Times to duck set by TWRC
Originally published: August 30. 2009 3:01AMLast modified: August 28. 2009 4:05PM
Tennessee’s 2009-2010 waterfowl season has been set by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission. As reported earlier, nearly every duck species is doing well and the fall migration is expected to be well above average. The liberal recommendations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were generally followed by the TWRC, including a 60-day duck season ending on Jan. 31 and the maximum number of days for geese.
The Statewide Zone duck hunting season will be Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-Jan. 31; the Reelfoot Zone season will be Nov. 14-15 and Dec. 5-Jan. 31. These dates maximize the number of weekends open to duck hunting and will end on the latest date allowed.
Changes in this year’s mixed bag limit for ducks will feature an increase for hen mallards, scaups and canvasbacks. The approved daily bag limit of six ducks may include no more than four mallards (maximum two hens), three wood ducks (during the late waterfowl season only), two redheads, two scaup, and one each of black duck, pintail and canvasback. The daily bag limit of merganser is five, only two of which can be hooded mergansers.
Season dates for Canada geese are Oct. 3-9 and Nov. 28 – Jan. 31 in the Statewide Zone. In the Northwest Zone the dates are Dec. 5 – Feb. 14. The daily bag limit is two. Season dates and limits for the other goose species are similar to last year.
The youth waterfowl season is similar to last year. For ages 6-15, the Statewide Zone dates are Feb. 6-7, and the Reelfoot Zone dates are Feb. 13-14.
The proposed changes in the 2010 fishing regulations have been compiled by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and delivered to the TWRC. The TWRC will make the final decisions and announce them at its meeting in October. The changes suggested for Region IV follow.
For Cherokee Lake: Remove the paddlefish size limit, replacing the phrase “Culling, the releasing of harvested fish, is prohibited" with “Paddlefish: One per day. Season is open from March 1-15. Fish may not be released when caught.”
Melton Hill Reservoir: Increase the muskellunge minimum length limit from 44 to 50 inches, one fish per day creel limit. Extend the striped bass PLR (slot limit) of no fish 32-42 inches, one fish over allowed, to Hwy. 61 bridge at Clinton.
South Holston Reservoir: Remove the closed trout season that was Dec. 1 to Feb. 28.
Norris Lake: Change the smallmouth bass size limit from its 18-inch minimum length to a 17-to-22 inches PLR, one fish under and one fish over the PLR.
Proposed statewide changes would include this item: “Sport fishing trotlines, limblines, and jugs must be tagged and/or marked with the angler’s name or current TWRA identification number."
On the second weekend of August Tennesseans got a sales-tax-free holiday for school supplies. Well, the state of Louisiana is going one better. The “Sportsman’s Paradise” state just passed legislation for an annual sales tax reprieve on hunting equipment. They are calling it the “Second Amendment Weekend Holiday,” set for this Labor Day weekend.
The eligibility list has much more than mere firearms and ammunition. Hunting equipment includes such things as: Archery gear, camping gear, boots, clothing (all kinds), off-road vehicles, boats, optics, tree stands, blinds, holsters, knives, decoys, hearing aids, game cameras, game feeders, animal feed, etc. Let’s hope this idea catches on here. Talk about a stimulus to the economy.
[One friendly note of clarification: The above reference to the Second Amendment is a misnomer. The “Right to Keep and Bear Arms” has nothing to do with hunting. It was enacted to protect the rest of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.]
A hunter education class for Blount County will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 (M-Tu-Th-F) at the Knob Road Missionary Baptist Church. Space is limited so pre-register by calling 865-363-4926. Students should be at least nine years old, should bring a pencil and know their Social Security number.
Another class will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 (M-Tu-Th-F) at Townsend’s Church of the Cove.
Tom Wiest welcomes news, questions and comments from readers. Contact him at wiest.tom@gmail.com.
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