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#06-172 July 3, 2006

Hunting, fishing licenses are up for renewal in S.C.

It’s time for South Carolina sportsmen and sportswomen to renew their annual hunting and fishing licenses for the 2006-2007 season.  Last season’s licenses expire on June 30.

The prices of all hunting and fishing licenses for the upcoming 2006-2007 South Carolina hunting season remain the same as last season.  A $9 Senior Statewide Hunting and Fishing Lifetime License replaces the old gratis license, which was free for state residents age 65 and above, but residents born on or before July 1, 1940 can still obtain the free gratis license.  The new $9 senior license expands benefits for 64-year-old residents.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sells hunting and fishing licenses at its Columbia headquarters in the Rembert Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St., DNR field offices statewide and through many retail businesses across the state.  Licenses for the upcoming 2006-2007 season went on sale June 16 and are valid immediately after purchase.

South Carolina hunting and fishing licenses expire June 30 of each year.  Licenses for the 2006-2007 season may be purchased from about 800 retail stores in South Carolina or from most DNR offices. Also visit the DNR Website http://www.dnr.sc.gov/. Click on “Buy” to purchase a license. You can also purchase a license by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-866-714-3611.

“South Carolina has a rich heritage of fishing and hunting,” said Sandra Hartley, DNR license sales administrator. “More than a half-million people, including residents and nonresidents, bought fishing and hunting licenses during fiscal year 2005-2006 which generated more than $13 million in revenue for natural resources conservation in the Palmetto State.” Federal funds for wildlife and sport fisheries restoration earmarked for South Carolina are based in part on the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold. The funds are generated by excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment.

Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older must purchase the required licenses to hunt and fish in South Carolina. Anyone born after June 30, 1979, must complete a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license. Residents born on or before July 1, 1940 will still be able to obtain the gratis license, free of charge. State residents born after July 1, 1940 will need to purchase the $9 Senior Statewide Hunting and Fishing lifetime License. The senior lifetime license, for residents age 64 and above, includes privileges that cover not only hunting and fishing licenses and big game permit, but the Wildlife Management Area permit (a $30.50 annual permit), the state duck stamp (a $5.50 annual stamp), and the Saltwater Marine Recreational Fisheries License (a $10 annual license).  Applications for Lifetime, Gratis and Disability licenses will be printed in the 2006-2007 “Rules and Regulations” booklet available in August, or individuals may call (803) 734-3833 in Columbia to obtain an application or you can download an application from the DNR Website at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/licensing.html.

“Please note there are some tags/licenses/permits required for specific privileges not covered under the senior license,” Hartley said. “We encourage people to pick up the new regulations locally from license sales agents at retail stores and DNR field offices statewide beginning the first week of August to save the state mailing and other handling expenses. For questions regarding hunting and fishing licenses call (803) 734-3833 in Columbia.”

Copies of the free fishing and hunting regulations booklet “2006-2007 South Carolina Rules & Regulations for Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife Management Areas” will be available beginning the first week of August from the retail businesses that sell licenses and DNR offices. 

Sportsmen and sportswomen can access the rules and regulations by visiting the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html.  If copies of the booklet are not available from other sources write to: Regulations, PO Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202.

“If you plan to participate in specialized nongame fishing activities, tag and permits are available only through the DNR office in Columbia, Charleston, Clemson and Florence,” Hartley said. “Call (803) 734-3833 for an application. Don't wait to purchase the required permits at the last minute before a fishing trip.”

Hunting and fishing license fees for the 2006-2007 season are as follows:

----- Resident Combination Licenses

Licenses Fee
Combination Hunting and Fishing License (Includes hunting, big game, freshwater fishing) $25
Sportsman's License (Includes WMA, big game, hunting and freshwater fishing)  $50
Junior Sportsman's License (Residents age 16-17 only, Sportsman's License privileges) $16
Senior License (For residents age 64 and older) $9

----- Resident Fising Licenses

Licenses Fee
State Freshwater Fishing License $10
Lakes and Reservoirs Permit (For non-manufactured tackle in 14 reservoirs) $3
14-Day Freshwater Fishing License (Valid for 14 consecutive days only) $5
14-Day Saltwater Recreational Fishing License  $5
Annual Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $10
14-Day Resident Saltwater Fishing License $5
Shrimp Baiting Permit (To take shrimp by cast net over bait during set season) $25

-----Resident Hunting Licenses & Permits

Licenses Fees
State Hunting License * (Small Game Only) $12
County Hunting License * (Good only in county of residence) $5
Big Game Permit (Required statewide for hunting deer, turkey and bear) $6
Wildlife Management Area Permit (To hunt on all WMA lands, Not required for fishing) $30.50
Individual Antlerless Deer tags (For use on buck only hunts statewide)  $5
Turkey tags (Required of all ages to hunt turkeys) FREE
(available
March 2007)
Migratory Bird Permit FREE
State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (State Duck Stamp) $5.50
Commercial Fur Harvest License (valid S.C. Hunting license required) $25
Shooting Preserve Permit  $8.50

------ Nongame Fishing Tags & Permits (Freshwater Only)

LicensesFee
Freshwater Trap Tag $5 each
Freshwater Trotline Tag $2.50 each
Freshwater Eel Pot Tag $5 each
Freshwater Gill Net Tag $5 each
Freshwater Hoop Net Tag $10 each
Freshwater Set hook Permit (3 to 50 hooks, one per licensee) $5
Freshwater Jug Permit (3 to 50 jugs, one per licensee $5
Freshwater Commercial Fishing license  $50
Replacement Tag or Permit $1

----- Nonresident Fees for Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Licenses Fees
Nonresident Annual Hunting License * (Small Game Only) $125
Nonresident 10-Day Hunting License * (Small Game Only) $75
Nonresident 3-Day Hunting License * (Small Game Only) $40
Nonresident Big Game Permit (Required statewide for hunting deer, turkey and bear) $100
Nonresident Wildlife Management Area Permit $76
Individual Antlerless Deer tags (For use on buck only hunts statewide) $5
Turkey tags (Required of all ages to hunt turkeys) FREE
Migratory Bird Permit FREE
State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp $5.50
Shooting Preserve Permit $8.50
Nonresident Commercial Fur Harvest Permit $200
Nonresident Annual Freshwater Fishing License $35
Nonresident 7-Day Freshwater Fishing License $11
Nonresident Annual Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $35
Nonresident 14-Day Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $11
Nonresident Shrimp Baiting License $500

----- Lifetime Licenses (Available to S.C. Residents Only)

Licenses Fees
Lifetime Freshwater Fishing (any age) $300
Lifetime Hunting* (Small game only) $300
Lifetime Combination (Under 2 years of age) $300
Lifetime Combination (2 to 15 years of age) $400
Lifetime Combination (16 to 63 years of age) $500
Senior Statewide Hunting and Fishing License (Age 64 or older) $9
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