South Carolina

Earliest velvet whitetail season opening in August, Lowcountry wild hog hunting, and rich Southern plantation quail.

Public Access & WMAs

Public Lands to Hunt in South Carolina

Official Regulatory Authority

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) manages over 1.1 million acres of public hunting land through its renowned Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program. Supported by more than 630,000 acres within the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, South Carolina offers diverse public hunting from the Southern Appalachian mountains in the Upstate down through the Piedmont to the historic coastal marshes and cypress blackwater swamps of the Lowcountry.

Coastal Lowcountry | 258,000 Acres

Francis Marion National Forest

Located north of Charleston in Berkeley and Charleston counties. Encompassing maritime forests, longleaf pine savannas, and tupelo-cypress swamps. Outstanding public hunting for whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, feral hogs, and woodcock along miles of forest service roads.

Mountain & Piedmont Units | 370,000 Acres

Sumter National Forest

Divided into three distinct districts (Andrew Pickens in the Blue Ridge, Enoree in the upper Piedmont, and Long Cane in the western Piedmont). Features steep mountain coves, hardwood bottoms, and rolling pine hills holding black bear, whitetail deer, and wild turkey.

Atlantic Flyway Coastal Marshes | 36,000+ Acres Combined

Bear Island & Santee Coastal Reserve WMAs

Bear Island (12,000 acres) in Colleton County and Santee Coastal Reserve (24,000 acres) in Charleston and Georgetown counties feature managed coastal impoundments and tidal marshes. Nationally famous for premier lottery waterfowl hunting, attracting massive flocks of pintails, gadwalls, teal, and wigeon.

Savannah River Complex | 26,000+ Acres Combined

Webb, Palachucola & Hamilton Ridge WMAs

Contiguous public properties along the Savannah River in Hampton and Jasper counties. Mature longleaf pine woodlands, oxbow sloughs, and hardwood river bottoms managed for trophy whitetail deer, wild turkey, and feral hogs.

Clemson Foothills | 8,500+ Acres Combined

Fantas Grove & Keowee Wildlife Management Areas

Located in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties around Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee. Managed through cooperative agreements with Clemson University, offering high-quality archery and muzzleloader hunting for whitetail deer, wild turkey, and small game.