Quick Draw Set for Second Year of Testing in Missouri
OutdoorHub 10.19.11
Jefferson City – Hunters who pursue waterfowl at Grand Pass, Eagle Bluffs and Otter Slough conservation areas (CAs) will find the Quick Draw reservation system in effect there again this year. Procedures for Quick Draw and reservations at other wetlands managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) remain unchanged.
MDC tested Quick Draw for the first time during the 2010-2011 hunting season. The system is designed to make hunting at state-owned wetlands more convenient and accessible to more hunters. Results from the first year under Quick Draw were mixed. MDC is continuing the test this year to obtain more information about how the system works under differing weather conditions and as hunters grow more familiar with the system.
Hunters will be able to register for the first drawing at Grand Pass CA starting at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 21 and closing at 3 p.m. Oct. 24. The initial registration period for hunting at Eagle Bluffs and Otter Slough CAs opens at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 28 and closes at 3 p.m. Oct. 31.
The Quick Draw registration form, drawing results and detailed information about the system are available at mdc.mo.gov/node/10272. Successful applicants who provide email contact information can receive notification of Quick Draw results at 8 p.m. the day of the drawing. Results are available online at 12:01 a.m. the morning following the drawing.
After the initial drawing in each zone, applications will be open from 12:01 a.m. Friday through 3 p.m. Monday for reservations on the following Friday through Monday. Applications will be open from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday through 3 p.m. Thursday for reservations the following Tuesday through Friday.
All three areas under Quick Draw will use the system to assign ADA-accessible blinds. The trial will not affect hunts during the youth waterfowl season, which will be handled as in the past.
The traditional waterfowl hunting reservation system is in effect at 10 of MDC’s 12 other managed wetland areas. The application deadline for that system is past. Results are available at mdc.mo.gov/node/9632.
Bob Brown CA was excluded from reservation drawings this year due to flood damage. The area will be open to hunting with limited access and very limited prospects for success. Ongoing wetland renovation work also kept Duck Creek CA out of the reservation drawing this year. Hunting opportunities in Pools 2, 3 and 8 will be assigned through a morning drawing each day of the season.
