Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting


The following material is only a summary. Each hunter should also consult the actual Federal Regulations, which may be found in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20, available at https://www.fws.gov/hunting/whatres.html.


Can I manipulate crops in a field where waterfowl will be hunted?


What about natural vegetation?

Natural vegetation is any non-agricultural, native, or naturalized plant species that grows at a site in response to planting or from existing seeds or other propagules.

Natural vegetation does not include planted millet (like browntop and Japanese millet) because of its use as both an agricultural crop and a species of natural vegetation for moist soil management. However, planted millet that grows on its own in subsequent years is considered natural vegetation. If you restore and manage wetlands as habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, you can manipulate the natural vegetation in these areas and make them available for hunting. Mowing and burning of natural vegetation are common habitat management practices in South Carolina.

Natural vegetation does not include plants grown as agricultural crops. Under no circumstances can you hunt waterfowl over crops manipulated prior to a normal harvest. Nor can you hunt waterfowl over manipulated wildlife food plots or manipulated plantings for soil stabilization.


Shooting Hours

Shooting hours for waterfowl are 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset except where noted during early seasons. Shooting hours are uniform statewide.

Legal Shot

The possession of lead shot is prohibited for all waterfowl hunting, statewide. Nontoxic shot (steel, bismuth or other Federally approved shot) is required for all waterfowl hunting.

Blind Regulations (SC Code of Laws 50-11-25)

It is unlawful to take migratory waterfowl from blinds or positions where the floor level of the blind or the position is:

A blind on public lands or waters must be constructed from biodegradable materials. Once vacated, a blind on public lands or waters may be used by persons on a "first come, first served" basis.

Airboat Regulations (SC Code of Laws 50-21-860)

An "airboat" means a watercraft propelled by air pressure caused by a motor mounted on the watercraft aboveboard.

It is unlawful for a person to operate an airboat on the public waters of this State from the freshwater‑saltwater dividing line, established by Section 50-17-30, seaward.

It is unlawful to operate an airboat on the waters of the Waccamaw, the Great Pee Dee, the Little Pee Dee, the Black and the Sampit Rivers in Georgetown and Horry Counties from one hour before legal sunset to one hour after legal sunrise and anytime during the season for hunting waterfowl.

It is unlawful to operate an airboat on the waters of that portion of Lake Marion and Santee Swamp west of the I-95 bridge upstream to the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers during the season for hunting waterfowl.

The provisions of 50-21-860 do not apply to the operation of airboats by law enforcement, emergency medical, civil defense, noxious weed control, military personnel, state and federally approved wildlife banding, surveying, biological research programs and private waters.

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp

If you are 16 or older, you must carry on your person an unexpired Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp. You must validate your duck stamp by signing it in ink across the face before hunting. You may also purchase a Federal Duck Stamp online as an Electronic Duck Stamp which is valid for 45 days from the date of purchase. Within that time, a physical Duck Stamp will be mailed to you. After 45 days, you must carry your current, signed Federal Duck Stamp while hunting. You must also have a valid South Carolina Migratory Waterfowl Permit or have proof of purchase before hunting.

FAQ's on Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting


Yes, if the field was planted, harvested and any post harvest manipulation was in accordance with official recommendations of the Clemson Extension Service in South Carolina.


Yes. Fish and Wildlife Service Regulations allow you to harvest part of a crop in accordance with official recommendations of the Clemson Extension Service in South Carolina and legally hunt over the field, provided you do not manipulate the remaining unharvested crop.

3. After a cornfield is combined, is it legal to mow the corn stubble prior to flooding the field?

Yes. The Clemson Extension Service in South Carolina has stated that mowing of corn stubble is a normal post harvest agricultural manipulation.





6. Can I camouflage my duck blind with corn stalks?








10. Can I hunt ducks or geese over a dove field?

You may hunt ducks and geese over a dove field if the grain present is the result of a normal agricultural planting, harvesting or post harvest manipulation. However, if the grain has been exposed by manipulating a standing crop then it would be illegal to hunt waterfowl over the field until 10 days after all the grain exposed by the manipulation is gone. For example: It would be legal to hunt geese and doves over a freshly combined corn field. It would be legal to hunt doves over a cornfield where standing corn has been mowed or chopped, but one could not hunt waterfowl until 10 days after the exposed corn is gone.





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