South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
Updated October 27, 2026, with official 2026–27 season dates.
South Carolina’s 2026–27 duck season starts with a youth-only day on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The regular season runs November 21–28 and December 12, 2026 – January 31, 2027. A second set of youth and veteran days follows on February 6 and 13, 2027. As of this writing, SCDNR’s own season sheet still shows last year, so these dates come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2026–27 state season memo, which lists the seasons South Carolina selected.
Chasing deer in South Carolina this season too? See our South Carolina Deer Season 2026–27 guide for archery, gun and doe dates.
South Carolina Duck Season 2026–27 at a Glance
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| September teal | Sept. 19–27, 2026 (sunrise to sunset) |
| Youth-only duck day (17 and younger) | Nov. 14, 2026 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, first split | Nov. 21–28, 2026 |
| Ducks, coots and mergansers, second split | Dec. 12, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Youth and veteran/active military days | Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2027 |
South Carolina Duck Zones
South Carolina has one statewide set of duck dates. Where you hunt matters for one thing: the black duck and mottled duck limit changes on either side of I-95 (see below).
South Carolina Duck Bag Limits
South Carolina follows the Atlantic Flyway 6-duck bag with a few state-specific rules, per the federal season memo:
| Species | Daily limit |
|---|---|
| Mallards | 4 (no more than 2 hens) |
| Wood ducks | 3 |
| Pintails | 3 |
| Redheads | 2 |
| Canvasbacks | 2 |
| Black and mottled ducks, east and south of I-95 | 1 total (either 1 black or 1 mottled) |
| Black and mottled ducks, west and north of I-95 | 2 black ducks, or 1 black and 1 mottled |
| Hooded mergansers | 1 (counts toward the 6) |
| Scaup | 2 on Nov. 14, Nov. 21–28 and Dec. 12–22; 1 after that |
| Fulvous whistling ducks | 1 |
| Coots | 15 |
Possession is three times the daily bag. The I-95 line is the rule to remember: Lowcountry hunters get only one black or mottled duck a day.
Youth, Veteran and Military Days
On November 14, only hunters 17 and younger can hunt ducks, coots and mergansers. They must be with a licensed adult 21 or older who has state and federal waterfowl stamps. Youth who are 16 or 17 don’t need a state license or state waterfowl stamp that day, but they do need a federal duck stamp and a migratory bird permit. The February 6 and 13 days are open to youth, veterans and active-duty military for ducks, mergansers, coots, gallinules and geese, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Licenses, Stamps and HIP
Hunters 16 and older need a South Carolina hunting license, the state Migratory Waterfowl Permit, a free Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) and a Federal Duck Stamp. SCDNR’s nonresident license pricing page lists the HIP permit at no cost.
Where and When to Hunt Ducks in South Carolina
South Carolina’s duck hunting is built on old Lowcountry rice fields, Santee and Cooper river impoundments and the big reservoirs upstate. SCDNR manages more than 1.1 million acres of WMA land, including 22 designated Waterfowl Management Areas, according to its migratory bird page. Many of the best impoundments are drawn hunts, so check the SCDNR WMA pages for application dates and area rules. SCDNR can set special shooting hours and bag limits on those areas.
- Thanksgiving split (Nov. 21–28): wood ducks, ring-necks, teal and early gadwall.
- Late split: mallards, wigeon, pintails and divers on the coast and the Santee Cooper lakes as northern cold fronts push birds south.
Planning Around Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, 2026. See what else is open that week in our Thanksgiving hunting guide, and sharpen up before opening day with 5 pro tips from a wingshooting expert.
South Carolina Duck Season FAQ
When does duck season start in South Carolina in 2026?
The youth-only day is Nov. 14. The regular season opens Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026.
When does duck season end in South Carolina?
Jan. 31, 2027. Youth and veteran days follow on Feb. 6 and 13.
How many black ducks can you shoot in South Carolina?
East and south of I-95, one black or one mottled duck a day. West and north of I-95, two black ducks, or one black and one mottled.
Do I need HIP in South Carolina?
Yes. The Migratory Bird Permit is HIP certification, and it is free.
Gear Up for the Season
Every Hunt One More® design is built around faith, service and time in the field. Layer up in The Lord Is My Guide® tees and hoodies for those cold mornings in the blind, and put a Hunt One More decal on the truck or the boat before opening day.
Trust the process. Trust the hunt. And when the birds are still working, hunt one more.
Duck Season Dates in Other States
Hunting more than one state this winter? Here are our other 2026–27 duck season guides.
- Southeast Duck Season Dates 2026–27: All 10 States
- Alabama Duck Season 2026–27
- Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27
- Florida Duck Season 2026–27
- Georgia Duck Season 2026–27
- Louisiana Duck Season 2026–27
- Mississippi Duck Season 2026–27
- North Carolina Duck Season 2026–27
- Tennessee Duck Season 2026–27
- Virginia Duck Season 2026–27
Keep Reading on Camp Talk
- Virginia Duck Season 2026–27
- Louisiana Duck Season 2026–27
- Arkansas Duck Season 2026–27
- 5 Pro Tips From A Wingshooting Expert
- Thanksgiving Hunting 2026: What’s Open
Season dates and bag limits come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, SCDNR. This guide is for planning only. Always confirm current regulations, license requirements and bag limits with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and SCDNR before you hunt.
More from Camp Talk: South Carolina deer season 2026–27 · Southeast duck season dates 2026–27