allows continued opportunity for local hunters to hop or freelance most sites Ĥ. honors tradition of certain groups of duck hunters, with a number of season-long blinds ģ. increases the fairness of both the application and drawing process Ģ. The TWRA plan, in my opinion, is “intelligent compromise.” It:ġ.
![my ultimate duck hunting blind my ultimate duck hunting blind](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cd/90/eb/cd90ebdb88b19016ec83c6000684ff7b.jpg)
With or without blinds, no permit required, site hopping allowed With or without blinds, site hopping allowed Tier 2 - Quota hunt blinds (3 or 4 days). Tier 1 - Season-long, hunter-built, site hopping or freelance hunting allowed among unoccupied blinds (except Tier 2 blinds) The Tennessee duck hunter survey revealed that, among hunters with an opinion, only 38 percent were satisfied with the current drawing process, and only 33 percent were happy with season-long blinds.Īfter the survey, and the sizable number of responses to the first draft, the revised plan now includes computer draws, a priority point system, and four tiers of blind availability: I’m reminded of a Caterpillar slogan years ago: “In life, there are few perfect solutions - only intelligent compromises”. And while the plan is not perfect for anyone, it has, in my opinion, taken all points of view into consideration. The agency sent the revised plan out for public review, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission will vote on it at its March 4-5 meeting. After receiving more than 700 responses, TWRA substantially revised the plan, trying to accommodate most concerns. Based on those results, TWRA drafted a new blind-allocation proposal, then floated it out for public review. They first commissioned UT to survey Tennessee duck hunters a year ago. I’m also proud of the way staff went about it. I’m proud, first of all, that it has finally tackled this thorny issue.
#My ultimate duck hunting blind professional
This is verified by TWRA officers and area supervisors, but due to the way the system is set up, this illegal activity is impossible to enforce.Īs a certified wildlife biologist, a longtime wildlife professional and a Tennessee hunter, I’m proud of TWRA. This is often accomplished by successful draw applicants illegally buying and selling these public blinds. Hunters have complained that the best blinds are often hunted by the same group of people - all season - in most years. The agency is trying to provide the best outdoor opportunities on public land, for the most people - in a fair, equitable manner - all the while honoring traditions, hunting methods and opportunities for local hunters.įor years, TWRA has received complaints about our public land duck hunting system - mainly hunters wanting to see 1) more fairness in the one-day, in-person, duck blind-draw process, and 2) more opportunity for more hunters on public land/water.
![my ultimate duck hunting blind my ultimate duck hunting blind](https://www.realtree.com/sites/default/files/styles/site_xl/public/content/inserts/2020/ckonway-snacks.jpg)
And that is, listening and responding to its constituency. It's a shame, because in my opinion, TWRA is doing its job.
![my ultimate duck hunting blind my ultimate duck hunting blind](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kTL5b-SuiWw/hqdefault.jpg)
Now, I’m seeing disagreement among hunters over TWRA’s proposed changes to the public area-blind allocation system. We need look no further than the recent tragedy at Reelfoot Lake, where three hunters lost their lives over an ongoing squabble between occupants of two public blinds. But like most other things in life, it has a downside.