SAVANNAH DISTRICT

Posted 8/26/2015

Release no. 15-32

Contact
Chelsea Smith
912-652-5756

or

Kenneth Bedenbaugh
706-856-0337

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Lake Office will open four recreation areas for archery and small game hunting during the regular 2015-2016 Georgia hunting season. These areas include: 

• Paynes Creek Recreation Area, Hart County (399 acres)
• Hartwell Dam Quarry Area, Hart County (410 acres)
• New Prospect Recreation Area, Hart County (34 acres)
• Jenkins Ferry Recreation Area, Stephens County (31 acres)

Hunting in the Hartwell Dam Quarry Area requires a permit which is available at no cost from the Corps’ Hartwell Lake Office, located at 5625 Anderson Highway, Hartwell, Georgia. 

Hunting regulations, license requirements and seasons set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will apply. Contact GADNR at 770-535-5499 for information on Georgia regulations.

Small game hunting is allowed in all areas listed above, but only after deer and turkey seasons close. Hunting for small game is restricted to shotgun only with number four shot or smaller. Hunting for deer and turkey is restricted to archery equipment only – all firearms are prohibited. The areas will be open on a walk-in or boat-in only basis (No motorized vehicles will be allowed within the gated areas). Only portable stands/blinds are acceptable and must be removed from public land after the season.

The areas listed below are included as part of the SC Department of Natural Resources Fant’s Grove wildlife management area (WMA). Contact SCDNR at 864-314-2634 for information on licenses, seasons and bag limits within these areas.

• South Carolina River, Anderson County (125 acres)
• Glenn Ferry Recreation Area, Anderson County (211 acres)
• Weldon Island Recreation Area, Anderson County (138 acres)
• Apple Island Recreation Area, Anderson County (107 acres)
• Townville Recreation Area, Anderson County (23 acres)
• River Forks Recreation Area, Anderson County (182 acres) (No hunting in closed portion of the recreation area.)
• Camp Creek Recreation Area, Anderson County (48 acres)
• Martin Creek Recreation Area, Oconee County (60 acres)
• Choestoea Recreation Area, Oconee County (369 acres) 

Hunting is prohibited in all designated recreation areas unless listed above. All other public lands and waters around Hartwell Lake, including islands, are open to hunting in accordance with Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations and Georgia and South Carolina hunting regulations. Due to safety concerns, big game hunters are encouraged to use archery equipment only while hunting on the islands.

Feral hog hunting is allowed on Hartwell lands year-round except areas designated as WMA’s. A permit is required when hunting hogs outside of the state’s deer season on all Hartwell Project property. The use of dogs is only allowed outside of the state’s deer and turkey season. The use of long rifles is not allowed.

For additional information and permits, contact Natural Resource Specialist Jess Fleming at the Hartwell Project Office toll free at 1-888-893-0678, ext. 335 or 706-856-0335.