The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is now soliciting comments on the proposed 2017-18 hunting seasons’ regulations that were made at the April meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. This is an opportunity for the public to share ideas and concerns about the proposed hunting regulations with TWRA staff.
At the April meeting, agency staff presented the TFWC Wildlife Management Committee with its 2017-18 proposals. There were no recommended changes for any of the seasons, although it was proposed to implement standardized opening dates for the various bear seasons and hunt zones. TWRA has standardized opening dates for many other game species’ seasons.
After hearing the proposals, the TFWC discussed the definition of an antlered deer. At last year’s season setting, the definition of what qualified as an antlered deer was changed to having any antler protruding above the hairline, rather than antlers three inches or more in length. The commission will continue the discussion at its May meeting when the 2017-18 seasons are set.
The commission also plans to continue discussion on turkey bag limits at the next meeting.
Various changes were recommended on wildlife management areas, public hunting areas, and national wildlife refuges.
A public comment period on the proposals will be open until May 15, and a link to the proposed changes will be available for viewing soon on the TWRA website.
All the proposed regulations changes can be found on the TWRA website, www.tnwildlife.org under the Hot Topics section of the front page.
Public comments will be considered by TWRA’s Wildlife Division staff and may be presented as proposals for regulation changes. Comments may be submitted by mail to: 2017-18 Hunting Season Comments, TWRA, Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204 or emailed to twra.huntingcomments@tn.gov. Please include “Hunting Season Comments” on the subject line of emailed submissions.
The public comment period concerning the 2017-18 proposed hunting seasons regulations will be open until May 15, 2017.