2026–27 planning guides
Choose a species for date windows, limits, permit reminders, and the official regulation you should verify before hunting.
Private-land deer dates and methods differ by game zone. WMA properties can use different, property-specific dates.
Season: Private-land seasons vary across Game Zones 1–4 from Aug. 15, 2026 through Jan. 1, 2027.
Limit: Statewide antlered limits and zone-specific antlerless limits apply; every deer requires the correct tag.
Open guide →Spring turkey dates are statewide, but some WMAs restrict hunt days, access, or total limits.
Season: Private and WMA spring seasons are April 3–May 3, 2027, subject to WMA-specific restrictions.
Limit: Two gobblers per season, no more than one per day and no more than one before April 10; some WMAs are stricter.
Open guide →Migratory bird dates, shooting hours, stamps, and daily bag limits are species-specific and federally influenced.
Season: Dove, teal, ducks, geese, rails, snipe, and woodcock use species-specific segments from September 2026 through March 2027.
Limit: Limits range from 3 woodcock to 25 snow geese daily; duck and goose aggregate limits include species sublimits.
Open guide →Rabbit, squirrel, quail, crow, grouse, beaver, raccoon, opossum, fox, bobcat, and other small-game dates differ by species and land type.
Season: Private-land opportunities range from year-round daylight beaver hunting to fall and winter species-specific seasons.
Limit: Examples: squirrel 10, rabbit 5, quail 12, grouse 3, and raccoon 3 per party daily; several furbearers have no limit.
Open guide →Bear opportunities are limited by game zone, county, method, tag requirements, and in some areas a quota that can close early.
Season: Zone 1 still hunts Oct. 11–23 and dog hunts Oct. 17–30; Zone 2 still hunts Oct. 17–30 on specified private lands.
Limit: Statewide limit one bear; size and family-group restrictions apply.
Open guide →Public alligator hunting is a limited-entry opportunity selected through an SCDNR lottery, not a general open season.
Season: Lottery dates and hunt-unit details must be confirmed in the selected hunter’s official SCDNR materials.
Limit: One issued tag; tag type can restrict eligible alligator size and allowed capture equipment.
Open guide →