Wood Duck Box Program

 a wood duck box with a duck standing on the box and one inside

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' wood duck boxes are available to private landowners. A limited number of boxes will be available. The wood duck is the most important species to SC waterfowl enthusiasts and is the only duck for which we can effectively manage production habitat throughout all geographic regions of the State. This wood duck project supplements natural production in cavities of forested wetlands by providing artificial nesting sites. Fewer natural cavities are available today due to human activity and development. Through this project, private landowners assist SCDNR to produce thousands of wood ducks annually. Your interest in this project and cooperation in accurately completing this application are appreciated and enhance the effectiveness of our efforts to benefit waterfowl conservation in South Carolina.

Application

The application will be available through Go Outdoors South Carolina under Lottery Hunt Applications. This lottery will be a random selection and not based on preference points. Applicants must be a South Carolina resident and at least 18 years old to apply. Up to 3 boxes per applicant will be available for distribution throughout the state. All applicants will be notified as to the status of their application by email.

Selected applicants will be supplied with a wood duck box and predator shield. Posts and hardware for mounting will not be provided. Posts and hardware may be purchased at local lumber yards and home improvement stores. Each box requires 4"x 4"x 10' post along with the hardware for mounting the box and predator shield. Approved applicants will be required to travel to distribution centers to receive allocated supplies. Box installation, annual maintenance, and production inspections will require a degree of physical labor. Information pertaining to box installation and maintenance is available at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/waterfowl/woodduck/construction.html

Wood Duck Box Preparation, a step by step guide

Apply for Wood Duck Boxes

For more information, please contact: Emily Kearse (803) 734-3887