Permits for Raising Wild Ducks in SC

If you live in South Carolina and are thinking about raising ducks in order to stock a pond for aesthetic purposes, to boost their numbers for hunting season, to sell or to have as exotic pets, be sure you become familiar with the regulations regarding the possession of these waterfowl. Ducks are protected federally and their possession, transportation, sale, purchase, barter, importation, exportation and banding or marking are illegal without proper documentation.

  1. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act

    • In the beginning of the 20th century, women wore fashionable hats decorated with the feathers of birds, including ducks and other waterfowl. The eventual result was a precipitous decline in duck populations, driving many to the brink of extinction. The problem was compounded by the fact that these birds often were hunted while nesting, which meant their eggs or nestlings perished.

      In 1918, the U.S. implemented the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which offered comprehensive protection to migratory fowl and made it illegal to take these birds, their nests or eggs. Since the MBTA was enacted, populations have increased, and several species, including the wood duck, were saved from extinction. The MBTA still stands to protect waterfowl and other migratory birds, including ducks, from exploitation.

    South Carolina State Regulations

    • South Carolina has no regulations for raising wild ducks beyond those specified on the federal level. In other words, a person must have a permit to possess, sell or buy any species of migratory waterfowl, their nests or their eggs, according to Title 50, Part 21: Migratory Bird Permits, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

      Apply for a permit through the Regional Director of the Migratory Bird Permit Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regional Office, 1875 Century Center Blvd., Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345.

    The Mallard: Exception to the Rule

    • An exception is the mallard duck, though there still are certain limits. The federal regulation regarding migratory birds states that no permit is needed for captive-raised mallards that have been properly marked; that is, banded before the age of 6 weeks. However, it is illegal to gather mallard eggs or ducklings, even if the nest has been abandoned or the ducklings orphaned, said Billy Dukes, South Carolina wildlife biologist. "You can't touch them," he adds, even if they are being predated. Nature must be allowed to take its course.

      Mallards, found throughout South Carolina, actually do not breed naturally in this state, according to Dukes: if you do see mallards nesting, or mallard ducklings, in South Carolina, these most likely are domestic mallards or one generation removed from domestics. He adds, "Wild mallards do not nest in this latitude, and in fact are 1,500 miles out of their breed range."

    Other Ducks Common to South Carolina

    • South Carolina hosts various species of ducks, but the only ones that nest in the state are wood ducks, hooded mergansers and a small but expanding population of black-bellied whistling duck, says Dukes. However, many other varieties migrate through the state, including buffleheads, ruddy ducks, green-winged teals, blue-winged teals, pintails, scaups and shovelers. None of these may be raised without the proper permits, nor may their eggs or ducklings be gathered.