The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the state’s 2014-15 commercial fishing proclamation at its September meeting which concluded Friday.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had made its proposal for 2014-15 during last month’s meeting. TWRA Fisheries Division Chief Bobby Wilson reviewed the proposals during the committee meeting session.
After lengthy discussion involving TWRA staff, the commission, and members from the commercial fishing community on Thursday, the major regulations were passed during Friday’s formal commission meeting. These regulations are effective Nov. 20.
The commercial paddlefish season will be open from noon on Nov. 20 through April 7, with exception of the Mississippi River where the season will remain Nov. 15 through April 15.
The paddlefish size limit will be 38 inches (eye-fork length) except for the Mississippi River where the minimum length will remain 34 inches.
The number of resident roe permits will be 55 with a goal to reach 40 through attrition. The number of non-resident roe permits will be five.
The number of nets allowed for paddlefish is 12. The nets must be six-inch mesh size or larger during the paddlefish season.
John Tully Wildlife Management Area in West Tennessee will be closed to the commercial harvest of snapping turtles. The area will continue to be open to commercial fishing. A research study of turtles will be held in the area.
Wildlife and Forestry Division Chief Daryl Ratajcak briefed the commission on next month’s sandhill crane hunt permit drawing. The drawing will be held Oct. 18 at the Birchwood Community Center (formerly Birchwood School) in north Hamilton County beginning at 8 a.m. (EDT). This will be the second year for the sandhill crane hunt. At its late August meeting in Jackson, the TFWC established the dates of Nov. 22-23 and Nov. 29 through Jan. 1, 2015.
It was reiterated that all permit holders must pass an internet-based identification test before hunting. It was announced that the test will be available online beginning Oct. 10.
The purpose of the test is to improve hunter’s awareness and ability to distinguish between sandhill cranes and protected species which may be encountered while hunting. The TWRA will provide computers for identification testing during registration and following the permit drawing.
The opening day of dove season is a traditional event and the TWRA makes efforts to lease fields and offer dove hunting opportunities on selected wildlife management areas. More than 6,000 hunters were present for the opening day on Sept. 1 on WMAs or fields leased by the TWRA. In surveys conducted by the agency, hunters across the state harvested an average of 3.5 doves.
Mr. Ratajcak also presented two of the division’s annual awards. The TWRA Wildlife Technician of the Year Award recipient is Glen Rogers from Percy Priest WMA. The Wildlife Biologist of the Year recipient is Dustin Thames, TWRA Region III Wildlife Diversity Survey Manager.
Don King, chief of the Information and Education Division, provided a status update on recent TWRA promotional campaigns and outreach efforts. The Agency has worked with the Nashville Sounds, the Tennessee Titans, and Music City Sports Festival on recent projects. In addition, the TWRA 65th Anniversary trailer has made appearances at various events throughout the state since May.
Region IV Manager John Gregory gave an update on a new proposed shooting range in Greene County. Real Estate Division Chief Tim Churchill announced a pair of federal grants grants that will be used including $1 million for wetlands and restoration in West Tennessee. A second grant for endangered species habitat is for $800,000 was also awarded to TWRA to purchase land in White and Van Buren counties.
Andrew Peercy, from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, gave an overview of last season’s Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target program. There were a total of 32 national champions from the state out of a possible total 105.