--- title: "Clemson Hunting" url: https://www.hereclemson.com/hunting-clemson-sc/ date: 2026-06-23T15:43:30+00:00 modified: 2026-06-23T15:55:12+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Clemson" attribution: "HERE Clemson" --- # Clemson Hunting *Source: [HERE Clemson](https://www.hereclemson.com/hunting-clemson-sc/) — June 23, 2026 by * HERE Clemson # Clemson Hunting Report Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for Pickens and Game Zone 2. Hog: UNK Turkey: UNK Dove: UNK Deer: UNK Game Zone 2 **6** WMAs Profiled **Live** Hunt Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season Guide First Look • Hunt Conditions 🌔 Waxing Gibbous Illumination: 87% Sunrise 10:19 am Sunset 12:49 am Temp 75°F Wind 0 mph Weather as of 7:40 PM ET Fair — bright nights keep deer nocturnal. Hunt midday movement. 77 GOOD Good conditions. Plan your approach and be patient. Game Zone 2 • Pickens ## Clemson Hunting Season Status Whitetail Deer UNK **Season Dates**UNK — verify with SCDNR. **Bag Limit:**UNK — verify with SCDNR. No verified Whitetail Deer season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load SCDNR canonical dates. Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from SCDNR. Feral Hog UNK **Season Dates**UNK — verify with SCDNR. **Bag Limit:**UNK — verify with SCDNR. No verified Feral Hog season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load SCDNR canonical dates. Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from SCDNR. Spring Turkey UNK **Season Dates**UNK — verify with SCDNR. **Bag Limit:**UNK — verify with SCDNR. No verified Spring Turkey season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load SCDNR canonical dates. Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from SCDNR. Mourning Dove UNK **Season Dates**UNK — verify with SCDNR. **Bag Limit:**UNK — verify with SCDNR. No verified Mourning Dove season data seeded for this clone. Contact your operator to load SCDNR canonical dates. Do not hunt without confirmed regulations from SCDNR. Season dates shown are for Game Zone 2 private lands. WMA dates, license requirements, and antlerless regulations may differ. Always verify current regulations with SCDNR before hunting. [Report a Season Update](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-season-update) Hunting Report Partners [Dick's Sporting Goods](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/c/hunting) [Bass Pro Shops](https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hunting) [Cabelas](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/hunting) [Academy Sports](https://www.academy.com/hunting) First Look ## Clemson Hunting Weather Now 75F Mostly Clear Feels like 77°F as of 7:40 PM ET Wind 0 mph N Humidity 88% Pressure 1013 hPa Moon Waxing Gibbous Location Clemson, SC Field Scout Tips - Nothing is in season today — pure scouting window. Walk property lines, check trail cams, and hang stands for the opener. - Use closed season to inventory deer, locate gobblers on the roost, and pattern hog sign for when seasons return. Solunar Index ## Clemson Hunt Conditions Today Temperature 75°F Warm Wind Speed 0 mph Ideal — Calm Barometric 1013 hPa Normal Moon Phase 🌔 Fair GOOD Good conditions. Plan your approach and be patient. Extended Outlook ## Clemson Hunt Forecast — 5 Days TODAY Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 93° / 73° 10 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN SUN Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 92° / 74° 6 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN MON Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 94° / 76° 2 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN TUE Sunny 93° / 75° 5 mph wind • 0% humidity FAIR WED Sunny 95° / 75° 2 mph wind • 0% humidity FAIR Public Hunting Lands ## Clemson South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas Six public hunting areas within reach of Clemson — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west. Andrew Pickens District — Sumter National Forest 78,000 acres USDA NATIONAL FOREST — WMA COOPERATIVE Oconee County (adjacent to Pickens County) • 15–30 miles NW of Clemson via SC 28 or SC 107 Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Ruffed Grouse Squirrel Small Game Trout (fishing) The Andrew Pickens Ranger District of Sumter National Forest covers approximately 78,000 acres in Oconee County, SC, sharing a boundary with the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges to the east and North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest to the north. The district is named for Revolutionary War general Andrew Pickens, who was headquartered near the area. It encompasses the rugged Blue Ridge foothills with elevations ranging from 1,000 to more than 3,500 feet, providing diverse habitat for mountain game species including whitetail deer, wild turkey, and black bear. The Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp and Cedar Creek Rifle Range (operated jointly by USFS and SCDNR) serve hunters accessing the forest. Nearly all land within the district is enrolled in the SCDNR WMA program. Andrew Pickens Ranger District headquarters: 112 Andrew Pickens Cir, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, (864) 638-9568. Primary access roads include SC 107, Walhalla Road, and Cassidy Bridge Road. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. All hunters must comply with SCDNR WMA regulations. Big-game quota hunts for deer operate on scheduled Fri/Sat/Sun dates Oct–Jan. Check SCDNR draw schedule at dnr.sc.gov/wma for quota hunts. Field Tip The mixed hardwood-pine ridges along Cassidy Bridge Road hold consistent deer sign in October through November. Scout topographic maps for creek drainages and saddle crossings — deer use these travel corridors heavily during the rut. Ruffed grouse (a Game Zone 1 specialty, season Nov 27–Mar 1) can be found in young-growth alder and rhododendron thickets at mid-elevations. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/francismarionsumter/recreation/chattooga-wild-and-scenic-river) PDF Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges 33,500 acres STATE WMA — SCDNR Pickens and Oconee counties • 25–35 miles NW of Clemson via US-178 Black Bear Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Feral Hog Raccoon Squirrel Woodcock Small Game The Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges is the crown jewel of South Carolina mountain hunting — 33,500 acres of Blue Ridge Escarpment hardwood and mixed-pine forest in northern Pickens and Oconee counties, named for SCDNR Director Emeritus James A. Timmerman. Purchased by the state in 1997–1998, Jocassee Gorges protects South Carolina's largest contiguous block of mountain property and is home to the state's most significant black bear population. Steep gorges, rhododendron-choked creek drainages, mature cove hardwoods, and high-elevation ridges create ideal habitat for bear, deer, and turkey. The property is part of a nearly 250-square-mile protected corridor connecting conservation lands in SC, NC, and GA. Deer densities are moderate due to the rugged terrain, but trophy buck opportunities exist for hunters willing to work the remote terrain. Primary access via US-178 and Cleo Chapman Road (county road 143) — the only paved roads reaching the property. Seasonal gates control vehicle access: open approximately 5.5 months per year during hunting and fishing seasons; closed to general public access Nov 1–Feb 8 except on scheduled hunts. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. All terrain vehicles prohibited. Backcountry camping by permit only on dates when main hunt roads are not open. Check SCDNR WMA regulations for current schedule at dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee. Field Tip Jocassee's black bear population offers some of South Carolina's best bear hunting; still-hunt season runs Oct 11–23 in Game Zone 1, with party dog hunts Oct 24–30. Extensive pre-season scouting on topographic maps is essential — Jocassee's rugged terrain demands careful route planning. Wild turkey are abundant; spring turkey access reopens when gates open after Feb 8. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/gateways.htm) [PDF](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/assets/maps/LowResJocasseeMap.pdf) Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve / WMA 1,100 acres SCDNR HERITAGE PRESERVE / WMA Pickens County • 20–25 miles NW of Clemson via US-178 and Horsepasture Road Black Bear Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Squirrel Small Game Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve is a gorge-country Heritage Trust property in northern Pickens County, managed by SCDNR as both a natural heritage site and a Wildlife Management Area. Part of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area family of properties, the preserve protects a steep mountain gorge with old-growth hemlock forest, rare ferns, rocky cliff faces, and the headwaters of Eastatoe Creek, which holds naturally reproducing rainbow trout. Hunting is permitted under WMA regulations for deer, turkey, bear, and small game. The preserve's rare botanical communities — including state-endangered species — make this property especially sensitive; hunters should stay on existing roads and trails to avoid disturbing protected plants. Access via US-178 north of Pickens, then Horsepasture Road to the Foothills Trail parking area and preserve trailhead. Trail access on foot from the red gate. No motorized vehicle access beyond the parking area. