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On the early, cool mornings the days before and after Thanksgiving, ducks will be darting around freshly brushed blinds, setting their sites on decoys in shallow ponds. For 24 lucky women it will be their opportunity to wade out into the marsh, quack on a duck call and patiently wait on the ducks to come close. Then they will enjoy the frenzied few seconds of shouldering a shotgun and attempting to harvest some of the ducks.
Two women-only duck hunts are scheduled for Nov 22 and 24 near Georgetown. Sponsored by the Wildlife Management Section of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Becoming an Outdoors- Woman (BOW) program and Ducks Unlimited, the ladies-only hunts will offer opportunities for women waterfowlers to learn more about duck hunting and participate in the inaugural DNR duck hunts open only to ladies.
Completed applications along with all fees must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.1. For more information or to obtain an application contact Sharon Wright, DNR Becoming an Outdoors-Woman coordinator, at (803) 734-4072 or by e-mail at sharonw@scdnr.state.sc.us or call Missey Lewis at Samworth WMA at (843) 546-9489.
The duck hunts will be open to first-time and experienced hunters chosen through random selection of applicants. Transportation to ponds as well as decoys will be provided. Moderate physical activity will be required during each hunt, including carrying gear and walking to and from blinds on ricefield dikes.
Participants must be at least 18 years old and must have a valid South Carolina hunting license and a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit or a Sportsman^s License. All waterfowl hunters must have both state and federal duck stamps.
All hunt participants will attend a waterfowl hunting and safety demonstration and stay overnight before each hunt on Tuesday, Nov. 21, or Thursday, Nov. 23 at Dirleton Plantation on Samworth WMA. The hunts will take place on the mornings of Nov. 22 and 24. A $50 fee per hunter is required with applications. The fee includes the hunt, dinner the night before the hunt and lodging. The purpose of these hunts is to educate and introduce women to duck hunting and further their outdoor experiences.
The women-only duck hunts are part of Beyond BOW and are an advanced component of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman outdoor skills program offered through the DNR. Beyond BOW provides opportunities for hunting and other adventures for women focusing on a single theme or topic. The very successful BOW program has introduced thousands of women to enhanced outdoor skills in an atmosphere allowing conservation education, fellowship and fun.
A random selection for 12 slots on each of the two duck hunts will be conducted Friday, Nov. 3, at the DNR Columbia office. Thereafter, verification letters with additional details will be mailed to the selected applicants. Refunds will be mailed to those who were not chosen for the hunt.
Uploaded: 10/13/2000
Uploaded: 10/13/2000