National Wildlife Refuge · South Carolina · FWS Region 4

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is located in Jasper County, South Carolina, with about 30,715 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Georgia. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 11 mapped hunt units: 9 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 29,750 huntable acres.

9 with special regs2 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
11hunt units
29.8Khuntable acres
30.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Savannah 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 Savannah NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Located in the heart of the coastal Lowcountry, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is more than 30,000 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal waterways and bottomland hardwoods.

Youth hunting

The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

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 (11)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 29,750 (94%)Closed: 1,795 (6%)29.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations29,750 ac 94%
  • Closed1,795 ac 6%
Units by size (acres)
North Tract - GA North of I-95
9,352 ac
South Tract - SC
7,844 ac
South Tract - GA
4,460 ac
North Tract - SC North of I-95
2,307 ac
South Impoundments
1,975 ac
North Tract - SC South of I-95
1,332 ac
Closed Area - GA
1,217 ac
North Impoundments
1,209 ac
Solomon Tract
1,041 ac
Closed Area - SC
577 ac
North Tract - GA South of I-95
231 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
North Impoundments
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,209 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
North Tract - GA North of I-95
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 9,352 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
North Tract - GA South of I-95
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 231 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
North Tract - SC North of I-95
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,307 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
North Tract - SC South of I-95
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,332 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
Solomon Tract
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,041 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
South Impoundments
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,975 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
South Tract - GA
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 4,460 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
South Tract - SC
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 7,844 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
Closed Area - GA
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 1,217 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.
Closed Area - SC
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 577 Required
Other		 Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.
🧒 The refuge holds youth waterfowl and archery deer hunts, issued by lottery.

Savannah NWR by the numbers

With about 29,750 huntable acres, Savannah NWR ranks #3 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in South Carolina and #85 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 94% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is North Tract - GA North of I-95 (9,352 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, North Tract - GA South of I-95, covers 231 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

2 units totaling 1,795 acres are closed to hunting (Closed Area - GA and Closed Area - SC). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 30,715 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 53 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Savannah 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, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Migratory Birds, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Hunters are required to purchase annual hunt permit.

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

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 Savannah NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Fishing from boats is permitted year-round in Kingfisher Pond (non-motorized or electric motor boats only), the Savannah River and all tidal creeks, unless otherwise posted.

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

How to get to Savannah NWR

Navigate

Destination: Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
32.18341, -81.10348
DMS
32°11′00.3″N 81°06′12.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Savannah, GA7.2 mi N of town
  • Beaufort, SC31 mi SW of town
  • Brunswick, GA75 mi N of town
  • Charleston, SC80 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • SAV Savannah/Hilton Head6.7 mi
  • CHS Charleston Intl79 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 Savannah 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, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM7:50 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM7:32 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM7:10 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:53 PM11h 26m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:35 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM5:25 PM10h 32m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM5:20 PM10h 13m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM5:21 PM10h 04m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:55 AM7:25 AM5:29 PM10h 05m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:55 AM7:25 AM5:40 PM10h 15m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:48 AM7:18 AM5:56 PM10h 38m

Computed for 32.183, -81.103 (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 Savannah 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…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

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…

Savannah NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Savannah NWR?

Yes. Savannah National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 9 units (29,750 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Savannah NWR?

Yes — Savannah National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Savannah NWR?

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

Where is Savannah NWR located?

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is in Jasper County, South Carolina, about 7 miles N of Savannah, GA (straight-line). GPS: 32.18341, -81.10348.

What are legal shooting hours at Savannah 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

Tybee NWR

SC · 15 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Pinckney Island NWR

Beaufort County, SC · 20 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦌🎣

2.4K huntable acres

Wassaw NWR

Chatham County, GA · 21 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🐗🎣

2.1K huntable acres

Harris Neck NWR

McIntosh County, GA · 39 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🐗🎣

2.5K huntable acres

Blackbeard Island NWR

McIntosh County, GA · 47 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🐗🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR

Charleston County, SC · 53 mi NE

7 special4 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐗🎣

7.9K 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.