The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of marsh hen/rail only on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require each hunter to carry at all times while hunting a signed, current refuge hunt permit and a government-issued picture ID. The hunt permit is invalid until signed by the hunter.
2. We prohibit hunting on Sundays.
3. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
4. We prohibit discharge of weapons for any purpose other than to take or attempt to take legal game during the established hunting season.
5. Each hunter under age 16 must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Youth hunters must have successfully completed a State-approved hunter education course.
6. We allow use of retrieving dogs only while hunting in designated hunting areas for marsh hen/rail. Otherwise we prohibit dogs on the refuge.
7. We prohibit taking or attempting to take any wildlife from an area unless that area is officially opened for hunting/fishing.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of raccoon on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, A5, and A7 apply.
2. We allow hunting only on days designated annually by the refuge within the State season.
3. Hunters must enter and exit through the designated camping area to access any hunting areas on the refuge.
4. We prohibit crossbows, muzzleloaders, shotguns, rifles, pistols, and any other firearms or illegal means designated by the State to take while-tailed deer during the designated refuge archery hunt.
5. The refuge designates daily limits for raccoon.
6. For all raccoons harvested, hunters must check-in the raccoon tail at the refuge check station.
7. We prohibit hunting within 100 feet (30 m) of the Walking Trail (interpretive foot trail) and Beach Road.
8. Each archery hunter must check-in at the camping site on Bulls Island before setting up camp or before starting to hunt. We require each hunter to record his or her name and address in the available register.
9. Hunters may camp in the designated camping areas on Bulls Island during the archery white-tailed deer hunts from 9 a.m. on the day preceding the hunt until 12 p.m. (noon) on the day following the hunt.
10. We restrict hunters to the camping area from 7 p.m. until 4:30 a.m.
11. We prohibit camping on the refuge except for designated archery hunters on Bulls Island and individuals obtaining a special use permit from the refuge manager.
12. We prohibit fires except designated campfires in designated areas during the archery hunt (see Sec. 27.95(a) of this chapter).
13. Except for boat motors being operated in salt water, we prohibit motorized equipment on the refuge islands or in refuge inholdings.
14. We prohibit private boats in the refuge boat basins at Garris Landing and Bulls Island. We clearly mark these areas with Closed Area signs.
15. We prohibit overnight parking at Garris Landing except for archery hunters during the designated refuge archery white-tailed deer season and individuals obtaining a special use permit from the refuge manager.
16. Hunters must hunt from a tree stand or the ground. We prohibit stalking, driving, corralling, or any other cooperative form of hunting.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow the hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, A5, A7, B2 through B4, and B7 through B16 apply.
2. The refuge designates daily limits for white-tailed deer.
3. Hunters much check all white-tailed deer at the refuge check station prior to removal from Bulls Island.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow the possession, taking, and transportation of: fish, crabs, shellfish, shrimp, and other saltwater species on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A7 and B10 through B14 apply.
2. We prohibit fishing inside the refuge boat basins at Garris Landing and Bulls Island.
3. We prohibit cast nets on the pier at Garris Landing.
4. We prohibit fishing, crabbing, shell fishing, and the taking of other saltwater species on Bulls Island ponds and managed wetlands (Jacks Creek, Lower and Upper Summerhouse Ponds).
5. We close Marsh Island, White Banks, and Sandy Point to public entry from February 15 through September 15 to protect nesting birds. This closed area extends from the low mean water mark to the highest elevation on these islands.
6. We prohibit entering into any area ``Closed to Public Entry'' due to turtle/bird nesting areas.
7. All refuge islands are ``Closed to Public Entry'' or occupancy from 1 hour after legal sunset to 1 hour before legal sunrise, except during a scheduled refuge big game hunt.
8. We prohibit anglers or visitors taking, possessing, or transporting more than one 3-quart plastic bag of sea shells per person per day from the refuge.
9. We prohibit anglers or visitors taking, possessing, or transporting any sea shells containing living organisms from the refuge, except those shellfish allowed by the State according to a recreational or commercial saltwater fishing license and permit.
10. We prohibit the taking of sea shells from the refuge for commercial purposes or monetary gain.
11. We prohibit the commercial transport of passengers to any refuge island for any purpose without a Special Use Permit from the refuge manager.
12. We prohibit feeding or harassing porpoises in any manner.
13. We prohibit mooring or anchoring of boats more than 72 hours within the refuge boundary.
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove and woodcock on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. All hunters must possess and carry a signed refuge General Hunt Permit (signed brochure) and government-issued picture identification.
2. We prohibit discharge of weapons (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter) within, into, or across a ``No Hunting Zone'' or ``Closed Area''. We prohibit entering or crossing a ``No Hunting Zone'' or ``Closed Area'' to access areas open to hunting. We require consent from refuge personnel to enter a ``No Hunting Zone'' or ``Closed Area'' for the purpose of tracking and/or retrieving legally taken game animals.
3. Each youth hunter (younger than age 16) must remain within sight and normal voice contact and under supervision of an adult age 21 or older with a valid license and applicable permit. Each adult may supervise no more than two youth hunters. Each youth hunter must possess and carry evidence of successful completion of a State-approved hunter education course.
4. We prohibit loaded hunting firearms (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter) within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of maintained refuge roads or within 500 feet (152.4 meters) of the paved visitor's drive. We prohibit discharge of any weapon on or across any part of the refuge road system. We define a ``loaded firearm'' as a firearm with shells in the magazine or chamber, or, for muzzleloaders, a gun with the percussion caps put in place.
5. We prohibit the possession or use of alcoholic beverages while hunting.
6. Hunters must possess shotguns with shot no larger than No. 5.
7. Legal shooting hours for September dove hunts are 12 p.m. (noon) to 6 p.m.
8. We prohibit discharge of weapons for any purpose other than to take or attempt to take legal game animals during established hunting seasons.
9. We prohibit the possession or use of more than 50 shotgun shells during the September dove hunts.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of quail, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A5 and A8 apply.
2. We require dogs for hunting raccoon and opossum. All dogs must wear a collar displaying the owner's name, address, and phone number.
3. Upland game hunters may possess shotguns with shot no larger than No. 4 or .22 caliber rimfire rifles or primitive muzzleloading rifles of .40 caliber or smaller. We prohibit possession of buckshot or slugs.
4. Upland game hunters using archery equipment must use small game tips on the arrows.
5. All persons participating in refuge firearms hunts must wear at least 500 square inches (3,225.8 square centimeters) of unbroken, fluorescent-orange material above the waist as an outer garment that is visible from all sides while hunting and while en route to and from hunting areas. This does not apply to raccoon and opossum hunters.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A5 and A8 apply (with the following exception for condition A3: Each adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.).
2. On the day of your successful hunt, and prior to removing any harvested deer, feral hog, or turkey from the refuge, you must complete the Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359).
3. During deer and turkey hunts, we prohibit hunters from entering the refuge earlier than 4 a.m. and staying on the refuge later than 2 hours after legal sunset.
4. All persons participating in refuge firearms deer hunts must wear at least 500 square inches (3,250 cm\2\) of unbroken, fluorescent-orange material above the waist as an outer garment that is visible from all sides while hunting and while en route to and from hunting areas.
5. During the primitive weapons hunt, you may use bow and arrow, crossbows, muzzleloading shotguns (20 gauge or larger), or muzzleloading rifles (.40 caliber or larger). We prohibit revolving rifles and black-powder handguns.
6. During modern gun hunts, you may use shotguns, rifles (centerfire and larger than .22 caliber), handguns (.357 caliber or larger and barrel length no less than 6 inches [15 cm]), or any weapon allowed during the primitive weapons hunt. We prohibit military, hard-jacketed bullets, and .22 caliber rimfire rifles during the modern gun hunts.
7. We prohibit man driving for deer. We define a ``man drive'' as an organized hunting technique involving two or more individuals where hunters attempt to drive game animals from cover or habitat for the purpose of shooting or killing the animals or moving them toward other hunters.
8. We prohibit the use of dogs for any big game hunting.
9. We prohibit the use of plastic flagging to mark trees or other refuge features.
10. Youth hunts are for hunters under age 16. We prohibit adults from possessing or discharging firearms during youth deer or turkey hunts.
11. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), except by mobility-impaired hunters with a Special Use Permit (Permit Application Form: National Wildlife Refuge System General Activities, FWS Form 3-1383-G) during big game hunts. Mobility-impaired hunters must have a State Disabled Hunting license in order to receive the Special Use Permit.
13. We prohibit turkey hunting in the area defined as east of Hwy. 145, south of Rt. 9, and north of Hwy. 1.
14. We prohibit the use of game and trail cameras.
15. We prohibit placing stands on the refuge more than 3 days prior to the opening day of each big game hunt period and leaving stands at the end of each hunt period.
16. We prohibit the use of a tree stand or climbing equipment without a safety belt or harness.
17. We prohibit the use of permanent, nonportable tree stands (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
18. We prohibit inserting a nail, screw, spike, or other metal object into a tree or hunting from a tree into which the hunter has inserted a metal object (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
19. We prohibit baiting or hunting in the vicinity of bait (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on all areas of the refuge, except Martins Lake and those areas closed for management purposes, in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing from 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset.
2. We allow nonmotorized boats and boats with electric motors. We allow boats with permanently mounted gas motors as long as you lock the propeller out of the water. You must hand load and unload boats except at designated boat ramps. We prohibit skidding boats up or down dams or on water control structures. We provide boat ramps at Pool D, Pool L, Honkers Lake, and Mays Lake.
3. We allow bank fishing on all designated waters.
4. We prohibit bow fishing, fish baskets, nets, set hooks, trotlines, or snagging devices.
5. We prohibit snagging of fish by pulling or jerking any device equipped with one or more hooks through the water for the purpose of impaling fish.
6. We prohibit swimming or wading in any areas of the refuge.
7. At Mays and Honkers Lakes, the creel limit on largemouth bass is five fish per person per day. All bass must be a minimum length of 12 inches (30 cm).
8. We designate Oxpen Lake as adult-youth fishing only. A youth (under age 16) must be actively fishing and accompanied by no more than two adults at least age 18. We prohibit adults fishing unless a youth accompanies them. The creel limit on channel catfish is five fish per person per day.
9. We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages while fishing.
Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require each hunter to carry at all times while hunting a signed, current refuge hunting regulations brochure containing a refuge hunt permit. The hunt permit is invalid until signed by the hunter.
2. Each youth hunter (age 15 and under) must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. Youth hunters must have successfully completed a State-approved hunter education course.
3. We only allow hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) each day during the State waterfowl season.
4. We prohibit hunting on Corps of Engineer dredge spoil sites located on refuge property on Jehossee Island.
5. We prohibit permanent blinds. You must remove portable blinds and decoys (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day.
6. We only allow use of retrieving dogs while hunting.
7. We allow scouting all year from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
8. Access to the hunt areas is by boat only. We prohibit boat launching on the refuge.
9. We do not require hunter check-in and check out. There is no quota on the number of hunters.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply.
2. We only allow hunting on days designated annually by the refuge within the State season. We only allow hunting on designated refuge areas within the Edisto Unit and the Combahee Unit.
3. Except for the special quota permit hunts, we allow only archery or muzzleloader hunting, and there is no quota on the number of hunters allowed to participate. During special quota permit hunts, we allow use of centerfire rifles or shotguns.
4. Access into all refuge hunt areas for hunting and scouting is by foot or bicycle. We may open some refuge roads on hunt days.
5. We allow scouting all year from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
6. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 5 a.m. on hunt days and must leave the refuge no later than 1 hour after legal sunset.
7. We do not require hunter check-in and check out. However, you must check all deer taken during any hunt at the designated refuge check station before removal from the refuge. In addition, you must tag all antlerless deer with an antlerless tag provided by the refuge.
8. The refuge daily bag limit is two antlerless deer and one antlered buck that must have at least three antler points on one side. We define a ``point'' as an antler projection of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more in length.
9. You may take feral hogs during refuge deer hunts. There is no size or bag limit on hogs. We may offer special hog hunts during and after deer season to further control this invasive species. You must dispatch all feral hogs before removing them from the refuge.
10. You must hunt deer and feral hogs from an elevated deer stand. We prohibit shooting big game from a boat.
11. We prohibit hunting on or within 100 feet (30 m) of all routes marked as roads or trails (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter) on the hunt brochure map.
12. All permanently fixed ground blinds are for the mobility-impaired hunt only.
13. We prohibit crossbows on the archery hunts. We only allow muzzleloading rifles using a single projectile on the muzzleloader hunts. We prohibit buckshot.
14. You may use flagging to mark the site of hunter entry from roads or trails and again at the stand site. You may use clothes pins with reflective tape between these sites to mark the route to the stand. Hunters must label all such markers with their full name and remove them (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of the hunt.
15. We require hunters to wear an outer garment visible above the waist that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm\2\) of solid, florescent-orange material at all times during the muzzleloader and mobility-impaired hunts.
16. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing in impounded waters contained within dikes and levees in the Beaufort County portion of the refuge annually from April 1 through August 31 during daylight hours. We close fishing during all remaining times within all refuge-impounded waters.
2. We prohibit boat use within refuge-impounded waters. We only allow bank fishing.
3. We only allow hook and line sport fishing utilizing rod and reel or pole.
4. We only open access into refuge areas to fishing by foot or bicycle.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow hunting on the refuge by lottery. We require an application fee to enter the hunt lottery.
2. We require a refuge hunt permit (name/address/phone number) for all hunters chosen in the lottery who are age 16 and older. You must sign the refuge hunt permit and carry it at all times when hunting. We charge a fee for all hunt permits.
3. Hunters must check-in at the designated check station between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and park in the designated area prior to hunting. We require personal identification at check-in.
4. We will allow hunters to operate their personal vehicles on the main gravel trail only. Movement within all other areas of the refuge must be by foot or bicycle. We limit entry and exit points for authorized motor vehicles to designated check stations or other specified areas (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter). We prohibit entry by boat, and we prohibit hunters to leave by boat to reach other parts of the island.
5. We require hunters to wear an outer garment that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm\2\) of hunter-orange material above the waistline.
6. We prohibit the use of organized drives for taking or attempting to take game.
7. Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge during the week preceding the hunt. They must remove their stand at the end of the hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
8. We prohibit camping on the refuge.
9. We allow only shotguns (20 gauge or larger; slugs only), muzzleloaders, and bows, in accordance with State regulations, for hunting.
10. Hunters must be on their stands from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise until 9 a.m. and from 2 hours before legal sunset until \1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
11. We prohibit hunting closer than 100 yards (90 m) to U.S. Highway 278 or the check station area, or closer than 200 yards (180 m) to the residence area.
12. We prohibit flagging, blazing, or using other trail-marking devices to locate stands or for any other purpose.
13. Refuge personnel must check deer harvested during a scheduled hunt before hunters leave the refuge.
14. You may take five deer (no more than two antlered).
15. We close the refuge to the public on hunt days.
16. Youth hunters age 15 and younger must remain within sight and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older, possessing a license. One adult may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
17. We prohibit the use of trail or game cameras.
18. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and specific refuge regulations in part 32.)
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow saltwater fishing year-round in the estuarine waters adjacent to the refuge.
2. We prohibit freshwater fishing.
3. We require a South Carolina saltwater fishing license.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of raccoon and opossum on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunters to use only weapons, firearms, and ammunition specifically authorized for each hunt.
2. All refuge hunters under age 16 must show proof of successfully completing a hunter education/safety course. A properly licensed adult at least age 21 must directly supervise (within sight and normal voice contact) hunters under age 16. An adult may supervise only one youth.
3. We require hunters to possess a refuge hunt permit (brochure signed by the hunter), a valid State hunting license, and photo identification while hunting.
4. Hunters must check all animals taken on the refuge at the check station prior to removing the animal from the refuge.
5. We require hunters to make a reasonable effort to retrieve wounded game. Hunters must obtain permission from refuge personnel to enter a ``No Hunting Zone'' or ``Closed Area'' for any purpose.
6. We allow vehicles only on established roads marked open for vehicular traffic. Hunters may travel roads marked ``Closed to all vehicles'' on foot or by bicycle. The speed limit for all roads is 15 mph. We prohibit blocking travel through refuge access gates or roads. We prohibit ATVs.
7. Hunters must unload and case, or lock in a secure compartment, hunting firearms when transporting them in vehicles and boats during refuge hunts. We define a loaded firearm as having ammunition in the chamber or magazine. We will consider muzzleloaders unloaded if the percussion cap is not seated in the chamber.
8. We prohibit possession of bait, baiting, and/or hunting in the vicinity of bait (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
9. We prohibit camping, overnight parking, open fires, and littering (see Sec. Sec. 27.95(a) and 27.94 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit game and trail cameras.
11. We prohibit entry beyond ``Closed Area'' or ``No Hunting Zone'' signs. We prohibit discharging weapons within, into, or across a ``No Hunting Zone'' or ``Closed Area.''
12. We prohibit discharging a firearm from, on, or across any refuge road, or designated refuge foot trail.
13. We prohibit hunting from within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of any roadway, whether open or closed to vehicular traffic, or from or within 300 yards (274.3 meters) of any designated hunter check station.
14. We prohibit use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
15. We prohibit man or dog drives, stalk hunting, and/or hunting from artificially pruned trees.
16. We allow hunting on each refuge unit only within specified hunt periods and only for raccoon or opossum, and white-tailed deer (see paragraph C. Big Game Hunting below).
17. We allow unlimited harvest of feral hog as an incidental take while hunting.
18. We will open hunting areas from 5 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. during designated hunt periods. We require all hunters to personally sign in and sign out at designated hunter check stations when entering and exiting any portion of the refuge and report all game harvested by 8:30 p.m.
19. We allow use of dogs only for raccoon hunting. The dogs must wear a collar displaying the owner's name, address, and telephone number.
20. We allow take of raccoon and opossum only during night hunting. Special State regulations apply for night hunting.
21. We allow take of raccoon and opossum with a shotgun using nontoxic shot size no larger than 4 or a .22-caliber rimfire rifle. We prohibit possession of buckshot or slugs. We prohibit the use of all other weapons for hunting.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions B1 through B18 apply.
2. We prohibit the use of dogs during deer hunts. We prohibit night hunting.
3. We prohibit the use of nails, screws, or bolts to attach a tree stand to a tree or hunting from a tree where a metal object has been driven to support a hunter (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
4. We prohibit destroying or cutting vegetation (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter). We prohibit the possession of axes, saws, machetes, or other tools used for cutting vegetation on the refuge while scouting or hunting.
5. We allow flagging only along the edges of roads and trails and at the tree in which the hunter places the stand. Hunters may use clothes pins with reflective tape to mark the path to the tree, but they must mark all pins and flagging with the hunter's full name, date, and phone number. Hunters must remove all flagging and pins at the end of the hunt; we will consider any flagging or pins found after the end of the hunt to be littering (see Sec. 27.94 of this chapter), and we will remove them immediately.
6. We require hunters to wear 500 square inches (3,250 cm\2\) of solid fluorescent-orange above the waist consisting of a hat and vest or jacket during all refuge big game firearm hunts.
7. Deer hunting must occur from portable, elevated deer stands that are no less than 10 feet (3 meters) above ground; we prohibit ground blinds. We allow only one stand per hunter, and the hunter must clearly mark the stand with their full name, date, and phone number.
8. We allow scouting on both the Pine Island and Cuddo Units during periods when these units are open to general public access. We allow vehicles only on roads designated as open for vehicular traffic. All other roads and trails are open to walk-in or bicycle traffic. We prohibit hunting weapons and dogs during scouting activities.
9. Hunters may place stands, cloth pins, and flagging only on respective hunt areas on the Friday and Saturday immediately prior to each hunt (from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.) and must remove them by 8:30 p.m. on the last day of each hunt. We will confiscate any stands found within the designated hunt areas outside of allowed periods.
10. We will open access roads, closed to the general public for driving, only during each deer hunt and on the Friday and Saturday prior to each hunt.
11. We open the Plantation Islands (Cuddo Unit) to hunting only from 5 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. All hunters hunting Plantation Islands must indicate on the check-in sheet that they are hunting on an island.
12. Shooting hours are from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise until \1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
13. The refuge conducts one lottery draw hunt (using Quota Deer Hunt Application FWS 3-2354) for the Family, Friends, and Kids (Family Friendly) hunts conducted on the Bluff Unit of the refuge. Contact the refuge office for dates, application information, and more information about this special hunt opportunity.
14. We prohibit the use of boats to access upland areas except to access the Plantation Islands. We allow the use of nonmotorized boats to access the interior canals to inland areas open to hunting.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. A valid State fishing license and a signed refuge fishing permit (signed brochure) must be in each angler's possession while fishing on the refuge, except that we require all recreational fishing boat operators to have only one refuge fishing permit per boat.
2. We allow public fishing on all four refuge units. We open waters of Lake Marion within refuge boundaries for fishing 24 hours a day, except in areas posted as ``Closed Areas'' or closed for migratory bird management. We allow fishing only on the inland ponds and canals during times the refuge units are open for general public access or as posted.
3. Cantey Bay (Bluff Unit), Black Bottom (Cuddo Unit), and Savannah Branch (Pine Island Unit) are only open to public access, including boating and fishing, from March 1 through October 31.
4. We limit access to the interior freshwater canals and ponds to canoes or kayaks, or by foot or bicycle travel only. We prohibit use of internal combustion engines on interior ponds and canals.
5. We prohibit littering, camping and/or overnight parking, open fires, swimming or wading, collecting or searching for or taking of any items of antiquity, and overnight mooring of boats (see Sec. Sec. 27.62, 27.94, 27.95(a) of this chapter). We allow pets only in designated areas, and they must remain on a leash or within vehicles/vessels.
6. We prohibit fishing or boating within 100 feet (30 m) of any nesting bird or bird rookeries within refuge boundaries.
7. We prohibit commercial fishing, air-thrust boats, hovercraft, airboats, and personal watercraft within the waters of and/or boundary of the refuge.
8. We prohibit fishing at night, except by boat in Lake Marion. We prohibit bank fishing and fishing within interior ponds, canals, and impoundments at night.
9. We prohibit nighttime access to boat launching areas.
10. We prohibit mooring or attaching boats to any refuge boundary marker, post, or navigational post within refuge waters. We also prohibit attaching signs, trotlines, fishing devices, or any other objects to trees, posts, or markers within refuge boundaries.
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Refer to Sec. 32.29 Georgia for regulations.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, woodcock, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunters must possess and carry at all times while hunting a signed, current refuge hunting regulations brochure containing a refuge hunt permit. The hunt permit is invalid until signed by the hunter.
2. Each youth hunter age 15 and younger must remain within sight, within normal voice contact, and under the supervision of an adult age 21 or older. We do not require youth hunters to have a hunter education card, but they must possess the refuge hunting regulations permit. The supervising adult must comply with all State and Federal hunting license requirements and possess a signed refuge hunting regulations permit (signed brochure). Each supervising adult may supervise no more than two youths.
3. We allow waterfowl hunting only until 12 p.m. (noon) each Saturday and Wednesday during the State waterfowl season. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 5 a.m. on hunt days and must be off the refuge by 2 p.m.
4. We allow scouting Monday through Friday during the waterfowl season. Hunters must be off the refuge by 2 p.m.
5. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k)) while hunting all species of migratory birds on the refuge.
6. We prohibit permanent blinds (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). Hunters must remove portable blinds and decoys at the end of each day's hunt.
7. We allow use of retrieving dogs only while hunting. We require dogs to wear a collar displaying the owner's name, address, and phone number.
8. We do not require hunter check-in and check out. There is no quota on the number of hunters.
9. We prohibit discharge of weapons (see Sec. 27.42(a) of this chapter) for any purpose other than to take or attempt to take legal game animals during established hunting seasons.
10. We prohibit hunting on any unit for wildlife species not officially opened to hunting or entering any areas posted as ``Closed'' or ``No Hunting Zones.''
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of gray squirrel, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A2, A9, and A10 apply.
