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TN 2018-19 DEER SEASON
DEER HARVEST UPDATE
Henry County continues to maintain its second place ranking among the
state’s 95 counties in the total deer harvest. Since season opened on the
fourth Saturday in September hunters here have checked in a total of 2,799
as of midweek.
Giles County is leading the statewide harvest. Hunters there have taken
2,988 thus far!
Deer hunters will see the season fade away for the regular gun season on
January 6 but another five days of antlerless hunt will run through
January 11.
The curtain will fall after the last of two youth deer hunts on the
weekend of January 12-13.
ANTLERLESS DEER HUNT
Deer hunters across Unit L, which comprises all counties in West Tennessee
and the lion’s share of those in Middle Tennessee, will have a special
antlerless hunt from January 7-11.
According to TWRA regs no public lands or wildlife management areas are
open during the period. No antlered deer may be taken during the segment.
For additional info log on to TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org.
WILDLIFE COMMISSION RESPONDS TO CWD THREAT
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has made regulatory changes in
response to the confirmation of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer in
Fayette and Hardeman counties. The changes came at a special called
meeting of the TFWC on Thursday (Dec. 20) at the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency headquarters.
The commission voted to establish a CWD management zone which currently
includes Fayette, Hardeman, and McNairy counties. The commission took
action to create deer carcass exportation restrictions and a restriction
on feeding wildlife within the high risk area of the CWD management zone,
exceptions apply. The high risk area of the CWD management zone includes
counties within a 10-mile radius of the location of a confirmed CWD
positive deer.
Another regulation change for the CWD management zone is the creation of a
new deer hunting season. An archery/muzzleloader/gun deer season was
established there for Jan. 7-31, 2019. The bag limit for the season is one
antlered deer and unlimited for antlerless deer. All wildlife management
areas and other public land on which deer hunting activities are permitted
within the three counties will be open during this newly-established
season.
On or after Dec. 29, 2018, all hunters harvesting deer on weekends
(Saturday-Sunday) are required to check the deer in at a physical check
station. The TWRA will publish the locations of these stations on its
website (www.tnwildlife.org).
The TWRA is continuing its efforts of targeted sampling for CWD outside of
the CWD management zone. Emphasis will be placed on those counties
surrounding the CWD management zone.
With the positive confirmation, Tennessee became the 26th state to have
documented CWD. There have also been three Canadian provinces to have CWD.
The TWRA enacted the CWD Response Plan last week following the preliminary
positive detection. The response involves a coordinated effort between
TWRA, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and other partners.
Although CWD has no known risk to the health of humans or livestock, it is
a contagious and deadly neurological disorder that affects members of the
deer family. It is transmitted through animal-to-animal contact, animal
contact with a contaminated environment, and with contaminated feed or
water sources. It is the most significant threat to the deer population
nationwide, as it is 100 percent fatal to deer and elk. Wildlife agencies
across the country are working to inform the public about CWD, its deadly
results and possible impacts to economies.
More information about CWD, including cervid import restrictions and
videos that explain how to properly dress an animal before transporting
it, can be found on TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org. (https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/hunting/cwd.html/)
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE DRAWS EYE OF BIOLOGISTS
Recent news of Chronic Wasting Disease discovery in Tennessee deer has
taken the concern and topic off the back burner of wildlife management
officials in Tennessee and at Land Between the Lakes.
Updates have come out this week from both TWRA and LBL wildlife officials
voicing concern. Hunters are advised to read the two news releases that
came out this week from both agencies in their attempt to get the word out
to both hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.
First, a news release earlier this week from TWRA:
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is enacting the Chronic Wasting
Disease (CWD) Response plan, following a preliminary positive detection of
CWD in white-tailed deer in Hardeman and Fayette counties. The response
plan involves a coordinated effort between TWRA, Tennessee Department of
Agriculture, and other partners.
Seven deer in Fayette County and three in Hardeman County have
preliminarily tested positive for CWD. Additional samples are being tested
and the TWRA is actively trying to contact the hunters who harvested these
deer.
“Once arrangements are made, TWRA will be encouraging hunters harvesting
deer in these areas to submit their deer for testing,” said Chuck Yoest,
TWRA CWD Coordinator.
