Why It Matters: The interests of South Carolina’s sportsmen and women were well represented at the State House during the 2025 legislative session. There was proposed legislation that ranged from seeking to protect public hunting access, to making fundamental changes to fisheries management, to educating the next generation of sportsmen and women. While it was a busy legislative session, CSF and the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) also hosted events that focused on promoting unity among legislators and sporting-conservation partners in the Palmetto State.
Highlights:
- House Bill 3872 (H3872), spearheaded by National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council Member Representative Bobby Cox and Caucus Co-Chair Representative Heather Bauer would have limited the loss of available acreage open to hunting for South Carolina’s sportsmen and women.
- Senate Bill 165 (S165), sponsored by Caucus member and former Caucus Co-Chair Senator George “Chip” Campsen, established the first ever South Carolina Conservation Education Fund.
- Senate Bill 219 (S219), sponsored by Caucus Co-Chair Senator Stephen Goldfinch, established a state-waters season for the snapper-grouper complex in South Carolina waters.
Each year, legislators in South Carolina see a plethora of bills up for consideration, many of which impact sportsmen and women. Fortunately, the members of the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus recognize the cultural and economic importance of our time-honored traditions and are strong and effective advocates for pro-sportsmen initiatives.
For example, H3872, sought to protect public hunting access on thousands of acres of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managed lands. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) worked with Caucus leadership to formulate and introduce this critical piece of legislation, spearheaded efforts to obtain the support of the DNR as well as in-state and national partners, and formed a coalition of over a dozen in-state and national organizations to support the bill during the 2025 legislative session. These efforts resulted in the bill clearing the South Carolina House of Representatives without receiving a single dissenting vote. H3872 awaits further action by the South Carolina Senate next year when the general assembly reconvenes for the 2026 legislative session.
S165 establishes the first ever South Carolina Conservation Education Fund (Fund). Revenue distributed to the Fund will be used for natural resource conservation education classes and programs, which are essential to help recruit the next generation of sportsmen in South Carolina and help sustain critical conservation funding needed to support the state’s storied outdoor traditions. CSF submitted written testimony in support of the bill and worked closely with in-state partners to advance this priority legislation. S165 sailed through both legislative chambers and was signed into law by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Member Governor Henry McMaster on May 8.
S219 is a critical piece of saltwater fisheries legislation that will position South Carolina to balance conservation efforts with expanded recreational access to promote economic growth while serving as an example for other states looking to transition to state management of their abundant fisheries resources in costal waters. CSF worked closely with several in-state and national partners and signed on to a coalition letter of support for the bill. S219 passed both legislative chambers and was signed into law by GSC member Governor Henry McMaster on May 8.
Finally, the Caucus hosted a strongly attended legislative policy reception during the legislative session, with numerous legislators and sporting-conservation partners in attendance. Events that allow sportsmen and women to interact with elected officials to discuss issues impacting our time-honored traditions are essential in promoting access and making sure our voices are heard on issues that not only impact us today, but for generations to come.
While there were some wins in South Carolina this year, there is still work to be done. Over the remainer of 2026, CSF will continue to coordinate with Caucus leadership, specifically in the Senate, to build support of H3872 in advance of the 2026 session and identify additional priorities pertinent to hunters and anglers in the state. Planning is also underway for the Annual South Carolina Southern Sporting Classic, which will be held on October 16. This event will bring the Caucus as well as our partners together for a day on the range in celebration of our wins in 2025 and give the sportsmen’s community an opportunity to discuss strategy for 2026.
CSF thanks the Caucus and its many partners for a strong showing of support throughout the 2025 South Carolina legislative session and looks forward to hitting the ground running when the 2026 legislative session convenes early next year.