2. We allow hunting only in designated areas and only on days designated annually by the refuge within the State season.
3. We require nontoxic shot no larger than 2 in shotguns when hunting. We allow .22-caliber rimfire rifles.
4. We prohibit shooting any game from a boat except waterfowl.
5. We require the use of dogs for hunting raccoon and opossum.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, and turkey on designated areas of the refuge. The State of South Carolina does not classify feral hog as big game; however, for the purpose of hunting regulations, we put feral hog in the big game category. We allow big game hunting on the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A9, A10, B2, and B4 apply.
2. We allow hunting for designated species only on days designated annually by the refuge, within the State season, and according to refuge unit-specific regulations.
3. We close refuge hunting areas to the general public during big game hunts.
4. We allow archery, muzzleloading (black powder) and centerfire rifles, and shotguns.
5. We prohibit blow guns and drugged arrows (see Sec. 32.2(g)). We allow muzzleloading rifles that use only a single projectile on the muzzleloader hunts. We prohibit buckshot, rimfire ammunition, and full-metal-jacketed military ammunition.
6. Access into all refuge hunt areas for hunting and scouting is by foot or boat. We may open some refuge roads on hunt days. We prohibit ATVs (see Sec. 27.31(f) of this chapter) and air boats on the refuge.
7. We allow scouting all year during daylight hours except during the State waterfowl season. During the waterfowl season, the same regulations that apply to scouting for waterfowl (A4) apply to scouting for big game species. We prohibit the use of trail cameras and other scouting devices.
8. Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 5 a.m. on hunt days and must leave the refuge no later than 1 hour after legal sunset.
9. We do not require hunter check-in and check out.
10. The refuge limit on deer is two antlered bucks per year. Hunters can harvest up to three antlerless deer per year during coinciding State doe days or by using personal doe tags.
11. You may take feral hogs during refuge deer hunts. There is no size or bag limit on hog. We may offer special hog hunts during and after deer season to further control this invasive species. You must dispatch all feral hogs before removing them from the refuge.
12. We prohibit hunting on or within 100 feet (30 m) of all routes marked as roads or trails (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter) on the hunt brochure map.
13. You must hunt deer and feral hog from an elevated hunting stand.
14. We allow only one portable tree stand per hunter, and the hunter must clearly mark it with their full name and phone number. We prohibit placing deer stands on the refuge more than 3 days prior to the opening day of a hunting session. Hunters must remove stands from the refuge no later than 3 days after each refuge big game hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
15. We allow hunters to use flagging to mark the site of hunter entry from roads or trails and again at the stand site. We allow hunters to use clothes pins with reflective tape between entry and stand sites to mark the route to the stand. Hunters must label all such markers with their full name and remove them at the end of the hunt.
16. We require hunters to wear an outer garment visible above the waist that contains a minimum of 500 square inches (3,250 cm\2\) of solid, fluorescent-orange material at all times during big game hunts except for wild turkey.
17. We prohibit the use of organized drives, including the use of boats, as an aid in the taking or attempting to take big game species.
18. We prohibit possession of bait, distribution of bait, or hunting over a baited area (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
19. We allow crossbows only during the big game hunting sessions where we allow muzzleloaders and modern weapons. We may also allow them during special hunts if we determine they are appropriate.
20. Each youth hunter age 15 and younger must remain within sight, within normal voice contact, and under supervision of an adult age 21 or older, and must possess the refuge hunting regulations permit (signed brochure). We do not require youth hunters who are sitting in the same hunting stand as the supervising adult to possess a hunter education card. We require youth hunters who are sitting in a hunting stand by themselves to possess a valid hunter education card. The supervising adult must comply with all State and Federal hunting license requirements and possess a signed refuge hunting regulations permit. Each supervising adult may supervise a maximum of one youth.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in accordance with State regulations. [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 29076, May 18, 1993; 58 FR 29085, May 18, 1993; 59 FR 6698, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55188, Nov. 3, 1994; 60 FR 62047, Dec. 4, 1995; 63 FR 46921, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30791, May 12, 2000; 65 FR 56408, Sept. 18, 2000; 66 FR 46361, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58949, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54449, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54190, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33196, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45696, Sept. 3, 2009; 75 FR 18426, Apr. 12, 2010; 76 FR 3989, Jan. 21, 2011; 76 FR 56085, Sept. 9, 2011; 77 FR 56057, Sept. 11, 2012; 80 FR 51929, Aug. 26, 2015]