“Hunters are our biggest ally in managing chronic wasting disease in
Tennessee if it is confirmed here,” said Dr. Dan Grove, Wildlife
Veterinarian, University of Tennessee Extension. “Besides submitting deer
from the to-be-defined CWD Zone, the most important thing everyone needs
to do is follow the regulations for moving harvested deer. (https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/hunting/cwd.html/#law).
Although CWD has no known risk to the health of humans or livestock, it is
a contagious and deadly neurological disorder that affects members of the
deer family. It is transmitted through animal-to-animal contact, animal
contact with a contaminated environment, and with contaminated feed or
water sources. It is the most significant threat to the deer population
nationwide, as it is 100 percent fatal to deer and elk. Wildlife agencies
across the country are working to inform the public about CWD, its deadly
results and possible impacts to economies.
Currently, 25 states and three Canadian provinces have documented CWD.
Last week, Mississippi announced a preliminary CWD positive
hunter-harvested deer in Marshall County which became the closest to
Tennessee and the fourth overall this year in Mississippi. Other confirmed
cases have previously been made in the border states of Arkansas,
Missouri, and Virginia.
More information about CWD, including cervid import restrictions, and
videos that explain how to properly dress an animal before transporting
it, can be found on TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org. (https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/hunting/cwd.html/)
Land Between the Lakes also responds to recent CWD scenario.
The U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes now prohibits the
transport of harvested deer across state lines inside the National
Recreation Area.
Forest Service officials are taking this step to prevent the spread of
Chronic Wasting Disease.
Seven white-tailed deer have tested positive for CWD in the state of
Tennessee according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Both
Kentucky and Tennessee are now limiting the transport of certain deer
parts across state lines.
Land Between the Lakes spans both Kentucky and Tennessee with Hunter Check
Stations in each. Hunters at Land Between the Lakes are now required to
check animals at the Hunter Check Station in the state of harvest. It is
unlawful to transport deer onto Land Between the Lakes that were harvested
outside the boundary.
“This is a very serious disease that can have catastrophic impacts on our
deer and elk herds,” said John Westbrook, Environmental Stewardship
manager at Land Between the Lakes. “We want people to have spectacular
hunting experiences for years to come at Land Between the Lakes. It’s so
important that hunters follow the rules to keep the spread of CWD
isolated.”
According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources,
“hunters are prohibited from bringing any deer from Tennessee into
Kentucky unless the brain and spinal column have been removed first.” The
U.S. Forest Service fully supports the respective states and encourages
hunters to check with game processors before transporting any harvested
meat across state lines.
STATEWIDE DEER HARVEST EXCEEDS 100,000 MARK!
Tennessee’s deer harvest exceeded the 100,000 mark on Wednesday. Harvest
numbers continue to increase daily.
Henry County held on to third place ranking again this week as hunters
here have checked in a total of 2,245 deer since season opened. Montgomery
County had been statewide leader since season opened in September but
slipped to second place this week when Giles County edged up the ladder
with a total of 2,379.
Henry County is one of five counties where hunters have already checked in
over 2,000.
Total deer numbers for neighboring counties was as such: Stewart 1,845,
Weakley 1,689, Carroll 1,907 and Benton 1,262.
The cooler weather seems to have worked in favor of deer hunters these
last two weeks. Locally, several nice bucks have been checked in these
last two weeks too.
______________________
REGULAR GUN SEASON OPENS FOR DEER
The fourth Saturday in November is a special date on the calendar for deer
hunters in Tennessee. That’s signals the traditional opening day of the
deer season for regular gun hunters.
Chilly weather has hung around all week and may well linger into the
weekend.
For eons folks referred to the opening day of deer season as the date when
the regular gun season kicked it off. As deer numbers increased across the
state Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency added more days to the bow
season, added special Youth Deer Hunts and expanded muzzleloader segments.
By the time the fourth Saturday in November arrives nowadays, deer hunters
have already had an abundance of opportunities to hit the woods and
fields.
Still, the opening of regular gun season sees a big number of hunters
marching to their stands and likely the most popular day of the entire
season in terms of hunter participation.
Timed to coincide with the peak of the rut, the fourth Saturday of
November usually has pretty good timing for Volunteer State hunters. Some
years are earlier than others but overall, the timing is about right.
