IRMO, S.C. — Irmo SC hunting families have a waterfowl date locked in for next Saturday. The state Youth Day for ducks, mergansers and coots falls on Nov. 14, one week before the first regular duck and goose split opens on Nov. 21.
Only hunters 17 or younger may carry a gun that day. Each youth must hunt with an adult who is at least 21 and fully licensed. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds also have to carry HIP paperwork plus a current federal duck stamp. The same daily and possession caps that apply in the regular season apply here, including a two-scaup ceiling that day.
The regular duck season then runs Nov. 21 through Nov. 28 statewide, closes for two weeks, and reopens Dec. 12 through Jan. 31. Early teal season already finished in September. There are no separate waterfowl zones in South Carolina, so the same calendar covers Lake Murray, farm ponds and coastal marshes.
Anglers of the air get a six-bird daily duck limit. Within that total, no more than four mallards may be taken and only two of those may be hens, with separate caps of three wood ducks or pintails and two redheads or canvasbacks. For most species, hunters may keep three times the daily bag at home. Goose hunting follows the duck splits and adds a late window from Feb. 15 through March 1.
Adults and older teens who go after ducks need the usual package: a South Carolina hunting license, HIP registration, the paid state waterfowl permit and a federal stamp. A WMA permit is also required on public land. Only nontoxic loads are legal for waterfowl anywhere in the state, and magazines are capped at three shells.
On Lake Murray, waterfowl hunters in Lexington and Richland counties must stay at least 350 yards from homes and marinas when setting decoys. Most other big reservoirs use a 200-yard buffer. Those rules matter for Irmo, which sits primarily within Lexington County with a smaller eastern portion in Richland County and leans on the lake for recreation.
Federal youth and veteran days return later on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, when ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and gallinules are open under the same bag framework. Until then, Nov. 14 is the first chance for young hunters to get on the water this fall.
Follow the latest Irmo SC hunting news for season dates, Lake Murray rules and public land waterfowl updates.
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