Sometimes you'll discover a good small-game hunting opportunity in the most unusual way. The time was October, and I was actually bowhunting for deer along the edge of a Lowcountry swamp. The deer stand was nestled in a big oak and I was focused on a major deer trail leading into the back corner of a lush, green food plot.

But an annoying thing was occurring that I found very distracting to my deer hunting. I was being pelted by falling cuttings from squirrels feasting in the tree above me. Not just one or two tree rats, but multiple squirrels were in this tree. There was also a couple more in an adjacent tree. I heard squirrels skittering around in the dry leaves below me as they scampered from tree to tree. I'm sure I identified at least a dozen different squirrels within 20 yards of me that evening.

And I heard many more just out of sight. I was afraid they'd actually make so much noise they would keep the deer away. But as is usually the case, they settled into their nests just abut the time deer began stirring. But I did mark that place down as high priority for squirrel hunting once deer season ended.

This story is one that seems to be recounted by many hunters during the past couple of years. While small-game hunting does not enjoy the popularity it once did, there are still plenty of hunters looking for opportunities to get into the woods during December and January.

After talking to wildlife biologists with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), there is one consistent pattern throughout the state. And that is the squirrel population is in good condition and is providing excellent hunting.

Plus, still-hunters and dog-hunters have plenty of squirrel-hunting opportunities. Dog-hunting for squirrels seems to actually be on the increase, especially with the abundance of squirrels in recent years.

Based on information from wildlife biologists, there is also some good hunting in localized areas for rabbits; however, the rabbit population is not as plentiful overall as the squirrels. Quail hunting is even less dependable, but again there are isolated areas where hunting can be enjoyed. Finally the late-season dove-hunting opportunities are available, but are often primarily dependent on doves being pushed into, and through, our area by weather during the late seasons. But the opportunity to enjoy a good dove hunt does exist.

Let's take a look at the squirrel hunting first.

We'll begin in the Upstate with Tom Swayngham, the Regional Wildlife Coordinator for the SCDNR out of the Clemson Office. Swayngham said that squirrels are doing very well throughout that portion of the state.