Hunting quail with pointing dogs once was one of the most popular sporting opportunities in the South. Today, quail populations have declined substantially, and public opportunities are limited. Pee Dee NWR has a good quail population due to the substantial habitat restoration on the refuge. To limit hunting pressure, the refuge offers only seven quail hunting days per year, spread out throughout the season. Quail hunting is just one of the great hunting opportunities here. The firearms deer hunts, issued via quota, offer a great alternative to increasingly common high-priced leases. Raccoon hunters, who need long lengths of creek to run their dogs, also find the refuge to be an ideal hunting location. The bottomland hardwood forest offers an unbroken block of public land in which to pursue raccoons without fear of crossing into private land.
Quota Hunts
Hunting for deer or turkey with any type of firearm is allowed only as a part of the quota hunt system. All firearms deer and turkey hunt permits are issued through this quota system.
There is no longer a lottery drawing for quota deer hunts. 2022 quota permits for deer hunting will go on sale in August, 2022, on a first come, first served basis. Permits are $12.50, plus an online processing fee. Youth permits are free. To purchase quota deer permits, visit the RecAccess permit website: https://peedee.recaccess.com.
Quota turkey hunting permits require a drawn lottery permit. 2022 lottery entries and youth permit sales for turkey hunting will open on January 1, 2022. Lottery entries are $5.00. If selected, permits are $12.50. To apply for the quota turkey lottery or purchase youth turkey hunt permits, visit the RecAccess permit website: https://peedee.recaccess.com.
Please contact the refuge office for additional information.
General hunts
The refuge offers a variety of small game and archery hunting opportunities. These include the following:
- -mourning dove
- -archery hunts for deer
- -raccoon/opossum
- -squirrel
- -quail
- -rabbit
Refuge hunting seasons are shorter than the established State seasons. The seasons for these hunts are outlined in the refuge hunt regulations. These regulations are found in a current brochure and map, which also serves as your hunting permit. Hunt brochures are free, and available at the refuge office, kiosks, and through this website. Be sure to review the Refuge regulations in the hunt brochure.
