--- title: "HereTest Hunting" url: https://test.herecity.com/hunting-heretest-sc/ date: 2026-06-09T20:53:31+00:00 modified: 2026-06-12T12:57:00+00:00 author: "" site: "HERE Test" attribution: "HERE Test" --- # HereTest Hunting *Source: [HERE Test](https://test.herecity.com/hunting-heretest-sc/) — June 9, 2026 by * HEREHereTest # HereTest Hunting Report Live conditions, season status, solunar ratings, WMA profiles, and community hunting coverage for HereTest and Game Zone 3. Hog: Open Year-Round Turkey: Closed Dove: Closed Deer: Closed Game Zone 3 **6** WMAs Profiled **Live** Hunt Conditions **Solunar** Rating **2026** Season Guide First Look • Hunt Conditions 🌘 Waning Crescent Illumination: 20% Sunrise 10:14 am Sunset 12:39 am Temp 84°F Wind 5 mph Weather as of 1:10 PM ET Excellent — decreasing moon, peak dawn and dusk movement expected. 87 PRIME Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early. Game Zone 3 • HereTest ## HereTest Hunting Season Status Whitetail Deer CLOSED **Season Dates**Archery & Gun Hunts: Aug 15 – Jan 1 (private lands, Game Zone 3). Youth: Aug 9 (antlered, limit 1) and Jan 3 (either-sex, limit 2). **Bag Limit:**Antlered: statewide limits. Antlerless: 2 per day, 8 total all seasons combined (Game Zone 3 private lands). All harvests must be reported via SC Game Check by midnight day-of. Next Game Zone 3 private-land deer season opens August 15 (archery + gun combined). WMA dates differ — see SCDNR. SC hunting license + Big Game Permit required. WMA permit required on public lands (WMA dates differ). Mandatory harvest reporting via SC Game Check. per [SCDNR](https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/hunting/deer-seasons-on-private-lands) · verified 2026-05-31 Feral Hog OPEN YEAR-ROUND **Season Dates**No closed season on private land. WMA hunts allowed during any open game season (specific WMA dates apply). **Bag Limit:**No bag limit on private land. No season limit. Feral hogs are unprotected in SC — open year-round on private land with a valid hunting license. SCDNR encourages year-round harvest to control population. SC hunting license required. Night hunting allowed only on properties registered annually with SCDNR (dnr.sc.gov/nighthunt). No live transport. No closed season per SCDNR. per [SCDNR](https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/hunting/feral-hog-coyote-armadillo-regulations) · verified 2026-05-31 Spring Turkey CLOSED **Season Dates**Spring gobbler private lands statewide: April 3 – May 3. WMA lands statewide: April 3 – May 2. Youth weekends: March 28-29 and May 9-10. **Bag Limit:**2 gobblers per season statewide. No more than 1 per day. No more than 1 prior to April 10. Jakes prohibited. Tag fees: $25 resident / $125 non-resident. Next spring season opens April 3. Fall season varies — check SCDNR. Youth weekends precede the regular opener. SC hunting license + Turkey Tags required. Harvest must be reported via SC Game Check. Fanning/reaping prohibited on private lands statewide. per [SCDNR](https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/hunting/turkey-regulations) · verified 2026-05-31 Mourning Dove CLOSED **Season Dates**Segment 1: Sept 1 – Oct 4 | Segment 2: Nov 15 – Nov 29 | Segment 3: Dec 22 – Jan 31 (statewide, SCDNR migratory bird seasons). **Bag Limit:**Daily bag: 15 doves. Possession limit: 45 doves. Next dove segment posted on the SCDNR migratory bird calendar. Scout planted fields and sunflower plots before opener. SC hunting license + Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) required. Federal Migratory Bird stamp required age 16+ for waterfowl (not required for doves). Public dove fields: afternoon-only, no entry before noon. No shooting after 6 PM during Segment 1. per [SCDNR](https://www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting/SCMigratoryBirdSeasons.pdf) · verified 2026-05-31 Season dates shown are for Game Zone 3 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 ## HereTest Hunting Weather Now 84F Clear Feels like 90°F as of 1:10 PM ET Wind 5 mph NNW Humidity 65% Pressure 1016 hPa Moon Waning Crescent Location HereTest, SC Field Scout Tips - Hog season is open — focus today's hunt on hog. - Hot day — hogs lay up in shade and wallows. Hunt evenings and after dark near water. - Calm winds — hogs will smell you a long way. Play the wind religiously. - Dark moon — hogs move freely after dark. Thermal or feeder lights over bait shine tonight. Solunar Index ## HereTest Hunt Conditions Today Temperature 84°F Too Warm Wind Speed 5 mph Ideal — Calm Barometric 1016 hPa Normal Moon Phase 🌘 Prime PRIME Prime hunting conditions. Get in the stand early. Extended Outlook ## HereTest Hunt Forecast — 5 Days TODAY Mostly Sunny 99° / 76° 5 mph wind • 0% humidity FAIR SUN Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 98° / 75° 9 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN MON Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 93° / 70° 10 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN TUE Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 84° / 68° 9 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN