Hunt unit · Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Open Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit required

The Open Area is one of 2 mapped hunt units on Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge in Beaufort County, SC. It covers approximately 2,425 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 ↗
2,425acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Beaufort Countycounty

Open 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: Other. Obtain via: Online Other.

Hunters are required to have annual hunter permit.

Game at Pinckney Island 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 Open Area

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Destination: center of the Open Area

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Decimal
32.25090, -80.76366
DMS
32°15′03.2″N 80°45′49.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Beaufort, SC14 mi SW of town
  • Savannah, GA22 mi NE of town
  • Charleston, SC61 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 Open 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, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM7:49 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM7:30 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM7:09 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM6:51 PM11h 26m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM5:34 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM5:23 PM10h 32m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM5:18 PM10h 12m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM5:19 PM10h 03m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:53 AM7:23 AM5:28 PM10h 04m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:39 PM10h 15m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM5:54 PM10h 38m

Computed for 32.251, -80.764 (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 Pinckney Island NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Closed AreaClosed1,616Required

Back to Pinckney Island NWR →