Upland hunting is an American term for a form of bird hunting in which the hunter pursues upland birds. In South Carolina, we have many migratory species that are permissible to hunt during seasonal specifications. Below is the 2020-21 South Carolina, Migratory Bird Season.
SPECIES OPEN DATES:
MOURNING DOVE
- Nov. 14–Nov. 28, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
- Dec. 25–Jan. 31, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
MARSH HENS/RAILS (King, Clapper, Sora & Virginia)
- Oct. 1–Dec.3, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
WOODCOCK
- Dec. 18–Jan. 31, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
COMMON SNIPE
- (Wilson’s) Nov. 14–Feb. 28, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
COMMON MOORHENS & PURPLE GALLINULES
- Oct. 1–Dec.3, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
DUCKS: (Including Sea Ducks) (There is no open season for harlequin ducks)
- Nov. 21–Nov. 28
- Dec. 12–Jan. 31, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
MERGANSERS
- Nov. 21–Nov. 28
- Dec. 12–Jan. 31, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset (not to include more than 1 Hooded Merganser)
COOTS
- Nov. 21–Nov. 28
- Dec. 12–Jan. 31, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
CANADA GEESE/WHITE FRONTED GEESE
- (Late Seasons)
- Nov. 21–Nov. 28
- Dec. 12–Jan. 31
- Feb. 14–Mar. 1
BLUE and SNOW GEESE
- Nov. 21–Nov. 28
- Dec. 12–Jan. 31
- Feb. 14–Mar. 1
BRANT
- Dec. 13–Jan. 31, 1/2 Hour before Sunrise until Sunset
Black ducks/mottled ducks, the limit is as follows:
For areas east of I-95, one black duck or one mottled duck in the total bag of no more than six. For areas west of I-95, two black ducks or one black duck and one mottled duck in the total bag of no more than six.
Canada Goose Hunting Area: During the September 1—September 30:
Hunting for Canada Geese is allowed statewide. During the remaining three segments, the hunting area excludes that portion of Clarendon County bounded to the north by S-14-25; to the east by Hwy 260; and to the south by the markers delineating the channel of the Santee River. It also excludes that portion of Clarendon County bounded on the north by S-14-26 and extending southward to that portion of Orangeburg County bordered by Hwy #6.
Sea Duck Area and Duck Limits Within this Area:
The sea duck area is the Atlantic Ocean waters separated from any shore, island or emergent vegetation by at least one mile of open water. In this area, the sea duck limit is 5 with no more than 4 scoters, 4 eiders or 4 long-tailed ducks. In addition and within this area, a hunter may take up to 6 other ducks as described for the rest of the state but not including sea ducks. The shooting of crippled waterfowl from a vessel under motor power in the sea duck area is allowed.
Source: https://www.dnr.sc.gov