Commission to Hold First Meeting of 2014 in Memphis at Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s first meeting of 2014 will be held in Memphis at the Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters. Committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 while the regular session is on Friday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m.

Among the agenda items on the first meeting of the year will be a hunting seasons summary provided by Daryl Ratajczak, Chief of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Wildlife Division. These will include the deer, fall turkey, black bear, and inaugural sandhill crane season. A brief update of the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area’s wild hog control will also be given.

The TWRA recently implemented a new check-in application. An update on it will be presented. 

Chris Richardson, Special Assistant to the Director/Policy and Legislation will give a preview on the upcoming session of the Tennessee Legislature. An update on issues with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in regard to license and certification programs and boat registration will be given.

The TWRA has had a long standing partnership with Duck Unlimited. Highlights of the relationship will be shared at this month’s meeting. 

Representatives of the Shikar-Safari Club International will be at the meeting to present its 2013 Tennessee Officer of the Year Award. The annual award from the conservation-based organization honors the officer whose efforts during the year display outstanding performance and achievement among TWRA law enforcement personnel.

The commission will take the opportunity to recognize Bill Dance, nationally-known fishing personality. He has been active through the years in fishing, the outdoors and Tennessee in general.

West Tennessee resident Shane Hall will be introduced as the coordinator for the Agency/Commission Moment of Freedom Project.

The meeting will be the commission’s first in Memphis in several years. The public is invited to attend. The location of the DU building is One Waterfowl Way, 38120.

---TWRA---