property.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2430 (1962 Code Section 28-403; 1952 Code Section 28-403; 1942 Code Section 1787-1; 1932 Code Section 1780; Cr. C. '22 Sections 757, 761; Cr. C. '12 Sections 734, 739; 1905 (24) 950; 1918 (30) 794; 1952 (47) 1686, 2179)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 2009 Act No. 58, Section 4, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 3, 2009).
Effect of Amendment
The 2009 amendment designated subsection (A), adding "an active" in the first sentence and the second sentence defining an "active nest"; and added subsection (B) providing for permits for removal of active nests or eggs.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-850. Unlawful to transport resident or migratory wild nongame bird; exceptions.

It is unlawful for any person or any firm or corporation acting as a common carrier, its officers, agents, or servants to ship, carry, take, or transport, either within or beyond the confines of the State, any resident or migratory wild nongame bird, except as permitted by Section 50-11-1180.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2440 (1962 Code Section 28-404; 1952 Code Section 28-404; 1942 Code Section 1787-1; 1932 Code Section 1780; Cr. C. '22 Sections 757, 761; Cr. C. '12 Sections 732, 739; 1905 (24) 950; 1918 (30) 794; 1952 (47) 2179)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-851. Shooting, killing, or maiming of "carrier pigeon" prohibited; penalties.

The shooting, killing, or maiming of an Antwerp or homing pigeon, commonly known as a "carrier pigeon", is prohibited. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and must be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars or imprisonment not exceeding ten days.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2150 (1962 Code Section 28-463; 1952 Code Section 28-463; 1942 Code Section 1782-5; 1935 (39) 422)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-852. Unlawful to molest or kill birds of prey; bald eagles; penalties.

It is unlawful for any person to molest or kill any of the birds of prey within this State. Birds of prey include all hawks, eagles, falcons, kites, vultures, owls, and ospreys. Anyone violating the provisions of 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 more than thirty days. However, if the bird of prey is a bald eagle, the person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than one year, or both.
If the bird of prey is a bald eagle, the person convicted shall also lose his privilege to hunt in this State for a period of five years from the date he is convicted of this offense if the bald eagle was killed and for a period of five years if the bald eagle was molested. "Convicted" for purposes of this section includes a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to the offense.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2030 (1962 Code Section 28-452.1; 1971 (57) 170)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262; 1997 Act No. 94, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-853. Unlawful to catch, kill, capture, or detain homing, racing or carrier pigeon; penalties.

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.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2160 (1962 Code Section 28-464; 1952 Code Section 28-464; 1947 (45) 529; 1952 (47) 2179)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-854. Seasons and bag limits for hunting and taking crows.

(A) The department may establish seasons and bag limits for the hunting and taking of crows consistent with the federal regulation governing those activities. However:
(1) The hunting season or seasons on crows may not exceed a total of one hundred twenty-four days during a calendar year:
(2) The department shall designate a season or seasons between September first and March first:
(3) It is unlawful to hunt or take crows:
(a) from an aircraft;
(b) by any methods except firearms, bow and arrow, and falconry;
(c) except as permitted by this section.
(B) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 313, Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 50 - Fish, Game and Watercraft › Chapter 11 - Protection Of Game › Section 50-11-860. Department to designate and establish sanctuaries; agreements with landowners.

The department, without any costs whatsoever to the State, shall designate and establish sanctuaries where game, birds, and animals may breed unmolested, if any landowner enters into an agreement with the department to set aside and turn over to the State for that purpose a certain number of acres of land. There may be no hunting or trespassing upon these lands so designated as a sanctuary by anyone for five years from the date of the agreement. The department may post those lands so designated as a sanctuary in the name of the State and prosecute any persons hunting or trespassing on the lands. Any agreement entered into under authority given in this section may be terminated at any time by the landowner and the department.
HISTORY: [Derived from former Section 50-11-2610 (1962 Code Section 28-511; 1952 Code Section 28-511; 1942 Code Section 1788; 1932 Code Section 1790; 1925 (34) 294; 1926 (34) 1045; 1952 (47) 2179)]; 1988 Act No. 561, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1262.