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H 3290

Deer and wild turkey tags

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Johnson

Allows temporary use of printed tag copies to tag downed deer or wild turkeys while awaiting mailed official tags, and clarifies tagging possession rules.

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
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Bill Summary · H 3290

Summary — H 3290: Deer and wild turkey tags

Status: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs (introduced Feb 27, 2025). Effective date: upon approval by the Governor.

Purpose

To amend South Carolina hunting tag requirements to (1) explicitly allow hunters to use printed copies of deer and wild turkey tags in limited circumstances while awaiting mailed tags, and (2) clarify when hunters must physically possess tags (required when tagging the animal, not while actively hunting).

Key provisions

  • Amend S.C. Code §50-11-320(B) (deer tags):

    • Deer taken under individual deer tags must be tagged with a valid individual tag and the tag attached as prescribed before the animal is moved from the point of kill.
    • Deer taken under Deer Quota Program tags must be tagged with the valid quota tag and reported to the electronic harvest reporting system in accordance with §50-11-546.
    • A printed copy of a tag may be used to tag a downed deer while the hunter is awaiting receipt of the official tag by mail.
    • A person must be in possession of a tag when tagging a deer, but is not required to have the tag on their person while hunting.

  • Amend S.C. Code §50-11-544 (wild turkey tags):

    • A person must possess a wild turkey tag issued by the department when tagging a wild turkey, but not while hunting.
    • Turkeys must be tagged and tags validated before the turkey is moved from the point of kill.
    • Resident tag limit remains: no more than three wild turkey tags; nonresidents: no more than two.
    • A printed copy of a tag may be used to tag a downed wild turkey while awaiting the mailed tag.

  • Effective date: the act takes effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Who is affected

  • Hunters in South Carolina who hunt deer or wild turkey — especially those who purchase or receive tags by mail and may experience a delay.
  • Wildlife enforcement officers and department personnel responsible for tag issuance and harvest verification.
  • The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (administration of tag issuance, validation, and electronic reporting).

Practical impact

  • Allows temporary use of printed tag copies to prevent loss of legal opportunity to tag a downed animal while waiting for mailed tags.
  • Clarifies that carrying the physical tag is required only at the time of tagging, not during the hunt — which may reduce citation risk for hunters who forgot a tag while in the field but have it available when dressing/tagging.
  • Reinforces existing electronic reporting requirement for Deer Quota Program tags.
  • No changes in tag limits for wild turkey or explicit changes to penalties are included in the text provided.

Legislative timeline & procedural notes (as provided)

  • Prefiled: 2024-12-05
  • Introduced and read first time: 2025-01-14
  • Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs: 2025-01-14 (and listed again 2024-12-05)
  • Referred to Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight: 2025-02-27 (record shows multiple referrals; see notes below)
  • Senate concurred: 2025-02-27 (per materials supplied)
  • Hearing(s) scheduled: 2025-10-14, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM (B-2)

Notes and data-quality issues

  • The packet provided includes text from South Carolina law amendments but also contains unrelated material (a Massachusetts House docket and bill language about executive session interview procedures). Those Massachusetts items appear to be an insertion error and are not relevant to the deer/turkey tag changes described in the South Carolina amendments.
  • The legislative-action timeline includes multiple and somewhat inconsistent committee referrals; users should consult the official South Carolina legislative website for authoritative, up-to-date status and calendar entries.

If you’d like, I can draft a one-paragraph explainer for hunters or a short memo for enforcement officers summarizing the practical compliance points.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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