Registration Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026

We call this hunt “Food from the Forest” because hunting is a meaningful way for individuals and families to responsibly provide food for themselves. When practiced ethically and sustainably, hunting offers a direct connection to where food comes from and encourages respect for the animal, the land, and the process. For many families, harvesting wild game is a way to provide healthy, local protein while honoring traditions of stewardship and self-reliance. This is a four-person team squirrel hunting event held annually to support education programs for youth and adults in support of conservation. Awards will be presented to the winning team.

Our Industry Habitat Manager recommends using this chicken and dumplings recipe but braising the squirrel meat “low and slow” and cooking it longer than the chicken.

When: Saturday, February 7, 2026

Hunting begins at legal shooting time (customarily 30 minutes before sunrise). Lunch, team tally deadline, and awards presentation begin at 12:00 PM in Chapin, SC.

Hunt locations: Any legal hunting property in South Carolina that will allow you to arrive at the lunch venue in Chapin by the team tally deadline at noon. Teams are responsible for securing their own properties to hunt. A SCWF staff member can offer suggestions on public land if needed. Shotgun or rifle use is at the discretion of each team and team member. Team members may hunt together, in pairs, or individually. Only one gun per team member: four guns max per team. Please note that “extra buddies” cannot bring guns, hunt, or give you their squirrels. Just hunt, have fun, and bring back some squirrels!

Cost: $200 per 4-person team

$25 per non-hunting assistant (dog handler, photographer, etc.), which includes lunch and social time

Food: lunch will include hotdogs and hamburgers along with fellowship and awards.

Once you register, you will receive more information about the day.

Important Notes:

Legal bag limits apply: 10 squirrels per person per day

Where you hunt is your responsibility. Proper utilization of harvested squirrels is your responsibility (any unused squirrels may be donated).

This is not a highly managed, rule-heavy hunt beyond state and federal laws. If you’re looking to enjoy a great day outdoors with friends or family while supporting the next generation of hunters, this event is for you. Be sure to check out SCDNR website here for current small game regulations.

Why Participate?

For $200 per team, you’ll enjoy food, fellowship, and possibly an award, but most importantly, you’ll help support hunting education and conservation efforts across South Carolina.

Sponsorship Opportunities

• $500 sponsorships are encouraged from individuals and companies interested in expanding hunting education in South Carolina. Sponsorships include:
• One four-person hunting team
• Lunch
• Recognition at the event and on the event webpage

Additional Information:

Hunting is a sport enjoyed by millions of people – men, women, and children – throughout the world. It is a way to connect to nature and the great outdoors. Hunting allows people to be in the woods and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. It can be a time of peaceful reflection and a time to “disconnect” from our busy world. Squirrel hunting is one of the least expensive ways to hunt – all you need is camouflage clothing, a single-shot rifle, shotgun, or air rifle, and a small-game resident license to legally harvest squirrels. It is a fun activity to spend time with your family and friends!

Hunting is an effective wildlife conservation tool and is ethical when done responsibly and sustainably. Hunting aids in population control by removing excess animals and keeping them in balance with the habitat. When wildlife populations exceed the land’s carrying capacity, starvation and disease impacts the animals.  Hunting maintains the balance of the ecosystem by managing predator and prey populations as well as helping with disease management. Growing populations of predators like coyotes are maintained through hunting.

Hunters provide valuable information to state and federal agencies so appropriate seasons and bag limits can be determined. Hunters follow state and federal laws to ensure they are not harming nature but helping it. Hunters contribute a significant amount of revenue to states, generating billions of dollars annually through hunting licenses, taxes on firearms and ammunition. These funds support wildlife conservation efforts and state wildlife agency personnel. The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies estimates that 60% of funding for these agencies come from hunters.

Questions?
Contact SCWF
(803)256-0670
mail@scwf.org

SCWF reserves the right to cancel any event, due to unforeseen circumstances, extreme weather, low registration, or guidance from local/state officials. Any cancellation by SCWF will result in a full refund for all registrants.

Banner image credit: Path to Nowhere by Andrew May.