York County hunters have two public dove fields open for the 2026-27 South Carolina dove season, which runs through Jan. 31, 2027.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) opened the season Sept. 5. It is divided into three segments, according to the Tega Cay Sun:
- First segment: Sept. 5–Oct. 3
- Second segment: Nov. 13–Nov. 28
- Third segment: Dec. 18–Jan. 31, 2027
SCDNR staff spent the spring and summer preparing public dove fields across the state for the season.
York County public fields
Two SCDNR-managed public dove fields are open in York County, according to the state's eRegulations listing, last updated Aug. 7.
Draper Tract: 45 acres across two fields, located 3.5 miles east of McConnells on SC 322. Turn right on Brattonsville Road, go half a mile, then turn right.
Worth Mountain WMA: 40 planted acres near Hickory Grove. Take SC Highway 211 south about four miles from its intersection with SC Highway 97, then turn left on Scenic View Road. The field is three-quarters of a mile on the right.
Both fields share the same scheduled hunt dates: Sept. 5, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Nov. 21, Dec. 19, Jan. 9 and Jan. 23. Neither field requires sign-in. Hunters can call (864) 427-5140 for details.
Rules for public fields
All WMA public dove fields are afternoon-only hunts. No entry is allowed before noon. During the first segment, which runs through Oct. 3, shooting must stop by 6 p.m.
Hunters are limited to 50 shells per hunt. The daily bag limit is 15 mourning doves. There is no limit on Eurasian collared doves or pigeons.
Permits and licenses
Hunters using public dove fields need four credentials: a valid South Carolina hunting license, a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit, a migratory bird permit and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. The migratory bird permit is free and available from license vendors.
Licenses, permits and full regulations are available through the SCDNR dove hunting page.
The next scheduled hunt date at both York County public fields is Saturday, Sept. 19.
