Can You Kill Raccoons in South Carolina? What the Law Actually Says

Raccoons are one of the most common wildlife complaints in South Carolina, from raided chicken coops in the Lowcountry to attic invasions in the Midlands. If one has been causing damage on your property, your first question is probably whether you can legally do something about it — and if so, how.

The short answer is yes, you can kill raccoons in South Carolina, but the rules depend on timing, location, method, and whether you have the right permits. Getting any of those details wrong can mean a fine or, in serious cases, criminal charges. This guide walks you through exactly what state law allows and where the lines are drawn.

Are Raccoons Protected in South Carolina?

Raccoons are not a protected species in South Carolina, but they are regulated. The state classifies raccoons as wildlife under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and Title 50 of the South Carolina Code of Laws defines them as non-domesticated animals subject to regulations on conservation, population control, and public safety.

Raccoons are regarded as furbearers under South Carolina law and are subject to open-season trapping and hunting. That classification matters because it means they fall under seasonal and licensing rules — you cannot simply shoot one at any time of year without consequence. Raccoons may be hunted only during legally established seasons.

The raccoon is the most commonly commercialized furbearer in the state, and South Carolina supports a relatively high raccoon population that provides a lot of recreation for sportsmen. Their abundance is part of why the state manages them through open seasons rather than strict protection.

Important Note: Raccoons are a primary rabies vector species in South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) oversees rabies control and encourages residents to report raccoons displaying unusual behavior such as aggression or disorientation. If a raccoon appears sick or disoriented, contact animal control before approaching it.

When Can You Legally Kill a Raccoon in South Carolina?

There are three main situations where killing a raccoon in South Carolina is lawful: during open hunting season, under a depredation permit, and under the limited homeowner exemption for nuisance animals near your residence.

During Open Hunting Season

Raccoon hunting and trapping in South Carolina are regulated under Title 50, Chapter 11 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The state sets defined hunting seasons, typically running from mid-September through mid-March, with trapping season generally aligning with hunting season. You must hold a valid hunting license to take raccoons during this window.

Before a hunting license can be issued, both citizens and nonresidents who were born after June 30, 1979, must satisfactorily complete a hunter education course that has been certified by the SCDNR. You can check current season dates and game zone-specific rules on the SCDNR eRegulations page.

Crop Damage Outside of Season

If raccoons are actively destroying your crops, South Carolina law provides a narrow exception. Raccoons and squirrels may be killed by owners of property from July 15th to the regular open season on them if these animals are destroying crops. This applies only to property owners, and only when active crop destruction is occurring — it is not a blanket year-round permit.

The Homeowner Proximity Exemption

A depredation permit or license is not required by the property owner, or his or her designee, when capturing furbearing animals or squirrels within one hundred yards of the owner’s home when the animals are causing damage to the owner’s property. Animals captured under this exemption may not be relocated and must be released on site or destroyed.

This exemption is one of the most practical tools for homeowners dealing with nuisance raccoons. However, it only applies within that 100-yard boundary, and you still cannot relocate the animal — it must either be released on the same property or killed.

Depredation Permits

Depredation permits may be issued at any time of the year by SCDNR for the taking of furbearing animals that are destroying or damaging private or public property, wildlife habitat, game species, timber, crops, or other agriculture so as to be a nuisance, or for scientific, research, or wildlife management purposes. There is no cost for this permit.

This permit allows trapping of all terrestrial furbearers — including raccoon — from March 1 through November 30 using all legal traps and shooting during daylight hours. You can apply through the SCDNR depredation permit page.

Legal Methods for Killing Raccoons in South Carolina

South Carolina law is specific about which weapons and methods are permitted when hunting or taking raccoons. Using the wrong firearm or hunting technique — even during an open season — can result in a violation.

Firearms

Raccoons may be hunted at night on property on which a person has a lawful right to hunt; however, the animals may not be hunted with artificial lights except when treed or cornered with dogs, and may not be hunted with buckshot or any shot larger than a number four, or any rifle ammunition larger than a twenty-two caliber rimfire.

During daylight hunting, shotguns and .22 caliber rimfire rifles are the standard legal choices. Raccoons, opossums, foxes, mink, and skunk may not be hunted with artificial lights except when treed or cornered with dogs. Devices that amplify light using some type of power source — including night vision and infrared devices — are considered artificial light.

Dogs

Raccoons are also hunted at night with hounds. While the raccoon has a valuable pelt, a large number of hunters pursue the raccoon entirely for sport without intentions of harvesting their quarry. Competition among hunts over the best “coondog” is intense, and numerous clubs exist in the state to hold competitive raccoon hunting events.

Using dogs to tree raccoons is a well-established and legal method in South Carolina. When dogs are used to tree or corner a raccoon at night, artificial lights may then be used to identify the animal — this is the specific exception carved out in state law.

Electronic Calls

It is illegal to hunt, catch, take, kill, or attempt to hunt, catch, take, or kill any game bird or game animal with the aid of recorded calls or sounds or recorded or electronically amplified imitations of calls or sounds. Because raccoons are classified as game animals, electronic calls are prohibited for raccoon hunting in South Carolina.

Pro Tip: If you plan to hunt raccoons at night on private land, you must register your property with SCDNR for night hunting. Visit dnr.sc.gov to complete that registration before going out — failure to do so is a separate violation from the hunt itself.

Trapping Raccoons in South Carolina: Rules and Restrictions

Trapping is a common and legal way to deal with nuisance raccoons in South Carolina, but the rules around trap types, check intervals, and licensing are detailed. Skipping any of them puts you at risk of a wildlife violation.

Trapping Season and Licensing

It is lawful to trap furbearing animals from December 1 of each year to March 1 of the following year with a valid Commercial Fur Harvester’s License. Trapping for noncommercial purposes only requires a hunting license and limits possession to no more than five furbearing animals.

