Hunt unit · Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Rail Hunt Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Rail Hunt Area is one of 3 mapped hunt units on Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in Charleston County, SC. It covers approximately 24,474 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
24,474acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Charleston Countycounty

Rail Hunt Area map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to South Carolina regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Refuge permit required. Type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Obtain via: Kiosk, Online FWS, Visitor Center.

All hunters and anglers are required to have signed brochure.

Game at Cape Romain NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Rail Hunt Area

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Destination: center of the Rail Hunt Area

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Decimal
33.02294, -79.45108
DMS
33°01′22.6″N 79°27′03.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Georgetown, SC26 mi S of town
  • Charleston, SC32 mi NE of town
  • Myrtle Beach, SC56 mi SW of town

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

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Rail Hunt Area

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 AM7:25 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM7:03 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM6:45 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 AM5:20 PM10h 00m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:50 AM7:20 AM5:32 PM10h 12m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:48 PM10h 35m

Computed for 33.023, -79.451 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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

Other units at Cape Romain NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Bulls Island UnitSpecial regs2,620Required
Closed AreaClosed8,567Required

Back to Cape Romain NWR →