Blind draw update

[MackPC]

TWRA just posted that there will be a drawing this year but we will have to wait until after the commission meeting which is this Friday. They should set new guidelines for format of draw for the social distancing changes. Time will tell. I've been asking about this for a while and am looking forward to finding out.

 

[younggun308]

Great to hear there will be drawings


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[tickweed]

never been a question about having drawings, just how it will be done.

 

['borohunter]

Here's hoping...

 

[TNGunsmoke]

This is what was proposed and adopted.

 

[Displaced_Vol]

Thanks for the update TNGunsmoke! I'm going to start looking into it myself but do you know if this is for the annual spots only, or is this a new system for the temporary electronic draw spots from years past also? (Hope that made sense?)

 

[TNGunsmoke]

The way I understand it, this is for the annual spots for the traditional WMA blind draws that are held the first Sat in August.

So many people show up for these in person draws, it is a Covid risk to hold them as normal.

 

[younggun308]

Can you explain what the "sign-ons may not be added later" part means? Does it mean you must apply as a party and cannot bring buddies if you alone draw?


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[double browtine]

Well I think it will be a good thing. This will bust up the big groups that pool together and get several blind sites. The Dover and Camden monopolies will be no more! I bet it never goes back to the on-site drawing after this!

 

[TNGunsmoke]

Can you explain what the "sign-ons may not be added later" part means? Does it mean you must apply as a party and cannot bring buddies if you alone draw?


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If you apply as a party, everyone in the party will get a blind card, and have the right to ask blind hoppers to leave before shooting light. No card, you don't have that right. Basically, if you do draw as a single person, you can't add card holders after the draw. You can bring friends to hunt with you up if you draw it. That part has not changed.

 

[younggun308]

Can you explain what the "sign-ons may not be added later" part means? Does it mean you must apply as a party and cannot bring buddies if you alone draw?


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If you apply as a party, everyone in the party will get a blind card, and have the right to ask blind hoppers to leave before shooting light. No card, you don't have that right. Basically, if you do draw as a single person, you can't add card holders after the draw. You can bring friends to hunt with you up if you draw it. That part has not changed.

Gotcha, but strategically you raise odds of "someone" drawing if everyone does so as an individual—with the caveat that the person who drew must be present?


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[double browtine]

Can you explain what the "sign-ons may not be added later" part means? Does it mean you must apply as a party and cannot bring buddies if you alone draw?


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I think it will be like always. So the purpose of a sign on person is kinda like a second or third blind holder. If the primary blind holder is not in the blind by shooting time on hunt day, then anyone can show up and hunt that blind. So say I show up from out of town and occupy a blind. I get there really early and I have a fast boat( some WMA you can't leave the ramp before a set time) and beat the usual guys to the blind. The only person that can kick me out of the blind is the primary blind holder, or one of the sign on people.
So on blind draw day as it used to be, big time duck hunter brings 50 people or more to the drawing. Their friends 3rd cousins sisters girlfriend draws the first blind. One of the big time hunters has to sign on to the blind and be there on hunt day before shooting time to officially occupy the blind. If I get there first, and they say you have to leave, and I know that none of them is a blind holder, then. I don't have to leave. You can ask to see their license for proof. In the old days, the primary and sign on names were written inside the blind.

Now this is how it used to be. Not sure if the rules have changed thru the years. I haven't hunted a WMA for ducks in about 20 years.

This is the reason blinds have been burned, and fights have happened at the boat ramp. Also hunters have come back to the ramp with truck tires and boat tires flat, or lug nuts missing. That is just from stories I have heard thru the years.

 

[younggun308]

Can you explain what the "sign-ons may not be added later" part means? Does it mean you must apply as a party and cannot bring buddies if you alone draw?


