Within a few miles of one of Virginia’s busiest and most populated regions is the Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area, a largely unspoiled area of marshland and scattered woody hummocks. Here, taking the opportunity to hunt, fish or view wildlife and wetland habitats makes the noisy activity of the Hampton Roads region seem distant. The Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area consists of 1,537 acres of brackish marsh and small pine islands along the south side of the lower James River. The major marsh vegetation on the area is marsh mallow, smartweed, saltmarsh cordgrass and black needlerush. The primary tree species is loblolly pine. Wax myrtle, often entangled with greenbrier, make parts of the area impenetrable. There are three major creeks on or bordering the area, and a number of small waterways and several ponds, both brackish and freshwater. Much of the area is subject to tidal flooding. There is the opportunity to hunt deer in the pine islands and other high ground. Other upland game animals on the area are raccoon, rabbit, fox and squirrel. Waterfowl are hunted by jump shooting the ponds and creeks, and from licensed blinds on the wider creeks or the James River. Black ducks, mallards, scaup, gadwall, ruddy ducks, buffleheads and goldeneyes often use the area. Clapper rails can be found in the marshes.