Hunting in South Carolina: 3 Animals Designated Nongame, Endangered, Threatened, and Protected Species

Hunting in South Carolina offers a variety of game, large and small, for the outdoor enthusiast. Several species, however, are protected by the state or federal government because they’re considered threatened in some way. If you hunt any of these species, you could face legal action.

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The following animals are listed as endangered or threatened by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. When hunting in South Carolina, avoid these species, all of which have protected status.

1. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Endangered)
Present when the first European settlers came to America, the red-cockaded woodpecker’s population is just 3 percent of what it was then. However, the SCWF said efforts to replenish the species have helped boost its numbers. At seven inches long, it is the second-smallest woodpecker in South Carolina, and its existence has been threatened primarily by habitat loss. The bird is protected by the Endangered Species Act, which not only restricts hunting but also requires property owners to protect not only the bird but also its habitat.

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2. Indiana Bat (Endangered)
Listed as federally endangered since 1967, the Indiana bat was one of the first species to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. It also is listed as endangered by the government of South Carolina. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services said that by 2009, the Indiana bat’s national population had dwindled to less than half of what it was when it was first classified as endangered.

3. Bald Eagle (Protected)
The bald eagle first came under federal legal protection during the 1940s under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. It eventually was taken off the Endangered Species list but is still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Both prohibit the killing of this bird, declared the official bird of the United States during the Second Continental Congress in 1782. The bird’s numbers declined as a result of several factors, including hunting, decreasing food supplies and pesticides. South Carolina has three national wildlife refuges that are home to the bald eagle.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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