Applications are now available for public drawing youth waterfowl hunts at Wildlife Management Areas across the state, sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. The deadline for returning completed applications is Friday, Jan. 6, 2006.

Completed applications for the youth waterfowl hunts must be received by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Columbia office by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2006. For more information or to request an application, call your local DNR office or the Columbia office at (803) 734-3886, or write DNR Youth Duck Hunts, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202-0167.

The Wildlife Management Area (WMA) youth waterfowl hunts will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006. Hunts will be conducted at the following Wildlife Management Areas: Bear Island, Beaverdam Creek, Bonneau Ferry, Donnelley, Sandy Beach, Samworth, Santee Delta-East, Santee Delta-West, Santee Coastal-The Cape and Clemson Waterfowl Area.

Applications for Santee Coastal Reserve, Clemson Waterfowl Area and Beaverdam may include only one adult and one youth.

Each hunt party must consist of either one or two hunters age 10-15 and a non-hunting adult 18 years or older. A hunt fee of $10 per youth hunter is required.