Fishing regulations changed
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission met last week and approved changes in the fishing regulations for 2013-2014. In many cases efforts were made to simplify current regulations. The changes will go into effect on March 1, 2013.
Umbrella rigs (Alabama rigs): Allow a maximum of three hooks (single, double, or treble) per rod. Sabiki rigs, typically used for baitfish, will be permitted.
Skipjack Herring: Establish a creel limit of 100 per day and 200 possession, no size limit. The TFWC is concerned that this popular baitfish could be overfished.
In other statewide changes, the brook trout’s six-inch minimum length will be removed; and air rifles are added to the list of weapons not allowed to take fish and turtles.
Regional rule changes include: On Cherokee Reservoir the minimum length for walleye, sauger, and saugeye will be reduced from 18 inches to 15 inches, and the creel limit on all three in combination will be 10 per day.
• How do you know when the Fall Migration begins for ducks? And when will they get to Tennessee? Now you can track the migration almost like a FedEx package. Go to http://www.waterfowler.com and read weekly and soon-to-be daily migration reports; or select “Migration Mapping” for a national migration map with duck observation data from real people in the field. Waterfowl activity is plotted on the map on a daily basis as low, moderate and peak. Soon you will be able to select real time hunting reports as hunting seasons open. There is much more on the website.
Several years ago http://Waterfowler.com developed this computerized system of real time personal reports of duck observers. Now there is a smart phone app for the migration maps, free of charge, and ready for Android phones, coming soon for iPhones. Download it from the website by selecting the icon for “new mobile app”.
The opening weekend for the 2012-2013 duck hunting season will be Nov. 10-11 in the Reelfoot Zone; then it continues in earnest on Dec. 1 – Jan. 27. The Statewide Zone begins on Nov. 24-25 and continues on Dec. 1 – Jan. 27.
New this year: The youth waterfowl season in the Statewide Zone and Reelfoot Zone will be split into two one-day hunts on consecutive Saturdays, rather than a Saturday-Sunday format. The dates in 2013 will be Feb. 2 and 9 for youths ages 6-15.
• The website http://NRAhuntersrights.org is inviting hunters to submit photos from their hunts this fall for posting on the site’s trophy gallery. Hunters of all ages are welcome to participate, and what constitutes a trophy is completely up to you.
Simply e-mail your photo to (huntersrights@nrahq.org) and put “Trophy Gallery” in the subject line. All photos should be sharp, tasteful and display safe gun handling practices. Include the following information: Your name and hometown, date and location of the hunt, species and firearm or bow used, and any special details. The gallery will be updated all season, so stop back often to see the latest photos, as well as the latest news that impacts your right to hunt.
Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him at (wiest.tom@gmail.com)
