The "Hunting Heritage Protection Act" aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 50-1-320, which mandates the Department of Natural Resources to implement policies ensuring that there is no net loss of department-managed land available for hunting and fishing. The bill defines key terms such as "Department," "Department-managed lands," and "Hunting," and stipulates that these lands must remain accessible for hunting, barring specific management limitations. Furthermore, any decisions that lead to the closure of hunting lands must be compensated by finding replacement acreage to maintain hunting opportunities.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit an annual report to the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee and the House Agricultural, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. This report will detail the acreage that was closed to hunting in the previous fiscal year, the reasons for such closures, and the acreage opened to hunting as compensation. The first report is due by July 1, 2026, and the act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
01/30/2025: 50-1-320
02/26/2025: 50-1-320
02/27/2025: 50-1-320
03/05/2025: 50-1-320
Latest Version: 50-1-320