Commission to Set 2012-13 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons at August Meeting

NASHVILLE — The 2012-13 Tennessee waterfowl hunting seasons will be set at the August meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. The meeting will be held Aug. 23-24 (Thursday-Friday) at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Ray Bell Region II Building in Nashville.

The TWRA‘s governing body, which assumed its new name July 1, held a brief organizational meeting last month to elect its 2012-13 officers. William Brown, of Chattanooga, was named chairman, a position he held for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission for 2011-12. Dr. Jeff McMillin, of Bristol, was the TWRC’s secretary for 2011-12 and will now serve as vice-chairman. Jeffrey Griggs, of Lexington, was elected as the TFWC’s secretary.

At this month’s meeting, TWRA Migratory Game Bird Coordinator Tim White will provide commission members with an update on the status of waterfowl in North America and present the agency’s waterfowl hunting season recommendations. The passage of the migratory bird hunting season proclamation will set Tennessee’s 2012-13 waterfowl hunting seasons.

TWRA’s Fisheries Division will present proposed changes in the sport and commercial fishing regulations for 2013-14 as well as recommendations made by the Commercial Fishing Advisory Committee. Sport fishing regulations are usually established during the October meeting of the TFWC.

An update will be given on the final elk hunt permits for the 2012 hunt. A recently held auction for the final permit to participate in the Oct. 15-19 hunt at North Cumberland WMA has been issued. Also, the drawing for participation in the first youth elk hunt Oct. 20-21 has been held, which was won by 14-year old Jessica Parkins of Greeneville.

The commission will conduct committee meetings during the afternoon on Aug. 23, beginning at 1 p.m. The formal TWRC meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 24. The meetings are open to the public.