Handgun Hunting SC

Anyone have the Regs on handgun hunting in sount carolina?

This is the entire "Weapons" section in the SCDNR Rule & Regulation publication:

Weapons

3.1 ? On WMA lands hunters may use any shotgun, rifle, bow and arrow, crossbow or hand gun except specific weapons may be prohibited on certain hunts. Small game hunters may possess or use shotguns with shot no larger than No. 2 or .22 or smaller rimfire rifles/handguns or primitive muzzle-loading rifles of .40 caliber or smaller. Small game hunters may not possess or use buckshot, slugs or shot larger than No. 2. Blow guns, dart guns, drugged arrows or arrows with exploding tips are not permitted. Small game hunters using archery equipment must use small game tips on the arrows (judo points, bludgeon points, etc.).

3.2 ? For Special Primitive Weapons Seasons, primitive weapons include bow and arrow, crossbow and muzzle-loading shotguns (20 gauge or larger) and rifles (.36 caliber or larger) with open or peep sights or scopes, which use black powder or a black powder substitute that does not contain nitro-cellulose or nitro-glycerin components as the propellant charge; there are no restrictions on ignition systems (e.g. Flintstone, percussion cap, shotgun primer, disk, electronic, etc.). During primitive weapons season, no revolving rifles are permitted. (Falconry Allowed).

3.3 ? On WMA lands, big game hunters are not allowed to use military or hard-jacketed bullets or .22 or smaller rimfire. Shotguns with only buckshot or slugs are allowed. Buckshot is prohibited during still gun hunts for deer on WMA lands in Game Zones 3-6.

3.4 ? On WMAs all firearms transported in vehicles must be unloaded and secured in a weapons case, or in the trunk of a vehicle or in a locked toolbox. On the Francis Marion Hunt Unit during deer hunts with dogs, loaded shotguns may be transported in vehicles. Any shotgun, centerfire rifle, rimfire rifle or pistol with a shell in the chamber, magazine or muzzleloader with a cap on the nipple or flintlock with powder in the flash pan is considered loaded.

3.5 ? No target practice is permitted on WMA lands except in specifi?cally designated areas.

3.6 ? On WMA lands during still gun hunts for deer or hogs there shall be no hunting or shooting from, on or across any road open to vehicle traffic. During any deer or hog hunt there shall be no open season for hunting on any designated recreational trail on U.S Forest Service or SC Public Service Authority property.

Years ago when I started handgun hunting with guides in sc I called dnr.


Then there were no limitations at all on handguns.

Now they have night hog hunting and your limited to iron sighted handguns under 9" I think with nothing more than a head lamp.

Hunting at night is not allowed on public land (WMA's) in SC and these are the only rules governing the practice on private land:

Private Property Night Hunting Notice and Registration

From the last day of February to July 1, upon notification to the SCDNR at least 48 hours in advance, hogs, coyotes, and armadillos may be hunted at night with or without the aid of bait, electronic calls, artificial lights, and night vision devices using any legal firearm, bow, or crossbow. Notice to the SCDNR is required once per season for each property and the names, dates of birth, and hunting license numbers of each person participating in the hunt must be made available for registration. Applicants will be asked to provide information regarding the location of the property including road names and numbers that border the property. Hunters using center-fire rifles during this time must be at an elevated position at least 10 feet from the ground. Persons convicted of certain offenses within the last 5 years are ineligible to participate.

I don't hunt public land there. So that I don't worry about.

Their rules are pretty wide open for the most part.

Compared to some other states anyways

Last l checked on handguns for big game in South Carolina you were limited to ''any centerfire ctg''..Choose a 500S&W or a .25cal Baby Brownig.. Both legal..

Yes - as the others have said, the short guns are fair game during regular firearms season for deer, small game, etc. Slightly more regulation on public lands, but overall very handgun-friendly.

No go on turkeys here though, as centerfire/rimfire is prohibited