South Carolina · H.5217 / Act 207

Deer tags (H.5217, Act 207): one of SC residents’ three free buck tags becomes an antler-restricted tag starting Jan. 2, 2027

Signed May 18, 2026 · Takes effect Jan. 2, 2027

Published October 22, 2026 · Last updated October 22, 2026

What it does

The act rewrites Section 50-9-650(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, the paragraph that sets which individual deer tags South Carolina hunters get. (Act No. 207, Section 1)

• Free base set for residents. With the purchase of a South Carolina hunting license and a big game permit, a resident “shall be issued three individual antlerless deer tags, two unrestricted individual antlered deer tags, and one antler restriction individual antlered deer tag valid for deer with a minimum of four points on one antler or a minimum twelve-inch inside antler spread.” (§ 50-9-650(B)(2)(a), as amended)
• Youth, lifetime and gratis licensees. People under 16, lifetime licensees and gratis licensees may receive these tags on request to the Department of Natural Resources. (§ 50-9-650(B)(2)(a))
• Optional tags (unchanged). Residents, including those groups, may also buy two antler-restriction antlered tags (same four-point or 12-inch-spread rule) for $5 each, and additional antlerless tags for $5 each. (§ 50-9-650(B)(2)(a)(i)–(ii))
• Nonresidents (unchanged). $50 for the first antlered tag and $20 for each additional antlered tag, up to four, two of which must be antler-restriction tags; $10 per antlerless tag. (§ 50-9-650(B)(2)(b))

What changes from current law

• Now: a separate 2026 law, Act No. 231 (S.961), rewrote the same paragraph effective May 19, 2026, so that residents are issued three antlerless tags and three unrestricted antlered tags. (Act No. 231, Section 4) SCDNR’s licensing site describes today’s resident base set as “Set of 6 tags to include 3 antlerless tags and 3 unrestricted antlered (buck) tags.” (SCDNR, Go Outdoors South Carolina)
• From January 2, 2027: one of the three unrestricted antlered tags in the base set is replaced by an antler-restricted tag. The number of antlerless tags (three) and the optional $5 tags stay the same. (Act No. 207, Section 1)
• A resident who also buys both optional antler-restriction tags would hold two unrestricted and three antler-restricted antlered tags, instead of three and two today. (§ 50-9-650(B)(2)(a), current and as amended)
• The online S.C. Code page for Section 50-9-650 had not yet been updated for either 2026 act when we checked on October 22, 2026; it still shows the 2019 text (two antlerless and three unrestricted antlered tags). (S.C. Code Title 50, Chapter 9)

Who it affects

• South Carolina resident deer hunters who hunt on property without a Deer Quota Program permit and use individual tags issued in their name, including youth, lifetime and gratis licensees. (§ 50-9-650(B)(1)–(2))
• Hunters using Deer Quota Program tags on enrolled property are covered by a different subsection, (A), which the act does not change. (§ 50-9-650(A); Act No. 207)
• Nonresident hunters: no change to tag fees. (§ 50-9-650(B)(2)(b))

What it means for you

• Starting January 2, 2027, one of your three free buck tags will be good only for a deer with at least four points on one antler or at least a 12-inch inside spread. (Act No. 207, Sections 1–2)
• The act does not say how tags issued before January 2, 2027 are handled. (Act No. 207)
• No fees change. (Act No. 207, Section 1)

Current status

H.5217 was introduced in the House on February 19, 2026. The House passed it 110–1 on second reading April 14 and gave it third reading April 15. In the Senate it was referred to the Fish, Game and Forestry Committee, recalled May 7, amended and given second reading May 12, and amended again and passed 40–0 on third reading May 13. The House agreed to the Senate’s changes 113–0 on May 14. It was ratified May 15 (R261) and signed by the Governor on May 18, 2026, as Act No. 207. (Bill history)

What happens next

The act takes effect on January 2, 2027. (Act Section 2)

Sources

• SC Legislature: 2025-2026 Bill 5217, status, history and ratified text
• SC Legislature: 2025-2026 Bill 961 (Act No. 231), ratified text including Section 4 on deer tags
• S.C. Code Title 50, Chapter 9 (§ 50-9-650, online text)
• SCDNR, Go Outdoors South Carolina: resident license packages and deer tags
• SC Legislature: 2026 list of acts

Legislators connected to this bill

Current members listed as sponsors on the official bill page, or with a sourced public statement about it. Details and sources are on each member page.

SC House

• Rep. Patrick B. Haddon (House District 19): sponsor
• Rep. Cally R. "Cal" Forrest, Jr. (House District 39): sponsor
• Rep. Jason Luck (House District 54): sponsor
• Rep. William M. "Bill" Hixon (House District 83): sponsor

Every statement above is drawn from the official source text linked here; section references are shown in grey. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Spot an error? Tell us.