Meanwhile, harvest numbers across the state continue to rise on a daily
basis after a somewhat sluggish start this year.
Henry County hunters had chalked up 788 deer at the start of the week,
which has pushed their statewide ranking up to the number 5 spot on the
roster among the state’s 95 counties.
Leading the state for the last several weeks has been Montgomery County.
It continues to hold the top spot as hunters there have checked in 1,112
thus far.
Meanwhile, during gun season, sportsmen may also use muzzleloader or
archery equipment. The season will continue through Jan. 6, 2019. The
second Young Sportsman Hunt is Jan. 12-13.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969 is required to carry proof of
satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or be in possession of
the Apprentice Hunting License (along with other required licenses) while
hunting any species in Tennessee.
For more information about Tennessee’s 2018-19 deer hunting seasons, refer
to the 2018-19 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all
license agents, TWRA regional offices in Jackson, Nashville, Crossville,
and Morristown, or on the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org.
This is the fourth year that the statewide bag limit for antlered deer is
two. The number includes those taken during the archery only,
muzzleloader, and gun seasons.
The start of muzzleloader season was on Nov. 3, and Tennessee deer hunters
had a harvest of 7,683 on the opening weekend, compared to the previous
year’s 4,823 when temperatures were above normal.
Since archery only season began in late September, there have been 29,705
deer harvested through the first weekend of muzzleloader season, which
also includes the Young Sportsman Hunt in late October.
The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. No more than one
antlered deer may be taken per day. Hunters are allowed the following
antlerless bag limits: Unit L-3 per day, Unit A-2 per season, Unit B-1 per
season, and Unit C-1 per season (Nov. 17-Dec. 2 only), and Unit D-1-per
season (Nov. 17-23 only).
_____________________
MUZZLELOADERS OFF TO DECENT START
Tennessee deer hunters had a harvest of 7,683 on the opening weekend of
muzzleloader season as reports continued to trickle in Monday.
The current harvest number is an increase from the 4,949 recorded on the
2017 opening weekend.
Roane County had the top weekend with a harvest total of 237. Montgomery
County was second with 223. Rounding out the top 10 counties were Sumner
(189), Stewart (178), Wilson (176), Maury (167), Cumberland (163), Dickson
(160), McMinn (156), and Smith (152).
The muzzleloader/archery season will continue through Friday, Nov. 16. The
gun season will open Saturday, Nov. 17, the traditional opening of the
season coming on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. The season for
gun/muzzleloader/archery will then continue through Jan. 6, 2019. Archery
equipment is legal during muzzleloader and gun seasons. Muzzleloaders are
legal during gun season.
Muzzleloading firearms are defined as those firearms which are incapable
of being loaded from the breech. Muzzleloading firearms of .36 caliber
minimum, plus long bows, compound bows and crossbows are legal hunting
equipment for this season. Hunters are also reminded that they must meet
the blaze orange requirements while hunting.
The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. No more than one
antlered deer may be taken per day. Hunters are allowed the following
antlerless bag limits: Unit L-3 per day, Unit A and B-2 per season, and
Unit C and D-1 per season.
For the exact boundaries of the different deer units, hunters can refer to
the 2018-19 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available where hunting
and fishing licenses are sold and at all TWRA offices. A list of the
state’s permanent annual opening hunting dates is on page 12 of the guide.
The guide can also be viewed at TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org.
Hunters must possess the appropriate licenses. Lifetime Sportsman license,
Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish, Sportsman license or any Senior Citizens license do
not require additional licensure. However, hunters with a Combo Hunt/Fish
(001) will require an additional annual big game license for the equipment
type used, i.e. Muzzleloader (011) or Archery (010).
In addition to private lands, including public hunting areas, several
wildlife management areas (WMAs) will be open to hunters during this
muzzleloader season. Hunters need to refer to the 2018-19 Hunting and
Trapping Guide for a listing of these WMAs or go to TWRA’s website.
__________________
FIRST
OF TWO YOUTH DEER HUNTS ARRIVES
Seems only fitting that the youngsters get the first shots and kick off
the gun deer season this weekend.
Saturday and Sunday are the first of two weekend hunts that allow only
the youngsters to participate.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate and permit these future sportsmen
to get off to a good start as for many it will be their first hunt.
