Here’s a survey of some of South Carolina’s best public-land deer hunts. Check them out, then try them out.
Wildlife Management Areas are a highly valuable resource for South Carolina deer hunters, and these productive lands are scattered across the state. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources provides oversight and management on the WMAs, and many of these public lands offer excellent opportunities for bow and gun hunters.
Charles Ruth, the big-game project leader for SCDNR, tracks WMAs in terms of deer harvest, habitat and hunting opportunities. He said quality WMA hunting is within easy driving distance of most everyone in South Carolina. The Francis Marion and Sumter national forests cover several hundred thousand acres, and many other WMAs offer quality hunting throughout the state. Here’s a look at some of the best:
Francis Marion, Sumter National Forests
Ruth said these large areas offer quality deer hunting and plenty of opportunities for big bucks or numbers of deer for those willing to get boots on the ground and scout areas off the beaten path.
“Areas with easy access will certainly be hunted more, and while potentially productive, the less-pressured areas are much more likely to produce quality bucks,” he said.
The Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest lies in Game Zone 2, and the Francis Marion National Forest lies in Game Zone 3.
Ruth said numerous big bucks are harvested each year from these areas, and they’re often taken by hunters who have invested significant effort to find and hunt the right, isolated spots.
He said these huge tracts of land can’t be condensed to specific focus areas that are consistently productive because the dynamics of the deer population are constantly changing as the habitat changes.
“Land-management timber harvests change the habitat significantly in the short term,” Ruth said, “but the subsequent regeneration of cutover lands during the next several years morphs into prime deer habitat, thus creating constant changes for the better.
“These huge areas have a diversity of deer habitat, but scattered throughout these WMAs will also be hardwood areas where the mast crops can have a profound influence on deer behavior,” he said.
“Do the legwork on these areas, and hunters can find what they’re looking for, whether it’s trophy bucks or simply good numbers of deer for the freezer,” he said.”
Jocassee Gorges WMA
The Jocassee Gorges tract contains 43,500 acres in Pickens and Oconee counties in the rugged mountain country of the Upstate. It is owned primarily by the SCDNR.
“Make no mistake; this is rugged, mountainous hunting, but it is unique in South Carolina because of this type habitat,” Ruth said. “This is as close to a wilderness hunt as you can have in South Carolina, and lots of legwork is required to access some of the areas. It’s not the ideal type hunt for everybody, but for those who enjoy a challenge and adventure, it’s perfect.”
Access on the property via a paved road system is extremely limited. SC 178 and Cleo Chapman Road, County Road 143, are the only paved roads that access the property. Paved roads in three adjoining state parks provide access to the boundaries of Jocassee Gorges. Approximately 138 miles of dirt roads provide access through the property.
Ruth said the area has a fairly low deer density, but that translates into an opportunity to harvest quality bucks. In addition, it’s one of a few places in the state where deer and bear can be hunted in South Carolina during the appropriate seasons.
“Mast is a prime food source for deer and bear at this WMA, and while the gun hunting season for deer is closed when gun hunting for bear is open, archery hunting for deer is open. If a hunter goes to the effort to get a bear tag for this area and finds a mast-heavy area with deer and bear sign, they can legally harvest a bear with a bow while deer hunting.”
Liberty Hill WMA
Liberty Hill is an 8,000-acre WMA straddling Kershaw and Lancaster counties that offers excellent deer hunting in a very diverse habitat.
Ruth said the area generally goes by Game Zone 2 hunting regulations in Lancaster County, although some of the WMA crosses into Game Zone 4 in Kershaw County. The habitat and opportunities remain the same, but he said to be sure to check the regulations guide for specific details for each game zone.
“This area borders Lake Wateree and is a great example of Piedmont hunting land and habitat,’ he said. “Of course, around the lake, some low areas exist, but the general topography is rolling, and significant elevation changes occur, providing considerable habitat diversity. As is typical of Piedmont hunting lands, a lot of mast trees are available, and as is usually the case, acorns are a huge draw for deer at the appropriate time.”
