H 5811

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5811
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO AFFIRM THE SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH
CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE LAWFUL AND RESPONSIBLE TRADITION OF
HUNTING DEER WITH DOGS; TO RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY
OWNERS; TO DECLARE THAT MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE LAWS GOVERNING THE PURSUIT OF
DEER WITH DOGS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ARE MATTERS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND TO
CALL UPON THE NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD TO RESPECT THE POLICY CHOICES ENACTED BY
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, hunting deer with dogs is a longstanding sporting and
cultural tradition in many parts of South Carolina and remains an important
part of the state's outdoor heritage; and
Whereas, the General Assembly has established by law the
circumstances under which deer may be pursued with dogs, including prohibiting
the practice in Game Zones 1 and 2 while permitting it during prescribed deer
seasons in other areas of the State; and
Whereas, the General Assembly has separately enacted laws protecting
the rights of private property owners and prohibiting unlawful hunting
involving dogs on property where a person does not possess hunting rights; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives strongly supports both the
rights of private property owners and the vigorous enforcement of laws against
hunters who intentionally or unlawfully violate those rights; and
Whereas, the misconduct of an individual hunter should be addressed
through enforcement against that individual and should not result in new
restrictions upon thousands of South Carolinians who lawfully and responsibly
participate in the tradition of hunting deer with dogs; and
Whereas, in August 2021, the Natural Resources Board directed
Department of Natural Resources staff to work with legislators on legislation
concerning deer hunting with dogs, demonstrating that consideration of changes
to the laws governing this practice was undertaken at the direction of the board
and not pursuant to a directive of the General Assembly; and
Whereas, the Department of Natural Resources has acknowledged during
its current public information process that changes to the laws governing deer
hunting with dogs require action by the General Assembly and that presently no
such legislation has been introduced or recommended by the department; and
Whereas, the General Assembly is the body constitutionally entrusted
with making the laws of this State, while the Natural Resources Board is
charged with setting agency policy subject to those laws; and
Whereas, the laws governing deer hunting with dogs are established by
the General Assembly, the existing statutory framework will govern the 2026
deer hunting season, and any material change to those laws ultimately requires
action by the General Assembly; and
Whereas, the House believes that South Carolina's hunters should be
allowed to proceed through the 2026 deer hunting season under existing law and
that any further examination of potential changes to that law should thereafter
occur through a deliberate process coordinated with the General Assembly. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of
Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House
of Representatives, by this resolution, affirm their support for the
lawful and responsible tradition of hunting deer with dogs; recognize and
support the rights of private property owners; declare that material changes to
the laws governing the pursuit of deer with dogs on private property are
matters for the General Assembly; call upon the Natural Resources Board to
respect the policy choices enacted by the General Assembly.
Be it further resolved that the House equally affirms the rights of
private property owners and supports vigorous enforcement of existing laws
against trespass, unlawful hunting, road hunting, or other conduct that
violates those rights.
Be it further resolved that the House declares that it has neither
directed nor requested the Natural Resources Board or Department of Natural
Resources to impose new restrictions upon the lawful pursuit of deer with dogs
on private property and strongly rejects any suggestion to the contrary.
Be it further resolved that the House calls upon the Natural
Resources Board to promptly conclude its current review of deer hunting with
dogs, including by bringing to a close any remaining focus groups, stakeholder
meetings, surveys, studies, or other components of the current initiative.
Be it further resolved that, following the conclusion of the 2026
deer hunting season, any further study, policy development, or other initiative
concerning deer hunting with dogs should be undertaken only in coordination
with the General Assembly and the appropriate committees of the House of
Representatives and Senate.
Be it further resolved that if the Natural Resources Board believes
existing state law should be changed, the board should present its
recommendations and supporting evidence to the General Assembly so that any
proposed change may be considered openly through the legislative process.
Be it further resolved that the House expects the Natural Resources
Board to respect the distinction between recommending changes to state law and
attempting to effectuate such changes through administrative policy, and gives
notice that the House intends to exercise its legislative, budgetary, and
oversight authority as necessary to ensure that the laws and policy choices
enacted by the General Assembly are respected.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to
the chairman and each member of the Natural Resources Board and to the director
of the Department of Natural Resources.
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This web page was last updated on August 25, 2026 at 02:02 PM