About: The Sumter National Forest consists of 370,442 acres which are divided into 3 distinct sections in western and central South Carolina. The Enoree Ranger District is the largest, mostly in the Midlands region and comprising roughly 170,000 acres in Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, and Union counties. The Long Cane Ranger District borders the Midlands and Upstate regions and comprises about 120,000 acres in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties. The Andrew Pickens Ranger District is in the Upstate region and comprises over 85,000 acres which lies entirely in Oconee county and is part of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Sumter National Forest is one of two forests in South Carolina that are managed together by the United States Forest Service (USFS), the other being the Francis Marion National Forest. The forests are managed for multiple uses which includes timber, water, wildlife, and recreation. Forest headquarters of both South Carolina forests are located together in Columbia at 4931 Broad River Road, Columbia SC 29212. Telephone is 803-561-4000.
The wildlife habitat in the National Forest is cooperatively managed by the USFS and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). All of this land is within the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program administered by the SCDNR and it is available for public hunting, fishing, and other allowable outdoor recreational opportunities.
The Enoree Ranger District office is located approximately 6 miles south of Whitmire on US Hwy 176 in Newberry County.
Within the Enoree Ranger District, there are special areas managed for waterfowl that include the Duncan Creek Waterfowl Management Area in Laurens County, the Enoree River Waterfowl Management Area in Newberry County, and Dunaway and Tyger River Waterfowl Management Areas in Union County.
There are also public dove fields that include the Worthy’s Bottom Field in Chester County, Newberry Field in Newberry County, and the Sedalia and Herbert fields in Union County. The opening day hunt at both the Newberry and Sedalia Fields is reserved for special youth dove hunts.
The Indian Creek Quail Focal Area provides bobwhite quail management and hunting opportunities.
Many other areas within the forest such as closed roads, firelines, wildlife openings, and utility rights-of-way are planted with wildlife foods, are maintained in an open state for habitat diversity, and are managed to maintain and improve wildlife habitat. Forested areas that consist of predominantly thinned pine stands are prescribed burned periodically to reduce fuel buildup and minimize the danger of wildfire and also to enhance the habitat for wildlife.
The Enoree District has recreation opportunities on the Enoree, Tyger and Broad rivers, as well as a challenging Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail. It also offers outstanding hiking, boating, hunting target shooting and equestrian opportunities.
Location: To reach the Broad River Waterfowl Management Area from exit 74 on I 26 drive 12 miles east on Highway 34. Turn right on Strothers Road (the first road after the bridge over the Broad River. After 1.2 miles look for the waterfowl area signs by the gated road.
Hours: The Broad River and Enoree Waterfowl Management Areas are closed from mid-October to early February to protect waterfowl. During the rest of the year, both waterfowl management areas are open twentry-four hours a day.
Links: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/francismarionsumter/recreation/enoree-ranger-district https://www.sctrails.net/trails/search-results?q=&f%5Bkeywords%5D=enoree
