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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Draper WMA

SC PICTURE PROJECT 12 Comments

SC Picture Project / York County / Draper WMA

The Draper Wildlife Management Area in McConnells sits adjacent to Historic Brattonsville. In fact, the 806-acre wildlife management area once belonged to R. Fisher Draper, an IBM manager whose property holdings once included part of Historic Brattonsville. Draper bought the land from Bratton descendants in 1958. In 1994 York County bought 1,241 acres, which included Draper land, and gave 435 acres to Brattonsville, which was being developed as a living museum. The county sold the rest to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in 1995 for a managed outdoor recreation site named for Draper.

Draper WMA Sunflowers

Robert Clay of Edgemoor, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The property is best known for its spectacular display of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) each summer. The sunflower seeds are planted in two fields each April, and by late June, visitors are treated to a panorama of vibrant yellow. The flowers occupy thirty acres and are at their peak from late June through early July.

Draper WMA

Jack Durnin of Charleston, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The fields are planted in order to attract doves for hunts in the fall. Draper WMA maintains two dove fields, one for adults and one for youth. The land is managed for small game hunts as well as for white-tailed deer and turkey. There are also three stocked ponds on the property. Recreational activities for non-hunters include hiking, cycling, and bird-watching. The sunflower fields are popular with photographers.

Draper WMA York County

Jim Dollar of Indian Land, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Draper WMA is managed and owned by the South Carolina DNR as well as the York County Legislative Delegation.

Draper WMA, Butterfly on Sunflower

Jack Durnin of Charleston, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip: Draper WMA

Where is Draper WMA located?
Address: 1080 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, SC 29726
GPS Coordinates: 34.878282,-81.185586
Website: https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/ManagedLand/125
What else should I see?
Historic Brattonsville 1.8 miles
People's Free Library 9.6 miles
Zion Presbyterian Church 9.7 miles
Lewis Inn 12.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Forests and Nature Preserves
    Draper WMA Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy says

      August 3, 2020 at 10:21 AM

      Do you think there are still sunflowers left at this time? Early August.

      Reply
    2. Megan says

      June 26, 2017 at 12:27 PM

      Have the sunflowers started to bloom this year? And if so, how long do they usually bloom for?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        June 26, 2017 at 1:24 PM

        While we haven’t been to the WMA yet this year this is the peak time for them to grow. Other parts of South Carolina, like the Lowcountry, have seen vibrant sunflower growth in full bloom right now. Here is a contact page for Draper WMA directly if you would like to email the warden in charge there. https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/Contactus/125

        Reply
    3. Jenn says

      September 18, 2016 at 7:39 PM

      Hi, I was wondering if the sunflowers are still standing or have they already been harvested?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        September 19, 2016 at 8:18 AM

        Hi, Jenn. We suspect that the sunflowers have come and gone, but we can’t be sure. The website for the WMA is above the map on the page. Someone there should be able to give you a definite answer.

        Reply
    4. Amanda says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:30 PM

      Are the sunflowers blooming?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        June 24, 2016 at 6:46 AM

        Our office s on the Charleston tea, but here is the number to Draper WMA: 864-427-5140

        Reply
    5. Steve-o says

      June 15, 2016 at 10:48 AM

      It says that you have 3 stocked ponds at Draper, but I have only been to 2 of them. Is there another pond, if so I would love to check it out. I love it out there. Y’all do a good job. Thanks for everything.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        June 15, 2016 at 1:54 PM

        Thank you for the kind words! We wish we could tell you specifically where the the third one is, but sadly, we have not been to Draper ourselves. However, here is a link from the DNR mentioning the three ponds, and hopefully someone from the DNR can guide you to that last pond: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/yr2015/june18/june18_draper.html Best of luck!

        Reply
    6. LaToya Norris says

      May 26, 2016 at 10:07 AM

      Aww that makes me sad. Thank you so much. Maybe we can take pics after delivery. Thank you for responding back.

      Reply
    7. LaToya Norris says

      May 26, 2016 at 8:20 AM

      I was wondering if the sunflowers are blooming. I know peak season is in July but I’m scheduled to deliver July 4th so I won’t be able to take maternity pics in July. I’m wanting to take my maternity pics in a sunflower field.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        May 26, 2016 at 9:06 AM

        They are “due” to bloom later in the summer, but have not yet begun. Best of luck with you delivery!

        Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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