Savannah NWR

Jasper County, South Carolina

Effingham and Chatham Counties, Georgia

Savannah is one of over 545 national wildlife refuges. The

primary objective of a national wildlife refuge is to provide

habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of

wildlife. The harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to

manage wildlife populations at a level compatible with the

environment, provide recreational opportunities, and

permit the use of a valuable resource.

Public hunting on the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

is permitted on approximately 20,000 acres. Certain areas

(marked on the map printed on the reverse side) are closed

to hunting.

The regulations listed below supplement the general

regulations which govern hunting on wildlife refuge areas

as set forth in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.

Hunting will be in accordance with applicable State

(Georgia and/or South Carolina) regulations. All Coast

Guard and State boating regulations will be enforced.

General Hunting Regulations

Permits are required for all hunts and must be carried

on the person while hunting. All hunters must obtain a

permit regardless of age. Permits are non-transferable.

Only hunt participants with proper licenses and permits

will be allowed on the refuge to hunt. A hunting license is

required to hunt feral hogs.

Hunters 15 years of age or under (youth hunters) must

have successfully passed a state-approved hunter

education course in order to participate in any refuge hunt.

Satisfactory completion of the course must be

demonstrated by a card or certificate. Youth hunters must

be supervised by an adult 21 years of age or older and

must remain in sight and normal voice contact with the

adult. During youth waterfowl hunts, the adult may

supervise two youths; during all other refuge hunts, the

adult may supervise only one youth.

No check-in or checkout is required. Transportation is not

provided to, from, or on the refuge. Any movement within

the refuge must be by foot, bicycle, or boat.

Hunting hours will be from one-half hour before legal

sunrise to one-half hour after legal sunset.

Firearms must be unloaded and disassembled or cased

while boats are in motion.

The possession or use of poison or poison pods is illegal.

The distribution of bait, and hunting over bait, is

prohibited.

Participating in “man drives” for deer is prohibited.

Handguns and crossbows are prohibited.

Hunting from a tree in which a metal object has been

screwed or driven to support a hunter is prohibited.

Hunt stands must be removed from the refuge daily.

No flagging, blazing, painting, or trail marking devices may

be used to locate stands, or for any other purpose.

Pruning/limbing of live trees is prohibited.

Dogs will not be allowed on refuge hunts, except during

waterfowl hunts.

Camping is not permitted on the refuge.

The possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is

prohibited.

All forms of litter must be removed from the refuge.

Only designated game species and feral hogs may be taken,

and other wildlife may not be molested in any manner.

Hunting will not be permitted closer than 100 yards of U.S.

Hwy 17, GA Highway 25/SC Hwy 170 or the refuge

maintenance center area; or railroad rights of way, nor

within the areas marked as closed on the map printed in

this brochure.

All persons within the hunt zone are required to wear an

outer garment which contains a minimum of 500 square

inches of hunter-orange material above the waist, except

during the archery-only deer hunt, the turkey hunt, and the

waterfowl hunt.

Specific regulations governing the deer, hog, squirrel,

turkey, and waterfowl hunts are listed separately.

Permits for the non-quota hunts (printed on the cover of

this brochure) are available throughout the hunt periods. A

limited number of permits will be issued for the youth

waterfowl hunt and the mobility-impaired gun hunt for

deer. Additional brochures and quota hunt applications

may be downloaded from the refuge website http://

www.fws.gov/savannah.

Deer/Hog Archery Hunt

October 1-31, 2008

Archery hunting for deer and hogs will be permitted, from

October 1-31, 2008, in all areas designated on the attached

refuge map.

Only bows will be authorized for deer/hog hunting.

Crossbows are prohibited.

Five deer (no more than three antlerless and two antlered)

and feral hogs (no bag limit) may be taken. “Bonus” deer

tags will not be issued for deer taken. All other state

regulations will apply.

Doe days for refuge lands in Georgia will coincide with doe

days set by the state for Effingham County only.

Does taken in South Carolina must be tagged with state

doe tags before being removed from the refuge. These

tags must be purchased from the South Carolina

Department of Natural Resources (application provided in

the state hunting regulations booklet).

A big game license will be required to participate in this

hunt.

Deer/Hog/Squirrel Gun Hunt

November 1-30, 2008

Gun hunting for deer, hog, and squirrel will be permitted

on November 1-30, 2008 in all areas designated on the

attached refuge map.

