South Carolina Waterfowl Season 2025-26
South Carolina waterfowl season dates start with Dec 12, 2025-Jan 31, 2026. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
South Carolina's listed 2025-26 waterfowl season runs Dec 12, 2025-Jan 31, 2026.
Regular Season - Split 2 Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots opens Dec 12, 2025 and closes Jan 31, 2026.
Regular Season - Split 2 White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese opens Dec 12, 2025 and closes Jan 31, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to South Carolina DNR.
Waterfowl
25 listed rowsBrant
Regular Season
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
Canada Geese
Early Season
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset
Canada Geese
Regular Season - Split 1
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset
Canada Geese
Regular Season - Split 2
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset
Canada Geese
Regular Season - Split 3
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset.
Canada Geese
Late Season
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset
Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots
Regular Season - Split 1
No Open Season on Harlequin Ducks. Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset. Scaup: 2/day this split. Black duck/mottled duck bag limit varies by location relative to I-95.
Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots
Regular Season - Split 2
No Open Season on Harlequin Ducks. Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset. Scaup: 2/day Dec 12-22, 1/day Dec 23-Jan 31. Black duck/mottled duck bag limit varies by location relative to I-95.
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry Season - Split 1
Falconry is a permitted means of taking ducks, coots and mergansers. Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry Season
Extended falconry season: Nov 3-21, 2025 and Dec 1-11, 2025. Daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds respectively. Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Ducks, Coots, Mergansers
Extended Falconry Season - Split 2
Falconry is a permitted means of taking ducks, coots and mergansers. Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Ducks, Geese, Mergansers, Coots, Gallinules
Federal Youth Day
Federal Youth Days: Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2026. Youth 17 or younger must be accompanied by person 18+. Also open to Veterans/Active Duty Military. Scaup limit is two.
Ducks, Geese, Mergansers, Coots, Gallinules
Veteran/Active Duty Military Day
Veterans and active duty military must possess valid SC hunting license, Migratory Bird Permit, migratory waterfowl permit, and Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Two separate days: Feb. 7 and Feb. 14.
Ducks, Mergansers, Coots
State Youth Day
Legal species: Ducks, mergansers, coots. Youth 17 or younger must be accompanied by adult 21+. Youth 16-17 must possess Migratory Bird Permit and Federal Waterfowl Stamp.
Early Teal (Blue & Green Winged)
Early Teal Season
Shooting hours: Sunrise until Sunset
Early Teal (Blue & Green-Winged)
Early Teal Season
Shooting hours: Sunrise until sunset.
Scaup (Greater & Lesser)
Regular Season - 2/day Split
Scaup counted within overall duck limit of 6. Dates include Nov 22-29 and Dec 12-22 splits.
Scaup (Greater & Lesser)
Regular Season - Split 1 (2/day)
Scaup counted within duck daily bag limit of 6. November 15 youth day scaup limit is 2.
Scaup (Greater & Lesser)
Regular Season - 1/day Split
Scaup counted within overall duck limit of 6.
Scaup (Greater & Lesser)
Regular Season - Split 2 (1/day)
Scaup counted within duck daily bag limit of 6. Feb. 7 and 14 youth/veteran days scaup limit is 2.
Swans
Regular Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
No Open Season on Swans
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese
Regular Season - Split 1
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset. No possession limit for snow geese.
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese
Regular Season - Split 2
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset. No possession limit for snow geese.
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese
Regular Season - Split 3
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset. No possession limit for snow geese.
White-fronted Geese & Snow Geese
Late Season
Shooting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset. No possession limit for snow geese.
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
South Carolina Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in South Carolina?
September 1, 2025 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in South Carolina — early season canada geese runs Sep 1-30, 2025. Confirm zone and permit details with South Carolina DNR.
What are the 2025-26 waterfowl season dates in South Carolina?
South Carolina lists 24 waterfowl season windows: Regular Season Brant (Jan 2-31, 2026); Early Season Canada Geese (Sep 1-30, 2025); Regular Season - Split 1 Canada Geese (Nov 22-29, 2025); Regular Season - Split 2 Canada Geese (Dec 12, 2025-Jan 31, 2026); Regular Season - Split 3 Canada Geese (Feb 15-Mar 1, 2026); Late Season Canada Geese (Feb 15-Mar 1, 2026); Regular Season - Split 1 Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots (Nov 22-29, 2025); Regular Season - Split 2 Ducks (Including Sea Ducks), American Coots (Dec 12, 2025-Jan 31, 2026); and more. Always verify against South Carolina DNR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in South Carolina?
Yes — South Carolina lists separate waterfowl seasons for Regular Season Brant, Early Season Canada Geese, Regular Season - Split 1 Canada Geese, Regular Season - Split 2 Canada Geese, Regular Season - Split 3 Canada Geese, Late Season Canada Geese. 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 waterfowl in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with South Carolina DNR.