South Carolina hunting
Public hunting land in South Carolina
Caliber maps 96 public hunting areas in South Carolina, with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
South Carolina · 96 areas
Sumter National Forest
National forest · 374,485 acres
Francis Marion National Forest
National forest · 263,909 acres
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 91,834 acres
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 70,297 acres
Sand Hills State Forest
State wildlife area · 41,193 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 96 by distance from you.
- 84
- State wildlife areas
- 4
- National forests
- 8
- National wildlife refuges
South Carolina hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- Phone
- 1-803-734-4367 (803-734-4DNR)
- Resident license
- $12.00 — Annual State Hunting License (resident); big game permit $6 extra
- Nonresident license
- $125.00 — Annual State Hunting License (nonresident); big game permit $100 extra
- Hunter education
- Required for anyone born after June 30, 1979, to purchase a hunting license.
- Good to know
- A WMA Permit is also required to hunt WMA lands ($30.50 annual resident, $76 nonresident); no Sunday hunting on WMAs.
Fees and rules as published by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in South Carolina
The 12 biggest of 96 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter National Forest | National forest | 374,485 | Open |
| Francis Marion National Forest | National forest | 263,909 | Open |
| Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 91,834 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 70,297 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Sand Hills State Forest | State wildlife area | 41,193 | Open |
| Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 35,223 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Jocassee Gorges | State wildlife area | 32,600 | Open |
| Savannah National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 30,520 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Woodbury Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 25,929 | Open |
| Santee Coastal Reserve Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 25,766 | Open |
| Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 24,291 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Manchester State Forest | State wildlife area | 19,266 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
State wildlife areas · 84
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 4
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 8
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
South Carolina hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in South Carolina?
Caliber lists 96 public hunting areas in South Carolina: 84 state wildlife areas, 4 national forests, 8 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in South Carolina?
As published by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $12.00 — Annual State Hunting License (resident); big game permit $6 extra; nonresident, $125.00 — Annual State Hunting License (nonresident); big game permit $100 extra. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in South Carolina?
Required for anyone born after June 30, 1979, to purchase a hunting license. Check South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in South Carolina?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find South Carolina hunting land near you
All 96 South Carolina areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
More in Caliber
Public hunting land
Public hunting land in all 50 states, with each state's license fees and official links.
Learn more →
Ballistic calculator & shooting tools
Free bullet drop calculator, DOPE book, scope clicks, distance estimating and more.
Learn more →
Shooting range finder
5,600+ shooting ranges nationwide, on a list or a map, with filters.
Learn more →
Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the managing agency before you hunt.
CaliberBecome a safer, more skilled firearm owner. Free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFeatures
Guides & directories
- The four firearm safety rules
- California FSC practice test
- Texas LTC practice test
- Hunter education practice test
- Shooting range directory
- Public hunting land in Colorado
- Public hunting land in Florida
- Public hunting land in Georgia
- Public hunting land in Michigan
- Public hunting land in Minnesota
- Public hunting land in Pennsylvania
- Public hunting land in Texas
- Public hunting land in Wisconsin
Caliber is an educational and tracking tool for lawful, responsible ownership. It is not legal advice and not a substitute for in-person instruction. Caliber doesn't sell firearms, ammunition or accessories. Always follow the four safety rules and your local laws. Caliber is made by Norbrook Media LLC. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.