Nope, anyone hunting a spot without the cardholder present is breaking the law. But some folks go with the confidence that they at least know the rightful holder....
New Draws next year
- Thread starter drake799
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Nope, anyone hunting a spot without the cardholder present is breaking the law. But some folks go with the confidence that they at least know the rightful holder....
WilcoKen
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Wow. So either the spot gets wasted if they don't show or it gets illegally hunted. SMH
Correct
I've heard some pretty hair-raising stories about how bad things got at Shelby Forest before this was implemented. Not quite as bad as dynamiting blinds at Reelfoot, but folks would get pretty possessive over "their spots" at a public WMA. I would imagine it would get pretty ignorant again if Shelby Forest reverts to a blind-hopping scenario. As it stands, there are 4 walk-in areas at Shelby Forest. Three of them are spaced about 200 yards apart, and the fourth one is about 500 yards from the nearest. Opening it up to additional areas would get really crowded. And enforcing it is almost impossible as it is anyway.
Here's the layout of Shelby Forest's walk-in spots. This view is from the west, looking east, as if you're hovering over the MS River. The bright red is a very steep bluff, appx. 150' - 200' elevation drop in a very short distance. From there is about a 200 yard trudge through flooded cypress swamp. Once you get to the bottom of the bluff, cell service disappears. Holes #9 and #7 are small (appx. 2 acres), and are each about 200-250 yards from #8, which is probably closer to 3-4 acres. Hole #6 is about 500 yards south of #7, and is more a wide open slough more than an opening in the swamp. So there's not much room to expand access here without really crowding it out. Including my first hunt in 2016, I've only drawn there twice. This is the second year in a row none of my group of 5 has pulled a spot there. Despite its difficulty, it's becoming a pretty sought-after location. There aren't many areas to expand access here, but the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County could sure benefit from a similar program to Thorny Cypress or Bogota.
WilcoKen
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I don't doubt it a bit. I think there will be a lot of bad situations this year with the way they did the draws. 90% of blinds here in Middle TN are single card holders that won't always be there. It will be a preview of next year I'm pretty sure. There's already hot heads going back and forth online. It will get real ugly in person.
WilcoKen
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On a separate note—these guys complaining about not ever getting drawn or equal hunt opportunities as others—I've only ever been drawn 3 times in all my tries. I didn't whine or complain about it. I built relationships and networked with guys that were also drawing. If they got called I committed and followed through with helping build blinds, brush, etc. It was hard work but it opened opportunities to hunt multiple blinds throughout the season if I wanted. That's your best shot of getting a place to hunt. Not by bringing down the whole system. There are no shortcuts.
BlackEagle1
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Meeting is Thursday
I'm lost as last years Easter egg. Your right it is at 10 on the 12th. I gave them my 2cents over the phone. Hope it stays how it has been in the past.
Amen. Everyone has the same chance.
Well. Any one at meeting? Any word?
Here's the video
November TFWC meeting
This was basically just for comments, there is nothing set in stone at the moment. To make a rule change before next duck season, they have to vote on it in Feb. They will be discussing and planning for it for the next couple of months. So we'll see what they come up with.
November TFWC meeting
This was basically just for comments, there is nothing set in stone at the moment. To make a rule change before next duck season, they have to vote on it in Feb. They will be discussing and planning for it for the next couple of months. So we'll see what they come up with.
I firmly believe the fix is in already. They were too dead set on the catch phrase 'more opportunities'.
They are also lying about keeping blinds. They have no resources or manpower to do so.
They are also lying about keeping blinds. They have no resources or manpower to do so.
WilcoKen
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My gut says they will change to 3 day draws everywhere except Reelfoot. I'm thinking they will leave them alone. But I bet Reelfoot will get screwed up from overflow of hunters that have been kicked off their traditional spots they've hunted for 40 years. TWRA is really trying to polish a turd on this. That's what this survey is.
Southern Sportsman
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TWRA/F&WC decided to change the system. Computer draw is a whole lot easier and cheaper to administrate than in-person draws where dozens of agents and thousands of people gather. So they created an outcome-driven survey with questions designed to yield answers that would benefit their position then paraded the survey around in a slide show as conclusive proof that their pre-determined decision is right. They should be embarrassed by the inadequacy of the process. But they're not.
Bingo. Their use of "the survey tells us" is the equivalent of the left telling everyone to "trust the science".
Southern Sportsman
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2:02:00 mark-
"We asked, 'would you support a change to the season-long permit so that more hunters can have an opportunity each year.'"
My God that is a biased question. Everyone likes "more opportunity." But even with that phrasing "45% said yes."
Another way one might present that information:
"55% of our respondents, a clear majority, said 'No.' They would not support changing the season-long permit structure. If we asked the question in a neutral way, that percentage would be much higher. But we really want to do it so we'll discuss it as though majority opposition somehow supports our decision and go to the next slide about 'rest periods' for ducks."
"We asked, 'would you support a change to the season-long permit so that more hunters can have an opportunity each year.'"
My God that is a biased question. Everyone likes "more opportunity." But even with that phrasing "45% said yes."
Another way one might present that information:
"55% of our respondents, a clear majority, said 'No.' They would not support changing the season-long permit structure. If we asked the question in a neutral way, that percentage would be much higher. But we really want to do it so we'll discuss it as though majority opposition somehow supports our decision and go to the next slide about 'rest periods' for ducks."
WilcoKen
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I'm so glad I didn't buy Lifetime Sportsman for myself and my kids. I'd be even more ticked off. In fact I'd be asking for a refund of some type. This is a major change impacting future hunting "opportunities" for the younger generation. If waterfowl hunting is a big part of your reason for buying Lifetime, you will not get your moneys worth for a few 3 day hunts.
They sent the survey out to 7,000 people. A little over 1,900 responded and took the survey. Of those 1,900-2,000 people only 900 were public land duck hunters.
In the survey only 45% support change to season long permits. 45% of 900 is 405 people.
These numbers supporting change to season long permits were also broken down by region. Total number of respondents from each region is unknown.
Region 1 (West TN) 38% in favor
Region 2 (Middle TN) 40%
Region 3 (East) 67%
Region 4 (Far East) 57%
Obviously in west Tennessee where this will have the most impact the people do not want change as shown by the survey.
There are roughly 18,700 waterfowl license sold annually, and they want to make all of these changes based off of 405 people that were unhappy in a survey. Four Hundred and Five people....
In the survey only 45% support change to season long permits. 45% of 900 is 405 people.
These numbers supporting change to season long permits were also broken down by region. Total number of respondents from each region is unknown.
Region 1 (West TN) 38% in favor
Region 2 (Middle TN) 40%
Region 3 (East) 67%
Region 4 (Far East) 57%
Obviously in west Tennessee where this will have the most impact the people do not want change as shown by the survey.
There are roughly 18,700 waterfowl license sold annually, and they want to make all of these changes based off of 405 people that were unhappy in a survey. Four Hundred and Five people....
