The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s first meeting of 2014 will be held in Memphis at the Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters. Committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 while the regular session is on Friday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m.
Among the agenda items on the first meeting of the year will be a hunting seasons summary provided by Daryl Ratajczak, Chief of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Wildlife Division. These will include the deer, fall turkey, black bear, and inaugural sandhill crane season. A brief update of the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area’s wild hog control will also be given.
The TWRA recently implemented a new check-in application. An update on it will be presented.
Chris Richardson, Special Assistant to the Director/Policy and Legislation will give a preview on the upcoming session of the Tennessee Legislature. An update on issues with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in regard to license and certification programs and boat registration will be given.
The TWRA has had a long standing partnership with Duck Unlimited. Highlights of the relationship will be shared at this month’s meeting.
Representatives of the Shikar-Safari Club International will be at the meeting to present its 2013 Tennessee Officer of the Year Award. The annual award from the conservation-based organization honors the officer whose efforts during the year display outstanding performance and achievement among TWRA law enforcement personnel.
The commission will take the opportunity to recognize Bill Dance, nationally-known fishing personality. He has been active through the years in fishing, the outdoors and Tennessee in general.
West Tennessee resident Shane Hall will be introduced as the coordinator for the Agency/Commission Moment of Freedom Project.
The meeting will be the commission’s first in Memphis in several years. The public is invited to attend. The location of the DU building is One Waterfowl Way, 38120.
Here is the agenda:
Time Discussion Subject
1:00 p.m.* Chairman Jeff McMillin Call to Order
Roll Call
Announcements
Wildlife Management Committee:
Trey Teague, Chairperson
Tom Rice, Vice-Chairperson
Jim Bledsoe
James Stroud
Jamie Woodson
Bill Cox
David N. Watson
Daryl Ratajczak, Chief 1. Hunting Season Summary
Wildlife Division
Daryl Ratajczak, Chief 2. Ducks Unlimited Partnership
Wildlife Division
Craig Hilburn
Manager of Conservation Programs
Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Fisheries Management Committee:
Jim Bledsoe, Chairperson
Bill Cox, Vice Chairperson
Harold Cannon
Clayton Stout
Jeff Griggs
Jim Ripley
Bobby Wilson, Chief 1. Commercial Fishing Fisheries Division Proclamation 14-01
Retention and Recruitment Committee:
James Stroud, Chairperson
David Watson, Vice-Chairperson
Jim Bledsoe
Bill Cox
Clayton Stout
Trey Teague
Shane Hall, Coordinator 1. Moment of Freedom
Moment of Freedom Project
Government Relations Committee:
Jamie Woodson, Chairperson
Harold Cannon, Vice-Chairperson
Jeff Griggs
Jim Bledsoe
Jim Ripley
Tom Rice
Chris Richardson 1. Update on Upcoming Session
Special Assistant to Director/ of the Legislature
Policy and Legislation
2. Recent Meetings with County
Officials and State Representatives
Barry Sumners 3. Legislative History of the TN
Assistant Director Permanent Senior Citizen
Chris Richardson License
Special Assistant to Director/
Policy and Legislation 4. Update on Issues with the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Audit Committee:
Bill Cox, Chairperson
Jeff Griggs, Vice Chairperson
Jamie Woodson
Clayton Stout
Tom Rice
Barry Sumners 1. Audit Compliance Update
Assistant Director
Budget Committee:
Jeff Griggs, Chairperson
Harold Cannon, Vice-Chairperson
Jim Ripley
James Stroud
Barry Sumners 1. Budget Expansion
Assistant Director $37,500
State Wildlife Grants Project
2. Real Estate Report
*Times subject to change