News Release

Seashore Duck Blind Permits Available for 2021-2022 Season

Date: July 31, 2021
Contact: Forrest Kraus, 252-838-8931

HARKERS ISLAND, NC – Superintendent Jeffrey West announces that the Duck Blind Lottery will take place on Recreation.gov on August 12, 2021 this year. Applicants can create a Recreation.gov account prior to the lottery date which will take place from 10:00 am, Thursday, August 12, 2021 - 10:00 am, Friday, August 13, 2021 EST. Applicants must pay a $10.00 Registration Fee to enter the lottery.

For the 2021-2022 season, the park will continue to utilize a lottery system to determine the initial order for registration. Recreation.gov will randomly select the lottery order and assign an appointment time for applicants to arrive at the Harkers Island Visitor Center to select the location for their blind(s), complete the permit paperwork, and pay their permit fees. These appointments will be scheduled in 15 minute increments from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 pm on Monday, August 23, 2021 and Tuesday, August 24, 2021. 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 on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Selectees will be notified by email from Recreation.gov and receive their appointment times by email from Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Applicants may select a maximum of 2 blinds. There is a $50.00 permit fee for the 1st blind, and a $25.00 fee for the second blind ($75.00 total for 2 blinds). The fees are used to administer and monitor the duck blind program. If you are interested in obtaining a Duck Blind Permit, you MUST bring your valid North Carolina driver’s license or identification card, your North Carolina hunting license, and a signed federal duck stamp or federal e-stamp. Those without all of the above documents will not be issued a permit and will forfeit their scheduled lottery appointment.

Hunting is authorized within Cape Lookout National Seashore, subject to State of North Carolina hunting regulations, as well as Federal law. The Duck Blind Permit allows hunters to place and leave temporary duck blinds in the park from September 10, 2021 until March 31, 2022. Blinds must be removed by the permittee no later than March 31, 2022. Construction of permanent duck blinds is illegal. Hunters are advised that failure to obtain a permit or failure to remove blinds at the end of the permit period may result in penalties, 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 without notice and the cost of removing illegal and abandoned blinds significantly adds to the cost of the program and may have to be passed on to the hunters in future years.

Commercial hunting (or fishing) guides must obtain a permit to conduct commercial activities in a national park. Guides should contact park Business Manager Katherine Cushinberry about permits at [phone]. This permit will run from September 15, 2021 through February 15, 2022. The cost for this permit is a $75.00 Application Fee and a Permit Fee of $237.50. 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.