A preview of the 2016-17 commercial fishing proclamations is among the agenda items at the August meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The meeting will be held in the Cumberland Room of the Art Circle Public Library in Crossville. The TFWC Budget Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18. Other committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. The regular TFWC meeting will start at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19. The public is invited to attend all the meetings.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Fisheries Division will present proposed changes in the commercial fishing and mussel regulations for next year. The TFWC will vote on the commercial fishing proclamations at its September meeting to be held at Pickwick Landing State Park. A preview of the 2017-18 sport fish proclamations will be made at the September meeting.
The winners of the drawing for the 2016 Tennessee elk hunt will be announced on Friday morning during the August meeting. This will include the four main drawing winners, the youth elk hunt tag winner, the five winners in the archery-only hunt, and the winner of the tag auctioned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation.
Chuck Yoest, Wildlife and Forestry Division assistant chief, will present TWRA’s recommendation for cervid deer carcass importation restrictions. There will also be an update on cooperative efforts between TWRA and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Due to flooding on the Mississippi River which forced a TFWC to close youth deer hunt in January, the TWRA is making a recommendation to avoid instances where future emergency TFWC meetings have to be called for a similar action. The TWRA is recommending a blanket closure of deer seasons when the Mississippi River reaches 34 feet at the Caruthersville (Mo.) gauge and will remain closed until the river falls to 32 feet at the Memphis gauge. The closed lands will include from the western border of the state east to the end of the Mississippi River bluff.
As requested by TFWC Chairman Harold Cannon, Property and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jeff McMillin will give an update on the status of field trial areas across the state. Much of the discussion will focus on Pooles Knob on Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area.
The agency will also present its fiscal year 2017-18 budget recommendations to the commission.