2018 S.C. Duck Season Opens on Nov. 17

Canada geese and redheads together in the Lowcountry

The warm temperatures this Fall allowed the beginning of duck and goose season to sneak up on hunters. The first part of duck season runs from Nov. 17 – 25 and coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday. Early rising is required for most duck hunts with the legal shooting time listed as one-half hour before sunrise. The recent daylight savings time change means that waterfowlers are still adjusting to the time when ducks will buzz their decoys, renewing this great Lowcountry tradition.

            

Waterfowl Species Poster

For those hunting along the coastal plain the likelihood of encountering some local ducks is pretty good. Wood ducks and mottled ducks can reside in the Lowcountry all year long, and black-bellied whistling ducks are joining this flock. Duck season comes with many special restrictions and regulations especially concerning the harvest of waterfowl. No more than six ducks can be taken per day per hunter, but that includes no more than three wood ducks, no more than one black-bellied whistling duck and no more than one mottled duck.

Cold weather up north triggers duck migration and at least some ducks arrived in the Lowcountry by October. A lack of precipitation this Fall means that some duck ponds might not be flooded yet, while those able to use wells to flood impoundments are pumping water 24 hours a day right now. Any lack of surface water in local swamps is sure to hinder many in pursuit of wood ducks, but any wet weather from now through January could quickly remedy that situation. Cold weather causes ducks to feed, and scouting can reveal where they are concentrating and utilizing any natural forage.

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view blog entries from 2018 Waterfowl Workshops click Catfish Farm - Nemours

To view past blog entries about Thanksgiving click on 2017 Dove Hunt - 2014 Harvest - Camp Chef - Quail Season Opening Day - Mixed Bag - Lady Hunter tags 10-point buck - 2009 Driven Deer Hunt - 2012 Driven Deer Hunt