If you want to kill mallards on public lands, Broad River WMA is the other area to go. The 39 mallards taken last season were second in the state to only Santee Delta WMA West. The top species during the 2006-07 season was wood ducks followed by green-winged teal, mallards and ring-necked ducks. These are routinely the most common species at Broad River WMA, but gadwalls also made a respectable showing last season.

Unlike WMAs on the coast that are characterized by areas of soft bottom, most of Broad River WMA is consistently shallow with a firm bottom. Nonetheless, it is advisable to wear chest waders when hunting here for maximum moisture protection.

To determine more about the duck hunts at Broad River WMA, contact the Region 2 office of SCDNR in Columbia at (803) 734-3886.

More detailed harvest summaries are posted on SCDNR's Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov. Hunters can find a detailed harvest summary from the preceding season as well as weekly summaries for the current season.

Applications are available each season beginning in late September. Application deadline is normally in late October, with successful hunters often notified by the beginning of November. You can download an application at SCDNR's Web site, pick one up at a regional office or call SCDNR Columbia office at (803) 734-3886. Hunts are $50 per hunter.

Successfully drawn hunters will need a valid state hunting license, a WMA permit, HIP permit and state and federal duck stamps.

Many hunters involved in the drawing don't have a feel for how it works. Several seasons ago, SCDNR initiated a preference-point system in an attempt to allow everyone who applies a chance to be drawn at some point. The kicker is you must apply every season to keep your point(s).

You are given one preference point for the following season's drawing if you are not drawn. Therefore, you have one point when the next season's drawing is held, which gives you a better chance of being selected over someone who was drawn the preceding year or who is applying for the first time.

If you apply every season and don't run afoul with the lowest preference point per application if applying with others, then typically you can expect to be drawn every other season or every third season.