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I think it will be like always. So the purpose of a sign on person is kinda like a second or third blind holder. If the primary blind holder is not in the blind by shooting time on hunt day, then anyone can show up and hunt that blind. So say I show up from out of town and occupy a blind. I get there really early and I have a fast boat( some WMA you can't leave the ramp before a set time) and beat the usual guys to the blind. The only person that can kick me out of the blind is the primary blind holder, or one of the sign on people.
So on blind draw day as it used to be, big time duck hunter brings 50 people or more to the drawing. Their friends 3rd cousins sisters girlfriend draws the first blind. One of the big time hunters has to sign on to the blind and be there on hunt day before shooting time to officially occupy the blind. If I get there first, and they say you have to leave, and I know that none of them is a blind holder, then. I don't have to leave. You can ask to see their license for proof. In the old days, the primary and sign on names were written inside the blind.

Now this is how it used to be. Not sure if the rules have changed thru the years. I haven't hunted a WMA for ducks in about 20 years.

This is the reason blinds have been burned, and fights have happened at the boat ramp. Also hunters have come back to the ramp with truck tires and boat tires flat, or lug nuts missing. That is just from stories I have heard thru the years.

That's insightful in explaining how people played the numbers game before.

I'm just wondering if statistically under the new system a party application is essentially the same as an individual application, or if every individual in the party gets an entry.


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[Dodge Man]

Can you explain what the "sign-ons may not be added later" part means? Does it mean you must apply as a party and cannot bring buddies if you alone draw?


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I think it will be like always. So the purpose of a sign on person is kinda like a second or third blind holder. If the primary blind holder is not in the blind by shooting time on hunt day, then anyone can show up and hunt that blind. So say I show up from out of town and occupy a blind. I get there really early and I have a fast boat( some WMA you can't leave the ramp before a set time) and beat the usual guys to the blind. The only person that can kick me out of the blind is the primary blind holder, or one of the sign on people.
So on blind draw day as it used to be, big time duck hunter brings 50 people or more to the drawing. Their friends 3rd cousins sisters girlfriend draws the first blind. One of the big time hunters has to sign on to the blind and be there on hunt day before shooting time to officially occupy the blind. If I get there first, and they say you have to leave, and I know that none of them is a blind holder, then. I don't have to leave. You can ask to see their license for proof. In the old days, the primary and sign on names were written inside the blind.

Now this is how it used to be. Not sure if the rules have changed thru the years. I haven't hunted a WMA for ducks in about 20 years.

This is the reason blinds have been burned, and fights have happened at the boat ramp. Also hunters have come back to the ramp with truck tires and boat tires flat, or lug nuts missing. That is just from stories I have heard thru the years.

That's insightful in explaining how people played the numbers game before.

I'm just wondering if statistically under the new system a party application is essentially the same as an individual application, or if every individual in the party gets an entry.


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If you apply as a group you have 1 chance to draw the same as if 1 person applies to the draw alone. The only benefit to drawing as a group is if you get drawn you have multiple blind cards for that blind.


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[Dodge Man]

Thanks for the update TNGunsmoke! I'm going to start looking into it myself but do you know if this is for the annual spots only, or is this a new system for the temporary electronic draw spots from years past also? (Hope that made sense?)

It is important to know that most of these places require work and lots of boat loads of brush. Some site will not have a blind and one will have to brought in or built. Lots of blinds require work, replacing floor, roof, supports. It takes quite a bit of work to get them ready to hunt each season.


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[JBell]

There will be a whole bunch of single card blinds this year....

 

[clwg97]

There will be a whole bunch of single card blinds this year....

Completely agree I was already thinking the same thing.

 

[drake799]

Thanks for the update TNGunsmoke! I'm going to start looking into it myself but do you know if this is for the annual spots only, or is this a new system for the temporary electronic draw spots from years past also? (Hope that made sense?)

It is important to know that most of these places require work and lots of boat loads of brush. Some site will not have a blind and one will have to brought in or built. Lots of blinds require work, replacing floor, roof, supports. It takes quite a bit of work to get them ready to hunt each season.


