THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607200349
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: 97 lines
The duck blind that William S. Etheridge received from his father-in-law in the 1950s came with a request. The man wanted it to be handed down to his grandson someday.
It's a promise that Etheridge, a retired guide who lives in Knotts Island, may not be able to honor.
Duck blinds are controlled locally in Currituck County, unlike everywhere else in North Carolina except neighboring Dare County. The two counties are the only ones in the state with local game boards that set policies for its navigable waterways.
Currituck's policy, which has been in place since the 1950s, says blinds cannot be conveyed. Instead, when a license for a particular blind lapses, it's up for grabs by anyone who applies for it, whether the applicant lives in North Carolina or not.
In Etheridge's case, a man in Virginia Beach also is interested in the blind that Etheridge's family has controlled since the 1920s. It is along the north head of Knotts Island Bay.
Etheridge, who turns 80 this year, learned of the other bid when he went to transfer his duck blind license into his son's name this month.
His blind is not the only one for which Virginians are vying. Numerous other local duck hunters have complained that the current blind system makes the area ripe for a Virginia takeover.
The Currituck County Game Commission is accepting duck blind applications for the 1996-97 hunting season through Aug. 1. Applications, which must be notarized, are available at the offices of Currituck's county manager and county attorney.
Blinds ``rent'' for $15 annually for a bush blind, $20 for a float blind and $25 for a point blind. They are legally owned by the state of North Carolina.
Part of the fee is given to the state Wildlife Resource Commission for enforcement. The remainder is used to administer the duck blind program.
If there is more than one applicant for an available blind, all names are put in a hat and the winner drawn by the local game board chairman.
``I guess it's not computerized and fancy, but it's fair,'' said Billy Rose, who is chairman of this year's Currituck County Game Commission.
But it is this process - which puts all applicants, regardless of residency, on a level playing field - that is drawing fire from Currituck County duck hunters.
Blinds in Virginia are privately owned and can be sold, bequeathed or leased. The prices, which some say go into the thousands, and a tight market have created a virtual lockout.
Currituck residents fear that eventually, with more Virginians eying Currituck duck blinds, the area's blind industry is ripe for a Virginia takeover.
``Years ago, we didn't have this problem because nonresidents couldn't get a license, it wasn't allowed,'' Etheridge's son, Larry, told Currituck County commissioners at a meeting this week in Currituck.
That's apparently how William Etheridge came to own the blind, which is in a coveted spot near Carova. His father-in-law's two sons lived in Virginia.
The Etheridges stressed that it is unfair for Currituck residents to have to compete with applicants from other states who do not pay taxes in North Carolina.
The two Knotts Island men would like county officials to consider changing existing legislation to allow blinds to be passed on through Currituck County families.
Acting as a devil's advocate, Chairman Eldon Miller Jr. noted that such a change might also allow families to hold onto highly sought blinds forever.
``That's a little bit inequitable, too,'' Miller said.
The county commissioners will meet with the Currituck County Game Commission at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the issue and, possibly, seek legislative approval to locally amend the law.
The meeting will be held at the county attorney's office, which also is the game commission's office.
The Currituck County Game Commission is accepting duck blind applications for the 1996-97 hunting season through Aug. 1. Applications are available at the county manager's office and the county attorney's office.
Applications will be accepted at the game commission office (also the county attorney's office) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22, 25, 27 and 30 and Aug. 1. Applications must be filed and notarized by Aug. 1 to be considered.
Applications also can be mailed to the Currituck County Game Commission, 139 W. Blackfoot, Knotts Island, N.C. 27950.
Anyone, whether residing in North Carolina or not, can apply for a Currituck County duck blind. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
APPLYING FOR DUCK BLINDS
The Currituck County Game Commission is accepting duck blind
applications for the 1996-97 hunting season through Aug. 1.
Applications are available at the county manager's office and the
county attorney's office.
Applications will be accepted at the game commission office (also
the county attorney's office) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday,
Thursday, Friday, July 30 and Aug. 1. Applications must be filed and
notarized by Aug. 1 to be considered.
Applications also can be mailed to the Currituck County Game
Commission, 139 W. Blackfoot, Knotts Island, N.C. 27950.
Anyone, whether living in state or not, can apply for a
Currituck County duck blind. by CNB