Five deer (no more than three antlerless and two antlered)

may be taken. “Bonus” tags will not be issued for deer

taken. Doe days for refuge lands in Georgia will coincide

with doe days set by the state for Effingham County only.

All other state regulations will apply.

Does taken in South Carolina must be tagged with state

doe tags before being removed from the refuge. These

tags must be purchased from the South Carolina

Department of Natural Resources (application provided in

the state hunting regulations booklet).

Feral hogs may also be taken (no bag limit) during the

deer hunt with weapons legal for this hunt.

Only shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and bows (no

crossbows), in accordance with state regulations, will be

authorized for deer and hog hunting throughout the

designated hunt area. However, centerfire rifles of .22-

caliber or larger are permitted north of Interstate

Highway 95 only. Handguns are prohibited.

Georgia and/or South Carolina Game Zone 11 bag limits

for squirrel will apply.

Only .22 caliber rimfire rifles or shotguns with #2 shot or

smaller will be authorized for squirrel hunting.

A big game license will be required to participate in this

hunt.

Hog Hunt

March 14-22, 2009

Hog hunting will be permitted March 14-22, 2009 in all

areas designated on the attached refuge map.

A hunting license is required to hunt feral hogs.

Only hogs (no bag limit) may be taken.

Only shotguns with slugs, muzzleloaders, and bows (no

crossbows), in accordance with state regulations, will be

authorized during the March hog hunt.

Turkey Hunt

April 4-24, 2009

Turkey hunting on will be permitted April 4-24, 2009 in all

areas designated on the attached refuge map.

Hunters may harvest three gobblers only.

Only shotguns with #2 shot or smaller, and bows (no

crossbows) in accordance with state regulations, will be

authorized for turkey hunting.

Possession of slugs or buckshot is illegal during the turkey

hunt.

Waterfowl Hunt

State Seasons

Hunting of waterfowl (ducks and coots) is permitted in

designated areas north of GA Highway 25/SC Highway 170

(marked on attached refuge map).

Georgia and South Carolina waterfowl seasons and federal

regulations apply.

Hunters are encouraged to use dogs as retrievers, but they

must be under control at all times.

Decoys and other personal property must be removed from

the refuge daily.

Hunting will not be permitted within 100 yards of Georgia

Highway 25 and South Carolina Highway 170; in or on

Middle and Steamboat Rivers and Houstown Cut, nor

closer than 50 yards of the shoreline of these waterways.

Mobility-Impaired Hunt

November 18-19, 2008

A limited number of mobility-impaired hunters

(permanently dependent on wheelchairs for mobility) will

be permitted to hunt deer/hogs within a portion of the

refuge on November 18-19, 2008. For information

concerning this hunt, contact the Savannah Coastal

Refuges office (912/652 4415) before August 15 or visit the

refuge website.

Youth Hunts

A youth archery hunt for deer is scheduled for October 1-

31, 2008. An unlimited number of permits will be issued for

this hunt. A limited number of permits will be issued for

the youth waterfowl hunt set for November 29, December

6, and December 13, 2008. Both hunts will be held within a

portion of the refuge located in Georgia (Solomon Tract),

accessible by motorized vehicle from GA Highway 21.

Youth hunters (15 years of age or under) must be under

direct adult supervision (within sight and hearing of a

person 21 years old or older). The adult may supervise no

more than two youths.

To obtain a permit for the youth deer hunt, the youth

waterfowl hunt, or further information about these hunts,

contact the Savannah Coastal Refuges office or visit the

refuge website. Youth waterfowl hunt applications must be

returned to the refuge office by August 31, 2008 to be

considered.

Contact Information

Savannah Coastal Refuges

Parkway Business Center, Suite 10

1000 Business Center Drive

Savannah, GA 31405

phone: 912/652 4415

fax: 912/652 4385

http://www.fws.gov/savannah

Special Information

Portions of the refuge lying in both Georgia and South

Carolina are open to hunting. Therefore, hunters should

familiarize themselves with the area they wish to hunt and

obtain the appropriate state license/licenses.

Much of the land surrounding the Savannah NWR is

privately owned. Please respect our neighbors by not

trespassing to reach the refuge and making sure you are

within refuge boundaries while hunting.

Boater Caution

Boats are needed to hunt the Georgia portions of the

refuge; some areas in South Carolina are accessible by

foot. Motorized land vehicles may not be used.

Coastal waters are subject to extreme tidal fluctuations of

six to ten feet. Hunters are urged to be familiar with tide

tables, carry adequate safety equipment, and exercise

caution when participating in hunts on the refuge.

