Public hunting preserves dot the South Carolina landscape, giving everyone access to quail hunts within reasonable driving distances. A list of more than 30 licensed preserves is available from SCDNR by calling 803-734-3940.
Guided hunts at low-overhead preserves run about $200 per gun. Full-service public preserves are more expensive. Here is a list of some of those preserves and contact information:
• Gruber’s Hunting Preserve, St. George, Stanley Gruber, 843-563-1159. Guided hunts with English pointers in piney woods and fields.
• Clinton House Plantation, Clinton, Mike Johnson, 864-833-5477. Full-service public hunting resort with multiple hunting and shooting options. Hunter’s dogs welcome.
• Field and Fin Adventures, Loris, lucas Board, 843-259-8300. Newly opened hunting preserve with quail and other hunting options.
• Tall Pines Quail Hunting, Varnville, J.E. Mixon, 803-943-4617. Very good piney woods cover. Unguided hunting with your own dog a specialty. Guided hunts available.
• Springrove Shooting Preserve, St. Stephens, David Shealy, 843-567-3830. Guided hunts in good cover. Hunters’ dogs are welcome but a guide will go along. Personable owner.
• Back Woods Quail Club, Georgetown, Rick Hemmingway, 843-546-1466. A full-service hunt club open to the public. Plantation pine cover with ferns and low brush.
• Edisto Pines, Leesville, Todd Edwards, 803-894-7752. A full-service public preserve with sorghum and milo fields and piney woods. German shorthair breeder. Hunter’s dogs welcome.
• River Bend, Inman, Ralph Brendle, 864-592-1348. A full service, semi- private resort with memberships and a variety of non-member hunt packages available. Hunter’s dogs welcome.
• Buchanan Shoals, Morven, N.C., Jason Kiker, 704-695-2810. A private, upscale sporting preserve just across the state line from Chester County with non-member quail hunting packages available.
Wherever you go, don’t forget to tip the guide; $20 per person is considered standard for a half-day hunt, although some hunters are more generous when they receive excellent service.
