What the Resident Annual Combination License Covers

South Carolina's Resident Annual Combination License lets you hunt and fish throughout the state for one calendar year with a single permit. It covers freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and all hunting seasons — deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game — without buying separate licenses for each activity. The license runs from January 1 through December 31, so the timing of your purchase affects how long you have to use it.

This is the broadest single license South Carolina offers. If you plan to do both hunting and fishing at any point during the year, it costs less than buying a hunting license and a fishing license separately. The combination license does not cover special stamps or permits — you still need to purchase those if you want to hunt specific game like turkey or waterfowl — but the base license itself covers access to all seasons and all methods.

Key Takeaways

  • The Resident Annual Combination License covers both hunting and fishing for the entire calendar year and costs less than buying the licenses separately.
  • You must be a South Carolina resident and at least 16 years old to purchase the license; residents under 16 have a separate youth rate.
  • You can buy the license online through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website, by phone, or at authorized retailers across the state.
  • The license does not include special stamps for turkey or waterfowl hunting, which you must purchase separately if you plan to hunt those species.
  • Your license is valid only during the calendar year you purchase it; you must renew on January 1 if you want to continue hunting and fishing into the next year.

Who Can Buy This License and Residency Requirements

You must be a South Carolina resident to purchase the Resident Annual Combination License. Residency means you have lived in the state for at least 30 consecutive days before applying, or you own real property in South Carolina. If you moved to the state recently, you may need to provide proof of residency — a utility bill, lease, or property deed dated within the last 30 days usually works.

You must be at least 16 years old. South Carolina offers a separate youth license for residents under 16 at a lower cost, which covers the same hunting and fishing privileges. If you are 16 or older and meet the residency requirement, you can purchase the full-price combination license.

Non-residents cannot buy this license. South Carolina offers separate non-resident hunting and fishing licenses, but they cost significantly more and have different rules. If you are not a resident, check the non-resident license options on the Department of Natural Resources website.

How to Purchase and Where to Buy

The fastest way to buy the license is online through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website. You can purchase it 24 hours a day, and the license is active immediately after payment. You will receive a confirmation email with your license number, which you can print or save to your phone. Many wardens accept a photo of the digital license, though some still prefer a printed copy.

You can also buy the license by phone by calling the Department of Natural Resources during business hours, or in person at authorized retailers throughout the state. Retailers include sporting goods stores, bait and tackle shops, and some Walmart and Bass Pro Shops locations. Call ahead to confirm a retailer has the license in stock, since some smaller shops may not carry all license types.

Payment methods vary by purchase channel. Online purchases accept credit and debit cards. Phone purchases may require a credit card. Retailers typically accept cash, card, or check, depending on their policy. There is no mail-in option for purchasing the license itself, though you can renew by mail if you purchased it in person the previous year.

Cost and What You Pay For

The cost of the Resident Annual Combination License varies slightly depending on where and how you purchase it. Buying online or by phone through the Department of Natural Resources costs one amount; buying through a retailer may include a small transaction fee. The base license cost is set by the state, but retailers are allowed to add a small processing fee, so the total can differ by a few dollars depending on where you buy.

The combination license is cheaper than buying a hunting license and a fishing license separately, which is why it makes sense if you plan to do both. If you only hunt or only fish, a single-activity license may cost less. The youth license for residents under 16 costs significantly less than the adult combination license.

The price you pay covers the license itself only. It does not include special stamps or permits. If you want to hunt turkey, you must buy a turkey stamp. If you want to hunt waterfowl, you must buy a waterfowl stamp. These are purchased separately and have their own costs and seasons.

What Hunting and Fishing You Can Do

With the Resident Annual Combination License, you can hunt all game species during their open seasons: deer (archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons), turkey (spring and fall), waterfowl (ducks and geese), and small game (squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and others). You can fish in all freshwater bodies — lakes, rivers, and streams — and in saltwater areas. The license covers all methods: rod and reel, bow, rifle, shotgun, and trap.

The license does not give you unlimited hunting or fishing. You must follow daily bag limits, size limits, and season dates set by the Department of Natural Resources. These limits change by species and sometimes by region. A separate regulation booklet covers all the rules; you can download it from the Department of Natural Resources website or pick up a printed copy at most retailers.

Special permits and stamps are not included. Turkey hunting requires a turkey stamp. Waterfowl hunting requires a federal duck stamp and a state waterfowl stamp. Some areas require special permits for hunting on public land. Check the regulation booklet or call the Department of Natural Resources if you are unsure whether you need an additional permit for the species or location you plan to hunt.

License Validity and Renewal

Your Resident Annual Combination License is valid for the calendar year in which you purchase it — January 1 through December 31. If you buy the license on June 15, it expires on December 31 of that same year. You do not get a refund for the unused months. This means buying early in the year gives you more time to use the license, while buying late in the year means you have only a few months before renewal.

To continue hunting and fishing into the next year, you must renew the license on or after January 1. You can renew online, by phone, or at a retailer using the same methods as your original purchase. If you purchased in person at a retailer the previous year, you may be able to renew by mail, though online renewal is usually faster.

If your license is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement through the Department of Natural Resources. Keep your confirmation email or receipt as proof of purchase. A warden can look up your license by name and date of birth if you do not have the number with you.

Public Land Access and Where You Can Hunt and Fish

The Resident Annual Combination License allows you to hunt and fish on public lands managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, including Wildlife Management Areas and public fishing lakes. It also allows you to fish on public waterways. However, access to specific public lands may have additional rules — some areas require a separate permit, have limited seasons, or restrict the number of hunters on a given day.

Private land hunting and fishing require the landowner's permission, regardless of whether you have a license. The license does not grant you access to private property. If you want to hunt or fish on private land, you must ask the owner first.

Some public areas charge a day-use fee in addition to your license. State parks and some Wildlife Management Areas may require a parking pass or entrance fee. Check the Department of Natural Resources website or call ahead to confirm what fees apply to the specific area where you plan to hunt or fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license if I am fishing on private property?

Yes, you need a South Carolina fishing license to fish anywhere in the state, including private ponds and lakes on your own property. The only exception is if you are under 16 and fishing on your own land with parental supervision — check the current regulation booklet for exact age and supervision rules, as these can change.

Can I buy a license for someone else as a gift?

You can purchase a license online or by phone and have it sent to someone else's email address, or you can buy a gift certificate through the Department of Natural Resources website. The recipient will need to activate the license or certificate in their own name before using it.

What happens if I lose my license or license number?

Contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with your name and date of birth, and they can look up your license number. Keep your confirmation email as backup. If you lose a printed copy, you can print another from your email or request a replacement from the Department.

Do I need both a state license and a federal duck stamp to hunt waterfowl?

Yes. The Resident Annual Combination License covers state hunting privileges, but federal law requires a separate federal duck stamp for waterfowl hunting. You must also buy a state waterfowl stamp. Both are purchased separately from your base license.

Can I use my South Carolina license to hunt or fish in another state?

No. Your South Carolina license is valid only in South Carolina. If you travel to another state to hunt or fish, you must purchase that state's license. Each state has its own licensing system and regulations.