Special Use Permit - Duck Blinds

The construction of any structure (including temporary Duck Blinds) on Cape Lookout National Seashore requires a Special Use Permit.  

Permit Application Procedure

Requests for a permit must be made in person at the Harkers Island Visitor Center; the application form may be downloaded below after August 1st of each year, and can be filled out and brought with you to the park.  

The duck blind permitting procedure will begin at 9:00 am EDT on the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day each year. A drawing will be done to determine the order for obtaining a permit and selecting blind locations. Anyone at the park at 9:00 am on that Tuesday will be permitted to draw a number for a turn at selecting a location.

Locations for the temporary blinds will be marked on the official map for that year's blinds. A maximum of two (2) blinds are permitted per permit/person. Blind locations must be a minimum of 500 yards apart.

After that Tuesday, permits will be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Anyone desiring a permit must come to the Harkers Island Visitor Center and make a request for a permit. Applicants may choose any location that has not been previously requested and marked on the map. Permits will not be issued on holidays.

A completed application and the non-refundable application fee are required before an application can be processed. Park contact information is:

Special Use Permits	Phone: [phone] ext. 3018
Cape Lookout National Seashore	FAX: [phone]
131 Charles Street	Website: www.nps.gov/calo
Harkers Island, NC 28531	Email: [e-mail]

Required Paperwork

• Fully completed and signed application form (pdf, 282 KB)
  
• Permitee's portion of permit completed with signature (available at the time of the permit registration)
  
• Copy of Current Valid Driver's License or other valid form of photo ID
  
• Copy of Current Valid North Carolina Hunting License (good for waterfowl hunting)
  
• North Carolina Waterfowl Hunting Privilege
  
• Federal Duck Stamp, signed in ink across its face
  
• Starting in the 2012-2013 Season, payment in the form of cash (exact change), check, money order, or credit card
  

Federal procedures (31 USC 7701 ) requires your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number on the back of all checks accepted for deposit. You must supply your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number in order for your check to be accepted and your application to be processed.

Location

You may pick a location for your blind, but it cannot be within 500 yards of an existing permit/permitted blind location. The location of your duck blind permit will be marked on the official yearly map. Your blind must be placed in the location coinciding with the map. GPS coordinates will be available for your location: your blind must be at those coordinates.

 

Cost Recovery

The authority for the National Park Service to recover and retain costs associated with managing special park uses is found at 16 U.S.C. 3a, 16 U.S.C. 460l-6d, and 31 U.S.C. 9701. Charges established for a Special Park Use under this authority are intended to recover costs associated with managing that activity and not to generate revenue beyond actual cost. 

Special Use Permit for:	First Blind	Second Blind	Total
Duck Blind (starting in the 2012-2013 season)	$50	$25	$50-$75

Application Cost: Must be submitted at the time of the initial application. This is a non-refundable payment.

Administration Cost: Payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning the event. This is a non-refundable payment.

Federal procedures (31 USC 7701) requires your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number on the back of all checks accepted for deposit. You must supply your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number in order for your check to be accepted and your application to be processed.

 

Permit

Once all the required information and fees are received, and the location(s) selected and marked on the map, a Special Use Permit and Blind Number Sheet(s) will be issued. Upon receipt, please place blind number sheet on blind where it is visible, (may be inside the blind if the numbers are painted on the outside).

Terms & Conditions

To maintain park natural and cultural resources and quality visitor experiences in addition to the standard terms and conditions, the following conditions and requirements apply to Special Use Permits for Constructing a Temporary Duck Blind:

1. This permit will expire March 31, 20XX.
2. This permit is applicable only for the use of the area marked on the official yearly topographic map and the terms designated below.
3. No more than two duck blinds may be registered per person.
4. This permit grants the permit holder the authorization to construct the number of blinds indicated (limited two), in the locations specified; the permit DOES NOT grant exclusive use of public lands/waters on which the blind is located, either for the purpose of hunting or for any other activity. Hunting on any area of public land (including locations immediately adjacent too authorized constructed blinds) is governed on a first-come first-served basis.
5. All duck blinds placed on/inside the established boundary for Cape Lookout National Seashore shall be lightweight in design or construction, so as to allow complete, easy removal at the expiration of the permit, with a minimum disturbance of the marsh. No permanent structures will be permitted.
6. Blinds may be placed in position beginning September 7, (year of permit), or the date of this permit (whichever is later). All blinds must be completely removed no later than midnight, March 31, (year of permit).
7. It is the responsibility of the Permittees to ensure that their blinds are at least 500 yards from any other permitted blind located within the park boundary.
8. Permittee will abide by all Federal and North Carolina Hunting Regulations. These regulations are enforced by U.S. Park Rangers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Officers, and North Carolina Wildlife Officers.
9. Permittee will allow inspection of the duck blind located within Cape Lookout National Seashore by National Park Service representatives, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Officers, and North Carolina Wildlife Officers at any time.
10. The Permittee will not store any gear and related items associated with this activity within the blind, or on park land and adjacent waters outside the duck blind.
11. The area authorized for use under this permit must be left in substantially the same condition as it was prior to the activities authorized herein.
12. The Permittee shall be liable for any damages to any Government property resulting from these activities.
13. The Permittee will not pollute or allow others to pollute park lands or State waters from any source.
14. Permittee shall report any accidents involving personal injuries or property damage within Cape Lookout National Seashore to the Superintendent as soon as possible.
15. All permitees are issued Park Duck Blind Permit and Duck Blind Number Sheets with the special use permit. This printed Duck Blind Number Sheet must be posted on the uppermost portion of the blind on the side facing the sound or where it is readily visible to anyone performing an inspection. In addition, the same number must also be painted on the blind adjacent to the permit using 12" numbers, observable from the water by boat.
16. No individual has guaranteed rights to any specific area, including areas they have historically obtained permits to use.
17. Nothing authorized under the conditions of the Permit will allow the Permittee or his representatives to threaten or prevent the enjoyment of other visitors using the national seashore, including baiting other Permittees' duck blinds.
18. Trespass (unnumbered) blinds, and blinds abandoned after the expiration of the permit on March 31, (year of permit), are subject to removal by National Park Service staff without further notification of the Permittee. Any expense resulting from the removal of a blind will be billed to the permitee, or owner of the blind if not permitted.
19. Individuals and permittees responsible for trespass or abandoned blinds are subject to prosecution (fines) for violation of 36 CFR 5.7 - Construction, 36 CFR 2.22 - Property, and/or 36 CFR 1.5 - Permits. In addition, the park may bill Permittees for removal of abandoned blinds. Materials recovered from confiscated blinds will not be returned to Permittees.
20. Permittees who are found to be in violation of the removal of blinds/s, will lose the rights to reapply for a blind permit for a period of two years (two full seasons).
21. The undersigned acknowledges that as the permittee he/she understands that if the blind/s they construct under this permit, is/are not removed by the specified time, they may be subject to fines, plus the cost of removal of said blind/s.
22. Additionally, permittees who are found to be in violation of the removal of blind/s, will lose the rights to reapply for a blind permit for a period of two years (two full seasons).