Hunting Safety top priority at Hartwell, Russell, Thurmond Lakes Hunting Safety top priority at Hartwell, Russell, Thurmond Lakes

As hunting season approaches, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is emphasizing the importance of safe hunting practices to prevent accidents and ensure a positive experience for all visitors on public lands surrounding the three major reservoirs: Hartwell Lake, Richard B. Russell Lake, and J. Strom Thurmond Lake, in Georgia and South Carolina.

With the lakes attracting a significant number of outdoor enthusiasts, including hunters, boaters, hikers, and campers, the Corps of Engineers, which manages the public lands around these lakes, recommends the following guidelines for hunters to follow:

• Hunter Education: All hunters born after Jan. 1, 1961, in Georgia and June 30, 1979, in South Carolina, are required to  complete a hunter education course before hunting on Corps of Engineers land.
• Wear Blaze/Hunter Orange: To improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidental shootings, hunters are required to wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange clothing above the waist. Wearing orange applies primarily when using firearms or primitive weapons for deer hunters; Small game hunters, duck hunters in particular, aren’t required to wear hunter orange pursuing small game, even though they may be hunting during firearms deer season. This rule is in effect for Georgia and while hunting on a Wildlife Management Areas in South Carolina.
• Know Your Target: Hunters are reminded to always positively identify their target and what lies beyond it before taking a shot. This is particularly important in areas with mixed recreational use and on islands.
• Know the Rules: Bottom line – know the rules before hunting. Hunters must be aware of the specific regulations that apply to the area they are hunting in. This includes designated hunting zones, which are clearly marked, what hunting season is open or closed, restrictions on hunting times and the types of weapons allowed. When hunting on Corps of Engineers land in Georgia and South Carolina, hunters must follow the same rules associated with hunting on private lands. Visit Georgia Hunting Rules or South Carolina Hunting Rules for more specific rules.

• For all three lakes: Hunting regulations, license requirements, bag limits and seasons are set by the Georgia and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and apply to hunting on Corps of Engineers lands. Georgia hunters can call the state’s Region 2 office at 770-535-5499 or by visit GDNR Hunter Resources for rules and South Carolina hunters visit SCDNR Hunting Resources under private land rules or call 864-654-1671.
• Where not to hunt: Hunting is not permitted on Army Corps of Engineer property at campgrounds, day-use areas, boat ramps, marinas, and state parks. “Safety is our top priority,” said Annette Dotson, Corps of Engineers park ranger at Hartwell Lake. “We want everyone, whether they are hunting, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors, to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Following safety guidelines is essential to preventing accidents and protecting both people and wildlife.”

The Corps of Engineers works closely with the Georgia and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to monitor hunting activities and address any safety concerns.

Stay tuned to tomorrow’s news cycle on WNEG News for a special report on hunting season dates, information and events. The report will also be available online at wnegradio.com tomorrow afternoon.

“For Corps of Engineers lands that are licensed or leased as Wildlife Management Areas in Georgia and South Carolina, the season dates, limits, and regulations are specific to each WMA,” explained Jeff Brooks, Corps of Engineers, district wildlife biologist located at Richard B. Russell Lake. “Hunters should become familiar with the hunting regulations in each respective state for up-to-date information.

Strom Thurmond Lake area

The J. Strom Thurmond Lake Project land is split between the Corps of Engineers and both state Departments of Natural Resources for management of timber and wildlife resources through timber harvest, prescribed burning, and food plots.

Acres managed by states (under lease) as Wildlife Management Areas, include South Carolina which manages 10,297 acres and Georgia which manages 24,389 acres. There are additional acreages, 5,713 acres in South Carolina and 16,011 acres in Georgia managed by Corps of Engineers as Corps Management Areas.

“We offer a wide array of hunting opportunities,” said Evan Brashier, an Army Corps of Engineers conservation biologist at J. Strom Thurmond Lake. “Hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, small game, hog, quail and waterfowl exist on approximately 56,000 acres of public land, across the states of Georgia and South Carolina.”

For hunting information at Thurmond visit Hunting at Thurmond Lake, call Evan Brashier at 864-333-1159 or to see an interactive hunting map, visit Hunting Map.  For an opportunity to deer hunt at Bussey Point, visit Bussey Point Hunts.

Hartwell Lake area

At Hartwell Lake, on the Georgia side, 410 acres at Hartwell Dam Quarry Area, in Hart County, is open to hunting for deer and turkey, but firearms are prohibited during those seasons, restricting hunters to the use of archery equipment only. Shotguns can be used to hunt small game after the Georgia deer season closes.

“A permit is required to hunt in the Hartwell Dam Quarry area,” said Dotson. “The permit is free, and it can be picked up at the Hartwell Lake Visitors Center, located at 5625 Anderson Highway, Hartwell, Georgia, during normal business hours.”

The other two hunting areas in Georgia are New Prospect Park, Hart County (34 acres) and Jenkins Ferry Park, Stephens County (31 acres). Georgia areas around Hartwell Lake are accessible for walk-in or boat-in only. Motorized vehicles are not allowed within the gated areas.

“New Prospect and Jenkins Ferry Parks are also open for deer and turkey using archery equipment only,” said Jess Fleming, Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Program manager at Hartwell Lake. Shotguns can be used to hunt small game after the Georgia deer season closes.”

For South Carolina, the Army Corps of Engineers has almost 1,000 acres of land at seven locations leased to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and considered part of Fant’s Grove Wildlife Management Area.

For locations and other hunting details at Hartwell Lake, visit Fant’s Grove WMA hunting areas and Hunting at Hartwell Lake or contact Jess Fleming at 706-856-0335.

Richard B. Russell Lake area

Corps of Engineers lands surrounding Richard B. Russell Lake are also opened to deer, turkey and small game hunting opportunities.

Some of the largest land areas open to hunting around Russell Lake are undeveloped park sites, which are operated by the Georgia and South Carolina as Wildlife Management Areas and require a WMA permit to hunt.

“The hunting opportunities are plentiful,” said Brooks. “Hunting helps the wildlife populations stay healthy and manageable. We hope all hunter and visitors enjoy the lakes and surrounding land, stay safe, and follow all hunting rules and regulations for both state and federal governments.”

To learn more about locations, restrictions and other important details, visit Richard B. Russell Lake Hunting or call Jeff Brooks at 706-213-3424.

As the hunting seasons get underway, officials urge everyone to respect the land, follow the rules, and prioritize safety. By doing so, hunters can help ensure Hartwell, Richard B. Russell, and J. Strom Thurmond Lakes remain safe and enjoyable for all who visit.