When does deer season open in Charleston, SC?

Charleston County is in Game Zone 3. Private-land deer season runs Aug. 15–Jan. 1, with buck-only hunting Aug. 15–Sept. 14. Verify current rules with SC DNR.

Where can I hunt near Charleston, SC?

Six nearby public areas are profiled below: Francis Marion, Bonneau Ferry, Botany Bay, Bear Island, Donnelley, and Santee Coastal. A WMA permit is required in addition to a hunting license.

Do I need a license to hunt in South Carolina?

Yes. A SC hunting license is required; deer and turkey also require a Big Game Permit, and WMAs require an additional WMA permit. 2026-27 fees are set by SC DNR.

Can you hunt on Sundays in South Carolina?

Yes on private lands statewide. Hunting is prohibited on WMA lands on Sundays unless a specific WMA rule says otherwise. Verify current rules with SC DNR.

What is the deer bag limit in Game Zone 3?

Private-land Zone 3 antlerless limit is 2 per day and 9 per season. The 2026-27 base set is 6 free tags: 3 unrestricted antlered and 3 individual antlerless. Verify current rules with SC DNR.

When can a first-time youth hunter go with me?

Any time, with required supervision and licenses. Bonneau Ferry WMA Side A is a youth/adult still-gun property Sept. 15–Jan. 1; 2027 youth turkey days are Mar. 27–28 and May 8–9; Free Hunting Days are Jan. 9–10. Verify current rules with SC DNR.

HERE Charleston

Charleston SC Hunting News

Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Charleston County and Game Zone 3.

Hog: Open Year-Round Turkey: Closed Dove: Closed Deer: Open Game Zone 3

6 WMAs Profiled

Live Hunt Conditions

Solunar Rating

2026 Season Guide

First Look • Hunt Conditions

🌑

New Moon

Illumination: 99%

Sunrise 7:19 am

Sunset 6:52 pm

Temp 79°F

Wind 6 mph

Weather as of 3:35 AM ET

Excellent — deer move before dawn and after dusk in total darkness.

GOOD

Good conditions. Plan your approach and be patient.

Game Zone 3 • Charleston County

Charleston Hunting Season Status

Whitetail Deer

OPEN

Season DatesAug. 15–Jan. 1; Aug. 15–Sept. 14 buck only on private lands.

Bag Limit:2 antlerless per day / 9 antlerless per season; 6 free tags (3 antlered + 3 antlerless).

Private-land Zone 3 deer season is open today. Check tags and report harvest through SC Game Check.

SC hunting license and Big Game Permit required; WMA dates and rules differ.

Feral Hog

OPEN YEAR-ROUND

Season DatesYear-round on private lands with a valid SC hunting license.

Bag Limit:No bag limit on private lands.

Feral hogs may be hunted year-round on private lands; night hunting requires annual property registration with SCDNR.

WMA hog dates vary by property; private-land night hunting requires SCDNR registration.

Spring Turkey

CLOSED

Season DatesYouth: Mar. 27–28 and May 8–9, 2027. Regular private-land and WMA season: Apr. 3–May 3, 2027.

Bag Limit:2 gobblers per season; 1 per day; only 1 before Apr. 10. Turkey tags: resident $25 / nonresident $125 (set of 2).

Spring 2027 turkey dates are confirmed; the season is currently closed.

Private-land and WMA dates now close May 3, 2027.

Mourning Dove

CLOSED

Season DatesSept. 5–Oct. 3; Nov. 13–28; Dec. 18–Jan. 31.

Bag Limit:15 doves per day.

Dove season is closed today; check the next segment in the calendar.

Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) required; shooting hours and migratory-bird rules apply.

Season dates shown are for Game Zone 3 private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with SC DNR before hunting.

Report a Season Update

Public Hunting Lands

Charleston South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas

Six Zone 3 public hunting areas within reach of Charleston, with current seasons, access rules, and field tips.

Francis Marion National Forest WMA

National Forest WMA

Berkeley / Charleston Counties • Within ~45 minutes

DeerTurkeyHogWaterfowlSmall game

Deer archery Sept. 15–Oct. 10; still gun Oct. 12–Jan. 1; turkey, hog, waterfowl, and small game across the hunt units.

All deer must be tagged and reported via SC Game Check; no deer hunting with dogs on Sunday in the Francis Marion Hunt Unit.

Field Tip

Split hunt units—Wambaw, Hellhole, Northampton, Waterhorn, and the Francis Marion Hunt Unit each have different dog-drive windows.

