South Carolina

Home to numerous waterways and a 187-mile Atlantic coastline, the Palmetto State provides hunters and anglers with a wide array of sporting opportunities in a diversity of landscapes. South Carolina features a lowland coastal plain in the southeast which rises to the Piedmont Plateau in the northwest. Major rivers in South Carolina include the Pee Dee, Savannah, Ashley, Combahee, and Edisto. Species iconic to South Carolina include white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, and American alligator. South Carolina’s hunting and fishing traditions date back hundreds of years, with Native Americans and early settlers relying on the state’s vast natural resources. Fast forward to today and the Palmetto State continues to attract sportsmen and women from across the world.

For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in South Carolina, please contact: Conner Barker

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Representative Jeff Duncan Representative Russell Fry Senator Lindsey Graham Representative Nancy Mace Representative Ralph Norman Senator Tim Scott Representative William Timmons Representative Joe Wilson

South Carolina Governors Sportsmen's Caucus Member

Governor Henry McMaster

South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Leadership

Representative Heather Bauer Representative Gary Brewer Senator Stephen Goldfinch Senator Russell Ott

South Carolina Policy Highlights

In 2023, thanks to the leadership of Caucus Co-Chair and NASC Executive Council Member Representative Bobby Cox and other Caucus Members, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources opened limited Sunday hunting opportunities on National Forests and select Wildlife Management Areas for the first time in the state's history.

The Caucus was instrumental in the passage of HB 3800 in 2020 which expanded the apprentice hunting license program to support efforts to recruit new hunters.

To address the decline in the turkey population, Caucus members led the charge to update turkey hunting regulations through the passage of SB 575 in 2019.

Paid Hunting License Holders

Paid Angling License Holders

.3 M

Generated for Wildlife Conservation

Fanning or Reaping as a Method of Taking Turkeys

Often cited for its potential safety risks, fanning or reaping of turkeys statistically has not proven to be an unsafe act as some anecdotally claim.… Read more.

Federal Land Hunting & Angling Access

Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and… Read more.

Sunday Hunting Restrictions

Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical blue laws that were initially designed to encourage church attendance. At the… Read more.

30×30: Recognizing Sportsmen’s Contributions to Conservation

Concerned about the uncertainty that 30×30 policies may pose for hunting and fishing access, the sportsmen’s community issued the Hunting and Fishing Community Statement on… Read more.

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June 22, 2026

The Gulf Showed the Way. The South Atlantic Still Awaits Their Chance.

Why It Matters: For over a decade, South Atlantic red snapper anglers have been trapped in a management system that routinely relies on federal recreational catch data that consistently misses even the National Marine Fisheries Service’s mark for useable data. This year, a state-led effort to collect more accurate and timely catch information through exempted fishing permits (EFPs) offered a […]

June 22, 2026

Turkey Hunters See Record Harvest Numbers Across Much of the Southeast

Why It Matters: As is with much of the country, turkey hunting continues to be wildly popular among hunters across the Southeast. Turkey hunting traditions run deep throughout the region, and the pursuit generates millions of dollars through the “user pays – public benefits” structure that is the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). From recruiting the next generation of […]

June 1, 2026

Governor McMaster Signs CSF Priority Hunting Access Legislation in South Carolina

Why It Matters: Lack of access to quality hunting grounds is a leading barrier to participation for new and seasoned hunters alike. As populations grow and more pressure is put on wild landscapes, the demand for quality access to lands open to hunting has never been greater. Legislative efforts that ensure a no-net-loss of public hunting land are […]

May 4, 2026

CSF Priority Hunting Access Legislation Clears South Carolina Senate, Nears Final Passage

Why It Matters: As newcomers recognize the many appeals that South Carolina has to offer, the Palmetto State continues to grow in population. With more people than ever on the landscape, finding access to quality hunting grounds will likely only become increasingly difficult. Thankfully, South Carolina offers a diverse array of public land hunting opportunities. Legislative efforts to ensure […]

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South Carolina – 2026 American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

South Carolina: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report – South Carolina

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Impact You Can See

Investments in conservation education for youth were secured in SC.

Legislatures in AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NH, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, and WV celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program and formally recognized the crucial role that sportsmen and women play in funding conservation efforts through the “user pays, public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding.