National Wildlife Refuge · South Carolina · FWS Region 4

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is located in Charleston County, South Carolina, with about 35,616 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 27,094 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
27.1Khuntable acres
35.6KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Cape Romain NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Cape Romain NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Rails -- small migratory birds that congregate in marshes -- were once a favorite quarry of coastal gunners. Rail hunting is no longer as popular, but some tradition-minded shotgunners still enjoy walking marshes for these sporty game birds.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow South Carolina regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 27,094 (76%)Closed: 8,567 (24%)27.1Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations27,094 ac 76%
  • Closed8,567 ac 24%
Units by size (acres)
Rail Hunt Area
24,474 ac
Closed Area
8,567 ac
Bulls Island Unit
2,620 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Bulls Island Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,620 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters and anglers are required to have signed brochure.
Rail Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 24,474 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters and anglers are required to have signed brochure.
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 8,567 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunters and anglers are required to have signed brochure.

Cape Romain NWR by the numbers

With about 27,094 huntable acres, Cape Romain NWR ranks #4 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in South Carolina and #92 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 76% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Rail Hunt Area (24,474 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Bulls Island Unit, covers 2,620 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 8,567 acres is closed to hunting (Closed Area). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 35,616 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 387 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Cape Romain NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. South Carolina sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters and anglers are required to have signed brochure.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid South Carolina hunting license and any required tags or stamps — South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Cape Romain NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Fishing opportunities include surf fishing and fishing within saltwater estuaries with excellent fall surf fishing for red drum and black drum. The refuge's facilities for anglers are limited.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Cape Romain NWR

Navigate

Destination: Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
33.02922, -79.49630
DMS
33°01′45.2″N 79°29′46.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Georgetown, SC27 mi SW of town
  • Charleston, SC30 mi NE of town
  • Myrtle Beach, SC58 mi SW of town
  • Beaufort, SC80 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • CHS Charleston Intl33 mi
  • MYR Myrtle Beach Intl56 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Cape Romain NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM7:44 PM12h 53m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:26 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM7:04 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM6:46 PM11h 25m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM5:27 PM10h 53m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM5:17 PM10h 29m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM5:11 PM10h 09m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM5:12 PM9h 59m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:50 AM7:20 AM5:21 PM10h 00m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:50 AM7:20 AM5:32 PM10h 11m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:48 PM10h 35m

Computed for 33.029, -79.496 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Guides for hunting Cape Romain NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters

What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

Cape Romain NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Cape Romain NWR?

Yes. Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (27,094 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Cape Romain NWR?

Yes — Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Cape Romain NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Cape Romain NWR located?

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is in Charleston County, South Carolina, about 27 miles SW of Georgetown, SC (straight-line). GPS: 33.02922, -79.49630.

What are legal shooting hours at Cape Romain NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Waccamaw NWR

Georgetown County, SC · 44 mi NE

6 special3 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

33.6K huntable acres

Bears Bluff NFH

Charleston County, SC · 51 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Santee NWR

Clarendon County, SC · 54 mi NW

4 special2 closed
🦌🐇🐗🎣

12K huntable acres

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR

Charleston County, SC · 57 mi SW

7 special4 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐗🎣

7.9K huntable acres

Orangeburg NFH

Orangeburg County, SC · 85 mi W

1 closed
🎣

Pinckney Island NWR

Beaufort County, SC · 91 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🎣

2.4K huntable acres

All refuges in South Carolina →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.