News Release

Seashore Duck Blind Permits Available For The 2020-2021 Hunting Season

Date: August 12, 2020
Contact: Forrest Kraus, 252-838-8931

HARKERS ISLAND, NC – Superintendent Jeffrey West announces that the park will continue to utilize a lottery system to determine the initial order for applicants to select the location for their hunting blinds. The Duck Blind Lottery will be a two-step process this year in order to meet COVID-19 safety measures. Step 1 is to register for the lottery on Recreation.gov. Applicants can create a their online Recreation.gov account prior to the lottery date. (Note: the site will not go 'live' until Tuesday, August 25, 2020).  Step 2 is the selection of a duck blind location(s) at the Harkers Island Visitor Center during a scheduled appointment time awarded through the lottery.

 

• Tuesday, August 25, 2020 – Lottery will take place online at Recreation.gov from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm EST. Applicants must pay a $10.00 Registration Fee to enter the lottery. (payment online by credit card). Recreation.gov will randomly select the lottery order and notify the selectees by email. Selectees will receive their appointment times by email from Cape Lookout National Seashore. Appointments will be scheduled in 15 minute increments from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2020.

 

• Friday, August 28, 2020 – Applicants for Duck Blinds will arrive at the Harkers Island Visitor Center at their scheduled times as assigned to select their location for their blind(s), complete permit paperwork, and pay their permit fees. For your appointment you MUST bring your valid state driver’s license or identification card, your North Carolina hunting license, and a signed federal duck stamp or E-stamp receipt. Those without all of the above documents will not be issued a permit and will forfeit their scheduled lottery appointment.

Applicants may select a maximum of 2 blinds. There is a $50.00 permit fee for the 1^st blind and a $25.00 fee for the second blind ($75.00 total for 2 blinds).
Those not selected during the lottery or who can’t make their scheduled appointment time may come to the Harkers Island Visitor Center on a first come, first served basis beginning Monday, August 31^st.

Commercial waterfowl hunting guides must also obtain a commercial use authorization (CUA) permit to conduct business activities in a national park. New for 2020 is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) business permit established just for the waterfowl season. This permit will run from September 15, 2020 through February 15, 2021. The cost for this permit is a $75.00 Application Fee and a Permit Fee of $237.50. Guides should contact Business Manager Katherine Cushinberry at [phone] to obtain an application and permit. Guides with this permit may advertise that they are an authorized hunting guide for Cape Lookout National Seashore. Those caught guiding without a CUA permit may be prosecuted and lose lottery/hunting privileges for a minimum of 2 years.