Biologist Willie Simmons said quail and rabbit have specific needs in terms of habitat to thrive. Anywhere you find open pine stands with low-growing understory and areas that are frequently managed with controlled burns are ideal for quail.
“We do have these type areas on our WMAs, but they are certainly not found in every WMA,” Simmons said. “The key is for the hunter to check the sites.”
Simmons said good areas for quail include the trio of the Hampton County trio of Webb Center, Hamilton Ridge and Palachucola WMAs. He said the Crackerneck WMA, along with the Marsh WMA in Marion County and the Canal WMA in Berkeley County are excellent.
“In the Upstate, in the Sumter National Forest in Newberry County, there is a designated area wreferred to as the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative, that provides excellent habitat for quail hunting,” Simmons said. “Belfast WMA in Newberry County would also be a good area for hunting quail and rabbits.”
“Also, some portions of the Francis Marion Forest can be outstanding,” he said. “Look for areas that are regularly burned as key areas. There is some surprisingly good quail hunting in this WMA in localized areas.”
For rabbits, Simmons said some of the better areas include the Marsh WMA and the Webb Center, Hamilton Ridge and Palachucola WMAs, as well as portions of the Sumter National Forest and the Francis Marion National Forest.
“Even the very large WMAs may have only limited areas where rabbits are found in good numbers, but opportunities exist in those places. But when you find the right habitat, the rabbit population is usually very good. As habitat changes occur, such as timber thinning or other factors, so will the number of rabbits and it’s an annual process of finding the right areas. But overall, there are some good WMAs for rabbit hunting. “
