Duck Lottery Hunts

[Mursehunter]

I have been putting in for points the last 3 years and I might finally cash them in this year. I am very new to duck hunting and have only gone a handful of times with a friend. I have little to no duck equipment except waders and a gun. Do you need a dog or boat for these hunts? Are there any locations that you recommend for a beginner? I will also be going solo on this hunt if drawn.

[tman]

You don't need a dog or a boat. Highly recommend a decoy sled and setting your expectations low. And hunt the entire time you are allotted.

[SCHUNTINFANATIC]

You will need a dog, boat, new shotgun, expensive waders, $50/box shells, the mosquitoes and sand gnats are horrible and the gators are thick too. Probably not even worth applying. I would try another option.

[Sasha and Abby]

$20 for a "chance" at being drawn to hunt... lol

[Black Bart]

PM Rubberhead. You're welcome.

[drwilly]

$20 for a "chance" at being drawn to hunt... lol

wish more people felt this way

[CreekBoy]

wish more people felt this way

Yeah no kidding. 2 years used to be the magic number, pretty much every 4 years these days.

[Gander]

Alias....

[FEETDOWN]

Piss poor management has run all those Cat 1's in the ground anyway. I honestly don't know why people even bother applying anymore

[WNM]

Yeah no kidding. 2 years used to be the magic number, pretty much every 4 years these days.

4 years if you put in for the ringneck and wood duck shoots...It will be 5 or 6 years for the historically decent locations, and by the time you get drawn for them, they will likely have fallen off, too.

[huntinghagen#12]

I don't put in anymore. You're welcome for the better odds.

[cat III]

Troll

[CreekBoy]

4 years if you put in for the ringneck and wood duck shoots...It will be 5 or 6 years for the historically decent locations, and by the time you get drawn for them, they will likely have fallen off, too.

Ive been to Santee Coastal pretty much every 4 years since i started applying. I don't put in for anything else. I've got no use to go shoot ringnecks and dock mallards at sandy beach or Bonneau ferry.

[2thDoc]

you people suck. big huge time

what's wrong with draw hunts? they cost money and you have to wait to get drawn? they suck? they are mismanaged?

I have had some special hunts on SC draws and its worth $50.

To the OP. There are some draws that you likely need more experience. I would put it for multiple options and, once drawn, talk to the biologist for that specific location. They will help you out. Certainly mention you are a newbie and maybe they can send someone with you to help with set up and bird ID, etc? I dont know but I sure as hell wouldn't listen to the negative nancys around here....

[Gander]

The last hunt I went on, I fired 4 shells and killed 2 ducks. And 1 shell was a cripple. It was stellar I tell ya.

[2thDoc]

well you went on a bad one.

the numbers dont lie. some (to me) excellent opportunities out there.

and, I have to ask, why did you miss one?

[drwilly]

you people suck. big huge time

what's wrong with draw hunts? they cost money and you have to wait to get drawn? they suck? they are mismanaged?

I have had some special hunts on SC draws and its worth $50.

To the OP. There are some draws that you likely need more experience. I would put it for multiple options and, once drawn, talk to the biologist for that specific location. They will help you out. Certainly mention you are a newbie and maybe they can send someone with you to help with set up and bird ID, etc? I dont know but I sure as hell wouldn't listen to the negative nancys around here....

https://scducks.com/forum/showthread...-Hunt-The-Cape

[Gander]

I'll say this much. The draw hunts used to be much better. I'd say some were absolutely memorable. But in the last 10 years they have seem to be on a steady decline.

[Hogg]

I'll say this much. The draw hunts used to be much better. I'd say some were absolutely memorable. But in the last 10 years they have seem to be on a steady decline.

I think if you talk to many big impoundment owners on the coast they will tell you the same thing.
It is nice and fun to have a boogeyman to blame but I don't think it is rational or fair to place the entire blame on DNR.

[Highstrung]

My last couple were fun.. killed good ducks, quickly, only saw one spoonbill die. I did not shoot him.