--- title: "Hilton Head Island Hunting" url: https://www.herehiltonhead.com/hunting-hilton-head-sc/ date: 2026-05-18T14:44:51+00:00 modified: 2026-05-18T14:44:51+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Hilton Head" attribution: "HERE Hilton Head" --- # Hilton Head Island Hunting *Source: [HERE Hilton Head](https://www.herehiltonhead.com/hunting-hilton-head-sc/) — May 18, 2026 by * Latest [Placeholder #10 — The Gettysburg Address [weddings]](https://www.herehiltonhead.com/2026/05/18/placeholder-weddings-10/) ☁ 70°F Clear · Hilton Head Island HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC · LOWCOUNTRY / BEAUFORT COUNTY EDITION · TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026 [BUSINESS DIRECTORY](/business-directory-hilton-head-sc/) | [ADD YOUR BUSINESS](/add-business/) | [NEWSLETTER](/newsletter/) | [SUBMIT A TIP](/submit-a-tip/) [HERE City Network](https://www.herecity.com) [HEREHilton Head Island Why It Matters. 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Hog: Open Year-Round Turkey: Closed Dove: Closed Deer: Closed Game Zone 2 **6** WMAs Profiled **Live** Hunt Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season Guide First Look • Hunt Conditions 🌒 Waxing Crescent Illumination: 37% Sunrise 6:45 am Sunset 7:50 pm Temp 62°F Wind 7 mph Good — increasing moonlight; deer active morning and evening. 87 PRIME Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early. Game Zone 2 • Beaufort County ## Hilton Head Island Hunting Season Status Whitetail Deer CLOSED **Season Dates**Archery: Sept 15 – Oct 10 | Primitive: Oct 1 – 10 | Gun: Oct 11 – Jan 1 **Bag Limit:**2 antlered per day, 5 antlered per season (residents). Game Zone 2 private land. Next season opens September 15 on private lands. SC hunting license + big game permit required. WMA license for public lands. Feral Hog OPEN YEAR-ROUND **Season Dates**No closed season on private land. On WMAs: any open hunting season. **Bag Limit:**No bag limit on private land. No closed season. Any sex. Invasive species — year-round control encouraged by SCDNR on private lands. SC hunting license required. Night hunting allowed with landowner permission. Spring Turkey CLOSED **Season Dates**Spring gobbler: April 3 – May 3 (private lands, Game Zone 2) **Bag Limit:**2 per season, 1 per day. Gobblers only during spring season. Next spring season opens April 3, 2026. Fall season varies — check SCDNR. SC hunting license + turkey license. Must report harvest via SCDNR Game Check within 24 hours. Mourning Dove CLOSED **Season Dates**Segment 1: Sept 1 – Oct 4, 2026 | Segment 2: Oct 15 – Nov 14 | Segment 3: Dec 12 – Jan 15 **Bag Limit:**15 doves per day. Possession limit: 30 doves. Next dove opener: September 1, 2026. Scout planted fields and sunflower plots now. SC hunting license required. Federal Migratory Bird stamp required age 16+. Wanton waste prohibited. Season dates shown are for Game Zone 2 private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with SCDNR before hunting. [Report a Season Update](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-season-update) Hunting Report Partners [Dick's Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/c/hunting) [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hunting) [Cabelas](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/hunting) [Academy Sports](https://www.academy.com/hunting) First Look ## Hilton Head Island Hunting Weather Now 62F Partly Cloudy Feels like 59°F Wind 7 mph SW Humidity 58% Pressure 1018 hPa Moon Waxing Crescent Location Hilton Head Island, SC Field Scout Tips - Calm winds are ideal for scent control. Play the wind carefully — enter and exit your stand downwind. Solunar Index ## Hilton Head Island Hunt Conditions Today Temperature 62°F Optimal Wind Speed 7 mph Ideal — Calm Barometric 1018 hPa High — Active Moon Phase 🌒 Good PRIME Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early. Extended Outlook ## Hilton Head Island Hunt Forecast — 5 Days MON Sunny 63° / 44° 9 mph wind • 57% humidity PRIME TUE Partly Cloudy 67° / 48° 5 mph wind • 50% humidity GOOD WED Light Rain 58° / 41° 7 mph wind • 67% humidity GOOD THU Clear & Cool 55° / 39° 6 mph wind • 59% humidity PRIME FRI Mostly Cloudy 71° / 52° 12 mph wind • 60% humidity FAIR Public Hunting Lands ## Hilton Head Island South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas Six public hunting areas within reach of Hilton Head Island — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west. Cliff