Bonneau Ferry WMA

WMA

Berkeley County • Within ~45 minutes

DeerSmall game

Side B deer archery Sept. 15–30; still gun by lottery on specific weekends Oct. 8–Dec. 16; small game Sides A and B Jan. 2–Mar. 1. Side A youth/adult still gun Sept. 15–Jan. 1.

Adult/Youth Side A is for youth 17 and younger with one accompanying adult 21 or older; a WMA permit is required in addition to a hunting license.

Field Tip

Side A is the Zone 3 starting point for a first-time youth hunter: one adult and one kid on a purpose-built property.

Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve WMA

Heritage Preserve WMA

Charleston County • Within ~45 minutes

DeerSmall game

Deer archery Sept. 15–Oct. 10, Nov. 23–28, and Dec. 21–26; still gun by lottery; small game Jan. 2–Feb. 27, Wednesday through Saturday only.

Quality Deer Management Area: antlered deer must have 4 points on one side or a 12-inch inside spread; public entry is closed Tuesdays and during managed hunts.

Field Tip

The only one of these six WMAs inside Charleston County lines. Bring a tape measure for the 4-point / 12-inch minimum.

Bear Island WMA

WMA

Colleton County • Within ~45 minutes

DeerHogSmall game

Deer gun hunts, rifles only, by lottery; hog dog hunts Mar. 4–6; small game Feb. 8–Mar. 1.

Deer still-gun hunts are lottery only; apply through SCDNR WMA Public Lottery Hunts. No fox squirrel hunting.

Field Tip

Bear Island impoundments made the Zone 3 map—pattern the property before you draw so you know which impoundments hold birds.

Donnelley WMA

WMA

Colleton County • Within ~45 minutes

DeerHogDoveSmall game

Deer archery Sept. 15–30; still gun by lottery; hog still gun Mar. 2–18 and dog Mar. 19–26; dove on designated fields; small game Nov. 26–Mar. 1.

Small-game gates open at 6:00 a.m.; still-gun deer requires a drawn lottery permit; dove hunts are limited to designated fields and days.

Field Tip

Pair with Bear Island: check hog gate times before leaving home; both open at 5:00 a.m. on scheduled dog-hunt weekends.

Santee Coastal Reserve WMA

WMA

Charleston County • Within ~45 minutes

DeerWaterfowl

Deer archery Sept. 15–Jan. 1; waterfowl is allowed on the mainland only.

Archery deer runs the statewide window; a WMA permit is required; Sunday hunting is prohibited on WMA lands unless otherwise specified.

Field Tip

A boat unlocks Cedar and Murphy Islands. From the mainland, this is an archery-only tract for the fall.

Did We Miss a Spot?

Know a Charleston-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know.

Report a Hunting Spot

First Look

Charleston Hunting Weather Now

79^F

Mostly Cloudy

Feels like 83°F

as of 3:35 AM ET

Wind 6 mph S

Humidity 100%

Pressure 1015 hPa

Moon New Moon

Location Charleston, SC

Field Scout Tips

Deer season is open — focus today's hunt on deer. Also open: Hog.
Warm day. Deer activity will shift toward dusk. Focus on evening hunts near water and food sources.
Calm winds are ideal for scent control. Play the wind carefully — enter and exit your stand downwind.
Dark moon nights push deer to move in legal shooting hours at dawn and dusk. Be at your stand early.
High humidity (100%) intensifies scent. Spray down thoroughly and hunt with wind in your face.

Solunar Index

Charleston Hunt Conditions Today

Temperature

79°F

Too Warm

Wind Speed

6 mph

Ideal — Calm

Barometric

1015 hPa

Normal

Moon Phase

🌑

Prime

GOOD

Good conditions. Plan your approach and be patient.

Extended Outlook

Charleston Hunt Forecast — 5 Days

TONIGHT

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

87° / 77°

10 mph wind

STAY IN

SUN

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

81° / 65°

13 mph wind

STAY IN

COL

Sunny

83° / 66°

10 mph wind

FAIR

TUE

Sunny

82° / 67°

5 mph wind

FAIR

WED

Sunny

84° / 68°

4 mph wind

FAIR

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Community Reviews

Charleston Hunting Reviews

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Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Charleston hunters.

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USA

Arkansas honors six partners at private-lands habitat expo

Arkansas Game and Fish honored six partners at the 2026 Natural State Private Lands Expo, spotlighting habitat work across nearly 100,000 acres in the program's first full year, 2024.

Sep 9, 2026

USA

Pennsylvania opens 8 fall driving tours on state game lands

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will host eight free fall driving tours across state game lands from Sept. 20 through Oct. 18, 2026.

