Jumping blinds

[bill cooksey]

This is not at all my experience on the WMAs where I hunt. I am sure it is the case in some places. Part of what is difficult is to paint all WMAs with the same broad brush. They are all somewhat unique and trying to make one size fits all policies and regulations is a challenge.

It has been the case consistently on every West TN WMA with Tier 2 blinds. Why should people not be allowed to hop the blinds they paid for? There’s no reason for those blinds to be protected more than those paid for privately. It makes absolutely no sense at all.

 

[Holesinthesky]

I've had several dozen stolen over the years. One year lost half my spread over the season. Another time idiots cut the strings tied the brush on the blind, and made a jerk string. When they were done, they shot the dozen decoys they used. They also stole 2dz superman's. We found them because they were still tied to the blind, and the string got wrapped in the prop.

As far as I'm concerned they should ban blind hopping on private blinds, and seasonal draws. People jumping a blind, looking at unguarded decoys start getting ideas. Not everyone mind you, but enough it turned me against it. Only jumped one blind in my life, but it was a walk in state built, and brushed blind, and no decoys left out. I left it as I found it.

I am not opposed to allowing people to jump blinds.
My problem is with people who think they can do what they want because it’s not theirs. They don’t care if it gets destroyed. And those that steal things.

I have hopped blinds. I guarantee I left it better than I found it.
If there is a trash bag in the blind, I take it out with me. Picked up trash, and empty shells.
sometimes leave case of water or 12pk of cokes in blind.

I still support the policy to be able to jump season long blinds, and I strongly support not allowing the jumping of tier 2 blinds.

To each, their opinion.
But I have an issue with it. These blinds were taken from the season draw blinds. Like Bill said, they were usually the most productive blinds.
These blinds were paid for with OUR money. Therefore, if not occupied, they should be allowed to be hopped.

What’s next. TWRA builds a launch, and only those who draw a Tier II blind, can launch from it?

 

[Small Bore Hunter]

With the thinking of "these blinds were paid for with OUR money" then there should not be any private blinds on public waters. These waters are maintained by OUR money, but others get the use of it for 60 days and will continue to until the person whose name the site is listed in, dies and it's returned to the State. IMO the Tier 2 program is a good project for anyone that wants to hunt a few days a year in a blind. I also believe the 60 days blind drawing should be held in person. Get up and go to the blind drawing on your choice if you are interested in 60-day blind even if it involves a 4-hour drive. It's the same distance to drawing as it to hunt.

 

[adirondack46r]

Small Bore makes sense. I love the tier 2 draws, which by the way, we all have equal access to. Having said that, I see both sides of this debate. I have seen it played out on TNDeer, here, and in the parking lot at a WMA.

I just want to duck hunt with my buddies. That's all.

 

[Holesinthesky]

@Small Bore Hunter

I assume you were referring to me, since you used a quote by me.
——-With the thinking of "these blinds were paid for with OUR money" then there should not be any private blinds on public waters. These waters are maintained by OUR money, but others get the use of it for 60 days and will continue to until the person dies and is returned to the state.——

We were talking about Tier II blinds and not Tier I blinds.
BUT- the current Tier I blinds that are private are only on 2 places in the state.
That battle has been settled by the courts. And as you said, once the current owner passes it reverts to the state.

I am sure you know,as you are very knowledgeable. Those blinds were in place before TWRA even began regulating the WMAs.

It is because of that court battle, that TRWA now has control of the blinds on all WMAs, and eventually those 2 WMAs.

So it is not OUR money being used in regards to those Private blinds. In all my years, I have not seen any TWRA “maintained” at one of those WMAs ( with the exception of ditch clearing).

Actually, “the maintenance“ by TWRA on of the WMA, pretty much destroyed duck hunting on it. By not keeping the water (pumped out), and allowing it to be flooded all year, killed almost every hardwood tree that was a food source.
Now there is only scrub trees and buck brush.

For the past 7 years, I have seen more blinds “forfeited” back to the state as owners get older, and say just not worth looking at blue sky/no duck days.

Additionally, on that particular WMA, there was a private sportsman group, that would gather money to pay for things (such as gravel for the parking area) to be done, because TWRA did not have money in the budget for improvements.
This group, also would go into the WMA, and cut fallen trees out of the way thru the ditches/creeks to allow navigation.

