South Carolina Department Of Natural Resources
Disabled Licenses

• Rembert C. Dennis Building
  1000 Assembly St.
  P.O. Box 167
  Columbia, SC 29202
  Ph. (803) 734-3886

GRATIS DISABILITY LICENSE

Available to persons 100% permanently and totally disabled who have been residents of the state for the past three years. This license includes only small game hunting, freshwater fishing, state duck stamp and saltwater fishing privileges. Big Game Permit, WMA Permit, Federal Duck Stamp when applicable, must be purchased.

PERMANENTLY & TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS

Not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license, WMA permit, Big Game Permit, SC Duck Stamp or Saltwater Fishing Stamp. They must, however, carry a statement from the VA stating that they are 100% totally and permanently disabled.

CROSSBOW

The use of a crossbow is allowed by single arm amputees on wildlife management areas during special archery only seasons. This exception only applies to special archery only seasons when firearms are not allowed. In addition, crossbows are legal on most private lands on our lower coastal counties, but not in the Piedmont or Mountains.

Call or write the DNR for more information and applications.

South Carolina Benefits Expanded For Disabled Hunters and Fishermen

• SCDNR, P.O. Box 11710
  Columbia, SC 29211
  Ph. (803) 734-3838

South Carolina residents with free disability hunting and fishing licenses stand to gain expanded benefits when they recertify under a new state law.

The S.C. DNR Licensing Office in Columbia mailed out nearly 17,000 recertification notices in December 1996 to disability licenseholders who had been issued licenses since May 1, 1990. Persons reached by the mailing were instructed to furnish a certification of disability to DNR's licensing office to be issued a new and expanded disability license.

State residents with disability licenses issued prior to May 1, 1990, can reapply to DNR, or they may now be eligible for a free "Over 65" resident hunting and fishing license if they are 65 or older.

"Disability hunting and fishing licenses have been issued free to qualifying state residents since 1976," said Linda Amick, DNR License Administrator. "Potentially, there could be as many as 56,000 people holding their licenses who have not reached age 65. Anyone with this license who has not reached age 65 should recertify as soon as possible to prevent loss of privileges."

South Carolina's new disability license, which is currently free with proper certification, will expand the holder's privileges from just statewide hunting and fishing privileges to include a big game permit, wildlife management area permit, South Carolina's duck stamp and saltwater fishing stamp. The privileges of the new disability license equals $55 if the license and stamps were purchased.

"A private physician's certification of disability is no longer accepted as a disability certification," Amick said. Under a new state law, for a South Carolina resident to hold a valid disability hunting and fishing license, he or she must provide DNR with a current statement from Social Security, Federal Civil Service, South Carolina State Retirement System, Railroad Retirement Board, U.S. Dept. of Veteran's Affairs or Medicaid Assistance that they are currently living receiving disability benefits.

License applicants can mail their disability certifications and license requests to: SCDNR, P.O. Box 11710, Columbia, SC 29211. Anyone with questions can call DNR's license office in Columbia at (803) 734-3838, Monday - Friday, from 8:30 to 5 p.m.

License applicants whose license was issued before July 1, 1996, must be recertified one time to continue to exercise the privileges of a disability licenseholder. Once recertified they will be issued a Permanent Lifetime Disability License. Any person with quadriplegia or paraplegia currently receiving disability benefits would also qualify for this permanent license.

License applicants whose license was issued after July 1, 1996, must also be recertified to continue to exercise the privileges of a disability licenseholder. Once recertified, they will be issued a disability license valid for three years only. Recertification will then be required every three years if the licensee remains disabled. The state legislature will consider, this session, whether to charge a nominal $9.00 fee for a disability license, which will benefit South Carolina through increased eligibility for federal matching funds under national wildlife conservation programs like Pittman Robertson and Dingell-Johnson.