Pitts WMA ~1,000 acres STATE WMA Beaufort County • In County Whitetail Deer Turkey Small Game Dove Cliff Pitts WMA is the closest public hunting ground to Hilton Head Island proper, managed by SCDNR in Game Zone 2. The property features a mix of agricultural fields, pine stands, and hardwood bottoms. Known for dove field management and accessible deer hunting within Beaufort County. Public access. Check SCDNR current year hunting guide for designated parking areas and field maps. WMA license required in addition to hunting license. Field Tip Dove fields here are actively managed. Scout before season opener — fields rotate annually. Best deer hunting near the hardwood creek drainages. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/cliff-pitts/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/cliff-pitts-field-guide.pdf) Jocassee Gorges WMA 38,000 acres STATE WMA Pickens / Oconee Counties • ~1 hour west Whitetail Deer Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Ruffed Grouse Small Game One of the largest WMAs in South Carolina, Jocassee Gorges encompasses rugged Blue Ridge terrain in Pickens and Oconee Counties. This wilderness tract holds one of SC's best black bear populations. Deer and turkey hunting can be excellent for those willing to hike deep into the mountains. Ruffed grouse are a rare bonus. Multiple trailhead access points off US-11 and SC-130. Remote terrain requires topographic maps and GPS. WMA license required. No motorized vehicles beyond designated roads. Field Tip For bear, locate white oak flats and persimmon trees in September. For deer, hunt ridge saddles and creek confluences. Bring waterproof boots — expect steep terrain and creek crossings. Game Zone 1 / 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/jocassee-gorges/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/jocassee-gorges-field-guide.pdf) Broad River WMA 18,422 acres STATE WMA Newberry / Fairfield Counties • ~1 hour south Whitetail Deer Turkey Feral Hog Waterfowl Small Game Dove Broad River WMA covers the floodplain and upland terrain along the Broad River corridor. This large tract is known for its feral hog population — one of the most accessible year-round hunting opportunities in the region. Deer and turkey hunting is productive in the hardwood bottoms and planted pines. Multiple access points along SC-34 and county roads. Portions subject to seasonal flooding — check conditions before hunting bottomlands. WMA license required. Field Tip Feral hogs concentrate near river bottoms and food plots year-round. Hunt creek crossings and wallows. For deer, the hardwood drainages hold rubs and scrapes during the rut. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/broad-river/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/broad-river-field-guide.pdf) Tyger River Complex Multiple tracts acres STATE WMA Hilton Head Island / Laurens Counties • In County / nearby Mourning Dove Whitetail Deer Small Game Turkey The Tyger River Complex consists of multiple smaller tracts managed along the Tyger River drainages in Hilton Head Island and Laurens Counties. These properties focus heavily on dove field management, with SCDNR planting and managing fields for migratory dove hunting in September. Access varies by individual tract. Check SCDNR annual WMA guide for current field status and parking locations. Fields managed under SCDNR dove program — some require pre-season registration. Field Tip The September 1 dove opener is a community event at these fields. Arrive early to secure position. Fields typically produce best during the first two weeks of season. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/tyger-river/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/tyger-river-field-guide.pdf) Poe Creek State Forest WMA 6,200 acres STATE FOREST WMA Pickens County • ~45 minutes west Whitetail Deer Black Bear Turkey Gray Squirrel Rabbit Poe Creek State Forest WMA in Pickens County offers diverse hunting on state forest land managed cooperatively with SCDNR. The property features a mix of planted pines, hardwood ridges, and stream bottomlands. Black bear season applies here — check zone-specific regulations carefully. Primary access off SC-8 in Easley area. State forest roads provide interior access during dry conditions. WMA license and state forest permit may both be required — verify with SCDNR. Field Tip Squirrel hunting is often overlooked but productive at Poe Creek — excellent scouting opportunity