The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its first 2019 meeting at the Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters in Memphis. The two-day meeting is set for Jan. 17-18 (Thursday-Friday).
Committee meetings will start at 1 p.m. on Thursday. The regular commission meeting begins at 9 a.m., Friday.
Among the items on this month’s agenda, is an update on chronic wasting disease, testing results to date, and the recent public meeting held in Bolivar. Other topics to be discussed will be the CWD response plan and the special new regulations enacted by TFWC that includes a new hunting season in the CWD management zone.
A preview of waterfowl and migratory game bird hunting will be presented by Jamie Feddersen, migratory gamebird program leader. Season date changes will be discussed. Changes in the federal framework require the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to update its proclamation each year.
There will be a presentation from Ducks Unlimited representative DU’s Dave Kostersky. He annually makes a visit to provide an update on the partnership and conditions in Canada.
In addition, Dale Hall, who has served Ducks Unlimited as its chief executive officers since 2010 will be recognized. He is currently in the final year of leading a campaign of $2 million for North America wetlands conservation and served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 31 years, the last four as its director.
TWRA Fisheries Chief Frank Fiss will provide an overview of the rules and regulations for fish farming, catch-out operations and bait dealers.
The commission will consider four rulemaking changes. The TWRA is establishing rules regarding public record requests and will consider changes to the fees associated with motorized boat registrations.
In addition, the TFWC is considering new rules related to operations of non-motorized vessel outfitters. The proposed rule would create a permit for outfitters that would establish minimum operating standards and associated fees.
The commission’s final rule to consider pertains to Tennessee’s Native Son license. When initially created, the Native Son license had an expiration date of Feb. 28. The proposed rule change will allow the TWRA to continue selling the Native Son license into the future.