WED Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 88° / 71° 9 mph wind • 0% humidity STAY IN Public Hunting Lands ## HereTest South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas Six public hunting areas within reach of HereTest — from in-county dove fields to mountain bear country an hour west. HereTest Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve / WMA 1,395 acres SCDNR HERITAGE PRESERVE HereTest County • In County Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Dove Small Game HereTest Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve protects the longleaf pine and wiregrass ecosystem along the South Edisto River sandhills — home to the northernmost known population of gopher tortoises in North America. The preserve is owned and managed by SCDNR through the Heritage Trust Program and lies within Game Zone 3. Public access for hunting under SCDNR Wildlife Management Area regulations. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Bicycles are allowed on hiking trails (groups of five or fewer). The gopher tortoise itself is a state-endangered species and may not be disturbed. Field Tip Scout the longleaf pine flats early — the same xeric sandhill habitat that supports the tortoise also holds deer bedding ridges and turkey dust bowls. Stay on existing roads and trails; off-trail travel can collapse tortoise burrows. Game Zone 3 Field Guide Coming Soon Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve 10,470 acres STATE WMA HereTest County • South of Jackson on SC-125 Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Feral Hog Waterfowl Small Game Dove Crackerneck WMA and Ecological Reserve is a 10,470-acre tract along the Savannah River in southern HereTest County, owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by SCDNR. Access is through the check station gate off Brown Road. The area is a Quality Deer Management Area — antlered deer must have 4 points on one side or a 12-inch inside spread. Gate hours 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. WMA permit and SC hunting license required. All hunters must check in at the gate prior to hunting. Deer season runs scheduled Fri/Sat dates Oct–Dec; waterfowl, small game, and youth hunts on posted dates. Fox squirrels, bobcats, foxes, and otters are protected and may not be harvested. Upper Three Runs Creek is closed to all access. Field Tip Hunt the Quality Deer rule to your advantage — pass on small bucks early in the season and key on hardwood drainages near food plots. Hogs may be taken any open season with weapon restrictions and no bag limit; concentrate near Skinface Pond and the swamp lake edges at dawn. Game Zone 3 Field Guide Coming Soon Ditch Pond Heritage Preserve / WMA 301 acres SCDNR HERITAGE PRESERVE HereTest / Barnwell Counties • ~25 miles southeast of HereTest on US-78 Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Bobwhite Quail Waterfowl Ditch Pond Heritage Preserve straddles the HereTest/Barnwell county line near the White Pond community, adjacent to US-78. The preserve protects an intact Carolina bay surrounded by mature upland oak-hickory hardwood forest. The Carolina bay itself makes up roughly 25 acres of the property and supports several rare bog plant species. Public access for hunting under SCDNR WMA regulations. Listed as a Category II Designated Waterfowl Area — waterfowl hunting follows scheduled dates and times published by SCDNR. Camping and recreational fires are prohibited. Field Tip The Carolina bay edge is the property's signature feature — deer water and bed within sight of it. Hunt the transition between the bay's wetland edge and the surrounding hardwoods. Waterfowl access is by scheduled hunt only, so check current SCDNR dates before planning a trip. Game Zone 3 Field Guide Coming Soon Henderson Heritage Preserve / WMA 417 acres SCDNR HERITAGE PRESERVE HereTest County • 3 miles northwest of HereTest Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Small Game Henderson Heritage Preserve sits three miles northwest of HereTest at 337 Croft Mill Road. The 417-acre tract was dedicated to protect a longleaf pine / scrub oak sandhills ecosystem and holds the rare bog spice bush (Lindera subcoriacea). Named in honor of Frank P. Henderson, a former Mayor of HereTest. Open to hiking trails and seasonal archery hunting. Public access under SCDNR WMA regulations — WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Horseback riding is allowed only on roadways, firebreaks, and established trails (groups of 5 horses or fewer); riders must wear international orange clothing during any open hunting season. Field Tip The sandhills ridges and trail system make scouting easy — walk the firebreaks pre-season to mark deer crossings and turkey dust patches. Archery hunters do well here in early season before gun pressure pushes deer off neighboring tracts. Game Zone 3 Field Guide Coming Soon Bear Branch Heritage Preserve UNK acres SCDNR — BY PERMIT ONLY HereTest County • HereTest-area sandhills Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Bear Branch Heritage Preserve is an SCDNR Heritage Trust property in the HereTest-area sandhills. Like