Yes they were doing it to get to their blinds, and had a sense of ownership - meaning by doing maintenance they were helping themselves.
But if they did not, a lot of the public draw blinds, would not of been accessible, if had to rely on the group that drew a 60 day Tier I.
Can‘t tell you how many conversations I have heard when draws were in person……. Oh, we don’t want that blind. It needs repairs, trees need cut to get to it, etc…..
Which then turns into, a blind in disrepair, and not used.

When I said our money…. My argument is not against the Tier II blinds, but the protection from being hopped if unoccupied.

As I previously stated, I watched one Tier II blind this season, remain unoccupied for several days this year.
Before it became a TIER II blind, it was probably the best Tier I blind in that WMA.

I am 100% in agreement that drawings should be in person.
This past year, 2 different groups put in for a blind and got drawn.
When they showed up and found out there was no blind on site, that they had to build, or float one in. They said…. We aren’t going through that.

 

[Small Bore Hunter]

As I have said before, in most cases hunters who draw a tier 2 site will not leave it if they are killing ducks. The same time that tier 2’s are empty several tier 1’s are also empty in same area due to no ducks. Not every one, nor I will set in a tier 1 or 2 all day if nothing is seen. It would be nice to known how many hunters apply for the tier 2’s. From what I can tell they are very popular. The non hopping is to avoid intimidation from some locals and TWRA is aware of these people. We drew a blind on Reelfoot year before last and had to build it almost completely. I agree that a lot of people will not put forth the effort to repair, build, decoy and cut access to the blind. I would not apply or hunt even a great blind 4 hours away. We have only been successful 2 times in 20 years drawing a blind at Reelfoot. That is reason I mostly boat hunt when I can.

 

[Wanderer]

As I previously stated, I watched one Tier II blind this season, remain unoccupied for several days this year.
Before it became a TIER II blind, it was probably the best Tier I blind in that WMA.

Now Hole,

Bill's blind was not in the same location as the current Tier 2.

Are you sure it wasn't TVA that couldn't pump due to mechanical failures and not just TWRA not asking them to control the water at a level that wouldn't kill the timber?

Also, prior to last year TWRA was planting over 100 acres of corn on the area you are refering to and I have seen them bring in gravel and blade both the Round Hole parking area and the Pumphouse one. They have also reclaimed some of the marginal areas in both the Pumphouse field as well as the Merrell and I am aware of some cleanup above Union.

As much maintenance as we'd like or arguably necessary to maintain the area at historic levels maybe not, but you have to be fair.

Will

 

[Holesinthesky]

The Tier II blind I was referring to, is not at the WMA you are referring to.
I didn’t hunt that WMA this year.

As for TVA not pumping. That is controlled by TWRA, even though TVA owned.
TWRA is responsible for pumping.

As for the improvements, they were done in preparation for the Tier II blinds.
Nothing was done at Union launch. Not to mention anything that side of the bridge or up Holly.

What about the fields that used to be at Turkey that were allowed to grow up in buck brush.

Regardless, not keeping the water pumped off, killed all the hardwoods. So no mast crops.

 

[Wanderer]

Ok I got confused and thought you were still talking about Grandfathered Tier 1's.

Your understanding of the pumping at West Sandy doesn't match the understanding I have from both of the parties you mentioned.

My understanding is TVA monitors and manages the water levels at West Sandy taking recommendations for timing and levels from TWRA, however, it is solely responsible and the final authority on when and how much and whether to pump or not.

Good luck wherever you decide to hunt.

Will

 

[charlie8584]

I am not opposed to allowing people to jump blinds.
My problem is with people who think they can do what they want because it’s not theirs. They don’t care if it gets destroyed. And those that steal things.

I have hopped blinds. I guarantee I left it better than I found it.
If there is a trash bag in the blind, I take it out with me. Picked up trash, and empty shells.
sometimes leave case of water or 12pk of cokes in blind.

To each, their opinion.
But I have an issue with it. These blinds were taken from the season draw blinds. Like Bill said, they were usually the most productive blinds.
These blinds were paid for with OUR money. Therefore, if not occupied, they should be allowed to be hopped.

What’s next. TWRA builds a launch, and only those who draw a Tier II blind, can launch from it?

The six blinds taken at old hickory were NOT the most productive. Just the easiest to access. Suspect same was true at every WMA. Some nay sayers spin they truth to support their views. Whats next will nay sayers say poor hunters who draw a blind not be allowed to to hunt "there" blinds. Tired of vocal few dictating the direction of duck huhting in tennessee