A terrific map and history of the ACE Basin, updated in 2007, is available from the SCDNR by calling the Donnelley WMA at 843-844-8957.
The ACE Basin Project pamphlet, item number 06WL4512, edited by Pete Laurie and Dean Harrigal, describes numerous trips into the watershed, but more important to duck hunters, it shows most of the available boat and canoe landings as well as the WMAs, National Wildlife Refuges and many of the private plantations. An online version is available at www.acebasin.net.
A few of the more popular boat landings and the hunting areas convenient to them are as follows: Sugar Hill No. 3, Cuckolds Creek No. 4 and Steel Bridge Highway 17 No. 5 service the length of the Combahee River, with access to the Combahee National Wildlife Refuge. It must be noted that hunters may not enter Hobnoy Plantation in this area, even by water, since it is part of a King’s Grant that allows exclusive use.
Wimbee Creek No. 6 allows access to the Wimbee Creek area and Williman Islands area. Fields Creek No. 7 enters the brackish, tidal water with spots along the river edges and up the Chehaw River. The closer to the ocean and broader the river, the more seaworthy a boat needs to be. Author and biologist Harrigal said, “It can get very nasty in rough weather, and we have lost hunters from small boats”
On the Ashepoo River, Brickyard No. 15 and Bennett’s Point No. 16 are two of the more popular landings since they skirt the Bear Island WMA where draw hunts are often scheduled. Hunters in that area when draw hunters drive ducks from the WMAs should have good action.
Willtown Bluff No. 20 and Dawhoo No. 22 on the Edisto River allow access to the waters between Bear Island WMA and the large Edisto National Wildlife Refuge, two areas of waterfowl concentrations that are very popular. A special, free National Wildlife Hunting Permit is required for hunting both NWRs in the ACE Basin. Phone 843-889-3084 for information about the permit.
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