​Deeply rooted in America’s heritage, hunting, trapping and fishing remain a traditional outdoor pastime in the ACE Basin. Although more than half of the basin’s protected lands are privately owned, the public has the opportunity to hunt and fish on hundreds of acres of wildlife-managed properties.

The ​South Carolina Department of Natural Resources schedules hunts at Botany Bay and Dungannon Heritage Preserves and Donnelly and Bear Island Wildlife Management Areas throughout the year. You can find more information on designated DNR hunts ​here.

Hunting and fishing also is allowed in season on specific areas of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. You can hunt for deer, waterfowl, doves, quail, raccoons and small game within season. ACE is home to excellent saltwater and freshwater fishing for shrimp, crabs, trout, flounder, bass, sharks, sunfish, catfish and many other species. You can download a copy of the refuge’s annual hunting & fishing regulations brochure ​here.

In addition to the public lands, anglers are welcome to fish in area rivers and creeks. Dozens of public boat landings can be found along the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto, as well as the tributaries of the ACE Basin rivers.

You can download a fishing or hunting license from the DNR ​here.