Cape Lookout National Seashore Duck Blind Permits Available For 2006-2007 Hunting Season

Date: August 16, 2006
Contact: Wouter Ketel, 252-728-2250 ext. 3005

Superintendent Robert A. Vogel announces that permits for temporary duck blinds will be available at the Harkers Island Visitor Center beginning Wednesday, September 6, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and thereafter Monday through Friday. Duck blind permits will be issued on a first-come, first served basis without regard to "historic" hunting use of this public land. There is no charge for the permit this year, but there may be a charge in future years due to the cost of administrative staff time involved with issuing permits, law enforcement monitoring, and removing illegal and abandoned duck blinds from the park.

If you are interested in obtaining a Duck Blind Permit for the official 2006-2007 State of North Carolina hunting season, you need to bring YOUR CURRENT NORTH CAROLINA STATE HUNTING LICENSE with a FEDERAL DUCK STAMP, a PICTURE IDENTIFICATION (DRIVER’S LICENSE), and be prepared to identify your blind location on a topographic map.

Hunting and fishing are both permitted within the established boundary of Cape Lookout National Seashore, subject to State of North Carolina hunting and fishing regulations, as well as Federal Law. The Duck Blind Permit allows hunters to place and leave temporary duck blinds in the park from September 6, 2006 until March 31, 2007. Blinds must be removed by the permittee no later than March 31, 2007. Construction of permanent duck blinds is illegal per National Park Service Regulations (36 CFR 5.7 and 36 CFR 2.22). Hunters are also advised that failure to obtain a permit or failure to remove blinds at the end of the permit period may result in prosecution (fines), a bill for the cost of removing the blind, and/or exclusion from the program in future years. Illegal duck blinds found in the park will be removed and the cost of removing illegal and abandoned blinds significantly adds to the cost of the program, costs that must be recovered as a fee.

Commercial hunting (or fishing) guides are expected to obtain a permit to conduct commercial activities in a national park. In 36 CFR 5.3, it is stated that "engaging in or soliciting any business in park areas, except in accordance with the provisions of a permit, contract, or other written agreement with the United States, except as such may be specifically authorized under special regulations applicable to a park area, is prohibited." Guides should contact park Concessions Manager Mike McGee about permits at [phone], extension 3030.

Superintendent Vogel states that the duck blind permit program is an effort by the park to compromise with hunters, and that allowing them to utilize temporary blinds balances their recreational use of the seashore with the National Park Service mission to conserve resources unimpaired for future generations. This year's duck blind policy is available by calling [phone] or stopping by the Harkers Island Visitor Center.