Trappers intending to sell raccoon fur must obtain a commercial fur trapping license. If you are trapping strictly for nuisance control with no intent to sell, a standard hunting license covers you during the open season window.

Trap Requirements

All traps must be checked at least once every 24 hours, and certain trap types such as steel-jaw leghold traps are regulated to minimize harm to non-target species. Traps must also be tagged with identifying information. Specifically, all traps must bear the owner’s name and address, or the owner’s SCDNR-issued Customer ID number either directly thereon or by an attached tag.

Cage-style box traps are the most common choice for homeowners dealing with nuisance raccoons. They are effective, relatively humane, and less likely to accidentally catch pets or non-target wildlife than foothold traps.

Outside of Trapping Season

If raccoons are causing damage outside of the December 1–March 1 trapping window, your options are the homeowner proximity exemption (within 100 yards of your home) or a depredation permit from SCDNR. The depredation permit allows trapping of raccoons from March 1 through November 30 using all legal traps and shooting during daylight hours. This fills the gap between the end of trapping season and the start of hunting season.

Key Insight: Trap size matters. South Carolina regulations specify minimum dimensions for box traps used on raccoons. Review the SCDNR trapping regulations for current trap size requirements before purchasing or setting any trap.

Can You Relocate a Raccoon Instead of Killing It in South Carolina?

Many property owners assume that catching a raccoon alive and releasing it elsewhere is the humane, hassle-free solution. In South Carolina, that assumption gets you into legal trouble.

Animals captured under a depredation permit may not be relocated, sold, traded, exchanged, or bartered. The same restriction applies under the homeowner proximity exemption — animals captured under this exemption may not be relocated and must be released on site or destroyed.

The reasoning behind this rule is disease control. Any diseased wildlife or another animal that could reasonably be considered to represent a risk to public health or safety, as assessed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, is illegal to possess, transfer, release, or otherwise introduce into the State. Raccoons are a primary rabies vector, and moving them to a new location risks spreading disease to wildlife populations that may not already be exposed.

Additionally, importing, possessing, or transporting for the purpose of release any live raccoon into this state without a permit from SCDNR is unlawful. Translocation — even within state lines — falls under similar restrictions when done without authorization.

If you catch a raccoon alive and do not want to kill it yourself, your best option is to contact a licensed wildlife control operator or call SCDNR for guidance. You can also find information on South Carolina’s broader wildlife handling rules to understand what is and is not permitted when dealing with wild animals on your property.

Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in South Carolina

If you would rather not handle a raccoon problem yourself — or if the situation is more complex than a single nuisance animal — hiring a licensed professional is a reliable path forward.

The SCDNR’s Furbearer Project maintains a list of Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) that can assist property owners with various nuisance wildlife problems for a fee. These operators are trained in South Carolina wildlife law and carry the permits needed to trap, remove, and legally dispose of raccoons year-round.

Local animal control agencies also handle nuisance raccoon complaints, often coordinating with licensed wildlife control operators for removal in compliance with state laws. For urban and suburban situations — such as raccoons in an attic or under a deck — a licensed operator will also handle exclusion work to prevent re-entry, which is something a trap alone cannot accomplish.

When hiring a wildlife control operator, ask whether they are registered with SCDNR and confirm they carry a current depredation permit for the work they will perform on your property. A legitimate operator will have no hesitation providing that documentation.

If you share a border with North Carolina and are curious how the rules compare, see our guide on killing raccoons in North Carolina for a side-by-side look at how the two states handle nuisance wildlife.

Local Ordinances That May Override State Law in South Carolina

State law sets the floor for raccoon regulations in South Carolina, but local governments — counties and municipalities — can layer additional restrictions on top of it. This is especially relevant if you live in a city or a densely populated suburban area.

Common local restrictions that may affect raccoon control include:

• Discharge ordinances: Many municipalities prohibit discharging firearms within city limits, even during an open hunting season. This effectively removes shooting as an option in those areas regardless of state law.
• Trap placement rules: Some counties require traps to be set a minimum distance from property lines, roads, or neighboring structures.
• Permit requirements: A handful of municipalities require a separate local permit for wildlife trapping on residential property, in addition to any SCDNR license or permit.
• HOA rules: Homeowner associations sometimes impose their own restrictions on trapping or pest control methods, which are enforceable as private contract terms even if not backed by law.

Before you set a trap or fire a weapon at a raccoon, contact your county or city government to confirm what local rules apply. The SCDNR can answer questions about state-level regulations, but local ordinances are outside their jurisdiction. When in doubt, a quick call to your county’s animal control office will clarify what is permitted in your specific location.

South Carolina’s wildlife is diverse and often misunderstood. If you are curious about other species you may encounter on your property, explore our guides on snakes in South Carolina, bats in South Carolina, and hawks in South Carolina to learn what you are likely to see and how each species is regulated.

Pro Tip: SCDNR operates an Operation Game Thief hotline for reporting wildlife violations. If you witness someone killing raccoons illegally — out of season, without a license, or through prohibited methods — you can report it anonymously and may be eligible for a reward.

Key Takeaways

Killing raccoons in South Carolina is legal, but the conditions matter. During open hunting season (roughly mid-September through mid-March), a valid hunting license gives you the right to take raccoons using approved firearms and methods. Outside of season, a free SCDNR depredation permit covers damage situations from March 1 through November 30, and the homeowner proximity exemption handles cases within 100 yards of your home without any permit required.

Relocation is not a legal option in South Carolina — any raccoon you catch must be released on-site or destroyed. If the situation is beyond a simple trap-and-dispatch scenario, a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator registered with SCDNR is your safest route. Always check local ordinances before acting, because city and county rules can restrict what state law otherwise permits.