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

From the Piedmont region to the coastal plains, South Carolina offers upland bird hunting opportunities for American woodcock, clapper rails, and more.

One must look beyond the sandy beaches of Hilton Head to find the true heart of South Carolina. With much of the state covered by rivers and lakes, fishing is a major pastime for outdoor enthusiasts. The deer hunting is excellent, too; in this state, it feels like there are as many deer as blades of grass. But in South Carolina’s in-between green spaces, bird hunting thrives. 

Most of the landscape falls within the Piedmont region or coastal plains, and the Sandhills are found between those 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 just one million acres of public land that can be accessed for hunting. Despite this, bird hunting culture runs deep in South Carolina. In fact, the state dog is the Boykin Spaniel.

Hunting licenses and permits range in price for residents and non-residents, depending on the gamebirds being pursued and the areas being hunted. For more information, visit the State’s Department of Natural Resources website.

South Carolina Upland Bird Season Dates And Limits

*These season dates were last updated on March 4, 2025, and may not reflect any changes since that date. For the most up-to-date information, contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

South Carolina Bobwhite Quail

I cannot think of a more iconic game bird in the southeast than that of the bobwhite quail. Here, it’s a grassland bird that, for centuries, made its home in the Piedmont prairies and coastal pineland savannas. 

Contrary to popular belief, there are still wild quail occupying South Carolina. Preserve hunts are available for those interested in replicating what it was like in the good old days, but to find wild birds, it takes sweat equity and a good bird dog.

The season opens around Thanksgiving day and closes on March 1st with a daily limit of 12.

Mourning Doves

Dove fields are scattered across South Carolina like a shot pattern. Dove habitat includes commercial agricultural fields, publicly managed fields, and private sunflower fields. If you’re a glutton for the September heat, dove hunting opportunities are plenty.

If you are friends with a bird-hunting Sandlapper (native South Carolinian), touch base with them the week before Labor Day. Odds are they have a dove field lined up for opening weekend, and will probably invite you to tag along. With luck, there will be a potluck lunch beforehand and birds will buzz through the treetops all afternoon. 

These are migratory birds. As such, you will need a migratory bird permit. There are four separate seasons for doves. To get the most up-to-date public and private land season dates, review the regulations on SCDNR website.  

Hunting Marsh Hens and Rails in South Carolina

Marsh birds allow for a unique experience along the coastal plain. Hunters with an affinity for fishing can enjoy a day of casting and blasting. In the fall and winter, South Carolina’s coast experiences King Tides, which are exceptionally high tides that are fostered in by a full moon. 

During King Tides, the marshes are excessively flooded. This allows for marsh hens and redfish to move into the submerged grass. Flat bottom skiffs, jon boats, or poling skiffs can be pushed up onto the flooded flats and as you search for tailing redfish and flushing marsh hens and rails.

The first season opens around Labor Day weekend and lasts for a few days. The second season opens at the end of September and lasts until the beginning of December. The list of huntable species includes king rails, clapper rails, purple gallinules, moorhens, sora, and Virginia rail. Each species has its own daily limit.

Southeastern American Woodcock

American woodcock migrate into South Carolina alongside waterfowl species in the wintertime. They are well dispersed across the landscape. However, most are found in the lower Piedmont and coastal plains. As a result, it is not uncommon for hunters pursuing bobwhite quail to occasionally flush a southeastern woodcock, as they often occupy similar habitats. 

Hunting for timberdoodles can be a great way to spend the day or afternoon after an early morning waterfowl hunt. Just ditch your waders for boots and briar pants. You can even work your retriever as a flushing dog!   

They are migratory birds, so they require the same permits and licenses needed for dove hunting. Woodcock season opens mid-December and lasts until January 31st. The daily limit is 3 birds. 

South Carolina Bird Hunting License Fees

*These fees were last updated March 4, 2025. Please refer to the SCDNR’s regulations for the most up-to-date information.

Blaze Orange Requirements in South Carolina

When hunting on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), hunters must wear either a hat, vest, or coat that is solid blaze orange. Only archery hunters and waterfowl hunters are exempt. Similarly, anyone participating in bird dog training on a Public Dog Training Area must wear a hat, vest, or coat that is solid blaze orange.

South Carolina Public Dog Training Areas

South Carolina offers four areas that are available to the general public for dog training purposes. Anyone with a valid hunting license and a WMA permit can train dogs on Public Dog Training Areas between September 15 and March 15, excluding Sundays. Handlers may use pen-raised quail and pigeons for training purposes within these areas. Handguns with blank cartridges or shotguns with blanks or #8 shot or smaller may be used as well.

Each area is defined by the maps located within the kiosks at each area. The boundaries are also well marked with signage. 

Public Dog Training Areas include:

• Part of the Landsford Canal WMA
• Angelus WMA
• Part of the Lake Murray-Saluda River Tract
• Part of the Cliff Pitts WMA
• Part of the Edisto River WMA