2023 Waccamaw NWR - Hasty Point Plantation

Beautiful Hasty Point Plantation

Established on December 1, 1997 the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge is defined by the Great Pee Dee and the Waccamaw Rivers. These two rivers scoured out the alluvial flood plain forested wetlands and they create unique places such as Sandy Island, which is just one of the landmarks now protected by the Refuge system. Hasty Point Plantation and Carver's Bay, a black bear hot spot, have come into a wide portfolio of properties that is now the Waccamaw NWR. Even though this Refuge property is reserved for the wilder parts of nature, the water heading downstream is a source of drinking water for the Grand Strand region.

Great Pee Dee River at Welcome Center

While migratory waterfowl and songbirds are a primary focus of management here, game species abound including hogs, bear, deer and turkey. Public access hunting, especially for youth, is a hallmark of the Waccamaw NWR. In regards to Hasty Point plantation the USFWS stewardship efforts include maintenance of a historic Rice Barn, and this boat landing offers the easiest access to the managed impoundments on Sandy Island. During my visit on December 6 with biologist Craig Sasser, he related that thousands of wood ducks were seen roosting on the island the evening prior when USFWS were holding an end of day gathering. No tour of Hasty Point is complete without seeing lots of fox squirrels scurrying about the mature live oak allee.

Bear Taxidermy at Welcome Center

Refuge Boundaries

To view past blog entries from the Pee Dee region click on 2018 Waterfowl Workshop - 2014 SALTT Trail  - 2014 Warrior Tribute Duck Hunt - 2012 TNC acquires Carvers Bay - 2012 Duck Hunt