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Hiking trail and access road closures may occur following storm damage — check SCDNR's current WMA status before visiting. Fishing in Eastatoe Creek requires artificial lures only and a SC fishing license. Field Tip Black bear and turkey share the gorge habitat with deer in this small but productive tract. The preserve connects directly to Jocassee Gorges lands to the north — bears range freely across the entire corridor. Hunting with archery during the Oct 17–30 archery window allows access to the preserve's quiet, remote creek corridors before firearms pressure increases. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/eastatoe-creek-heritage-preserve-lives-up-to-national-geographic-distinction) PDF Keowee WMA (Fants Grove / Keowee Shotgun and Archery Areas) 4,500 acres STATE WMA — CLEMSON UNIVERSITY / SCDNR COOPERATIVE Pickens County • 5–15 miles from Clemson, within Clemson Experimental Forest boundaries along Lake Keowee and Lake Hartwell corridors Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Squirrel Small Game The Keowee WMA encompasses the hunting areas within the Clemson Experimental Forest, including the Fants Grove WMA, Keowee Archery Area, and Keowee Shotgun Area. These lands are part of the 17,500-acre Clemson University Forest, managed cooperatively with SCDNR as WMAs. The forest sits immediately southwest and northwest of the Clemson University campus, with shoreline on Lake Hartwell and proximity to Lake Keowee and Twelve Mile River. Fants Grove is a dedicated archery-only area for deer during its designated season. The forest's rolling hardwood and pine stands, creek drainages, and lake shoreline habitat provide productive hunting for deer and turkey within easy driving distance of downtown Clemson. Access via Fants Grove Road, Cherry Road (SC 133), and forest gates off SC 76/123 corridors west and south of Clemson. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Hunting is limited to WMA-designated sections — the Issaqueena Wildlife Refuge for Teaching and Research within the Clemson Experimental Forest is permanently closed to hunting. No camping; day-use hunting access only. Check Clemson University Experimental Forest WMA maps at clemson.edu/public/experimental-forest for current season area boundaries. Field Tip The Fants Grove Archery Area offers quality bowhunting for deer in an uncrowded setting close to campus. Scout the lake shoreline edge of the forest for deer trails moving between bedding cover and Hartwell-area food sources in October. Turkey strut zones along open hardwood flats near the forest's creek drainages are productive for spring gobbler hunters. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](https://www.clemson.edu/public/experimental-forest/index.html) [PDF](https://www.clemson.edu/public/experimental-forest/documents/official-maps/wildlife-management-areas.pdf) Franklin L. Gravely WMA 22,000 acres STATE WMA — SCDNR Pickens and Greenville counties • 20–30 miles NE of Clemson via SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) Black Bear Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Feral Hog Ruffed Grouse Squirrel Small Game Woodcock Franklin L. Gravely WMA is a 22,000-acre state-managed WMA straddling the Pickens–Greenville county line in the Blue Ridge foothills north of Table Rock State Park. Named in honor of SCDNR employee Franklin L. Gravely, it forms part of the 'Mountain Hunt Unit' — a contiguous block of nearly 200,000 acres of publicly accessible mountain hunting land along with Jocassee Gorges and the Andrew Pickens District of Sumter National Forest. The area encompasses Sassafras Mountain (the highest point in South Carolina at 3,560 feet), Table Rock, and the rugged Jocassee Gorges drainage. Black bear hunting is permitted in Game Zone 1 during the designated still-hunt and party dog-hunt seasons in October; a 350-pound bear was harvested in the WMA in 2017. Ruffed grouse — a Bird Game Zone 1-only species — inhabit the young-growth alder and mountain laurel thickets at mid-elevations. Primary access via SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy) and forest roads north of Pickens and Greenville counties. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Big-game hunts on scheduled dates; check SCDNR WMA regulations for specific Gravely WMA dates. Property is adjacent to Table Rock State Park (limited hunting access from the park side) and connects north to Jocassee Gorges. All terrain vehicles prohibited on WMA lands. Field Tip Bears in the Gravely WMA range widely, following mast crops — a good white-oak or black-gum crop in October will concentrate bear activity along ridge-top mast trees. Deer densities are lower in the mountain zone than in the Piedmont, but bucks tend to be older and heavier-antlered in this lightly pressured terrain. Scout ridge saddles and river crossings in creek drainages for travel corridors. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wma/) PDF Mill Shoals WMA 1,100 acres STATE WMA — SCDNR Pickens County • 20–25 miles north of Clemson via SC 11 and Six Mile area roads Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Black Bear Small Game Mill Shoals WMA is a 1,100-acre SCDNR-managed tract in northern Pickens County, situated within the Zone 1 mountain hunting corridor. Despite its modest size, Mill Shoals is notable for its inclusion in SCDNR's archery-only deer program for most of its season (Oct. 1–Jan. 1 for archery under WMA seasons and limits) and is one of the few small Pickens County WMAs specifically listed in the statewide WMA regulations with its own gun season window (Oct. 11–16 under Game Zone 1 still-gun rules). The property supports archery hunting for bear as well as deer, and its proximity to the Fants Grove / Jocassee corridor means bear range across the area. The mature hardwood and creek-bottom habitat provides quality early-season bowhunting opportunities close to the US-178 corridor. Access via SC 11 and local roads in northern Pickens County near the Six Mile area. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Deer must be tagged at point of kill before moving; report via SC Game Check by midnight on the day of harvest. No camping. Day-use hunting access only during designated seasons. Field Tip The small size of Mill Shoals means hunting pressure concentrates quickly during gun seasons — archery hunting the Oct. 1–16 combined primitive/archery window before gun hunters arrive provides the best chance at undisturbed deer. Creek drainages bordering the WMA are productive evening stand locations in October. Tag requirements apply on all WMA lands in Game Zone 1. Game Zone 1 [Field Guide](https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/hunting/game-zone-1-wm-as-only) PDF Did We Miss a Spot? Know a Clemson-area hunting land, WMA, or public access parcel that should be on this list? Let us know. [Report a Hunting Spot](/submit-a-tip/?topic=report-a-hunting-spot) [Launch Special$1 a day for up to 90 days — Best deal in Clemson Reach all the Hunting traffic in Clemson — it’s a deal! Find out how](#hr-banner-form) Launch Special Your Banner *Here* $1/day Up to **90 days** at the launch rate. 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Gravely WMA Mill Shoals WMA Private Land — Pickens Other Your First Name * How Was the Hunt? * (280 characters max) Species Targeted Select species... Whitetail Deer Turkey Dove Feral Hog Black Bear Duck / Waterfowl Squirrel Rabbit Other Best Spot / Stand Location Gear That Made the Difference Submit Review Community Here *We...* Bag Them *Big...* Trophy harvests, personal bests, and record-book moments from Clemson hunters. Your First Name * Location Species Select species... Whitetail Deer Turkey Black Bear Feral Hog Other Weight / Rack Size / Score Tell Us the Story * (200 chars max) Photo or Video (optional, max 8MB) Submit Trophy Don't Drink by the *Swig...* Your favorite post-hunt watering hole. Where do you go when the hunt is done? 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Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $13.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74W77V6?tag=hereclemson-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVKR6QP3?tag=hereclemson-20 ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B… Optic / Scope Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. ATN Thor 5 Smart HD Thermal Scope w/Ultra Sensative Gen 5 Sensor, Video Rec, Built in LRF, B…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $1676.85 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVKR6QP3?tag=hereclemson-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSP7S3D?tag=hereclemson-20 Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount Laser Rangefinder Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Pulsar Trail 3 LRF Thermal Riflescope with Laser Range Finder and Mount. