South Carolina Duck Season
2026–2027
Season dates by zone, bag limits, youth days, and license requirements — verified against the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
- Earliest opener
- Nov 21
- Latest close
- Jan 31
- Daily bag
- 6 ducks
- Possession
- 18 ducks
Statewide
Statewide
Species limits apply
3× daily bag
Statewide opens in
58 days
Start your South Carolina log — free. MarshHQ counts every species against these limits as you log, and shows legal shooting light for the spot you’re hunting.
Email only. No card. The log stays free.
Season dates by zone
Duck season. Always confirm shooting hours with SCDNR.
Statewide
59 days
- Nov 21 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Other waterfowl seasonsCoot, Early teal, Early Canada goose, Canada goose (regular), White-fronted goose, Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s), Brant, Sea duck
Coot
Statewide
- Nov 21 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Early teal
Statewide
- Sep 19 – Sep 27, 2026
Early Canada goose
Statewide
- Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026
Canada goose (regular)
Statewide
- Nov 21 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
- Feb 15 – Mar 1, 2027
White-fronted goose
Statewide
- Nov 21 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
- Feb 15 – Mar 1, 2027
Light goose (snow, blue, Ross’s)
Statewide
- Nov 21 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
- Feb 15 – Mar 1, 2027
Brant
Statewide
- Jan 2 – Jan 31, 2027
Sea duck
Statewide
- Nov 21 – Nov 28, 2026
- Dec 12, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Youth & special days
Youth waterfowl
- Statewide:
- Nov 14, 2026
- Statewide:
- Feb 6, 2027 · Feb 13, 2027
Bag limits
Daily limit is 6 ducks total. Within those, no more than:
Light geese: 25 daily.
Mergansers: 5 daily, 15 in possession.
Scaup: 2, then 2, then 2, then 1, then 2, then 2 daily, 6 in possession.
What you need to hunt ducks in South Carolina
Migratory Bird Permit — Required for hunters 16 and older; completed via a harvest information (HIP) survey.
Migratory Waterfowl Permit — Required in addition to the Migratory Bird Permit, for hunters 16 and older hunting brant, ducks, or geese.
Federal Duck Stamp — Required for hunters 16 and older.
Nontoxic shot — Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl nationwide.
- Hunters 64+ holding an SCDNR lifetime hunting, lifetime combination, Senior, or Gratis license do not need the Migratory Bird Permit.
- Hunters holding an SCDNR lifetime migratory waterfowl add-on, Senior, Gratis, Catawba, or Disability license do not need the annual Migratory Waterfowl Permit.
License and permit names and exemptions are set by the state and can change without notice, and fees aren’t listed here for the same reason. MarshHQ is not responsible for errors or out-of-date information — confirm current requirements directly with SCDNR (opens in a new tab) before you hunt.
Disclaimer: Bag limits and season dates are for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify with USFWS and your state wildlife agency before hunting. Dates and limits above reflect the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’s published 2026–2027 waterfowl regulations as checked on 2026-08-09. Confirm with the official source before you hunt: dnr.sc.gov (opens in a new tab)
Not affiliated with any state wildlife agency.