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Squirrel hunting can be one of the most relaxing and pleasurable pastimes there is. You can lean against an oak tree deep in the woods, or walk old wooded roads and trails searching the treetops for bushytails. The companionship of a good squirrel dog makes it even better.

While you are at it, do not waste those squirrel tails. Sheldon's Inc. wants them for their very popular Mepp's Spinner fishing lures. Sheldon's feels they are too valuable not to be recycled, but the company is quick to specify that it wants only tails that have been harvested by sport hunters that will eat the meat.

The going rate per tail is 16 to 26 cents, depending on quantity and quality of the tails; or double your money (32 to 52 cents each) in product trade. Packages of 50 or more get shipping reimbursed. Here are some handling tips: Tails are best after September 30; leave tailbone in place; salt the cut end generously; dry or store tails straightened and away from flies (a freezer is best); don't store or ship them in a plastic bag.

So you won't get rich but, Hey! It's recycling. And some free fishing tackle. For more information call Mepps at 715-623-2382, or write them at 626 Center Street, Antigo, WI 54409. Their website is www.mepps.com/squirrels. The free Mepps Fishing Guide is also available.

Some states forbid the sale of any part of a game animal (to combat poaching). As far as squirrel tails are concerned, Tennessee and 45 other states allow it.

Next week read about "Mad Squirrel Disease."

- Dove season's first segment runs until Sept. 26, but the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency estimates that 90 percent of the entire annual harvest occurs on opening day, Sept. 1. That's when most of the wildlife management areas and leased dove fields are up and running.

The number of mourning doves has declined substantially over the past 40 years, according to the 2007 Mourning Dove Population Status Report, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In the past 10 years that decline has stabilized in all but five states: Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, and Ohio. In the South only Louisiana and North Carolina have seen significant increases in doves in the last 10 years.

The WMAs stay open for dove hunting, but most of the leased fields close after the first week of the season. Two exceptions are open on Sept. 13 in Jefferson County.

Vandalism has temporarily closed the Forks of the River WMA in east Knox County for migratory birds, namely doves, ducks and geese. About 10 days before opening day someone dumped agricultural grain as bait into some fields. The TWRA removed it. The reopening of migratory bird hunting at Forks of the River will be announced through the media and on its Web site www.tnwildlife.org.

The TWRA is seeking information regarding suspicious activity during the past couple weeks on the Forks of the River. Call the Region IV poaching hotline at 800-831-1174.

- What happens when an angler fights a big bass from the cold depths of a lake to the hot surface water, which has scant oxygen? Asphyxiation, or stress that kills the fish later. How can the bass mortality rate in summertime tournaments be reduced?

That's the big question facing the TWRA, which has assembled a committee to study the problem. Anglers, tournament directors, fishery biologists, people from every side of the issue will have input, looking for ways to make tournaments better while minimizing the effect on the state's fisheries. Wildlife officers will moderate the discussions.

The first meeting will be on Sept. 9 at the TWRA headquarters in Nashville and it is open to the public. Bill Reeves, Chief of Fisheries for TWRA, expects to have three or four more meetings before the spring of 2009.

"All we ask is that anyone that participates comes into this thing with an open mind that says, 'I'll listen to science and logic'" Reeves said. He is not looking to issue new regulations for tournaments, but to find some guidelines that tournaments will follow voluntarily. After all, it was tournament people that requested the committee.

- A hunter education class for Blount County will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Lanier Elementary School. Participants should bring a pencil and their Social Security number.

Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him via e-mail at his new address, wiest.tom@gmail.com.