(A) The open season for the hunting and taking of antlered deer is:

(1) In Game Zone 1: October 1 through October 10, with primitive weapons only; October 11 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 50-11-310

(2) In Game Zone 2: September 15 through September 30, with archery equipment only; October 1 through October 10, with primitive weapons only; October 11 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms.

(3) In Game Zone 3: August 15 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms.

(4) In Game Zone 4: August 15 through August 31, with archery equipment; and September 1 through January 1, with archery equipment and firearms.

(B) In Game Zones 1 and 2, it is unlawful to pursue deer with dogs.

(C) The department may promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act to establish the seasons for the hunting and taking of deer, methods for the hunting and taking of deer, and other restrictions for the hunting and taking of deer on wildlife management areas, heritage trust lands, and properties owned or leased by the department.

(D) It is unlawful to pursue deer with dogs except during the prescribed season for hunting deer.

(E) For special primitive weapons seasons, primitive weapons include bow and arrow, crossbows, muzzle-loading shotguns of twenty gauge or larger, and rifles of .36 caliber or larger with open or peep sights or scopes, which use black powder or a black powder substitute that does not contain nitrocellulose or nitroglycerin components as the propellant charge. There are no restrictions on ignition systems including flintstone, percussion cap, shotgun primer, disk, or electronic. During primitive weapons seasons, no revolving rifles are permitted.