TWRA Requests Public Input on Pair of Migratory Bird Issues

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is seeking public input on two migratory bird issues.

The first issue involves the opening day of the 2013-14 waterfowl hunting seasons. Due to the federal framework and Tennessee’s 60-day waterfowl season, the season would open up on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 28.  The agency has the option to split the season and have an opening weekend on Saturday Nov. 23 (also the opening of the deer gun season) or on Saturday, Nov. 16 (potential lack of water and/or ducks).

“Considering the potential conflicts that all those options present, we would like to hear what our waterfowl hunters would prefer,” said Daryl Ratajczak, Chief of TWRA’s Wildlife and Forestry Division. 

To complete the survey online, click here.

The TWRA is also soliciting input on a possible sandhill crane hunting season. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended a potential 60-day sandhill crane season, with 775 permits available (3 birds per permit). The sandhill crane zone would be restricted to the southeastern portion of the state (south of I-40, East of Hwy 56) where the majority of the birds migrate. To provide comments on the sandhill crane season, send emails to TWRA.Comment@tn.gov with the subject line “Sandhill Crane.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also have a 10-day public comment period once the recommendation is published to the Federal Register in late July.

Both the Waterfowl opening day survey and the TWRA sandhill crane comment period will be open until August 10, 2013. For those individuals without internet services, comments on both issues can be mailed to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Att: Waterfowl Regulations, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN, 37204. Sportsmen casting a vote on the opening day of waterfowl seasons must supply a valid TWRA ID number.

---TWRA---