Cape Lookout National Seashore Duck Blind Lottery
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Cape Lookout National Seashore, on the southern Outer Banks, is wild, beautiful, and remote. This isolated strip of sand is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier island systems in the world. Waves crash, winds blow, currents shift, and storms batter this dynamic landscape, where change is certain and survival difficult. Congress established Cape Lookout National Seashore to preserve a unique environment and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities. This includes managing hunting activities in a way that is compatible with other recreational uses.
Construction of temporary duck blinds is allowed under a park special use permit. Sites for permitted duck blinds are chosen by lottery in late August each year and then on a first come, first served basis at the Harkers Island Visitor Center after that. Permitted blinds must be removed before March 31. Construction of permanent blinds is prohibited.
The special use permit application form is located on the Cape Lookout National Seashore website . All Recreation.gov lottery winners should have this form completed and brought to the park on the day and time of their scheduled appointment.
Cape Lookout National Seashore, on the southern Outer Banks, is wild, beautiful, and remote. This isolated strip of sand is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier island systems in the world. Waves crash, winds blow, currents shift, and storms batter this dynamic landscape, where change is certain and survival difficult. Congress established Cape Lookout National Seashore to preserve a unique environment and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities. This includes managing hunting activities in a way that is compatible with other recreational uses.
Construction of temporary duck blinds is allowed under a park special use permit. Sites for permitted duck blinds are chosen by lottery in late August each year and then on a first come, first served basis at the Harkers Island Visitor Center after that. Permitted blinds must be removed before March 31. Construction of permanent blinds is prohibited.
The special use permit application form is located on the Cape Lookout National Seashore website . All Recreation.gov lottery winners should have this form completed and brought to the park on the day and time of their scheduled appointment.
Need to Know
- Lottery Details
Lottery Dates: The Duck Blind Lottery will open at 10:00 am EST on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 and will close at 7:00pm EST on Thursday, August 28th, 2025. There is a $10 registration fee to enter the lottery. There are a limited number of lottery slots.
Lottery Notification: Applicants will receive a notice of selection or non-selection in the Duck Blind Lottery after the lottery closes via email.
Awarded Dates: Applicants will be randomly assigned an appointment time on Friday, September 12th, 2025 to select your duck blind location(s).
Appointment times will run from 8:00 am through 5:00 pm in 15 minute increments. Only the assigned applicant and one other person will be allowed in the office to select a location(s) on the map during that assigned appointment time. At the time of the appointment, the Applicant MUST present a valid state Driver's License, NC Hunting License, and a signed Federal Duck Stamp or email showing the purchase receipt of a Federal Duck E-Stamp. Applicants without these three documents will not be allowed to select duck blind locations or be issued a permit.
After the lottery is complete, and beginning on Monday, September 15th, 2025, the remaining spaces will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Call ahead to make an appointment with park staff to ensure that someone will be available to assist you. Applicants may choose any location that has not been previously requested and marked on the map. Permits will not be issued on holidays or weekends.
- Application Limit
Applicants are allowed to submit only 1 lottery application via Recreation.gov but can bring up to one additional adult for their in-person duck blind selection appointment.
- Duck Blind Limit & Fees
Applicants may request a maximum of 2 duck blinds per person. The first blind is $50.00, and the second blind is an additional $25.00. Duck blind fees should be paid in person during your duck blind selection appointment time. The office only accepts credit/debit cards for payment.
- Identification Required for the Permit
Valid driver’s license or Identification card, valid NC Lifetime or Annual Comprehensive Hunting License or Migratory Waterfowl Hunting License, and a signed Federal Duck Stamp or Federal Duck E-Stamp receipt. You must have all the above to be issued a permit. Failure to bring any of these items will result in your selection appointment being cancelled and you will not be able to request a permit until you present each item.
- Temporary Duck Blind Season
Blinds may be set up beginning on September 12 of the current year and must be completely removed by March 31 of the following year.
- Commercial Guides
Commercial guides must have a Commercial Use Authorization(CUA) permit, in addition to, the Special Use Permit. These CUA permits are available at the Harkers Island Visitor Center. See Cape Lookout National Seashore website for more information. Commercial Guides without a permit will be prosecuted and will lose lottery privileges for a minimum of 2 years.
Changes and Cancellations
$10.00 Application Fee is non-refundable. If you are awarded an appointment time through the lottery and can’t make that time, you forfeit your time slot and will have to wait until the next business day to visit Harker’s Island Visitor Center for a walk-in appointment. You may send a proxy in your place. You must email the proxy name to Ranger Evan Knight at Evan_Knight@nps.gov prior to the selection date. Only the proxy submitted in writing will be allowed to select for the permit applicant.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
131 CHARLES STREET Harkers Island NC 28531
Phone Number
252-728-2250
Available Tours and Tickets
- Cape Lookout National Seashore Duck Blind Lottery Event
- Cape Lookout National Seashore Duck Blind Lottery
