Nashville, TN – The 2011-12 Tennessee waterfowl hunting seasons will be set at the August meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission. The meeting will be held August 24th-25th (Wednesday-Thursday) at the Meadow View Conference Center in Kingsport.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s proposals for 2011-12 will be presented to the commission. The proposals list very few changes in regard to the agency’s waterfowl recommendations with the exception of minor date adjustments to accommodate calendar changes.
The TWRA is proposing a 60-day season for 2011-12 duck hunting, with one split similar to past years, which would end January 29th, 2012 with a 6-duck bag limit. TWRA has also recommended using the maximum number of days allowed for the goose hunting seasons under the federal framework.
TWRA’s Fisheries Division will present the 2012-13 sport fishing regulations preview to the commission for discussion and approval to seek public comments. Sport fishing regulations are usually established during the October meeting of the TWRC.
At the request of the TWRC at its June meeting, the TWRA conducted surveys of anglers and fishing guides to get an opinion on the possibility of a fishing guide license. The results of the surveys will be presented for discussion.
Other agenda items include an update on the new statewide wild hog regulations. The new wild hog management plan is an aggressive approach to eradicate or seriously reduce the ever expanding wild hog population in the state. The commission will also hear a report on the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area.
An update will be given on the recently held auction for the final permit to participate in Tennessee’s 2011 elk hunt October 17th-21st at North Cumberland WMA.
The commission will conduct committee meetings during the afternoon on August 24th, beginning at 1:00pm (EDT). The formal TWRC meeting will begin at 9:00am on August 25th. The meetings are open to the public.
