South Carolina Deer Season 2025-26
South Carolina deer season dates start with Aug 15, 2025-Jan 1, 2026. The table below keeps every listed deer row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
South Carolina's listed 2025-26 firearm deer season runs Sep 1, 2025-Jan 1, 2026.
Regular Firearm White-tailed Deer opens Oct 11, 2025 and closes Jan 1, 2026.
Archery & Firearm White-tailed Deer opens Aug 15, 2025 and closes Jan 1, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to South Carolina DNR.
Deer
19 listed rowsWhite-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 3
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 4
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Private Lands. Archery Only season.
Zone: Game Zone 4
White-tailed Deer
Archery & Firearm
Private lands. Archery & Gun Hunts combined season. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 3
White-tailed Deer
Archery Only
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 4
White-tailed Deer
Archery and Firearm
Private Lands. Archery & Gun Hunts combined season.
Zone: Game Zone 3
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 4
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Archery Only
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Private Lands. Archery Only season.
Zone: Game Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapons
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Primitive Weapons
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Private lands. Archery and crossbows allowed during all seasons.
Zone: Game Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 1
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 4
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 2
White-tailed Deer
Youth
Private lands. Youth 17 and younger. Adult (21+) must accompany youth. Only youth may take or attempt to take.
Zone: Game Zone 3
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Nearby deer seasons
South Carolina Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in South Carolina?
August 9, 2025 is the earliest listed deer opener in South Carolina — youth white-tailed deer runs Aug 9-9, 2025. Confirm zone and permit details with South Carolina DNR.
What are the 2025-26 deer season dates in South Carolina?
South Carolina lists 19 deer season windows: Youth White-tailed Deer (Aug 9-9, 2025); Youth White-tailed Deer (Aug 9-9, 2025); Archery White-tailed Deer (Aug 15-31, 2025); Archery & Firearm White-tailed Deer (Aug 15, 2025-Jan 1, 2026); Archery Only White-tailed Deer (Aug 15-31, 2025); Archery and Firearm White-tailed Deer (Aug 15, 2025-Jan 1, 2026); Regular Firearm White-tailed Deer (Sep 1, 2025-Jan 1, 2026); Youth White-tailed Deer (Sep 13-13, 2025); and more. Always verify against South Carolina DNR before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in South Carolina?
Yes — South Carolina lists separate deer seasons for Youth White-tailed Deer, Archery White-tailed Deer, Archery & Firearm White-tailed Deer, Archery Only White-tailed Deer, Archery and Firearm White-tailed Deer, Regular Firearm White-tailed Deer. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and South Carolina DNR.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with South Carolina DNR.