TWRC Holds Final Meeting of 2009

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission held its final meeting of 2009, which concluded Friday at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Region II Ray Bell Building.

 

Fisheries Division Chief Bill Reeves presented an amendment to a rule that would put into effect the live bait proclamation passed by the TWRC at its October meeting to establish native and non-native species that may be bought and sold for bait. The commission elected to table consideration of the rule amendment until its January meeting.

 

Area 33 Wildlife Officer Phillip Earhart, recently honored as the Southeastern Officer of the Year by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at its annual conference in Atlanta, was acknowledged for receiving the award in the presence of the commission. Earhart had been selected for the award from an area that encompasses more than 4,000 wildlife officers.

 

David Sexton, a wildlife officer in Sevier County, was honored by Shikar-Safari Club International as its Tennessee Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2009. Jim Maddox, a representative of Shikar-Safari, made the presentation. The annual award from the conservation-based organization honors the officer whose efforts during the year show outstanding performance and achievement among TWRA law enforcement personnel.

 

During Thursday’s committee meeting, long-time TWRA volunteer Jim Stroud was recognized by the agency for his many contributions through the years. Stroud assists the agency in many of its outreach programs and has served as a hunter education instructor for more than 25 years.

 

TWRA Chief of Information and Education, Don King introduced a short documentary depicting events surrounding the recent elk hunt. The first elk hunt in Tennessee in almost 150 years was held in late October and all participants harvested an elk at the event held at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. He also presented information regarding the upcoming “Wildlife Night” and hunter education class being held in conjunction with a Nashville Predators hockey game.

 

During its committee meetings, upcoming legislative items such as handgun permits while bow hunting on private land, the “Move over Law” in regard to waterways, abandoned and/or salvaged vessels and off-highway vehicles were discussed.

 

The TWRC will next meet Jan. 21-22, 2010 at Reelfoot Lake State Park. The dates are a shift from Jan. 20-21 that had originally been scheduled.

---TWRA---