South Carolina sets deer tag numbers and prices for hunters

The law provides resident hunters with deer tags when they buy a South Carolina hunting license and big game permit. The package includes three tags for antlerless deer and three for antlered deer; one antlered tag is limited to a deer with at least four points on one antler or a 12-inch inside antler spread. Hunters under sixteen, lifetime license holders, and gratis license holders may receive these tags upon request. These provisions take effect January 2, 2027.

The law sets fees for nonresident deer tags. Nonresidents pay $50 for the first antlered tag and $20 for each additional antlered tag, up to four tags total; each antlerless tag costs $10. Two of the antlered tags must be limited to deer with at least four points on one antler or a 12-inch inside antler spread. These fees take effect January 2, 2027.

The law allows residents to buy additional deer tags for $5 each. Each additional antlered tag is limited to a deer with at least four points on one antler or a 12-inch inside antler spread. Residents, including hunters under sixteen, lifetime license holders, and gratis license holders, may buy up to two additional antlered tags with the antler-size rule, and additional antlerless tags. These purchase rules take effect January 2, 2027.