Unit B allowing one doe for muzzleloaders
The muzzleloading deer season runs Nov. 3-16 for all the big game units. The limit on bucks is the same for all, three, which is the same as the annual maximum for the state. The limit on does depends on the unit: Unit A is four, Unit L is three per day and Unit B varies by county.
New this year: All the counties in Unit B will allow one doe to be taken for the entire muzzleloader season. Those counties include: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Pickett, Polk, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, and Washington.
• Use this tool to track the migration of woodcock (and waterfowl) into Tennessee. The Ruffed Grouse Society is again providing access to its online National American Woodcock Migration Mapping System. This advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping system relies on daily migration data provided by hunters, bird dog trainers and bird watchers all over the eastern United States.
Users can go to http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org -map to see where the most sightings were on the previous day, previous week or month as the birds move north or south. Users also can enter their own reports on the woodcock they have seen. RGS has adapted the same system that http://Waterfowler.com developed for the fall duck migration.
Now there is an app for the migration maps of woodcock and waterfowl developed by http://Waterfowler.com . It is free and available now for Android phones, coming soon for iPhones. To download the app click on the Migration/waterfowler.com button on the RGS mapping page.
• Remember that the opening date for rabbit and grouse seasons has been moved up to the first Saturday in November — Nov. 3 this year. Grouse season has been restored to its original length so both species will close on Feb. 28. The daily bag limits are 10 for rabbits and six for grouse.
• As the first youth deer hunt winds down today (Sunday), here is a nice bonus for any first-time deer slayers. Whitetails Unlimited has extended its popular “My First Deer” program for 2012. While oriented toward the young, hunters of any age will appreciate the acknowledgement of their memorable achievement.
Hunters need only submit a photo of their first deer, along with a short narrative (250 words maximum) about their auspicious hunt. WTU will provide the successful deer hunter with a personalized color certificate, suitable for framing, and a stainless steel Cabela’s water bottle.
There’s more. All participants will be entered into a drawing for one of three gift cards from Cabela’s: $300, $200 and $100. The drawing will be held Jan. 3, 2012. For complete details on the “My First Deer” program, go to http://www.whitetailsunlimited.com and select resources.
WTU is a national nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1982 and is dedicated to ethical hunting, wildlife habitat enhancement and education.
• Here is another WTU activity for young and old alike. Whitetails Unlimited Trail Camera Contest celebrates the window into the natural world that trail cameras provide. Photos taken in 2012 must be submitted to the Whitetails Unlimited website http://www.whitetailsunlimited.com by Dec. 28.
First, second and third places will be awarded to three categories: Best buck, best antlerless deer, and best non-deer photo. Up to three entries are allowed and the trail camera date must be on each photo. Winning images will be posted on the WTU website and also published in Whitetails Unlimited Magazine.
Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him at (wiest.tom@gmail.com)