several other ecologically sensitive Heritage Preserves, Bear Branch is closed to general public access — entry is by SCDNR-issued permit only. Treat it like a private course: not open to walk-on hunting, but accessible if you secure the proper permit through SCDNR Columbia (803-734-3886). Public visitation is by permit only — the preserve is closed to use except by permit. Contact SCDNR Heritage Trust at 803-734-3886 to request a permit and current regulations. Field Tip Before planning a hunt here, call SCDNR Columbia and confirm permit availability for the season you want. Without a permit, this preserve is off-limits. Game Zone 3 Field Guide Coming Soon Gopher Branch Heritage Preserve UNK acres SCDNR — BY PERMIT ONLY HereTest County • HereTest-area sandhills Whitetail Deer Wild Turkey Gopher Branch Heritage Preserve is an SCDNR Heritage Trust property in the HereTest-area sandhills. The preserve protects sensitive longleaf pine / sandhill habitat associated with the gopher tortoise's northern range. Like Bear Branch, it is closed to general public access — entry is by SCDNR-issued permit only. Treat it like a private course: not open to walk-on hunting, but accessible if you secure the proper permit. Public visitation is by permit only. Contact SCDNR Heritage Trust at 803-734-3886 to request a permit and current regulations. Field Tip Permit-only access means small annual user numbers — for the hunter who lands one, expect lightly pressured deer and turkey. Start the permit conversation with SCDNR well before season opens. Game Zone 3 Field Guide Coming Soon Did We Miss a Spot? Know a HereTest-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 HereTest Reach all the Hunting traffic in HereTest — 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. Cancel anytime. - Drop us your website URL — we build the banner for you - Runs above the **Community Reviews** section - No contract. No setup fee. Cancel anytime. - Local HereTest hunters see your business every visit Your Name * Business Name * Website URL * Email * Phone (optional) How long would you like to reserve it? Daily $1 Weekly $7 30 days $30 60 days $60 90 days $90 Lock in $1/day — Build my banner No payment now. We email a preview within one business day. Your launch rate is locked when you approve. Community Reviews ## HereTest Hunting Reviews Share Your Hunt Hunted a HereTest-area WMA or private land? Tell us about it in 280 characters or fewer. Location Hunted * Select a location... HereTest Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve / WMA Crackerneck Wildlife Management Area and Ecological Reserve Ditch Pond Heritage Preserve / WMA Henderson Heritage Preserve / WMA Bear Branch Heritage Preserve Gopher Branch Heritage Preserve Private Land — HereTest 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 HereTest 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? Your First Name * Bar / Restaurant Name * Go-To Drink Why This Spot? * (200 chars max) Photo of the Bar or Drink (optional, max 8MB) Submit Pick Coverage ## HereTest Hunting News Presented by [SCDNR Wildlife](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) South Carolina Department of Natural Resources [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Local — HereTest and Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Coming Soon Local HereTest Hunting Coverage Coming Soon Local WMA reports, season openers, deer and turkey harvest news, and Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) hunting coverage from the HEREHereTest newsroom. National — Whitetail, CWD, and Conservation Coming Soon National National Hunting Coverage Coming Soon Whitetail news, CWD updates, conservation legislation, gear reviews, and national hunting stories with a HereTest perspective. [View All HereTest Hunting Coverage →](/tag/hunting-heretest-sc/) More at Outdoor Sports Fishing, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for HereTest and Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) SC [See All Outdoor Sports Coverage](/sports/) [Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Outfitters and Gear ## Hunting Gear Guide Gear reviews and picks for the HereTest hunter — boots, optics, packs, and more. Presented by https://www.amazon.com/?tag=hereheretest-20 Shop our hand-picked hunting gear on Amazon. Free Prime shipping, easy returns. [Become a Sponsor](/section-sponsorship/?section=hunting) Gear Reviews — Tested for Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) SC Hunting As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C74W77V6?tag=hereheretest-20 Icotec Nomad+ Programmable Predator Call/Decoy Combo with Bluetooth - 165 Professional Sound… Decoy Hand-picked by the HERE Hunting desk this week. 