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BIG TURNOUTS FOR BLIND DRAW…IS ANYONE SURPRISED?
Very few things are recession proof in these tough economic times. Duck
blind drawing day at Kentucky Lake, however, is one of them.
Waterfowlers flocked to several locations across west and middle Tennessee
last Saturday for the annual duck blind draw on TWRA wildlife management
areas. Seems the interest level remains high, despite several factors
hinting otherwise as winter seasons grow closer.
From poor crop production in some areas due to a wet spring and summer
that derailed planting of winter foods to tough competition in the draw
where odds of winning are slim; hunters don’t seem to mind and take it in
stride each year as the big event occurs.
Locally, crowds were larger than last year as to participation in the
draw. At Big Sandy where hunters were attempting to hear their name called
for a blind spot in either Camden bottom, Gin Creek, Big Sandy or Harmon’s
Creek there were some 2,459 who placed their name in the wire basket.
That’s a slight increase over last year, according to TWRA’s Ronnie Cole.
Henry County Fairgrounds had 362 hunters enter there in hopes of drawing a
spot in West Sandy, better known as Springville bottom. That figure was an
increase of about 70 over last year’s total entry.
Further east at Dover Bottoms the increase in participation continued as
some 1,275 showed up there, which was an increase of some 217 over last
year. A good crop of corn there this summer likely influenced more hunters
to enter that drawing.
There was talk that numbers of waterfowlers entering might be down this
year due to the crop scenario as ducks often favor the units where good
winter food is accessible. However, the high numbers of participant in the
drawings across the region shows the demand continues to increase for
public hunting opportunities in a sport that has gradually migrated toward
a rich man’s game.
Some waterfowlers shy away from the public hunt areas choosing to avoid
the hunting pressure and competition between blinds that are often close
together. Others accept the dog eat dog scenario and battle it out between
the treetops and decoy spreads.
Ethical hunters showing respect for nearby blinds as ducks wing overhead
are sometimes hard to find in a crowded and competitive hunting area.
Still, the good outnumber the bad if the number of hunters entering the
annual blind drawing is any indication.
And what about the season ahead? No one really knows as the weather
dictates to a large degree but available winter food is always a factor in
how ducks are attracted to an area and how long they stay around.
Tennessee duck hunters will know specific season dates after the wildlife
commission meets here at Paris Landing State Park on August 20-21.
Meanwhile, even if only one duck heads south this year you can bet as long
as there is a season and a duck blind draw big bunches of hunters will
show up whether the ducks do or not!
Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing
area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to
various national publications.
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