Lake Hartwell Rec Areas Open For Hunting This Season

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Hartwell Lake Project Office will open three of its larger recreation areas for hunting during the regular hunting season for 2024-2025 in Georgia, in addition to the seven areas within Fant’s Grove Wildlife Management Area in South Carolina.

In Georgia, 410 acres at Hartwell Dam Quarry Area, in Hart County, is open to hunting, but firearms are prohibited, restricting hunters to the use of archery equipment during deer and turkey season. A permit is required to hunt in this area. The permit is free, and it can be picked up at the Hartwell Lake Visitors Center, located at 5625 Anderson Highway, Hartwell, GA, during normal business hours. Visit here to see the office hours of operation.

The other two hunting areas in Georgia are New Prospect Park in Hart County (34 acres) and Jenkins Ferry Park in Stephens County (31 acres). Small-game hunting is allowed in all Georgia locations listed above, after deer and turkey seasons have ended. Hunting for small game is restricted to shotgun only with No. 4 shot or smaller. Georgia areas will be accessible for walk-in or boat-in only. Motorized vehicles will NOT be allowed within the gated areas.

Stands and blinds are acceptable if they are portable. They must be removed from public lands on the last day of deer and turkey season. Hunting regulations, license requirements, bag limits and seasons are set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and apply to hunting on public lands. Information about regulations is available by calling the state’s Region 2 office at 770.535.5499 or by visiting GA DNR Hunter Resources.

For South Carolina, the Army Corps of Engineers areas listed below are leased to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and are considered part of Fant’s Grove Wildlife Management Area.

• South Carolina River, Anderson County, South Carolina (125 acres)
• Glenn Ferry Park, Anderson County, South Carolina (211 acres)
• Apple Island Park, Anderson County, South Carolina (107 acres)
• Townville Park, Anderson County, South Carolina (23 acres)
• Camp Creek Park, Anderson County, South Carolina (48 acres)
• Martin Creek Park, Oconee County, South Carolina (60 acres)
• Choestoea Park, Oconee County, South Carolina (369 acres)

Hunting is prohibited in all developed recreation areas, except those listed above. Hunters should visit SCDNR Hunting Resources or call 864.654.1671 for information on licenses, seasons and bag limits. Hunting on public lands, waters of the Hartwell Project, and islands is managed in accordance with Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, section 327.8, as well as Georgia and South Carolina’s hunting regulations. When hunting on an island, the use of archery equipment is encouraged for the safety of those who may be in the area.

For more information, please call the phone numbers listed above or USACE Natural Resource Specialist, Jason Corder, at Hartwell Lake Project Office at 706.856.0332 or 888.893.0678, ext. 332.