What are the laws for hunting fox in South Carolina? This article covers many of the fundamental laws you will need to know to get started. It also provides information such as seasons, harvest limits, and required permits for bobcat hunting in South Carolina. It is not a legal document and is not intended to cover all hunting laws and regulations.
In South Carolina, fox hunting season for private land is March 2nd to Nov. 24th (dogs only), Nov. 25th to Mar. 1 (guns & dogs), and Mar. 2-Nov. 23rd (dogs only). On public land the season runs Sept. 1-Nov. 24(dogs only, night only)and Nov. 25-Mar. 1 (guns & dogs, night only). There is no bag limit.
Purchase a South Carolina hunting license here.
Check out all the South Carolina hunting seasons.
First time hunting fox? Check out these articles:
Read: How to call in a fox.
Read: How to use tracks and scat to hunt a fox.
Related: Read the laws for hunting coyotes in South Carolina.
Related: Read the rules for hunting bobcats in South Carolina.
General laws for hunting fox in South Carolina.
Electronic callers. It is illegal to hunt, catch, take, kill or attempt to hunt, catch, take or kill any game bird or game animal with the aid of recorded calls or sounds or recorded or electronically amplified imitations of calls or sounds (50-11-40). Crows, coyotes, or hogs are not game birds/animals and therefore can be hunted using electronic calls on private lands and WMA lands.
There is no regulation against using hand or mouth callers.
Read this article and watch the video to learn how to use a closed reed rabbit squealer.
Suppressors. In South Carolina, you can use your silencer for hunting, or any other legal use.
Sunday hunting. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays on all WMA lands. On private lands statewide, Sunday hunting for all game is legal.
Hunting fox in South Carolina at night.
Only on private property and without the use of artificial lights. See below.
Section 50-11-710. (A) It is unlawful to night hunt for raccoons, opossums, foxes, minks, or skunks in violation of the provisions of this section.
(B) Raccoons, opossums, foxes, minks, and skunks may be hunted at night on property on which a person has a lawful right to hunt; however, the animals may not be hunted with artificial lights except when treed or cornered with dogs, and may not be hunted with buckshot or any shot larger than a number four, or any rifle ammunition larger than a twenty-two caliber rimfire.
(C) A person who violates this section, upon conviction, must:
(1) for a first offense, be fined not more than five hundred dollars, be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both;
(2) for a second offense within two years from the date of conviction for the first offense, be fined not more than one thousand dollars, be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both; and
(3) for a third or subsequent offense within two years of the date of conviction for the last previous offense, be fined not more than one thousand five hundred dollars, be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.
Can you shoot a fox on your property in South Carolina?
According to: SC Code § 50-11-1050 (2020)
Where wildlife is destroying property, the department, upon the property owner’s request, may issue a permit authorizing the property owner, under the supervision of the department, to take action necessary to remove the destructive wildlife from his property.
Depredation permits may be issued at any time of the year by the SCDNR for the taking of furbearing animals that are destroying or damaging private or public property, wildlife habitat, game species, timber, crops, or other agriculture to be a nuisance or for scientific, research, or for wildlife management purposes. There is no cost for this permit. Animals captured under a depredation permit may not be relocated, sold, traded, exchanged, or bartered.
A nuisance fox can also be taken year-round with a Depredation Permit. A depredation permit is not required when controlling nuisance furbearers within 100 yards of a property owner’s residence. This permit is issued by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. To obtain a permit call your local wildlife management office or law enforcement field office. For further information: http://www.dnr.sc.gov.
Do not drink and go hunting fox in South Carolina.
Under ARTICLE 6: Using a Firearm While Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance
SECTION 23-31-400. Definitions; unlawful use of firearm; violations.
(A) As used in this article:
(1) “Use a firearm” means to discharge a firearm.
(2) “Serious bodily injury” means a physical condition which creates a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ.
(B) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to use a firearm in this State.
(C) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (B) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than two years.
(D) This article does not apply to persons lawfully defending themselves or their property.