Youth ages 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can
use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment.
Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 or older
who must remain in position to take immediate control of the hunting
device. The adult must also comply with the fluorescent orange
regulations as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be
accompanied by a single qualifying adult.
Archery season began in the state on Sept. 22 and the first segment ends
Oct. 26, the day prior to the opening of the young sportsman hunt. The
second segment of archery only season is Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday,
Nov. 2. Muzzleloader/archery season starts Nov. 3.
The TWRA makes the recommendation that all hunters obtain a 2018-19
Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide lists license
requirements, the counties and bag limits for each of the different deer
management units. The guide is available on the TWRA website.
www.tnwildlife.org and where
hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
In 2017, youth hunters harvested a total of 6,418 deer during the first
weekend. It was an increase of 564 from the 2016 total.
____________________
DEER CHECK-IN OPTIONS
Sportsmen are reminded of various methods to check in their harvests.
Most deer are checked in on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s
website. Many sportsmen have smartphones/web access. For those sportsmen
who do not have web/smartphone access, the TWRA suggests you consider
using a friend’s phone or computer to check in your harvest on the TWRA
website or by the TWRA mobile application.
If this is not possible, you can physically check in your harvest at a
check station. Please note that due to a vendor change, there is about a
20 percent decrease in the number of check in stations across the state.
An updated check-in station list is available on the TWRA website under
the For Hunters section.
All deer harvests must be checked in by the end of the calendar day.
Evidence of the animal’s sex and antlered status must remain with the
animal while afield and checked in.
CWD CONCERNS AGENCY
In an effort to keep chronic wasting disease (CWD) out of Tennessee, the
state’s wildlife agency is reminding hunters who travel beyond state lines
that they must be mindful of import restrictions before they return home.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is concerned about hunters who
pursue big game in the cervid family, which includes white-tailed deer,
elk, and moose.
Because chronic wasting disease is contagious and deadly to deer, the
agency is urging sportsmen to read this year’s Tennessee Hunting &
Trapping Guide for instructions on properly preparing game for transport.
Import restrictions apply to most U.S. states and all Canadian provinces
where chronic wasting disease has been discovered.
“This includes Arkansas and Missouri, which border Tennessee,” noted Col.
Darren Rider of the TWRA Law Enforcement Division. “If someone comes back
into the state without following the restrictions we would have to
confiscate their prized deer, elk, or moose, which is something we
definitely do not want to do.”
Virginia has also reported CWD, but because the positive counties are more
than 150 miles from Tennessee, hunters outside of Frederick and Shenandoah
counties are not bound by this year’s restrictions.
“The import restriction will go into effect for all of Virginia beginning
next spring,” said Col. Rider.
While Tennessee’s import restrictions do not halt the transport of legally
taken deer, elk, or moose, they do require carcasses be cleaned and
dressed beyond what is typically done by most hunters.
The following can be imported into Tennessee from CWD positive areas:
*Meat that has bones removed.
*Antlers, antlers attached to cleaned skull plates, and cleaned skulls
(where no meat or tissues are attached to the skull.)
*Cleaned teeth.
*Finished taxidermy, hides, and tanned products.
More information about CWD, including many of the states and provinces
where CWD has been reported, can also be found on TWRA’s website homepage
under “Hot Topics.”
Hunters should inquire with wildlife agencies prior to their out-of-state
trip if CWD has been identified in local cervid populations.
GUN DEER SEASON OPENS…FOURTH SATURDAY IN NOVEMBER IS A TRADITION
It’s billed as the opener of gun deer season in Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency literature. Yet a big number of deer hunters across the
Volunteer State have already been in the woods and fields for quite some
time with a muzzleloader or bow.
Tennessee’s long-standing annual outdoors traditions
begins with the opening of the 2015-16 gun hunting season for
deer. Deer gun season has the permanent opening date of the Saturday
prior to Thanksgiving.
The biggest change for hunters in 2015-16 is the statewide bag limit for
antlered deer is now two. The number includes those taken during the
archery only, muzzleloader, and gun seasons.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency divides the state into three
deer hunting units, A, B and & L. No more than one antlered deer may be
taken per day toward the bag limit.
