Pee Dee Refugewinter wildlife
December through February, thousands of ducks and Canada geese make the refuge's moist-soil units and green-tree reservoir their winter home, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (Dec 1–Feb 28). No official report yet this season.
Right now in Pee Dee Refuge · September
- Autumn season: red maple and sweetgum color · Sep–Nov
- Ducks and geese start arriving from the north · Sep–Nov
- Hunting allowed by permit, September through February · Sep–Feb
63days to the next winter wildlife seasonDec 1–Feb 28, local timing
Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Spring green-up and first flowersMar–May
- Shorebirds replace waterfowl in the drained moist-soil unitsMar–May
- Songbird chicks raised and fledgedJun–Aug
- Autumn season: red maple and sweetgum colorNowSep–Nov
- Ducks and geese start arriving from the northNowSep–Nov
- Hunting allowed by permit, September through FebruaryNowSep–Feb
- Winter waterfowlDec–Feb
- Barred owls, great horned owls and great blue herons among the cold-weather sightsDec–Feb
Where to watch
- Sullivan observation blindAt Sullivan Pond on the 3-mile paved Wildlife Drive, reached from the main entrance on Highway 52 North; the blind has benches and cover for photographers
- Gaddy Covered BridgeA second photo blind with benches and cover, on the 0.71-mile Gaddy Covered Bridge Trail
Pee Dee Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR seasons of wildlife (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR visit (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR: Photography (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR: Auto Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge?
December through February, thousands of ducks and Canada geese make the refuge's moist-soil units and green-tree reservoir their winter home, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Dec 1–Feb 28. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the winter wildlife season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 63 days (Dec 1–Feb 28, local timing).
Is there hunting on the refuge in winter?
Yes, hunting is allowed by permit from December through February, and the refuge stays open for wildlife watching and photography. Don't enter any area posted with area-closed signs.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where else are waterfowl good to photograph?
Arrowhead Lake and G.T.R. Road are also good places for photos of songbirds and waterfowl.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR: Photography ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where do I get a refuge map?
At the kiosk on Griffin Road, which has maps, information, and hunting and fishing permits in season. Grassy Island Road, three miles north of the refuge office, crosses the heart of the refuge.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR: Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How fast can I drive on refuge roads?
15 miles per hour unless posted otherwise, and don't park so you block other vehicles.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pee Dee NWR visit ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge?
Sullivan observation blind: at Sullivan Pond on the 3-mile paved Wildlife Drive, reached from the main entrance on Highway 52 North; the blind has benches and cover for photographers; Gaddy Covered Bridge: a second photo blind with benches and cover, on the 0.71-mile Gaddy Covered Bridge Trail.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge?
Hunting allowed by permit, September through February (Sep–Feb).
What is Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Winter waterfowl (Dec–Feb), Spring green-up and first flowers (Mar–May), Songbird chicks raised and fledged (Jun–Aug), Autumn season: red maple and sweetgum color (Sep–Nov), Barred owls, great horned owls and great blue herons among the cold-weather sights (Dec–Feb), Ducks and geese start arriving from the north (Sep–Nov), Shorebirds replace waterfowl in the drained moist-soil units (Mar–May) and Hunting allowed by permit, September through February (Sep–Feb).