The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its first meeting of 2018 on Jan. 18-19 (Thursday-Friday) at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Ray Bell Region II Building.
Committee meetings begin at 1 p.m., Jan. 18. The formal commission meeting starts the following day at 9 a.m.
TWRA Waterfowl Program Coordinator Jamie Feddersen will preview the waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting seasons, including sandhill cranes, for next fall and winter to the commission. Due to changes in the timing of the federal regulation process in regard to the waterfowl and migratory game bird hunting, the annual proposals are now made in January. The 2018-19 regulations will be voted on by the commission at next month’s meeting.
Ducks Unlimited/Canada representative Dave Kostersky will be present to make the organization’s annual presentation to the commission. He will discuss highlights of the last year and the continued partnership with the TWRA.
TWRA Fisheries Division Chief Frank Fiss will have a follow-up of his December presentation on the status of Asian carp in Tennessee waterways. He will continue to discuss the latest efforts by the TWRA and its partners to control and contain the invasive species.
TWRA Communications Manager Doug Markham will provide an update on the agency’s campaign efforts to inform the public about chronic wasting disease (CWD) and efforts to keep it out of Tennessee. Among the efforts, is a page on TWRA’s website specifically dedicated to providing information about the disease.
There will also several presentations at this month’s meeting. These include the presentation of the second Robert M. Hatcher Ornithological Scholarship Award, named in honor of the late TWRA employee. Also presented will be the Information Technology Division Professional of the year and the annual Wildlife and Forestry Division’s wildlife technician and biologist of the year awards. In addition, retiring TWRA Region IV Manager John Gregory will be recognized.