Here is a post from TWRA over on tnducks.com. You can go there and there are several threads on this subject.
The plan is to assign a total of about 25 designated blind locations on four waterfowl units... Johnson Bottoms (5 blind sites), Candies Creek (8 blind sites), Rogers Creek (8 blind sites) and Yellow Creek (4 blind sites).
Hunters would put in for the drawing as individuals, whoever is drawn can bring up to 3 different guests on each hunt day.
The drawing will provide assigned hunting for five different segments (of varying lengths) throughout the season ... assuming the USFWS allows a 60-day season.
Until now, hunting on these TWRA WMA's has always been open to all comers on a first-come, first-served basis. The result has often been extremely overcrowded conditions, hurting the hunt quality for everyone involved. In recent years there have even been reports of fist fights and numerous other verbal altercations breaking out during disputes between hunters over hunt locations.
TWRA is holding a public meeting to discuss the new plan on Thursday, May 13 on the second floor of the old Rhea County courthouse in Dayton at 7 p.m. (EDT). Biologist Ben Layton says they will have maps on-hand at the time to show the specific blind locations.
"Of course assuming we do this, we'll likely be 'tweaking' those blind locations for future years," said Layton.
Layton provides the following additional details:
PROPOSED DRAWING PROCEDURE FOR BLIND SITES ON YELLOW CREEK, CANDIES CREEK, ROGERS CREEK AND JOHNSON BOTTOMS
1. Hunter must apply at TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office or online at tnwildlife .org during the specified application period (September–October).
2. Hunter must be at least 16 years of age on or before the day of the hunt to apply.
3. Each hunter can submit only one application.
4. There is a non-refundable application fee of $10. Sportsman License holders, Lifetime Sportsman License holders and persons possessing an Annual Senior Citizen Permit (Type 167) do not have submit an application fee.
5. Blind site locations and hunting dates will be listed on the TWRA website and printed on maps that will be available to hunters before and during the application period.
6. Hunters will be selected for blind sites during specified hunt dates through a random computer drawing. Hunters not selected during the drawing process will be awarded priority status for subsequent drawing(s).
7. Hunters selected for a blind site must notify TWRA that they intend to hunt their blind site at least two weeks prior to their first hunt date. When notified TWRA will issue the hunter a confirmation number that will serve as the hunters blind permit.
8. Hunters that do not notify TWRA that they intend to hunt their selected blind site will forfeit their blind site and hunt dates.
9. Blinds that are forfeited will be filled by a hand-held drawing at a date, time and location specified by TWRA.
10. Hunting procedures for blind sites reallocated by the hand-held drawing will be hunted under the same regulations as for blind sites allocated through the computer drawing.
PROPOSED HUNTING REGULATIONS FOR YELLOW CREEK, CANDIES CREEK, ROGERS CREEK AND JOHNSON BOTTOMS
1. Hunter may only hunt during the dates and at the blind site that they were drawn for.
2. Hunters selected for a blind site, either through the computer drawing or hand-held vacancy drawing, must possess their confirmation number while hunting their blind site,
3. Hunter selected for a blind site may bring up to three additional hunters to their blind site during their selected hunt dates. No more than four hunters can occupy the blind site.
4. All hunters must possess the appropriate waterfowl hunting licenses and permits including a wma waterfowl permit.
5. Blind sites may not be hunted unless the hunter selected for that blind site is present. If the hunter selected is not present then that blind will be vacant and not hunted by anyone.
6. Hunting at blind sites is from temporary blind sites only. Blind site locations will be marked by TWRA with a numbered stake and temporary blinds must be positioned at these stakes.
7. Hunters may leave in place decoys and a temporary blind during their assigned hunt dates but must remove all items at the end of their last hunt day.
8. Waterfowl hunting will end at 3:00 pm each hunt day.
9. No waterfowl hunters or other activities permitted from two hours after the end of the waterfowl hunting hours until 4:00 am the following day during the duck season.
10. Blind sites will be available to young sportsman hunters during the Youth Waterfowl Season in February on a first come, first serve basis.
