Fish and Wildlife Commission to Set 2014-15 Hunting Seasons at May Meeting

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission will set the state’s 2014-15 hunting seasons at its May 22-23 meeting to be held at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Ray Bell Region II Building.

TWRA Wildlife Division staff made recommendations to TFWC members at the April meeting.

TWRA is proposing the creation of new management units for black bears. The three primary bear units will have different management objectives. They are population stabilization, population growth, and non-existent populations. 

The agency introduced the concept of Bear Management Units which are subdivided into five Bear Hunt Zones. The Unit and Zone terminology relates to the Bear Management Plan being written and changes how the agency will regulate bear harvest.

In regard to white-tailed deer hunting, there are recommended adjustments to increase antlerless opportunities in Blount, Marion, Putnam, Tipton and Washington counties in units A and B. 

For the past few years, the University of Tennessee has conducted telephone surveys to gauge public opinions about various TWRA programs. Dr. Mark Fly, from UT, will provide details about how each survey is originated and then conducted.

An update on the recently held National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament will be given. Some of the teams and participants earned the right to advance to the national tournament as a result of their performances. 

The meeting will begin on May 22 at 1 p.m. with the committee sessions. The formal meeting starts at 9 a.m. on May 23. The public is invited to attend. To view the previous TFWC meeting, visit the TWRA website's commission link by clicking here.

---TWRA---