Killing coyotes in South Carolina is legal year-round on private land with a valid hunting license, and the state sets no bag limit.1South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Coyote The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) treats coyotes as a nuisance species, so there is no closed season for taking them with a firearm, bow, or crossbow.2South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. South Carolina Species Information – Coyotes The rules tighten at night, on Wildlife Management Areas, and when you move from shooting to trapping.
Daytime Hunting on Private Land
During legal shooting hours on private land, you can hunt coyotes any day of the year with any legal firearm, bow, or crossbow. Bait and electronic calls are legal statewide on private property.3South Carolina Forestry Commission. Coyote Control – What a Landowner CAN Do in South Carolina There is no bag limit.4eRegulations. South Carolina Feral Hog, Coyote and Armadillo Regulations
You need a South Carolina hunting license. A resident annual license costs $12 and a three-year license runs $36.5South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. SC Resident Fishing and Hunting License Pricing Anyone born after June 30, 1979 must complete a hunter education course before buying one.6South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. SC Hunting License
One statewide rule applies all day: it is unlawful to shoot from or across any public paved road.
What Landowners Can Do
Property owners get two tools the general hunter doesn’t.
The 100-Yard Exemption
You do not need any license or permit to shoot or trap a coyote within 100 yards of your residence, as long as you are on your own property and local ordinances allow firearm discharge.7South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – Coyote You can also designate someone else — a neighbor, friend, or family member — to do it for you.3South Carolina Forestry Commission. Coyote Control – What a Landowner CAN Do in South Carolina Check county and municipal firearms ordinances first, especially in more developed areas.
Depredation and Predator Management Permits
If coyotes are causing damage beyond that 100-yard zone, you can apply to SCDNR for a depredation permit. It allows year-round control and does not require a separate hunting or trapping license.1South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Coyote SCDNR also issues a Predator Management Permit for private lands covering March 1 through November 30, which lets you trap coyotes and other furbearers outside the normal trapping season.8South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Predator Management Permit for Private Lands Contact the SCDNR Furbearer Project at (803) 734-3609 for current terms.
Night Hunting Rules
Night hunting is where most people run into legal trouble. It is legal, but the rules depend on your weapon and whether the property is registered with SCDNR.
Year-Round With Restricted Weapons
You can hunt coyotes at night all year using artificial lights or night vision, but only with these weapons: a rimfire rifle, a bow and arrow (no crossbows), a shotgun loaded with shot no larger than BB, or a handgun with iron sights and a barrel no longer than nine inches.3South Carolina Forestry Commission. Coyote Control – What a Landowner CAN Do in South Carolina
Expanded Weapons With Advance Notice
From the end of February through July 1, you can use any legal firearm, bow, or crossbow at night if the landowner notifies SCDNR at least 48 hours in advance with the names and license numbers of all participants. One notice per season per property.2South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. South Carolina Species Information – Coyotes Anyone shooting a centerfire rifle during this window must do so from an elevated position at least 10 feet off the ground.3South Carolina Forestry Commission. Coyote Control – What a Landowner CAN Do in South Carolina
During open hunting season, properties registered through the SCDNR night hunting portal also qualify for night hunting with any legal firearm, bow, or crossbow, along with artificial lights and night vision.9South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Private Property Night Hunting Notice and Registration for Hunting Feral Hogs, Coyotes, or Armadillos at Night
The 300-Yard Residential Buffer
No matter the method, it is unlawful to hunt coyotes at night within 300 yards of a residence without the occupant’s permission. The restriction does not apply if you are the landowner hunting your own property, or if you hold a depredation permit from SCDNR.9South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Private Property Night Hunting Notice and Registration for Hunting Feral Hogs, Coyotes, or Armadillos at Night
Wildlife Management Areas Are Different
The private-land freedoms do not carry over to public land. On WMAs, you can hunt coyotes during any open game season with no bag limit, but your weapon must match what the current game season allows. Night hunting coyotes on a WMA is prohibited entirely, and you need a WMA permit in addition to your hunting license.10eRegulations. South Carolina WMA Regulations
Trapping
Trapping season for coyotes runs December 1 through March 1, and you need a commercial fur harvest license on top of your hunting license.11South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 50-11-2540 – Trapping Season; Unlawful to Trap Out of Season Without Authorization; Taking of Coyotes That license costs $25 for residents and $200 for non-residents, with reporting requirements attached.12eRegulations. South Carolina Hunting Licenses and Fees Trapping outside this season requires a depredation or predator management permit.
Snares are legal only for water sets and cannot be used on land. Deadfalls and any other trap type not expressly authorized are unlawful without a specific exception from the department.13South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 50-11-2460 – Traps Allowed for Trapping The 100-yard landowner exemption covers trapping too, so no license or permit is needed to trap a coyote within 100 yards of your home on your own property.7South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – Coyote Poisoning coyotes is not a lawful option for individual landowners or hunters.
Penalties
Night hunting violations carry the steepest consequences. A first offense can bring a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. A second offense within two years raises the fine range to $400–$1,000. A third or subsequent offense within two years runs $500–$1,500.14South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 50-11-715 – Night Hunting
A second or subsequent conviction within three years can also trigger a two-year statewide suspension of hunting privileges. No hunting license can be issued during that period, and any license mistakenly issued is invalid.14South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code 50-11-715 – Night Hunting If you plan to hunt coyotes after dark, confirm the weapon restrictions, the registration or notice requirement, and the 300-yard buffer before you load the rifle.