in early season that reveals deer sign before gun season opens. Game Zone 2 [Field Guide](/field-guides/poe-creek/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/poe-creek-field-guide.pdf) Mountain Hunt Unit (Game Zone 1) Variable acres MOUNTAIN ZONE Cherokee / Greenville Counties • Adjacent to Beaufort County Black Bear Whitetail Deer Ruffed Grouse Turkey Wild Boar The Mountain Hunt Unit encompasses Cherokee and northern Greenville County lands bordering Hilton Head Island. This is the nearest access to Game Zone 1 regulations — including earlier bear seasons and different bag limits than Zone 2. Rugged terrain with significant elevation change. Multiple public access points along the I-85 corridor into Cherokee County. Check current year SCDNR hunting guide for Game Zone 1 specific dates and areas. Zone boundaries matter here. Field Tip Zone 1 deer season opens earlier than Zone 2 — if you hunt this area, carry a copy of zone boundary maps. The ridge lines between Cherokee and Greenville hold excellent ruffed grouse habitat. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](/field-guides/mountain-hunt-unit/) [PDF](/wp-content/uploads/here-field-guides/mountain-hunt-unit-field-guide.pdf) Did We Miss a Spot? Know a Hilton Head Island-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know. [Report a Hunting Spot](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-hunting-spot) Community Reviews ## Hilton Head Island Hunting Reviews Share Your Hunt Hunted a Hilton Head Island-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer. Location Hunted * Select a location... Cliff Pitts WMA Jocassee Gorges WMA Broad River WMA Tyger River Complex Poe Creek State Forest WMA Mountain Hunt Unit Private Land — Beaufort County Private Land — Cherokee County Private Land — Greenville County Private Land — Union County Other Your First Name * How Was the Hunt? * (280 characters max) Species Targeted Select species... Whitetail Deer Turkey Dove Feral Hog Black Bear Duck / Waterfowl Squirrel Rabbit Other Best Spot / Stand Location Gear That Made the Difference Submit Review Community Here *We...* Bag Them *Big...* Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Hilton Head Island hunters. Your First Name * Location Species Select species... Whitetail Deer Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Other Weight / Rack Size / Score Tell Us the Story * (200 chars max) Photo or Video (optional, max 8MB) Submit Trophy Don't Drink by the *Swig...* Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done? Your First Name * Bar / Restaurant Name * Go-To Drink Why This Spot? * (200 chars max) Photo of the Bar or Drink (optional, max 8MB) Submit Pick Coverage ## Hilton Head Island Hunting News Presented by [SCDNR Wildlife](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) South Carolina Department of Natural Resources [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Local — Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry / Beaufort County Coming Soon Local Hilton Head Island Hunting Coverage Coming Soon Local WMA reports, season openers, deer and turkey harvest news, and Lowcountry / Beaufort County hunting coverage from the HERE Hilton Head newsroom. National — Whitetail, CWD, and Conservation Coming Soon National National Hunting Coverage Coming Soon Whitetail news, CWD updates, conservation legislation, gear reviews, and national hunting stories with a Hilton Head Island perspective. [View All Hilton Head Island Hunting Coverage →](/tag/hunting-hilton-head-sc/) More at Outdoor Sports Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Hilton Head Island and Lowcountry / Beaufort County SC [See All Outdoor Sports Coverage](/sports/) [TUFF TOE](https://tufftoe.com) https://tufftoe.com Triple the life of your hunting boots. Made in the USA. [Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Outfitters and Gear ## Hunting Gear Guide Gear reviews and picks for the Hilton Head Island hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more. Presented by https://www.amazon.com/?tag=realnetsales-20 Hunting gear hunters recommend — vetted picks from Amazon. [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Gear Reviews — Tested for Lowcountry / Beaufort County SC Hunting As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change. https://amzn.to/3RcjapK Nomad Camo Fingerless Hunting Glove Hunting Glove Mossy Oak Bottomland camo fingerless glove built for archery and gun hunting where