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $2899.97 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSP7S3D?tag=hereclemson-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4X5Q6Y1?tag=hereclemson-20 Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,… GPS / Navigation Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Garmin inReach® Mini 3, Rugged Compact Global Satellite Communicator with Color Touchscreen,…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $399.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4X5Q6Y1?tag=hereclemson-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7L66QN?tag=hereclemson-20 Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars Laser Rangefinder Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $799.00 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7L66QN?tag=hereclemson-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SMC3K5?tag=hereclemson-20 TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track… Trail Camera Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. TACTACAM Reveal X PRO Cellular Trail Camera, Verizon and AT&T, NO Glow, Integrated GPS Track…. ★★★★☆ 4.6 / 5 $99.99 Best for: Recommended by the HERE Hunting desk [View on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SMC3K5?tag=hereclemson-20) Outfitter, Guide Service, or Hunting Retailer? Get featured in the Essential Gear section and reach active hunters across the HERE City Network — 100+ cities. [Learn About Gear Advertising](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting&tier=gear) Game Zone 2 Key Dates ## SC Hunting Season Calendar Sep 27, 2026 Youth Deer Hunt Day — Antlered (Game Zone 1) Antlered deer only, limit 1. Private lands, Game Zone 1. Hunters 17 and under only. Tags not required. Season falls earlier in Zone 1 than Zone 2. Per SCDNR eRegulations. Game Zone 1 Oct 1 – Oct 10, 2026 Primitive Weapons Deer Season Opens (Game Zone 1, Private Lands) Muzzleloaders and primitive weapons for deer on private lands, Game Zone 1. Buck only during primitive weapons window. Antlerless limit: 2 per day, 3 total all seasons combined for Zone 1. SC hunting license and Big Game Permit required. Zone 1 deer season begins Oct 1 — notably later than Zone 3 which opens Aug 15. Game Zone 1 Oct 11, 2026 Deer Gun Season Opens (Game Zone 1, Private Lands) Archery and all firearms legal on private lands, Game Zone 1, opening Oct 11. Buck only Oct 11–16 and Oct 31–Jan 1; either-sex days: Nov 5, 12, 19. WMA archery-only window runs Oct 17–30 on most Zone 1 WMAs. Antlerless limit: 2 per day, 3 total for the season on private land in Zone 1. Season closes Jan 1, 2027. SC hunting license and Big Game Permit required. Sunday hunting allowed on private lands beginning Oct 15. Game Zone 1 Oct 11 – Oct 23, 2026 Bear Still-Hunt Season Opens (Game Zone 1 Only) Still gun hunt for black bear — Game Zone 1 ONLY (Oconee, Pickens, and northern Greenville counties). No dogs during still-hunt window. Legal on WMA and private lands in Zone 1. A valid SC hunting license and Big Game Permit required. Bear hunting is not permitted in Game Zones 2, 3, or 4. Season unique to Game Zone 1 — the only bear hunting in South Carolina. Verify current bag limit and tagging requirements at dnr.sc.gov. Game Zone 1 Oct 24 – Oct 30, 2026 Bear Party Dog Hunt Season (Game Zone 1 Only) Party dog hunts for black bear follow the still-hunt window in Game Zone 1. Dogs permitted during this window only. No still or stalk hunting during dog-hunt period — handguns only during party dog hunts per SCDNR regs. Black bear hunting is exclusively a Game Zone 1 opportunity in South Carolina, centered on the Jocassee Gorges / Gravely WMA / Andrew Pickens NF corridor in Oconee and Pickens counties. Game Zone 1 Nov 5, 12, 19, 2026 Either-Sex Deer Days (Game Zone 1, Private Lands) Three either-sex days for whitetail deer on private lands in Game Zone 1 — the last three Saturdays in November per SCDNR regulation. Antlerless tags required on WMA lands; antlerless limit of 3 total per season on private land in Zone 1. All deer must be reported via SC Game Check by midnight on the day of harvest. Game Zone 1 Nov 1 – Nov 23, 2026 Dove Season Segment 2 / Small Game Season Context Dove Segment 2: Nov 15–Nov 29 statewide (15 doves per day). Small game season (squirrel, rabbit, quail) opens at Thanksgiving: Nov 27, 2026 — guns and dogs on private lands through Mar 1, 2027. Ruffed grouse season (Game Zone 1 ONLY): Nov 27, 2026–Mar 1, 2027 on private lands. WMA small-game seasons may differ. Dove Segment 1 opened Sep 1; Segment 3 opens Dec 22. Game Zone 1 Jan 1, 2027 Deer Gun Season Closes (Game Zone 1, Private Lands) Final day of Game Zone 1 private-land deer gun season. Note: proposed SC