For antlerless deer hunting in Units A and B during this season, refer
to the list of hunts on page 26 of TWRA’s 2015-16. The bag limit for
antlerless deer in Unit L is three per day. An antlerless deer is
defined as those deer with no antlers or deer with both antlers less
than three inches in length.
A Type 94 permit is required to harvest antlerless deer during this
season on all non-quota hunts in Units A, B, & L, except for holders of
an Annual Sportsman, Lifetime Sportsman, Senior Citizen License Type 167
Permit, or landowners hunting under the landowner exemption. A Type 94
permit is required for all ages.
TWRA personnel will be collecting data at selected check-in stations and
deer processors across the state on opening day. Antlered bucks will be
measured and aged for management purposes.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969 is required to carry proof of
satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or be in possession
of the Apprentice Hunting License (along with other required licenses)
while hunting any species in Tennessee.
For more information about Tennessee’s 2015-16 deer hunting seasons,
refer to the 2015-16 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available at
all license agents or log onto the agency’s website at
www.tnwildlife.org.
NATIONAL HUNT/FISH DAY
Over 100 years ago, hunters and anglers were the earliest and most vocal
supporters of conservation and scientific wildlife management. They were
the first to recognize that rapid development and unregulated uses of
wildlife were threatening the future of many species.
Led by fellow sportsman President Theodore Roosevelt, these early
conservationists called for the first laws restricting the commercial
slaughter of wildlife. They urged sustainable use of fish and game,
created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for taxes on sporting
equipment to provide funds for state conservation agencies. These actions
were the foundation of the North American wildlife conservation model, a
science-based, user-pay system that would foster the most dramatic
conservation successes of all time.
Populations of white-tailed deer, elk, antelope, wild turkey, wood ducks
and many other species began to recover from decades of unregulated
exploitation.
During the next half-century, in addition to the funds they contributed
for conservation and their diligent watch over the returning health of
America’s outdoors, sportsmen worked countless hours to protect and
improve millions of acres of vital habitat—lands and waters for the use
and enjoyment of everyone.
In the 1960s, hunters and anglers embraced the era's heightened
environmental awareness but were discouraged that many people didn't
understand the crucial role that sportsmen had played-and continue to
play-in the conservation movement.
On May 2, 1972, President Nixon signed the first proclamation of National
Hunting and Fishing Day, writing, "I urge all citizens to join with
outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring
their proper management for the benefit of future generations."
By late summer, all 50 governors and over 600 mayors had joined in by
proclaiming state and local versions of National Hunting and Fishing Day.
The response was dramatic.
National, regional, state and local organizations staged some 3,000 "open
house" hunting- and fishing-related events everywhere from shooting ranges
to suburban frog ponds, providing an estimated four million Americans with
a chance to experience, understand and appreciate traditional outdoor
sports.
Over the years, National Hunting and Fishing Day boasted many more public
relations successes, assisted by celebrities who volunteered to help
spotlight the conservation accomplishments of sportsmen and women.
Honorary chairs have included George Bush, Tom Seaver, Hank Williams Jr.,
Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw, George Brett, Robert Urich, Ward Burton,
Louise Mandrell, Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, Jeff Foxworthy and many other
sports and entertainment figures.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, celebrated the fourth Saturday of every
September, remains the most effective grassroots efforts ever undertaken
to promote the outdoor sports and conservation.
BIGGER DEER BEING TAKEN
American deer hunters are killing the highest-ever percentage of bucks age
3½ and older, according to data gathered by the Quality Deer Management
Association for its 2015 Whitetail Report.
In the 2013-14 season, the most recent season with compete deer harvest
data available from all states, 34 percent of bucks harvested in the
states that collect buck age data were 3½ or older. That statistic is up
from 32 percent the season before, and significantly up from a decade
before in the 2003-04 season, when only 23 percent of the national buck
harvest was mature. These gains have been made while the percentage of
yearling bucks (1½ years old) in the harvest has steadily declined,
reaching a record-low of 36 percent.
"This is a testament to how far we've come as hunters in the past decade,"
said Kip Adams, QDMA's Director of Education & Outreach, who compiles the
annual Whitetail Report. "More hunters are choosing to protect yearling
bucks, and they are being rewarded by seeing and killing more of them as
mature animals."
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