you need finger dexterity without giving up concealment. Lightweight stretch knit moves with your hand on the bow string or trigger. Bottomland pattern blends into hardwood bottoms, river swamps, and cutover edges across the SC piedmont. Pulls off and on in seconds — keep them clipped to your pack for cold-morning bow draws. Mossy Oak Bottomland Fingerless Stretch Fit ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 $28.00 Best for: Bowhunters, early-season gun hunters, hardwood bottoms [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/3RcjapK) https://amzn.to/4uXO6c1 Walker's Razor Slim Electronic Earmuffs Hearing Protection Sound-activated electronic earmuffs that amplify ambient noise (footsteps, wing beats, calling) up to 4x and shut down at the muzzle blast in milliseconds. NRR 23dB protection for centerfire rifle, shotgun, and large-bore handgun. Low-profile cups clear your stock cheek weld. AAA batteries last 140+ hours. Auto-shutoff after 4 hours saves the batteries when you forget. Standard in dove fields and at the range across the Upstate. NRR 23dB Sound Amplification Slim Cup ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $25.03 Best for: Dove hunters, the range, anyone calling deer or turkey [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4uXO6c1) https://amzn.to/4tINlCD American Hunter 50 LB Hanging Game Feeder Game Feeder 50-pound capacity hanging gravity feeder with the XD-Pro digital timer kit. Lightweight camo metal hopper hangs from a tree limb or feeder tripod. XD-Pro timer runs up to six feed times per day with 1-30 second spin durations. Battery-operated, weather-resistant. Pairs well with shelled corn, deer protein blends, or whole oats for dove fields. Standard rig for private-land deer setups in Game Zone 2. 50 lb Capacity XD-Pro Timer Camo Metal ★★★★☆ 4.3 / 5 $68.06 Best for: Private-land deer hunters, dove field prep, food plot supplementation [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4tINlCD) https://amzn.to/4nvFcjr See-Through Hunting Ground Blind Ground Blind Pop-up one-person camo blind with a built-in swivel chair and one-way see-through mesh windows. Sets up in under a minute, packs to a 30-inch carry tube. Mesh lets you see out without the deer seeing in — game-changer for kids, archery hunters who fidget, and early-morning bow sits where movement gets busted. Stake-down kit and ground anchors included. Works on field edges, cutovers, and creek bottoms. One-Person See-Through Mesh Built-in Chair ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 $84.99 Best for: Bowhunters, youth hunters, run-and-gun setups [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4nvFcjr) https://amzn.to/3R9Jwsw Gogogo Sport Vpro GS24 Laser Rangefinder Rangefinder 1200-yard range, 7x magnification rangefinder with continuous scan and slope-corrected angle compensation. Pin-seeking mode locks onto deer and turkey at brushy distances where reflective targets struggle. Slope mode gives you the true horizontal distance — critical for tree stand shots and uphill mountain hunts. Tripod-mountable, IP54 weather sealed, rechargeable battery. Solid budget alternative to Leupold and Vortex for hunters who don't need full ballistic solvers. 1200 yd Range Slope Mode 7x Magnification ★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 $63.59 Best for: Bowhunters, tree-stand hunters, mountain hunting [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/3R9Jwsw) https://amzn.to/4uVTzQw HME 3-Color Camo Face Paint Stick Face Paint Three-color twist-up face paint stick — olive, brown, and black — with a built-in mirror in the cap. Non-toxic, easy off with soap and water. Eliminates the white facial flash deer and turkey pick up on at first light. Cheap insurance for bowhunters and turkey hunters who skip the headnet but still need to break up skin sheen. One stick lasts a full season if you keep the cap on. 3-Color Built-in Mirror Washes Off ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 $7.29 Best for: Turkey hunters, bowhunters, anyone who skips the headnet [View on Amazon →](https://amzn.to/4uVTzQw) Outfitter, Guide Service, or Hunting Retailer? Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active hunters across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities. [Learn About Gear Advertising](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting&tier=gear) Game Zone 2 Key Dates ## SC Hunting Season Calendar Sept 1, 2026 Dove Season Opens — Segment 1 Private lands and managed fields. Limit 15/day. Statewide Sept 15, 2026 Deer Archery Season Opens Private lands, Game Zone 2. Bow and crossbow. Zone 2 Oct 1, 2026 Primitive Weapons Season Opens Muzzleloader and primitive equipment only. Zone 2 Oct 4, 2026 Dove Season 1 Closes Segment 1 closes. Segment 2 opens Nov 15. Per SCDNR. Statewide Oct 11, 2026 Deer Gun Season Opens Private lands. All legal weapons. Peak rut Nov. Zone 2 Nov 15, 2026 Dove Season Segment 2 Opens Nov 15 – Nov 29. 15 doves per day limit. Per SCDNR migratory bird seasons. Statewide Nov (Peak) Peak Whitetail Rut Estimated peak rut for SC Piedmont: Nov 1-15. Zone 2 Nov 29, 2026 Dove Season Segment 2 Closes Segment 3 opens Dec 22. Per SCDNR migratory bird seasons. Statewide Dec 22, 2026 Dove Season Segment 3 Opens Dec 22, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027. 15 doves per day limit. Per SCDNR migratory bird seasons. Statewide Jan 1, 2027 Deer Gun Season Closes Final day of Zone 2 deer gun season. Zone 2 Apr 3, 2027 Spring Turkey Gobbler Season Opens Private lands, Zone 2. Gobblers only. 2 per season. Zone 2 May 3, 2027 Spring Turkey Season Closes 30-day spring gobbler season ends. Zone 2 Dates reflect 2026 SC hunting regulations for Game Zone 2. Always verify with the current SCDNR Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change. Hogs are legal year-round on private land with a hunting license — no closed season. Questions and Answers ## Hilton Head Island Hunting FAQ Common questions about hunting in the Hilton Head Island area, answered. - When does deer season open in Hilton Head Island SC? In Beaufort County (Game Zone 2) on private lands, deer archery season opens September 15. Primitive weapons season runs October 1-10. Gun season opens October 11 and runs through January 1. WMA seasons may have different dates — check the current SCDNR South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Guide each year. - Where can I hunt near Hilton Head Island SC? Public hunting near Hilton Head Island includes Cliff Pitts WMA (in Beaufort County — deer, turkey, small game), the Tyger River Complex (dove fields in Hilton Head Island and Laurens Counties), Jocassee Gorges WMA (38,000 acres about 1 hour west — deer, turkey, bear), Broad River WMA (18,000+ acres about 1 hour south — deer, turkey, hog), and Poe Creek State Forest WMA (about 45 minutes west — deer, bear). A WMA license is required on all SCDNR public hunting lands in addition to your basic hunting license. - Do I need a license to hunt in South Carolina? Yes. All hunters in South Carolina need a state hunting license. Deer and turkey require an additional big game permit. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) requires a WMA license. Federal migratory bird hunters age 16 and older need a federal duck stamp for waterfowl. Licenses and permits are available through SCDNR at dnr.sc.gov or at authorized license agents throughout Beaufort County. - Can you hunt on Sundays in SC? Yes. South Carolina allows Sunday hunting on private lands and on most WMAs. There are no statewide Sunday hunting restrictions. However, some counties or local jurisdictions may have ordinances — always verify local rules before hunting on Sundays. Sunday hunting with firearms is permitted on all SCDNR WMAs. - What is the bag limit for deer in Game Zone 2? In Game Zone 2 (which includes Beaufort County), the deer bag limit for SC residents is 2 antlered deer per day with a season limit of 5 antlered deer total. For antlerless deer, SCDNR quota permits apply on WMAs — check the specific WMA regulations. On private lands, antlerless deer limits depend on the county. Always consult the current SCDNR South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Guide for updated limits, as they can change each season. - Are there bear in the Hilton Head Island area? Black bear are present in the mountain regions adjacent to Beaufort County — particularly in Cherokee County (Mountain Hunt Unit, Game Zone 1), Jocassee Gorges WMA (Pickens/Oconee Counties), and Poe Creek State Forest WMA (Pickens County). Bear hunting in SC requires a bear tag in addition to a big game permit. The Mountain Hunt Unit (Game Zone 1) in Cherokee County borders Beaufort County and is the closest designated bear hunting area. Bear sightings in Beaufort County itself are occasional but not common. [See More Hilton Head Island Hunting Coverage →](https://www.herehiltonhead.com/tag/hunting-hilton-head-sc/)