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Cape Lookout National Seashore Superintendent Jeff West has announced that the park will continue to utilize a lottery system to determine the initial order for duck blind applicants to select the location for their hunting blinds for the 2020-21 hunting season.

The duck blind lottery will be a two-step process this year in order to meet COVID-19 safety measures, according to a press release from Cape Lookout National Seashore.

The first step is to register for the lottery on Recreation.gov. Applicants can create their online Recreation.gov account prior to the lottery date (the site will not go live until Tuesday, August 25, 2020).

The second step is the selection of the duck blind location(s) at the Harkers Island Visitor Center during a scheduled appointment time awarded through the lottery.

On Tuesday, August 25, the lottery will take place online at Recreation.gov from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. EST. Applicants must pay a $10 registration fee to enter the lottery. Payment may be made 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 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, August 28.

On Friday, August 28, applicants for duck blinds will arrive at the Harkers Island Visitor Center at their scheduled times as assigned to select the location for their blind(s), complete permit paperwork and pay their permit fees. Those with appointments must bring their valid state driver’s license or identification card, North Carolina hunting license and a signed federal duck stamp or E-stamp receipt. Those without all the above documents will not be issued a permit and will forfeit their scheduled lottery appointment.

Applicants may select a maximum of two blinds. There is a $50 permit fee for the first blind and a $25 fee for the second blind ($75 total for two 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.

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 costs for this permit are a $75 application fee and a $237.50 permit fee. Guides should contact business manager Katherine Cushinberry at 252-838-8899 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 two years.

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