Ruth said Liberty Hill WMA does have antler restrictions for bucks; that improves the odds of seeing quality bucks.
Access is easy via SC 97. Go to the Liberty Hill Post Office and turn onto Singleton Creek Road, go 1/10-mile and turn right onto Wildlife Road. Go about 3 miles to the parking area and informational kiosk.
Webb Complex WMA
Ruth said one of the top WMAs in South Carolina is the Webb Center Complex in Game Zone 3 in Hampton County. The Webb Complex consists of three separate areas managed as a unit: the Webb Center WMA, Hamilton Ridge WMA and Palachucola WMA.
“All Webb Center Complex areas offer quality hunting, but the gun hunts at the Webb Center property are unique in that in these draw hunts, hunters are taken to the stands and picked up after the hunt, very similar to a quality commercial hunt” Ruth said. “It’s a completely catered hunt for those drawn. The Webb Center offers a high success rate, and big bucks are harvested. Deer harvested will also be picked up for the hunter, and it is an extremely popular draw hunt.”
Bowhunting within specific season guidelines is open at Hamilton Ridge and Palachuacola, but antlered deer must have a minimum of four points on one side or a minimum 12-inch inside spread.
Ruth said bowhunters have an excellent opportunity to hunt the Hamilton Ridge and Palachuacola tracts without having to go through the draw process.
“From Sept. 15 to Oct. 10, archery hunting is open at Hamilton Ridge and Palachucola,” he said. “Hunters can simply come and hunt, and all the info needed is in the Rules and Regulations. These two WMAs areas provide excellent archery hunting opportunities prior to any gun hunts.
Wateree River Heritage Preserve
Ruth said the Wateree River Heritage Preserve WMA is a 3,674-acre tract of land 17 miles east of Columbia on U.S. 378 near the Eastover community. The property is in Richland County in Game Zone 3 and is bordered on the east by the Wateree River.
Access routes are available on the SCDNR website for WMAs.
“The geography of the area is unique in that it changes from the Wateree River bottomland habitat to a fairly high elevation quickly,” Ruth said. “It’s so diverse that mountain laurel grows here.”
Like the Webb Center Complex, the only gun hunting for deer is through draw hunts, but archery hunting is allowed before the gun hunts with a drawing, and the specific dates are noted in the regulations guide, he said.
“The deer hunting is very productive, and with antler restrictions in place at this WMA, the opportunity to take quality deer by bow or gun is good,” he said.
Woodbury WMA
Woodbury WMA in Marion County is in Game Zone 4 and has the attractive attribute of being a large property, covering 25,668 acres. The main entrance to Woodbury WMA is about 2.8 miles southeast of Daviston off US 378.
Ruth said this WMA being close to the Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee rivers makes it prone to flood, and it has been closed at times for extended periods in recent years. This pattern makes it difficult to get reliable deer harvest data, but the habitat is good — when not flooded — and it’s part of a traditionally excellent region.
“It’s a productive tract of land with lots of elbow room,” Ruth said. “Because of its location near the rivers and the dense habitat, Woodbury also offers excellent opportunities for hunters to double up and harvest wild hogs while deer hunting.
“I think the potential for success at Woodbury is very high for hunters who get away from easy-to-access areas.”
When water conditions permit, use of a boat to get remote can provide excellent opportunities, he said.
WMA Wrapup
For the draw hunts — at the Webb Center Complex and Wateree Heritage Preserve — hunters still have time to apply for 2021 hunts. Ruth said applications will be accepted until Aug. 15. Visit the SCDNR website, www.dnr.sc.gov, for complete details.
Specifics regulations for each WMA may vary, and they sometimes change from year-to-year. It’s the hunters responsibility to check the regulations to ensure they’re fully aware of all requirements for the specific WMA being hunted.
Be the first to comment