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Yes!!!! It's amazing how so many people think you just draw these sites and show up and hunt. They have no idea the amount of work that goes into all of it. Why I would never just show up and go "hopping" someone blind Yeah one or 2 People may Just have a card to it. But I guarantee several put the work into it. It's just common decency to me lol

 

[Dodge Man]

Thanks for the update TNGunsmoke! I'm going to start looking into it myself but do you know if this is for the annual spots only, or is this a new system for the temporary electronic draw spots from years past also? (Hope that made sense?)

It is important to know that most of these places require work and lots of boat loads of brush. Some site will not have a blind and one will have to brought in or built. Lots of blinds require work, replacing floor, roof, supports. It takes quite a bit of work to get them ready to hunt each season.


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Yes!!!! It's amazing how so many people think you just draw these sites and show up and hunt. They have no idea the amount of work that goes into all of it. Why I would never just show up and go "hopping" someone blind Yeah one or 2 People may Just have a card to it. But I guarantee several put the work into it. It's just common decency to me lol

Well it won't get to that point. If they do no work before the end of October then the blind or location goes to a first come / boat blind location for the season. Witch is going to just cause more trouble if it ends up being one of the better blind spots in the area.


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[double browtine]

Thanks for the update TNGunsmoke! I'm going to start looking into it myself but do you know if this is for the annual spots only, or is this a new system for the temporary electronic draw spots from years past also? (Hope that made sense?)

It is important to know that most of these places require work and lots of boat loads of brush. Some site will not have a blind and one will have to brought in or built. Lots of blinds require work, replacing floor, roof, supports. It takes quite a bit of work to get them ready to hunt each season.


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Yes!!!! It's amazing how so many people think you just draw these sites and show up and hunt. They have no idea the amount of work that goes into all of it. Why I would never just show up and go "hopping" someone blind Yeah one or 2 People may Just have a card to it. But I guarantee several put the work into it. It's just common decency to me lol[/quote]

Well it won't get to that point. If they do no work before the end of October then the blind or location goes to a first come / boat blind location for the season. Witch is going to just cause more trouble if it ends up being one of the better blind spots in the area.


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That would make things very interesting for sure! I could see a pontoon boat blind coming in very handy in that situation.
I'm glad I have private land to hunt. We don't kill alot of ducks like the WMA's but we don't have all the hassle either!

 

[Taylor]

Maybe it will all shake down to the "new normal."
Off the cuff, I am sorry for the youth leagues and civic organizations that made money off all those people showing up at small communities...haven't been in a while, did they still do that...?

And I really feel sorry for law enforcement that have to make sure all t's are crossed and i's are dotted the first weekend or so.
Either way, I doubt they'll be too much violence and rioting...maybe.

Ah, the new (ab)normal...

Here's the TWRA release outta Nashville, though most have already read it:


Blind Drawing Process Changed For 2020

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission passed an emergency rule to provide a different procedure for issuing duck blinds this year to help protect public health due to Covid-19. The action came Friday at the June meeting of the commission held at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Region II Ray Bell Building.
The handheld drawings usually result in large crowds gathering at the various sites. A computerized drawing will be held instead of a handheld drawing for 12 wildlife management areas and applications can be submitted at GoOutdoorsTN.com from July 2-26. Results will be available by Aug. 1 and successful hunters will receive an electronic blind permit. Additional details concerning this year's process will be coming soon
In addition, TWRA will also hold a computerized drawing for all sandhill crane tags and not conduct the traditional in-person drawing for the Southeast Sandhill Crane Zone tags. The application period will be Sept. 2-23 on GoOutdoorsTN.com. More information will also be available in the coming weeks.
An update on chronic wasting disease (CWD) was given. Chuck Yoest, TWRA's CWD Coordinator, said the Agency is in the process of finalizing procurement for the incinerator to be placed in Unit CWD. It will be located at the Fayette County Landfill in Somerville.
In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), the TWRA is continuing disposal planning for this fall. In, addition, an extensive effort will begin to recruit landowners in strategic CWD areas to supplement hunter harvest to help best manage CWD. Other planning includes developing a comprehensive budget for CWD and preparing to provide CWD testing opportunities to hunters for the deer they harvest this fall.
Fisheries Chief Frank Fiss presented an overview of angler recognition programs. The Tennessee Angler Recognition Program (TARP) started in 2003 and recognizes trophy-sized fish as well as first catches. To date, more than 7,000 entries have identified some of the best waters to fish in the state. Anglers can look to the TWRA website to learn more about these programs and where trophies are being caught.
Jenifer Wisniewski, Outreach and Communications Chief, reported on R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) during the Covid-19 pandemic. People are returning to or trying hunting and fishing for the first time this year, and we can see that in the increase in the number of fishing and hunting licenses sold so far. There are several projects on the horizon including brand partnerships, advancing CWD communications, an online store, event system, and continuing outreach and marketing efforts.
The TFWC's next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20-21 in Kingsport.

