Bird Hunting in South Carolina for Quail, Doves, and More

From the Piedmont area to the coastal plains, South Carolina affords upland chicken searching alternatives for American woodcock, clapper rails, and extra.

One should look past the sandy seashores of Hilton Head to search out the true coronary heart of South Carolina. With a lot of the state coated by rivers and lakes, fishing is a significant pastime for out of doors fanatics. The deer searching is superb, too; on this state, it appears like there are as many deer as blades of grass. However in South Carolina’s in-between inexperienced areas, chicken searching thrives. 

A lot of the panorama falls throughout the Piedmont area or coastal plains, and the Sandhills are discovered between these two ecoregions. A small sliver of the Appalachian Mountains spills over from Georgia and North Carolina to the west. From mountains to ocean, the Palmetto State has only one million acres of public land that may be accessed for searching. Regardless of this, chicken searching tradition runs deep in South Carolina. In truth, the state canine is the Boykin Spaniel.

Searching licenses and permits vary in worth for residents and non-residents, relying on the gamebirds being pursued and the areas being hunted. For extra data, go to the State’s Division of Pure Sources web site.

South Carolina Upland Chicken Season Dates And Limits

*These season dates had been final up to date on March 4, 2025, and should not mirror any adjustments since that date. For probably the most up-to-date data, contact the South Carolina Division of Pure Sources.

South Carolina Bobwhite Quail

I can not consider a extra iconic sport chicken within the southeast than that of the bobwhite quail. Right here, it’s a grassland chicken that, for hundreds of years, made its house within the Piedmont prairies and coastal pineland savannas. 

Opposite to fashionable perception, there are nonetheless wild quail occupying South Carolina. Protect hunts can be found for these fascinated by replicating what it was like within the good outdated days, however to search out wild birds, it takes sweat fairness and chicken canine.

The season opens round Thanksgiving day and closes on March 1st with a every day restrict of 12.

Mourning Doves

Dove fields are scattered throughout South Carolina like a shot sample. Dove habitat consists of industrial agricultural fields, publicly managed fields, and personal sunflower fields. In case you’re a glutton for the September warmth, dove searching alternatives are a lot.

If you’re associates with a bird-hunting Sandlapper (native South Carolinian), contact base with them the week earlier than Labor Day. Odds are they’ve a dove area lined up for opening weekend, and can most likely invite you to tag alongside. With luck, there might be a potluck lunch beforehand and birds will buzz by way of the treetops all afternoon. 

These are migratory birds. As such, you will have a migratory chicken allow. There are 4 separate seasons for doves. To get probably the most up-to-date private and non-private land season dates, assessment the laws on SCDNR web site.  

Searching Marsh Hens and Rails in South Carolina

Marsh birds enable for a singular expertise alongside the coastal plain. Hunters with an affinity for fishing can take pleasure in a day of casting and blasting. Within the fall and winter, South Carolina’s coast experiences King Tides, that are exceptionally excessive tides which might be fostered in by a full moon. 

Throughout King Tides, the marshes are excessively flooded. This permits for marsh hens and redfish to maneuver into the submerged grass. Flat backside skiffs, jon boats, or poling skiffs could be pushed up onto the flooded flats and as you seek for tailing redfish and flushing marsh hens and rails.

The primary season opens round Labor Day weekend and lasts for just a few days. The second season opens on the finish of September and lasts till the start of December. The record of huntable species consists of king rails, clapper rails, purple gallinules, moorhens, sora, and Virginia rail. Every species has its personal every day restrict.

Southeastern American Woodcock

American woodcock migrate into South Carolina alongside waterfowl species within the wintertime. They’re nicely dispersed throughout the panorama. Nonetheless, most are discovered within the decrease Piedmont and coastal plains. Consequently, it isn’t unusual for hunters pursuing bobwhite quail to sometimes flush a southeastern woodcock, as they typically occupy related habitats. 

Looking for timberdoodles could be a good way to spend the day or afternoon after an early morning waterfowl hunt. Simply ditch your waders for boots and briar pants. You may even work your retriever as a flushing canine!   

They’re migratory birds, in order that they require the identical permits and licenses wanted for dove searching. Woodcock season opens mid-December and lasts till January thirty first. The every day restrict is 3 birds. 

South Carolina Chicken Searching License Charges

*These charges had been final up to date March 4, 2025. Please check with the SCDNR’s laws for probably the most up-to-date data.

Blaze Orange Necessities in South Carolina

When searching on Wildlife Administration Areas (WMAs), hunters should put on both a hat, vest, or coat that’s stable blaze orange. Solely archery hunters and waterfowl hunters are exempt. Equally, anybody taking part in chicken canine coaching on a Public Canine Coaching Space should put on a hat, vest, or coat that’s stable blaze orange.

South Carolina Public Canine Coaching Areas

South Carolina affords 4 areas which might be obtainable to most people for canine coaching functions. Anybody with a legitimate searching license and a WMA allow can practice canines on Public Canine Coaching Areas between September 15 and March 15, excluding Sundays. Handlers could use pen-raised quail and pigeons for coaching functions inside these areas. Handguns with clean cartridges or shotguns with blanks or #8 shot or smaller could also be used as nicely.

Every space is outlined by the maps positioned throughout the kiosks at every space. The boundaries are additionally nicely marked with signage. 

Public Canine Coaching Areas embrace:

A part of the Landsford Canal WMA

Angelus WMA

A part of the Lake Murray-Saluda River Tract

A part of the Cliff Pitts WMA

A part of the Edisto River WMA

Learn Extra

Lowcountry – A Venture Upland Authentic Movie

Smothered Doves

The Boykin Spaniel Story — A Searching Canine Confidential Movie

How Public Land Bobwhite Quail Shift Patterns