Decoys at dawn on Jan. 26 at Bear Island WMA |
The SCDNR lottery system that determines who will hunt ducks
on state-owned property is straining to keep up with demand. Many of the
hunters gathered at Bear Island WMA on January 26 for a draw hunt reported
waiting four years to be selected. It takes consecutive annual payments and
applications to navigate the system, and the general hope is that one might
have a good chance at shooting some ducks on their hunt. The climactic
conditions this winter didn’t seem to favor duck migration to S.C. and the
final hunt at Bear Island WMA reveals that migratory ducks are still not present
heading into February.
Paddling around looking for ducks, but finding none |
Hunting partner Charles Waring back in the marsh |
Getting
drawn for a public draw hunt is never a guarantee that their will be ducks to
shoot, but after years of waterfowl harvest results by SCDNR, these hunts can
provide a high percentage chance of success. Readers of the Colletonian can
recall that your outdoor correspondent recorded great success at this same hunt
place and time four years ago during my last draw hunt. It is humbling to
report that this year both my hunt partner and myself were skunked at this
hunt. The entire field of hunters at this hunt only harvested a few ducks, a tally
that will hurt this season’s waterfowl harvest percentages.
After setting up our decoys, hiding the boat in the grass
and setting up a duck blind we watched the dawn break. A huge cloud of
blackbirds was first to appear on the sunlit horizon and together they made a
wild and raucous sound as they flew by us. Large flocks of glossy ibis began
cruising right over our location in the middle of the marsh, along with all
manner of wading bird. Then shorebirds like snipe began zipping low to the
ground and darting around with purpose. The only thing missing in this early
morning tapestry of aerial display was the presence of ducks, and they never
materialized.
To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.
To view past blog entries from Bear Island WMA click on 2014 Duck Hunt - 2012 Youth Waterfowl Hunt - 2012 Droptine Buck - 2010 Birdwatching - 2009 Duck Hunt - 2009 Birdwatching