Sep 9, 2026

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Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Charleston and Lowcountry SC

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Outfitters and Gear

Hunting Gear Guide

Gear reviews and picks for the Charleston hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more.

Gear Reviews — Tested for Lowcountry SC Hunting

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Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound…

Decoy

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ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…

Optic / Scope

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Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount

Laser Rangefinder

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GPS / Navigation

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Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars

Laser Rangefinder

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Game Zone 3 Key Dates

SC Hunting Season Calendar

Aug. 8, 2026

Youth Deer Hunt Day (Antlered)

Zone 3 youth day; antlered deer only, limit 1. Private lands.

Game Zone 3

Aug. 15, 2026

Deer Archery & Gun Season Opens

Private lands, Game Zone 3; Aug. 15–Sept. 14 is buck only.

Game Zone 3

Sept. 5 – Oct. 3

Dove Season Segment 1

Statewide; daily bag limit 15.

Statewide

Sept. 15 – Oct. 10

WMA Deer Archery

Statewide WMA window; property rules vary.

Game Zone 3

Sept. 15 – Jan. 1

Deer, Private Land, Either Sex

Zone 3 private lands; Santee Coastal archery deer and Bonneau Ferry Side A youth/adult still gun also run in this window.

Game Zone 3

Sept. 19 – 27

Early Teal

Early teal season; daily bag limits apply.

Statewide

Oct. 12 – Jan. 1

WMA Deer Still Gun

Francis Marion NF units and Edisto River; property schedules vary.

Game Zone 3

Nov. 13 – 28

Dove Season Segment 2

Statewide; daily bag limit 15.

Statewide

Nov. 21 – 28; Dec. 12 – Jan. 31

Duck Season (Regular)

HIP, State Duck Stamp, and Federal Duck Stamp required.

Statewide

Dec. 18 – Jan. 31

Dove Season Segment 3

Statewide; daily bag limit 15.

Statewide

Jan. 2 – Mar. 1

Small Game

Bonneau Ferry, Donnelley, and other property windows; check the WMA schedule.

Game Zone 3

Jan. 9 – 10

Free Hunting Days

Private lands Jan. 9–10; Jan. 9 also on WMA lands.

South Carolina

Feb. 8 – Mar. 1

Small Game, Bear Island

Bear Island property window.

Game Zone 3

Mar. 1 – 26

WMA Hog Hunts

Donnelley, Bear Island, and Francis Marion NF property windows vary.

Game Zone 3

Mar. 27 – 28, 2027

Youth Turkey Days

Private lands.

Statewide

Apr. 3 – May 3, 2027

Turkey Season

Private lands and WMA; 2027 WMA close is May 3.

Statewide

May 8 – 9, 2027

Youth Turkey Days

Private lands and WMA.

Statewide

May 17 – 22

Francis Marion NF Hog Dog-Drive

Property-specific dog-drive window.

Game Zone 3

Dates reflect 2026 South Carolina hunting regulations for Game Zone 3. Always verify with the current SC DNR Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change. Hogs are legal year-round on private land with a hunting license — no closed season.

Also in South Carolina

Nearby Hunting Pages

Aiken Florence Greenville Hilton Head Rock Hill Spartanburg

Questions and Answers

Charleston Hunting FAQ

Common questions about hunting in the Charleston area, answered.

Charleston County is in Game Zone 3. Private-land deer season runs Aug. 15–Jan. 1, with buck-only hunting Aug. 15–Sept. 14. Verify current rules with SC DNR.
Six nearby public areas are profiled above: Francis Marion, Bonneau Ferry, Botany Bay, Bear Island, Donnelley, and Santee Coastal. A WMA permit is required in addition to a hunting license.
Yes. A SC hunting license is required; deer and turkey also require a Big Game Permit, and WMAs require an additional WMA permit. 2026-27 fees are set by SC DNR.
Yes on private lands statewide. Hunting is prohibited on WMA lands on Sundays unless a specific WMA rule says otherwise. Verify current rules with SC DNR.
Private-land Zone 3 antlerless limit is 2 per day and 9 per season. The 2026-27 base set is 6 free tags: 3 unrestricted antlered and 3 individual antlerless. Verify current rules with SC DNR.
Any time, with required supervision and licenses. Bonneau Ferry WMA Side A is a youth/adult still-gun property Sept. 15–Jan. 1; 2027 youth turkey days are Mar. 27–28 and May 8–9; Free Hunting Days are Jan. 9–10. Verify current rules with SC DNR.

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