 

[flyinpro]

To me this is a good thing and levels the field for those of us who had to drive to a draw site from 5 hours away to get skunked. Did it three it three different years and come up empty handed each time. I had written several letters to the commission over the years asking them to to look at the current system. I don't need a blind all season, but it would be nice to get a good one once and a while.

The selling of of the blinds also bothered me some.


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[flyinpro]

Well I think it will be a good thing. This will bust up the big groups that pool together and get several blind sites. The Dover and Camden monopolies will be no more! I bet it never goes back to the on-site drawing after this!

Have to agree browtine. Now I'd just worry about my truck tires. Looked like The Memphis Mafia in Dyersburg one year I think it was.


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[TimberMan]

I bet some groups who draw ever year with the old system will be upset. I'm actually looking forward to it. It gets old seeing the same groups draw every year. I always wished they had shown tickets on a screen instead of just calling names. I just found it hard to believe a group of 8 or 9 could draw every season.

 

[Polarkraft]

I'm 100% against this

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[Dodge Man]

To me this is a good thing and levels the field for those of us who had to drive to a draw site from 5 hours away to get skunked. Did it three it three different years and come up empty handed each time. I had written several letters to the commission over the years asking them to to look at the current system. I don't need a blind all season, but it would be nice to get a good one once and a while.

The selling of of the blinds also bothered me some.


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So you plan on driving 5 hours multiple days before season to work on and brush a blind? Then make that drive multiple days a week to hunt a blind?


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[Dodge Man]

I have gone to blind drawings for 15+ years and never been drawn myself. But I got in with a group and have had the opportunity to hunt most of the best blinds at the site we go to the drawing. We share work and have plenty of days to hunt the blinds. Most of the group with 3-5 people are lucky to get the blinds hunt able and brushed before season. Then they might hunt 1-2 days a week. To me that is wasted resources, if a few of those groups would go together they could get the work done and get to use the blind.


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[Polarkraft]

To me this is a good thing and levels the field for those of us who had to drive to a draw site from 5 hours away to get skunked. Did it three it three different years and come up empty handed each time. I had written several letters to the commission over the years asking them to to look at the current system. I don't need a blind all season, but it would be nice to get a good one once and a while.

The selling of of the blinds also bothered me some.


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So you plan on driving 5 hours multiple days before season to work on and brush a blind? Then make that drive multiple days a week to hunt a blind?


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That's the thing here, every tom Richard and harry will put in for the binds. I'm not a fan of only having 24 options either

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[Levee Jumper]

I hope it's public information on who has a card to each blind drawn. Name and Town would be preferred if people from across the state are going to try and get drawn. It's rough hunting over 50 days a year being 2 miles from the boat ramp. Can't image seriously considering it living 2-8 hours away.

 

[Hduke86]

I understand both sides of the discussion for sure. I'm not sure how it'll increase or decrease your odds at different locations now seeing how it's not a one day type deal of "be there" and maybe get a blind or don't be there and you WONT get a blind. Would I like to get a solid blind out in West Tennessee, sure but I'll be the first one to admit that there's NO WAY I'm driving across the state more than a couple of my off days. I'll just hope to snag a blind at my usual place and another question is "what if" you get picked but for some unlucky reason by the time you get picked ALL 24 of your choices are gone? Will be interesting to see how many folks put in for different places.