The 2014-15 state waterfowl hunting seasons and a preview of next year’s sport and commercial fishing proclamations will be among the agenda items for the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission at its August meeting. The meeting will be held Aug. 28-29 (Thursday-Friday) at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials will present the late waterfowl season recommendations. The recommendations come within the federal guidelines for migratory bird hunting provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They include regulations on ducks, geese and the second sandhill crane hunting season in East Tennessee.
The commission will hear a brief history on migratory bird hunting in Tennessee. Also, biological information on the current migratory game bird population will be provided.
The TWRA’s Fisheries Division will present proposed changes in the sport and commercial fishing regulations for 2015-16. Agency recommendations will be distributed for public comments after the August meeting. The commission will discuss and vote on the commercial fishing proclamations at its Sept. 18-19 meeting in Nashville. The sport fishing proclamations for 2015-16 will be discussed and voted on at the Oct. 29-30 meeting in Greeneville.
The winners of the drawing for the 2014 Tennessee elk hunt will be announced during Thursday’s committee meeting. This will include the four main drawing winners, the youth elk hunt tag winner, and the winner of the tag auctioned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation.
The 2013 Boating Officers of the Year will be introduced to the commission. Announced earlier, Joe Campbell is the Boating Officer of the Year while Greg Barker is the part-time award winner. Both officers serve in West Tennessee.
The agency will also present its fiscal year 2015-16 budget recommendations to the commission. The presentation will be made during the committee meetings with the voting for approval on Friday.
The meeting will begin on Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on Aug. 29. The meeting is open to the public.