Overview
Description
Multiple smaller tracts managed along the Tyger River drainages in Spartanburg and Laurens Counties. SCDNR plants and manages fields specifically for migratory dove hunting, making this complex one of the premier September dove destinations in the Upstate.
Counties
Spartanburg & Laurens
Game Zone
Zone 2
Acreage
Multiple tracts (varies)
Type
State WMA
Managing Agency
Known For
Species & Seasons
🕊️
Mourning Dove
15 / day
Segment 1
Sept 1 – Oct 4, 2025
Segment 2
Nov 15 – Nov 29, 2025
Segment 3
Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
Hunting Hours
Afternoon only — no entry before noon; no shooting after 6 PM (Seg 1)
Shell Limit
50 shells per hunt (WMA fields)
Possession Limit
45 doves
⚠️ WMA public dove fields require a Migratory Bird Permit and WMA permit. Some fields may require pre-season registration. Check SCDNR annual WMA guide for current field status. Fields are first-come basis; arrive by noon on opener.
🦌
Whitetail Deer
2 / day · 5 / season
Archery
Sept 15 – Sept 30, 2025
Primitive Weapons
Oct 1 – Oct 10, 2025
Still Gun
Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Youth Hunt Day
Jan 3, 2026
No baiting on WMA lands. All deer must be tagged and reported via SC Game Check by midnight of harvest day.
🦃
Wild Turkey
2 gobblers / season
Spring Gobbler
Apr 3 – May 2, 2026 (WMA)
Daily Limit
1 gobbler per day
Season Limit
2 gobblers (no more than 1 before Apr 10)
No Jake harvest — harvesting immature males (short beard, uneven tail fan) is prohibited.
🐿️
Small Game
Varies by species
Squirrel (WMA)
Oct 1, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 (guns & dogs)
Squirrel Bag
10 per day
Rabbit (WMA)
Nov 27, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 (guns & dogs)
Rabbit Bag
5 per day
Youth Squirrel Day
Sept 27, 2025
🐗
Feral Hog
No limit
On WMA
During any open hunting season
Coyote
No closed season (WMA — during open seasons)
Access & Directions
Multiple Tracts: The Tyger River Complex consists of several separate tracts. Access, parking locations, and active field status vary by tract and season. Always consult the current SCDNR annual WMA guide or contact SCDNR Upstate Region before your hunt.
1
Download or pick up the current SCDNR annual WMA guide. It lists active dove fields, parking locations, and any pre-season registration requirements for Tyger River Complex tracts.
2
Contact SCDNR Upstate Region at (864) 610-7010 to confirm which tracts are active, field planting status, and current parking access before opener.
3
Most tracts are accessed via secondary roads along the Tyger River drainages in Spartanburg and Laurens Counties. Check posted SCDNR signage at road entrances for field-specific directions.
4
For dove opener (Sept 1), arrive at the field by noon — fields open at noon. High-pressure fields fill quickly. Scout your parking and entry route at least one week before the season.
Region
Spartanburg / Laurens Counties — Tyger River drainages
Distance
In-county / nearby Spartanburg; multiple tracts at varying distances
Road Type
Paved and unpaved secondary roads; high-clearance vehicle recommended for some tracts
Parking
Varies by tract — check SCDNR annual guide for current parking areas
Registration
Some fields require pre-season registration — verify with SCDNR
Terrain & Habitat
The Tyger River Complex spans multiple tracts along the Tyger River drainages in the Upstate piedmont. The river bottomlands create a diverse habitat mix that supports multiple game species throughout the hunting calendar.
🌾
Managed Dove Fields
SCDNR annually plants and manages fields with millet, sorghum, and sunflowers to attract migrating mourning doves. These managed fields are the primary draw of the complex.
🌊
River Bottomlands
Hardwood bottoms along Tyger River drainages provide excellent deer habitat. White oak, water oak, and hickory produce hard mast through fall. Expect soft, wet ground near creek drainages.
🌲
Upland Edges
Pine stands and early-successional brush on upland areas provide squirrel habitat and turkey roost trees. Field edges transitioning to woody cover are prime turkey strut zones in spring.
Field Tips
Arrive early on opener. The September 1 dove opener at Tyger River fields is a community event. Fields fill up quickly after they open at noon. Arrive by 11:30 AM to scout your spot and set up gear before legal shooting begins.
Check field status before you go. Active fields rotate year to year based on SCDNR planting decisions. Confirm which specific tracts have active dove fields in the current SCDNR annual WMA guide — don't assume last year's fields are planted.
First two weeks are the best. Field action typically peaks during the first two weeks of September when migrating doves are most concentrated. Hunting pressure and bird numbers both drop off noticeably after mid-September.
Position on field edges and fence lines. Doves feed in open fields but stage along edge cover — fence rows, utility lines, tree lines, and brush patches adjacent to managed fields. Set up near these transition zones for better shooting.
Deer hunt the bottomland hardwoods. While this complex is primarily known for doves, the Tyger River hardwood bottoms hold quality whitetail deer. Oak flats near river bends concentrate deer during the October acorn drop. Still-hunt techniques work well on these flat bottoms.
Locate turkey at field edges in spring. Gobblers use managed dove fields as strutting areas early in spring turkey season. Roost trees in adjacent timber near field corners are key scouting targets. Work calls from field edges at first light.
Multiple tracts — scout them all. With multiple separate tracts in the complex, competition at any one field can be high. Know the locations of all active tracts so you have backup options if your primary field is crowded.
Early September heat. September dove hunting in the Upstate is hot. Bring a minimum of 2 liters of water per hunter, wear moisture-wicking clothing and a wide-brim hat, and consider a camp chair or stool to stay comfortable during mid-afternoon field sits.
Regulations
WMA Permit
Required for all hunting on WMA lands. Available online at dnr.sc.gov or at license agents.
Mig. Bird Permit
Required for dove hunting. Federal HIP certification also required.
Dove Field Hours
Afternoon only — no entry before noon; no shooting after 6:00 PM during Segment 1 (Sept 1 – Oct 4).
Shell Limit
50 shells maximum per dove hunt on public WMA fields.
No Baiting
No baiting on any WMA lands. Managed fields are maintained by SCDNR — do not add feed.
SC Game Check
All harvested deer must be reported via SC Game Check by midnight of harvest day.
Orange Required
550 sq inches of fluorescent orange required during deer gun and primitive weapons seasons on WMAs.
Pre-Registration
Some fields may require pre-season registration. Confirm with SCDNR before the opener.
Litter
Remove all litter including spent shell hulls when leaving. Keep fields clean to preserve public hunting access.
Gear Checklist
Licenses & Permits
Dove Hunting
Clothing
Safety & Navigation
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Contacts
Emergency
911
SCDNR Law Enforcement
1-800-922-5431 (24 hr)
SCDNR Upstate Region
(864) 610-7010
Spartanburg Co. Sheriff
(864) 596-5000
Laurens Co. Sheriff
(864) 876-6900
Nearest Hospital
Spartanburg Medical Center — (864) 560-7000
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
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