Hunters averaged four ducks per man during the 2005-06 season when green-winged teal and wood ducks comprised 65 percent of the harvest. This was mostly because of the absence of mallards that season. Last season, the mallards returned, making up 45 percent of the total West side harvest, whereas woodies and greenies fell to 41 percent. If you want to come out of the marsh with a full bag when hunting on the West side, take wood ducks and green-winged teal as they appear, and then try for some mallards. Otherwise, you might end the day with only a mallard or two instead of five or six ducks.

For more information about hunting at Santee Delta WMA, you can contact SCDNR at (843) 546-8119.

BEAR ISLAND WMA
If you have been hunting on SCDNR WMAs for any length of time, Bear Island WMA is no stranger. It's fair to say that a majority of the state's duck hunters that hunt on public land have had at least one hunt at this old-time property.

Duck hunts have been held at Bear Island WMA, situated south of Green Pond in Colleton County, for over four decades. The WMA is a complex of former rice fields that are now managed primarily for waterfowl. Hunting takes place on three parcels within the WMA's boundary.

Bear Island WMA hit a low spot in its long history when the prolonged drought took a toll on its habitat a few seasons ago. During the 2002-03 season, it averaged only 1.7 ducks per hunter. It has rebounded, with hunts now averaging over two ducks per hunter.

The Springfield/The Cut section has been the best producer of the three Bear Island WMA areas. Last season, the area averaged 3.35 ducks per hunter, which was down slightly from the 3.7 average recorded during the 2005-06 season but still ranked fourth for all areas last season.

Gadwalls were the top species last season. Green-winged teal, pintails, shovelers and blue-winged teal, in that order, rounded out the top five and accounted for 50 percent of the total harvest on the Springfield/The Cut. Mottled ducks, wood ducks and widgeons also made a respectable showing last season.

During the 2005-06 season, the East and West sides each averaged 2.4 ducks per man for the year. The average fell last year, with the East side coming in at 2.15 ducks per hunter and the West side at 1.40.

Hooded mergansers were the top species harvested on the East side. They comprised about 17 percent of the total harvest. Close behind were mottled ducks and green-winged teal, both at 13 percent, and blue-winged teal at 12 percent. Shovelers and gadwalls each accounted for about 10 percent of the total harvest. Ruddy ducks also made a strong showing in the total harvest on the East side.

Because the harvest was so low on the West side, a change of a duck or two in the harvest could really swing the numbers. Of the 73 ducks harvested on that parcel, widgeons were the top with 19 birds taken (26 percent). Fourteen hooded mergansers, 13 gadwalls and 10 buffleheads were also harvested. A few mottled ducks were taken, as well as one or two birds of five other species.

Bear Island WMA information can be obtained by calling SCDNR at (843) 844-8957.

BROAD RIVER WMA
Even though the majority of draw waterfowl hunting is located along the coast, Piedmont and Upstate duck hunters don't have to drive two hours to find good public-land duck hunting. Broad River WMA, located in Fairfield County near Winnsboro, is an area that routinely ranks as one of the top five waterfowl WMAs.

Despite several recent seasons of busted food production, hunters at Broad River WMA have been coming out of the blind with an average of two to three ducks per man, which is norm for the area.