The 2015-16 state waterfowl hunting seasons and a preview of next year’s sport and commercial fishing proclamations are among the agenda items at the August meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The meeting will be held at the TWRA Region IV Office in Morristown on Friday, Aug. 21, beginning at 9 a.m. (EDT). The TFWC Budget Committee will meet at the Region IV Office on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 2:30 p.m. Both meetings are open to the public.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials will present the late waterfowl season recommendations. The recommendations come within the federal guidelines for migratory bird hunting provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They include regulations on ducks, geese and the third sandhill crane hunting season in East Tennessee.
The TWRA’s Fisheries Division will present proposed changes in the sport and commercial fishing regulations for 2016-17. Agency recommendations will be distributed for public comments after the August meeting.
The TFWC will vote on the commercial fishing proclamations at its Sept. 17-18 meeting in Nashville. The sport fishing proclamations for 2016-17 will be discussed and voted on at the Oct. 15-16 meeting in Chattanooga.
The winners of the drawing for the 2015 Tennessee elk hunt will be announced at the August meeting. This will include the four main drawing winners, the youth elk hunt tag winner, and the winner of the tag auctioned by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation.
The agency will also present its fiscal year 2016-17 budget recommendations to the commission.