A preview of Tennessee’s 2018-19 proposed sport fish and commercial fishing proclamations, along with the announcement of the permit winners to participate the 2017 elk hunt were announced at the August meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The two-day meeting concluded Wednesday and was held at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Region II Ray Bell Building.
TWRA Fisheries Division Chief Frank Fiss presented the agency’s proposed changes to the sport fish and commercial fishing proclamations. In regard to sport fishing, a proposal would close upper Cherokee Reservoir to snagging from March 1 through May 31, except during the snagging season (April 1-15). The purpose of the closures would be to protect paddlefish from snagging before and after the snagging season.
Another proposal would reduce the area on the Elk River of Watauga Reservoir that has a hook restriction during January through April. This change would allow anglers to use all types fishing gear in this section of the river year round. The last two proposals would open delayed-harvest trout fishing areas on Doe River in Carter County and Buffalo Creek in Grainger County.
A proposal to the commercial fishing proclamation would allow commercial fishermen to harvest Asian carp from privately-owned lakes adjacent to the Mississippi River. Fishermen would need landowner permission and have to tend their gill-nets at all times. The proposal would also allow commercial fisherman to harvest Asian carp from Willow Chute and Rhodes Lake in Moss Island Wildlife Management Area.
David Roddy, Hatchery and Aquatic Nuisance Species coordinator, presented an overview of the new Florida largemouth bass spawning facility in Humboldt. Following the presentation, Fiss presented Humboldt Hatchery staff members with a Meritorious Service Award for their accomplishments. Humboldt Hatchery’s Hunter Henley and Tom Pratt accepted the award on behalf the hatchery staff.
TWRA Region IV Wildlife Program Manger John Mike announced the winners of the 14 drawn permits and one auctioned permit to hunt elk on North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area or private lands in counties within the Elk Restoration Zone. The TFWC voted to increase the total number of elk hunt permits from 11 to 15 and increase the three hunt segments to seven days each. This will include seven archery permits, seven for gun (which includes the auctioned permit), and one youth permit.
Selected to participate in the archery-only hunt Sept. 30-Oct. 6 are Johnny Lankford Delaney (Chattanooga), Edgar Michael Galaway (Brighton), William C. Harris (Smithville), Jimmy E. Hilliard (Maryville), Brandon T. Metcalf (Greeneville), Matthew Douglas Meyer (Knoxville), and Larry Wayne Rosenbaum (Dickson).
Guns, muzzleloaders, or archery equipment are allowed in the Oct. 14-20 hunt. Selected to participate were James L. Blackwell (Chattanooga), Doug C. Gougher (Jasper), Kimberly Ann Mayfield (Etowah), Gary W. Ownby (Clinton), Floyd Eugene Roach (Knoxville), and Darvis Gary White (Greeneville). The seventh permit was presented to a non-governmental organizational, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. The permit was auctioned with a bid of $13,000 was made by Alabama resident Tim Fisk. Fund-raising proceeds from the auctioned tag are designated for the elk restoration program.
The youth tag permit winner is Reed A. Johnson (Manchester). This will be the sixth year for the tag which is designated for youth ages 13-16. The TFWC voted to allow a full week for the first time this year, rather than a two-day weekend hunt. It will be held Oct. 7-13.
Josh Landrum was introduced to the commission as the TWRA’s Boating Officer of the Year. He serves in a 12 county district in the Middle Tennessee. He also was recognized with a commendation for his part in saving a pair of lives after an incident involving kayaks on Percy Priest Lake.
The commission heard a report from Lacey Lane on the 2017 Tennessee Outdoors Youth Summit (TOYS). After being held the first seven years in Montgomery County, TOYS was held at the Clyde M. York 4-H Center in July. Ninety students participated in variety of hands-on classes that teach the importance of natural resources and their management.
The TFWC approved the agency’s budget for fiscal year 2018-19 of approximately $90.7 million. The agency’s fiscal year begins in June of each year.
The TFWC will holds in next meeting Sept. 26-27. The fishing regulations for next year will be set at that meeting.