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…