by: Rob Yates, Communications Director

Last month, LPNC Chair Ryan Brown and I took a trip to Waccamaw Hunting Services in Hemingway, South Carolina. We didn’t come home with a trophy this time, but the experience left an indelible mark on me—not because of the game we pursued, but because of the man behind the operation, Rick Grubbs, and the glimpse he offered into a quietly thriving part of America that feels increasingly rare in contemporary spotlight. In a world of corporate homogenization and fleeting digital connections, Rick and his family-run business embody the enduring spirit of the real America: hard work, honesty, dedication, and a deep respect for tradition.

The first thing that struck me was the simplicity of the Lodge. No ostentatious signs or over-the-top amenities—just a functional, welcoming setup that felt like stepping into a friend’s home. Rick is a third-generation hunting guide whose dedication to his craft is baked into everything he does. Over three days, I watched him pour an extraordinary amount of time and research into every detail of our hunt. Before we even set foot in the field, he took us through all the details we needed to know about, and explained why each mattered.

“I’ve been tracking the patterns of these hogs forever,” he explained, “I rotate hunters through different stands so we don’t overpressure any one spot. That’s how you keep the game quality high.” He chose blinds based on wind direction, temperature, and feedback from a network of game cameras he was constantly monitoring. He drops hunters off early, and demands near-complete silence getting out of the car and walking to the blind, leaving as little trace of human presence as possible.

Rick isn’t just meticulous, he holds honesty as one of his highest values, and means it when he says he wants every guest to have a great experience. Rick’s integrity has earned him a loyal following, as evidenced by the repeat customers who book with him year after year, as well as awards he has won for service and quality of the experience.

Rick’s not without his quirks, but as the trip went on, I realized these idiosyncrasies are part of what makes the experience so extraordinary. If you ever book a trip at Rick’s, I advise you turn off the lights when you leave the room. You can ask him why it matters – you might not agree, but his explanation makes a lot of sense. In fact, every rule has a purpose, rooted in his decades of experience and his desire to give us the best chance at success.

Rick is not just running the business, he is preparing his next generation to take over, should they choose. This reminded me that the real America is still alive and thriving in places like Hemingway, South Carolina. Rick Grubbs is a living testament to the values that built this country: hard work, honesty, and a deep connection to the land. He’s doing what he loves, the way his father taught him, and passing that love on to his son and his guests, and he’s making a living doing it. To me, that is as quintessential American as it gets.