Friday, April 19, 2024
Connie Tucker
BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY
Connie Tucker has been employed by the Brazos River Authority for more than 10 years as reservoir manager for Lake Granbury.
For kids, the end of summer marks the beginning of a new school year. For adults, the end of summer is also the beginning of hunting season.
Each year, the Brazos River Authority holds a drawing for designated waterfowl hunting blind locations on Lake Granbury, providing safe areas on the reservoir for hunters to enjoy the sport close to home.
The lottery-style drawing system was established decades ago due to the overwhelming interest in blind locations on the lake. Last year the drawing was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, the traditional in-person drawing will resume.
“Lake Granbury typically provides up to 15 waterfowl hunting spots a year,” said Lake Granbury Reservoir Manager Connie Tucker. “The drawing system works well for everyone and is a fair way of making the spots available to everyone.”
“The total number of blind locations won’t be known until closer to the drawing date,” Tucker added. “Prior to the drawing, each location is reviewed to ensure it is still accessible by water and no new houses or structures have been built nearby.”
Here’s how it works.
N Participants must appear in person at the BRA Lake Office to enter and win a spot.
N Hunters must be at least 18 years old, have a valid 2021-2022 Texas hunting license, and the license must have the Texas Duck Stamp Endorsement and the current federal Waterfowl Stamp.
N One entry is allowed per person, and up to 4 people may share the blind location.
N On the day of the drawing, participants must arrive by the start of the drawing, and register to take part by putting their name in a hat.
N The first name drawn gets the first pick of the available blind locations, and the drawing continues until each spot has been assigned.
N A $200 permit fee is due at the time of the drawing for those selected. Only checks or money orders will be accepted.
Since Lake Granbury is a water supply reservoir, hunters should be aware that the lake level could drop after an extended period without rain or rise significantly during floods.
Hunters are responsible for providing their own blind for the season and removing it within 15 days following the season’s end. All posts, netting and any material brought to the location must be removed from the blind site. Failure to remove the blind or any of its components will result in a fine and exclusion from future participation in the blind drawings.
If fewer entries are received than the number of sites available, the remaining sites will be offered on a first-come/first-served basis.
The 2021 drawing will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at the Lake Granbury Office, 4552 Mambrino Highway in Granbury.
To learn more about Texas hunting laws, including information about hunting licenses and seasons, go to the TPWD website online (https//tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor/annual/).
For questions about the waterfowl drawing, call 817-573-3212.
judi.pierce@brazos.org
