South Carolina hunting and fishing licenses expire June 30 of each year

South Carolina hunting and fishing licenses expire June 30 of each year, so hunters and anglers should be thinking seriously about purchasing new licenses. Licenses for the 2003-2004 season may be purchased from about 1,000 retail stores in South Carolina or from most S.C. Department of Natural Resources offices. Licenses are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-888-434-7472 or on the Internet by visiting DNR's Web site at http://www.dnr.state.sc.us. (A convenience fee of $3.95 will apply.) "South Carolina has a rich heritage of fishing and hunting," said Diane Lee, DNR license sales administrator. "More than a half-million people (633,000 through May), including residents and nonresidents, bought fishing and hunting licenses during fiscal year 2002-2003 that generated more than $11 million ($11,991,367.50 through May) in revenue for natural resources conservation in the Palmetto State." Federal funds for wildlife and sport fisheries restoration earmarked for South Carolina are based in part on the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold. The funds are generated by excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. "Even at the new price of $25 the state resident combination hunting and fishing license, which includes hunting, big game, and freshwater fishing, is still a bargain," Lee said. "Purchasing each of these three types separately, a license buyer would pay a total of $28. The combination license still saves $3." Residents and nonresidents age 16 and older must purchase the required licenses to hunt and fish in South Carolina. Anyone born after June 30, 1979, must complete a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license. Residents 64 years or older may purchase a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for only $9. Applications for Lifetime, Over 65 and Disability licenses will be in the 2003-2004 "Rules and Regulations" booklet, or you may call (803) 734-3833 in Columbia to obtain an application. For questions regarding hunting and fishing licenses call (803) 734-3833 in Columbia. Publication of the free fishing and hunting regulations booklet, 2003-2004 "South Carolina Rules & Regulations for Hunting, Fishing & Wildlife Management Areas" will be delayed in an effort to include any new laws that were passed by the General Assembly. The new regulations booklet will not be available when new licenses go on sale, as it has in the past, but will be available beginning the first week of August from the retail businesses that sell licenses and DNR offices. "We encourage people to pick up the new regulations locally from license sales agents at retail stores and DNR field offices statewide beginning the first week of August to save the state mailing and other handling expenses," Lee said. Sportsmen can also access the rules and regulations on the Internet by visiting DNR's Web site at http:\\www.dnr.state.sc.us and go to "Select A Popular Topic," then "Rules and Regulations." If copies of the booklet are not available from other sources write to: Regulations, PO Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202; or call (803) 734-3886 in Columbia. "If you plan to participate in specialized nongame fishing activities, tag and permits are available only through the DNR office in Columbia," Lee said. "Call (803) 734-3833 for an application. Don't wait to purchase the required permits at the last minute before a fishing trip." Current hunting and fishing license fees for the 2003-2004 season are as follows: RESIDENT FEES FOR HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES State Hunting License $12 State Freshwater Fishing License $10 Combination Hunting and Fishing License (Includes hunting, big game, freshwater fishing) $25 County Hunting License * (Good only in county of residence) $5 Lakes and Reservoirs Permit (For non-manufactured tackle in 14 reservoirs) $3 14-Day Freshwater Fishing License $5 Wildlife Management Area Permit $30.50 Sportsman's License (Includes WMA, big game, hunting and freshwater fishing) $50 Big Game Permit (Required statewide for hunting deer, turkey and bear) $6 Junior Sportsman's License (Residents age 16-17 only, Sportsman's License privileges) $16 State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp $5.50 Shooting Preserve Permit $8.50 Annual Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $10 14-Day Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $5 Migratory Bird Permit FREE NONRESIDENT FEES FOR HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES Annual Hunting License * $125 Annual Freshwater Fishing License $35 7-Day Freshwater Fishing License $11 Big Game Permit (Required statewide for hunting deer, turkey and bear) $100 10-Day Hunting License * $75 3-Day Hunting License * $40 Shooting Preserve Permit $8.50 Wildlife Management Area Permit $76 State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp $5.50 Annual Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $35 14-Day Saltwater Recreational Fishing License $11 Migratory Bird Permit FREE LIFETIME LICENSES (AVAILABLE TO S.C. RESIDENTS ONLY) Lifetime Freshwater Fishing $300 Lifetime Hunting* (Small game only) $300 Lifetime Combination (Under 2 years of age) $300 Lifetime Combination (2 to 15 years of age) $400 Lifetime Combination (16 to 63 years of age) $500 Lifetime Combination (Age 64 or older) $9 * A Big Game Permit is required in addition to these hunting licenses to hunt deer, bear and turkey.