The wood duck is the most important species to South Carolina waterfowl enthusiasts and is the only duck for which we can effectively manage production habitat throughout all geographic regions of the state. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resource's 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 are able assist the SCDNR to produce thousands of wood ducks annually.
South Carolina Ducks Unlimited is able to assist with funding keeping these important wood duck boxes free to the public through our SCDU Tag Program. Every vehicle tag purchase or renewal provides $47 toward the Tag Program; restricted funds set aside for habitat projects in South Carolina. A limited number of free wood duck boxes are made available to private landowners and other qualified applicants this fall through a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and South Carolina Ducks Unlimited. Interested individuals can apply annually beginning near the end of August online with SCDNR or on this page when the new year’s application is made available.
Up to five boxes per applicant will be available for distribution throughout the state. All applicants will be notified as to the status of their application by January. Approved applicants will be supplied with a wood duck box and predator shield. Each box also requires 4"x 4"x 10' post along with the hardware for mounting the box and predator shield. Posts and hardware may be purchased at local lumber yards and home improvement stores.
