Every summer around the end of June and early July, people flock to Draper Wildlife Management Area in McConnells, South Carolina to admire the beautiful fields of sunflowers that are growing in perfect rows alongside perfectly planted rows of corn. It is a sight to behold.

Draper Wildlife Management Area was purchased in 1995 by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources from The Nation Fund Land Trust. The previous owner was R. Fisher Draper, hence it being named Draper. It is also known as the Brattonsville Tract which makes sense since Historic Brattonsville is right next door. The DNR specifically uses this 806 acre piece of land for small game hunting, and there are also three ponds on the property that are used by fishermen.

All of that brings us to why the sunflowers are planted each year. While they bring joy to the many photographs, models, and sunflower enthusiasts, they are actually planted for the hunters to utilize during dove hunting season. Apparently the doves love sunflowers, so two separate fields are planted each year. One is for the youth/adult, and the other is for adults. It’s a win win situation in the end. Photographers such as myself enjoy the fields for photography, and the hunters enjoy the fields for hunting.

When you first arrive to the parking area, you may wonder where to go. Fortunately last year when I went for the first time, other people were there that instructed me to go through the gate that was locked, walk through the woods, up the hill, then make a left. This is the only field that I have visited, but I have been told that the other field behind the pond is nice as well. I have been happy with the field that I visit, so I haven’t gone looking for the other one.

Once you get to the field, you will see rows of sunflowers and rows of corn. I think that both of them being planted in perfect rows brings a nice contrast to each other as they compliment each other very well. In addition, power lines are also out in the field. They add a special touch. You can’t help but walk out into the rows of sunflowers because they are beautiful for one thing, but you also want to see the bees and butterflies that are enjoying them as well up close. I have been fortunate enough so far to not walk up on a snake while I have been in the fields. I’m sure they are there, but I just haven’t seen one personally yet.

The beautiful thing about the sunflowers being in bloom is that it brings families out to be together. I have seen young couples walking with each other looking at the flowers, small children out with their parents looking in awe at the flowers, and then some seniors out photographing the beautiful blooms as well. I am a big believer in families spending time time together out in nature, so this is a perfect place to do that.

While this particular WMA does not have an area that you can drive, it does have a small parking area where you can park and walk. When the sunflowers are not in bloom, this WMA is obviously used for hunting and fishing, but it is also used by hikers and birdwatchers. About eighty acres of the land has an abundance of hardwood trees such as many varieties of oak trees, dogwoods, redbuds, and hickories. A lot of birds would love to call those trees home.

Draper Wildlife Management Area is located at 1080 Brattonsville Road in McConnells, South Carolina. It is open year round, with free admission, but I would check the DNR website to make sure that hunts weren’t going on for whatever day I planned to visit. Since it is located near Rock Hill, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina, this could be a place that you would just want to visit to connect with the outdoors for a short time. I personally have only visited here twice, and that was during sunflower season, I can’t give an opinion on how good the hiking or birdwatching is, but if you live nearby, give it a chance. You just might find a new spot to unwind.

Published by travelingthesoutheast

My name is Donna. At an early age I had a love for photography. There was nothing more fun than taking film to a store and then having to wait several days to get the photographs back, sometimes only to find out that none of the pictures turned out the way I wanted them to. Quite a few years ago digital came out, and the rest is history. I can always be found with a camera around my neck, on my arm, or in my hand. I have always had a love for telling stories and sharing them with others. My imagination has always been a little on the wild side. About ten years ago, I decided one day that I wanted to start traveling, and I have never looked back. There is nothing in the world that I enjoy more than traveling and taking photographs. View all posts by travelingthesoutheast