Fishing Regulations

Sport fishing on Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

is permitted on impounded waters, tidal creeks, and

canals within the refuge boundaries. Sport fishing

shall be in accordance with all applicable state

regulations and subject to the following special

conditions:

Bank fishing from the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive is

permitted year-round. Kingfisher Pond (located off

US-17, one mile north of the refuge impoundments

on SC-170) is open to fishing all year. For all other

impounded waters, the fishing season extends from

March 1 through November 30. A South Carolina

fishing license is required to fish in any of these

areas.

Only non-motorized boats and boats with electric

motors are permitted on Kingfisher Pond and other

impounded waters.

State licenses are required, but no special refuge

permit is needed for sport fishing.

All areas posted with “Closed Area” signs are closed

to all activities including fishing.

No one will be allowed on the refuge before sunrise

and all persons must be off the refuge no later than

one half hour after sunset.

Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Savannah

National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting and Fishing

Regulations 2008-2009

Savannah Coastal Refuges

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1000 Business Center Drive

Parkway Business Center, Suite 10

Savannah, GA 31405

912/652 4415

http://www.fws.gov/savannah

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

July 2008

2008-2009 Savannah NWR Hunt Permit

When signed and in your possession, this brochure

serves as your permit for Savannah NWR’s 2008-09

season hunts (including the waterfowl hunt, the

March 14-22, 2009 hog hunt and the April 4-24, 2009

turkey hunt), and acknowledges your understanding

of the regulations contained herein.

Signature

Savannah

National Wildlife Refuge

280

17

321

170

278

16

80

17

17

170

170

46

46

95

278

21

16

80

17

204

80

144

170

25 Hilton

Head

Island

Sa

vanna h River

Hardeeville

Garden

City

Savannah

Rincon

Springfield

Richmond

Hill

Pembroke

Skidaway Island

Wassaw Island

Bloomingdale

Tybee

Island

Savannah

National Wildlife Refuge

O

geechee

River

Canoochee R vi er

SC GA

SC GA

A T L A N T

CI

O C E A N

SOUTH

CAROLINA

GEORGIA

Port Wentworth

95

1

2

3

Legend

Open to deer/hog/squirrel/turkey hunting

Open to waterfowl/deer/hog/squirrel/

turkey hunting

Archery Deer/Hog Hunt - Oct. 1-31, 2008

Deer/Hog/Squirrel Gun Hunt - Nov. 1-30, 2008

Hog Hunt - Mar. 14-22, 2009

Turkey Hunt - April 4-24, 2009 

Waterfowl Hunt GA/SC Seasons

(1,2, & 3) East/West Orientation Lines 

(trees marked with blue paint and 

reflectors)

Areas closed to all hunting

Open to youth hunts only

Visitor Center (Opening Spring 2009)

Refuge Maintenance Center

Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive

Boat Launching Ramp

Georgia/South Carolina Boundary

Refuge Boundary

Diversion Canal

Dikes

Railroad

County/State Roads

GA

SC

Litt el

bA ercorn Cr.

e

B

r

a

.rC

.r C

s

i

l

l

oC

gi B

bA

r e

oc

nr

r C .

U

n

i

o

n

Creek

.

Steamboat River

Mid

d

l

e

River

Back Rvi er

SAVANNAH

RIVER

rF ont

vi R

r e

To Hardeeville 

and U.S. 321

Church Road

Mill Stone

Landing

County Rd. 170

Beck’s Ferry

Union Landing

 

 Road

Public Boat

Ramp

Golf

Course

EFFINGHAM CO. CHATHAM CO.

EFF

I

N

G

HAM CO.

J

AS

P

E

R

CO

.

GA SC

Houstown Cut

Solomon Tract

Rifle Cut

To Port Wentworth

To Hardeeville, S.C.

To Savannah, GA

Isla

Island

Argyle

Island

Argyle

Island

GA

SC

SC

GA

Little Back River

.

Abercorn Road

A

dl O

ugu

at s

daoR

daoR

Abercorn

Landing

SC–34 (Old Charleston Road

Ve nr ezobre Creek

95

ONSLOW

ISLAND

17

17

occaR

n

o

r C

.

Chimney 

Road

GA Highway 21 (to Rincon)

GA

25

SC

170

Knoxboro Cree k

JASPER CO.

GA

SC

Kingfisher 

Pond

N

0 Miles 2

0 Km 2

GA DNR Tract 

managed by FWS

Canaan Creek