Greenwood
Hunting
Report

The 120,000-acre Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest spans five Piedmont counties and forms the largest block of contiguous public hunting land accessible to Greenwood County hunters. The entire district is enrolled in the SCDNR WMA program and managed cooperatively by the US Forest Service and SCDNR. Deer and turkey hunting are the premier draws; the rolling hardwood and mixed-pine Piedmont terrain supports strong whitetail populations. A robust USFS timber sale and prescribed burn program (26,000 acres burned annually on the Long Cane and Enoree combined) maintains diverse early-successional habitat that benefits deer, turkey, and small game. Hog hunting with dogs is permitted during special January and March windows. Dove hunting is allowed on designated USFS dove fields.

Public access under SCDNR WMA regulations. SC hunting license and SCDNR WMA permit required. Fell Hunt Camp provides primitive camping, equestrian sites, and a parking area ($3/day). Multiple USFS road access points throughout the district. Morrow Bridge and Midway seasonal hunt camps offer primitive facilities in the western and northern Long Cane. Hunting on Sundays is allowed Oct. 15–Jan. 31 for species in season. All deer must be tagged at point of kill before being moved.

Belfast WMA spans Laurens and Newberry counties northeast of Greenwood and is one of the most tightly managed public hunting areas accessible to Greenwood County hunters. Classified as a Quality Deer Management Area, Belfast requires antlered deer to have a minimum of 4 points on one side or a 12-inch inside antler spread — a rule that consistently produces above-average buck age structure for a public WMA. Deer still-gun hunts on Belfast are lottery-only, limiting pressure and maintaining trophy deer potential. Dove hunting is allowed on designated fields on certain scheduled days. The WMA is open to archery deer hunting Sept. 15–Oct. 10 without quota.

WMA permit and SC hunting license required. Closed to public access from one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise except for hunts regulated by SCDNR. Hunters may not enter prior to 5:00 AM on designated hunt days. Public visitation is not allowed during scheduled gun hunts. Data/use cards required — must be completed and returned daily upon leaving. Still-gun hunts by lottery only through SCDNR's quota hunt application system at dnr.sc.gov. No fox squirrel hunting.

McCalla WMA in Abbeville County is a SCDNR-managed Quality Deer Management Area within a reasonable drive of downtown Greenwood. Antlered deer must meet the 4-point rule (minimum 4 points on one side or 12-inch inside spread), which produces a more balanced deer herd than standard WMAs. McCalla offers Game Zone 2 WMA deer seasons plus special hog hunts with dogs in January and late March. The property's rolling Piedmont terrain with creek bottoms and timber stands provides excellent turkey habitat in spring.

SC hunting license and SCDNR WMA permit required. Game Zone 2 WMA seasons apply. Hog hunting with dogs: Jan. 2–10, Mar. 20–27. All deer must be tagged with a valid deer tag at point of kill before being transported. Feral hogs and coyotes may be taken during all hunts. No hog hunting with dogs except during designated special hog hunts. Verify road access and current conditions with SCDNR Abbeville office (864-223-1307).

Lake Greenwood State Park encompasses 914 acres on the southern shoreline of Lake Greenwood, and portions of the park are managed as a WMA open to public hunting under SCDNR regulations. The park's mix of hardwood bottomland, upland pine, and lakeside transition habitat provides good deer and turkey hunting in a relatively compact setting. Hunting is permitted in designated sections of the park and follows all SCDNR Game Zone 2 WMA seasons. This is the only publicly accessible hunting land within Greenwood County itself, making it the most accessible option for Greenwood city residents.

SC hunting license and SCDNR WMA permit required. Hunting permitted in designated WMA sections only — not within active park recreation areas. Coordinate with park staff (864-543-3535) regarding current WMA boundaries and access roads. Camping at the park provides a convenient base camp for multi-day hunts. Normal park entry procedures and fees apply for recreational access; hunting access follows WMA regulations.

Broad River Waterfowl Management Area in Fairfield County is an SCDNR-managed WMA within the Game Zone 2 boundary and the closest dedicated waterfowl management area to Greenwood County hunters. Located off SC Hwy 34 near the Broad River, the area provides managed wetland habitat for migrating and wintering ducks. Deer archery hunting runs September 15 through October 31. Small game hunting is permitted in designated areas during the WMA season window. The area is closed from mid-October to early February outside of waterfowl seasons to protect wintering birds.

SC hunting license and SCDNR WMA permit required. Waterfowl hunters also need federal and state duck stamps and SC migratory bird permit. Access via I-26 exit 74, east on SC Hwy 34 approximately 12 miles to Strothers Road. Follow signage to gated road. Area may be closed during certain periods — verify access with SCDNR before visiting. Deer archery: Sept. 15–Oct. 31. Small game: Feb. 9–28.

The Parsons Mountain area of the Long Cane Ranger District in Abbeville County represents the portion of Sumter National Forest closest to the Greenwood–Abbeville county line. This USFS-managed land is fully enrolled in the SCDNR WMA program with Game Zone 2 WMA seasons. The terrain is classic SC Piedmont — rolling hardwood ridges, creek drainages, and mixed shortleaf pine stands — with excellent turkey habitat in the creek bottoms adjacent to Parson's Mountain Lake. Feral hog populations have established in this portion of the district, providing bonus game opportunities during special hog dog hunts in January and March. The area is within a short drive of the Fell Hunt Camp primitive camping area.

Public access under SCDNR WMA regulations. SC hunting license and SCDNR WMA permit required. Access from SC 72 W from Greenwood; follow USFS road signage to Parson's Mountain Recreation Area. No check-in station — self-compliance with WMA tagging and reporting requirements. Hunting on Sundays allowed Oct. 15–Jan. 31 for all species in season. Hog dog hunts: Jan. 2–10, Mar. 20–27. Feral hogs and coyotes may be taken during any hunt.