legislation (H. 4066, 2025 session) may extend Zone 1 deer season through January 15, 2027 — verify final dates with SCDNR before hunting. Standard close is Jan 1. Game Zone 1 Jan 3, 2027 Youth Deer Hunt Day — Either-Sex (Game Zone 1) Either-sex deer, limit 2. Private lands, Game Zone 1. Hunters 17 and under only. Tags not required. Statewide youth either-sex day. Per SCDNR. Game Zone 1 Apr 1 – May 10, 2027 Spring Turkey Gobbler Season (Game Zone 1, Private Lands) Private lands, Game Zone 1: April 1–May 10. Gobblers only. WMA turkey season in Game Zone 1: April 1–April 30. Bag limit: 3 per season for residents, 2 for nonresidents; no more than one turkey may be taken April 1–10. Youth turkey weekend typically falls the last weekend before the April 1 opener — verify exact dates with SCDNR. Zone 1 turkey season runs longer than Zone 3 (Zone 3 closes May 3). SC hunting license required. Report harvest via SC Game Check. Game Zone 1 Dates reflect 2026 South Carolina hunting regulations for Game Zone 2. Always verify with the current SCDNR Hunting and Fishing Guide. Regulations are subject to change. Hogs are legal year-round on private land with a hunting license — no closed season. Questions and Answers ## Clemson Hunting FAQ Common questions about hunting in the Clemson area, answered. - When does deer season open in Clemson and Pickens County? In Pickens County (Game Zone 1) on private lands, primitive weapons season runs **October 1–10**; combined archery and firearms season runs **October 11 through January 1**. Either-sex days are the **last three Saturdays in November** (2026: Nov 5, 12, 19). Buck only all other dates. Youth deer days: **September 27** (antlered only, limit 1) and **January 3** (either-sex, limit 2). Zone 1 opens later than Zone 3 — no August opener here. WMA seasons may differ. Verify with the current [SCDNR South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Guide](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) before each season. - Where can I hunt near Clemson and in Pickens County? Public hunting land near Clemson is listed in the WMA directory below. [SCDNR](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) manages all state WMAs in South Carolina; a WMA permit (separate from a basic hunting license) is required on most. The **Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges** (33,500 acres) is the premier destination — seasonal gates control access, so check SCDNR's WMA schedule at [dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/gateways.htm) before visiting. - What licenses do I need to hunt near Clemson? A **SC hunting license** and **Big Game Permit** are required for deer and bear. A separate **WMA permit** is required on all SCDNR-managed WMAs, Sumter National Forest WMA lands, and Clemson Experimental Forest WMAs. A federal **Duck Stamp** is required for migratory birds. Purchase licenses at [dnr.sc.gov/licenses](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/licenses) or at authorized agents in Pickens and Oconee counties. - Is Sunday hunting allowed near Clemson? Yes. Sunday hunting on **private lands** in South Carolina is allowed beginning **October 15** and continuing through the last day of January, subject to open seasons and bag limits. **WMA lands do not permit Sunday hunting** — confirm each WMA's status with the current [SCDNR WMA regulations](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/wmaregulations.html) before hunting on a WMA on a Sunday. - What are the deer bag limits for Game Zone 1 in Pickens County? On **private lands in Game Zone 1**: antlered limit **5 per season** (residents); antlerless limit **2 per day, 3 total per season**. This is tighter than Zone 3 (8 antlerless per season). On **WMA lands**: max **3 antlerless tags** across all Zone 1 WMAs combined. All WMA deer must be **tagged at kill site** and reported via **SC Game Check** by midnight. **No dogs permitted for deer hunting in Game Zone 1.** See current rules at [dnr.sc.gov](https://www.dnr.sc.gov). - Is there bear hunting near Clemson? Yes — **Game Zone 1 is the only SC game zone with an open black bear season.** **Still-hunt (no dogs):** Oct 11–23. **Party dog hunts:** Oct 24–30. Hunting is concentrated in the **[Jocassee Gorges](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/gateways.htm)** / Gravely WMA / Andrew Pickens NF corridor. SC hunting license and Big Game Permit required; one bear per season. Bear hunting is **not permitted in Game Zones 2, 3, or 4**. Verify current tagging and quota rules at [dnr.sc.gov](https://www.dnr.sc.gov). ITS ALL HERE! 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