About: A globally recognized Important Bird Area, Webb Wildlife Management Area comprises 5866 acres and is adjoined to the east by Palachucola Wildlife Management Area with 6757 acres and to the west by the Hamilton Ridge Wildlife Management Area with 13,281 acres. Primary habitats include a river swamp-hardwood floodplain supporting old growth stands of bald cypress and water tupelo, agricultural land, lakes and streams. On the upper regions of the floodplain can be found dense growths of live, willow, laurel, water and overcup oaks. The higher flat terrain contains dense stands of longleaf, slash, loblolly, shortleaf and pond pine.
Long before it was purchased by the state's fish and wildlife management agency in 1941, the nearly 6,000-acres of "Belmont Plantation" was a King's Grant property, bestowed upon the Tison family in 1737 by George II. Burned by General Sherman during the winter of 1865, the main house was rebuilt by Col. John Tison in 1890, and later served as a hunting lodge for friends and family of the wealthy Belmont family (of Belmont Stakes horse racing fame), who purchased it in 1902.
The property was renamed in honor of the DNR's second director in 1975, and today, the rambling old house with its dark wood paneling and wide, inviting porches again serves as a hunting lodge during deer and turkey season. It is a public property, owned and managed in perpetuity for the benefit of the citizens of South Carolina and for the hundreds of species of wildlife - game, nongame and some endangered - that call its longleaf pine-dominated uplands, swampy river bottoms and extensive wetlands home.
Hours: Webb is open daily year-round but it is closed for special hunts. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm. Call 803-625-3569 before visiting to make sure the area is open.
Links: https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/sites/SC/webbcenter.html https://southcarolinalowcountry.com/webb-wildlife-management-area/
Location: From the town of Hampton, go south on US 601. In 9.2 miles turn right (north) on SC 3 for 3.1 miles. Turn left (south) on US 321 at the lights in Estill, SC and go 9.8 miles to the intersection of US 321 and SC 119 in the town of Garnett. Turn right (northwest) on to Augusta Stage Coach (Road 20). Go 2.6 miles until you reach the entrance road to the Webb Center on your left. From mid-March until the end of August, both Mississippi and Swallow-tailed Kites can be seen along this route.