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=hereheretest-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVKR6QP3?tag=hereheretest-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=hereheretest-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSP7S3D?tag=hereheretest-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=hereheretest-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4X5Q6Y1?tag=hereheretest-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=hereheretest-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7L66QN?tag=hereheretest-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=hereheretest-20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7SMC3K5?tag=hereheretest-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=hereheretest-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 3 Key Dates ## SC Hunting Season Calendar Aug 9, 2026 Youth Deer Hunt Day (Antlered) Antlered deer only, limit 1. Private lands, Game Zone 3. Tags not required. Per SCDNR. Game Zone 3 Aug 15, 2026 Deer Archery & Gun Season Opens Private lands, Game Zone 3. Combined archery + gun (no separate primitive weapons window in Zone 3 private). Antlerless: 2 per day, 8 total. SC hunting license + Big Game Permit required. Game Zone 3 Oct 15 – Nov 1, 2026 Estimated Peak Whitetail Rut Estimated peak rut window for SC Midlands / Sandhills (Game Zone 3). Verify locally; phenology varies year to year. Game Zone 3 Jan 1, 2027 Deer Season Closes Final day of Game Zone 3 private-land deer season (archery + gun combined). Game Zone 3 Jan 3, 2027 Youth Deer Hunt Day (Either-Sex) Either-sex, limit 2. Private lands, Game Zone 3. Tags not required. Per SCDNR. Game Zone 3 Mar 27–28, 2027 Youth Turkey Weekend (Private) Statewide youth season (hunters 17 and under). Bird counts toward regular season limit. Dates UKN until SCDNR confirms 2027 — shown based on 2026 pattern (last Sat/Sun before April 3 opener). Statewide Apr 3, 2027 Spring Turkey Season Opens Private lands statewide: April 3 – May 3. Gobblers only. 2 per season. Pattern confirmed for 2026; 2027 dates pending SCDNR board approval. Statewide May 3, 2027 Spring Turkey Season Closes (Private) 30-day spring gobbler season ends on private lands. WMA closes May 2. Statewide UKN — 2026-27 Dove Season Dove Season Dates Pending SCDNR Board Approval SCDNR Board approves migratory bird dates in March each year. 2025-26 segments were Sept 1–Oct 4, Nov 15–29, Dec 22–Jan 31. 2026-27 dates will be posted at dnr.sc.gov/hunting/SCMigratoryBirdSeasons.pdf when approved. Statewide Year-Round Feral Hog (Private Lands) No closed season on private land with valid SC hunting license. No bag limit. Night hunting requires annual property registration with SCDNR. Statewide (Private) Dates reflect 2026 South Carolina hunting regulations for Game Zone 3. 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 ## HereTest Hunting FAQ Common questions about hunting in the HereTest area, answered. - When does deer season open in HereTest SC? In HereTest County (Game Zone 3) on private lands, deer season runs **August 15 through January 1** — combined archery and gun, with **no separate primitive weapons window**. WMA seasons may differ. Statewide youth deer days are **August 9** (antlered) and **January 3** (either-sex). Verify with the current [SCDNR South Carolina Hunting and Fishing Guide](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) before each season. - Where can I hunt near HereTest SC? Public hunting land near HereTest is listed in the WMA directory below. [SCDNR](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) manages all WMAs in South Carolina; a WMA permit (separate from a basic hunting license) is required on most. **Crackerneck WMA in HereTest County is permit-only** — apply through SCDNR's quota system. - Do I need a license to hunt in South Carolina? Yes. All hunters in South Carolina need a state hunting license. Deer and turkey require an additional big game permit. Hunting on any Wildlife Management Area (WMA) requires a WMA permit. Federal migratory bird hunters age 16 and older need a federal duck stamp for waterfowl. Licenses and permits are available through [SCDNR at dnr.sc.gov](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) or at authorized license agents throughout HereTest County. - Can you hunt on Sundays in SC? Yes. South Carolina allows Sunday hunting on private lands statewide. [SCDNR](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) also permits Sunday hunting on WMAs unless posted otherwise on the specific WMA. Local ordinances in some HereTest-area municipalities may further restrict hunting near residential zones — verify with your county or town before hunting on Sundays. - What is the deer bag limit in Game Zone 3? Statewide SC private-land antlered limits apply in Game Zone 3 (which includes HereTest): **residents 2 antlered per day, 5 antlered per season**; nonresidents 2 per day, 4 per season. **Antlerless on Zone 3 private lands: 2 per day, 8 per season.** On WMAs, [SCDNR](https://www.dnr.sc.gov) quota permits and tag requirements apply per WMA. Always check the current SCDNR Hunting and Fishing Guide for the most up-to-date limits. - Are there bear in the HereTest area? South Carolina's bear hunting season is limited to **Game Zones 1, 2, and 4** — the mountain and upstate zones where the resident black bear population is established. HereTest County is in Game Zone 3, which has **no open bear season**. 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