South Carolina Deer Hunters: Watch Your Mailbox for Deer Tags and New Reporting Requirements

South Carolina deer hunters should be on the lookout as deer tags are set to arrive soon. Hunters with an annual or three-year hunting license and big game permit, combination license, or sportsman license, valid on August 15, will automatically receive a base set of deer tags, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

Lifetime, senior, gratis, disability, and Catawba license holders who have previously requested deer tags will continue to receive a free base set of tags automatically this year and in the future, SCDNR states. Those who did not receive tags automatically last year must request them to be added to the automatic fulfillment list. Youth license holders must request their free base set of tags each year.

With approximately 200,000 sets of tags being printed and mailed, hunters are advised to wait until at least August 5 before inquiring about the status of their tags with licensing at 803-734-4367 to allow adequate time for the tags to reach them, as per SCDNR guidelines.

Deer tags will also be available over-the-counter beginning Monday, August 5, at SCDNR offices located in Charleston, Clemson, West Columbia (Farmers Market), Florence, Aynor, and York. For contact information, hunters can visit: SCDNR Office Contact Information.

To check the status of hunting licenses or privileges, hunters can use the Go Outdoors SC app or visit Go Outdoors South Carolina.

For additional harvest opportunities, hunters can purchase additional antlerless tags or antler-restricted buck tags through the Go Outdoors SC app or at Go Outdoors South Carolina. Please allow 7-10 days for tags to arrive in the mail.

Starting this year, all deer hunters are required to electronically report their harvest by midnight on the day the deer is killed. The most convenient method is to use the SC Game Check feature in the Go Outdoors SC app. More details and instructions on electronic harvest reporting will be included with deer tags, on the SCDNR website, and on social media accounts before the deer season begins.

SCDNR reminds hunters that all deer in South Carolina must be immediately tagged before moving from the point of kill.