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TN DEER SEASON 2023-2024
By Steve McCadams
HENRY COUNTY 3RD IN DEER HARVEST
Tennessee’s statewide deer harvest exceeded 150,000 deer this year! Total
numbers have increased and trickled in on Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency’s website since the final two days of the special Young Sportsman’s
Deer hunt brought the official season to an end.
Although unofficial, it appears hunters harvested over 150, 174 deer among
the state’s 95 counties.
Here in Henry County hunters accounted for 3,426 this year, which ranked
third in the state. It was indeed a pretty good year overall for area
hunters.
Taking the top spot this year in Tennessee was Giles County. Deer hunters
there chalked up 3,837 this season. Sumner was second with a total harvest
of 3,484.
This year there were eight counties that harvest over 3,000 deer. Members
of the elite list were Giles, Sumner, Henry Maury, Franklin, Montgomery,
Lawrence and Lincoln.
Locally, neighboring counties did quite well. Benton had 1,456, followed
by Carroll 2,942, Stewart 2,207, and Weakley 2,819.
Also up this year was the total number of deer taken to the Henry County
Deputies for the Hungry Program. This year 177 deer were taken to HCSD
compared to 99 last year. The meat is processed by inmates and distributed
each year to needy families throughout the county.
DEER HUNTERS IN FULL SWING
Tennessee’s statewide gun hunting season opened last Saturday so hunters
across the state are in full stride. The season traditionally opens each
year on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. During gun season, sportsmen
may also use muzzleloaders or archery equipment.
The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is two. No more than one
antlered deer may be taken per day, not to exceed two for the season.
Hunters are allowed the following antlerless bag limits: Unit L-three
per day, Unit A-two per season, Unit B-one per season, Unit C-one per
season (Nov. 18-Dec. 3 only), and Unit D-one per season (Nov. 18-24
only).
In Unit CWD, there is a limit of three antlerless deer per day with no
season limit. A bag limit of three antlered deer applies in Unit CWD,
too. However, the bag limit of three antlered deer may be exceeded
within Unit CWD if taken under the Earn-A-Buck Program or the
Replacement Buck Program. Details on each of the programs are on page 30
of the 2023-24 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide.
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 Hunter Education Permit (along with other required
licenses) while hunting any species in Tennessee. Hunter education can
be completed online for free along with other options.
For more information about Tennessee’s 2023-24 deer hunting seasons,
exact boundaries of deer units, and complete license requirements refer
to the 2023-24 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available online at
tnwildlife.org or the TWRA App. Physical copies can be picked up at an
agency office or license agent retail location.
STATEWIDE DEER HARVEST EXCEEDS 159,000…HENRY COUNTY TOTALS 3,213
Last Sunday saw the Volunteer State’s deer season draw to a close. After
the final day of the second Young Sportsman’s Deer Hunt last weekend the
curtail fell for deer hunters in the 2022-2023 season that began way
back on September 24.
It appears some nine counties across the state had deer harvest total
that exceeded the 3,000 mark. And, there were almost ten as neighboring
Carroll wound up with 2,999!
Leading the statewide harvest among the state’s 95 counties was Giles.
Hunters there checked in a whopping 4,275 deer this year.
Meanwhile, counties with harvest figures exceeding 3,000 were Henry
(3,213), Franklin (3,217), Giles (4,275), Lawrence (3,914), Lincoln
(3,074), Maury (3,555), Montgomery (3,849), Sumner (3,542) and Wayne
(3,205).
The unofficial statewide harvest stood at 159,919 this season.
TWRA SEEKS INPUT ON CWD STRATEGIC PLAN
A 30-day public comment period is now open for the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency’s new five-year chronic wasting disease (CWD) strategic
plan. The CWD Response and Management plan will serve as a guiding
document for TWRA staff and ensure the best science is applied in
efforts to control the disease.
The new plan includes five main overarching goals:
1. Prevent the introduction or spread of CWD to new areas.
2. Surveillance and monitoring to improve early detection of the disease
and better track the number and location of cases.
3. Activate management and responses to minimize the impacts of CWD
where the disease has been detected and proactively respond to any new
cases.
4. More research to optimize all of TWRA’s CWD programs.
5. Outreach and Communications to ensure the public and our hunters have
the information they need about CWD.
Hunters have an important role in helping manage CWD. The complete plan
can be found on the Public Notice section of the TWRA website. Comments
may be submitted by mail to: Wildlife Public Comments, TWRA, Wildlife
Division, 5107 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 or emailed to
Twra.huntingcomments@tn.gov. The comment period is open through Jan. 29.
Since December 2018, the TWRA and its partners have been responding to
the discovery of CWD in Tennessee. During the 2021-22 fiscal year, TWRA
sampled more than 16,000 deer, with 631 returning positive results.
Management of CWD is complex and requires numerous long-term techniques
to be applied, monitored, and adjusted over time.
Development of the new strategic plan has been an 18-month process for
the TWRA with the help of the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture with additional
input from a wide range of stakeholders.
YOUNG SPORTSMAN DEER HUNT BRINGS SEASON’S END 21-2022
Deer season is about over in Tennessee unless you’re a youngster. Kids
falling in the age bracket of 6-16 years of age get another crack at a
special weekend youth hunt Saturday and Sunday.
This is the finale for Volunteer State deer hunters who started the
season off way back on the last Saturday of September when archery
season kicked things off.
The last five days hunters had an opportunity to hunt private lands only
and that expires today. Last Sunday saw the curtain fall on the regular
gun, muzzleloader and archery season.
At midweek Henry County hunters had checked in a total of 2,219 deer. No
doubt that number will swell after this weekend’s Young Sportsmen Deer
Hunt.
Meanwhile, the statewide harvest on deer stood at just over 127,000 as
of midweek. Giles County has maintained its lead among the state’s 95
counties for several consecutive weeks as hunters there have checked in
3,332 this year.
Totals for neighboring counties showed Benton with 1,425; Carroll at
2,270; Stewart with 2,093; Weakley showing 1,869.
And so it is that a popular season fades away. Most deer hunters hate to
see season end. They enjoy the anticipation of an early morning wake-up
call and going through the motions of heading outdoors just before
dawn’s final yawn.
Watching the fields and woods wake up on a frosty morning from the
confines of a deer stand is special to many. Sometimes the quiet and
cold mornings are shared with a youngster, family member or perhaps just
a friend.
Waiting on that big buck to head into view is thrilling. Buck fever has
been known to take over many sporting moments for both young and old.
Yet most deer hunters will tell you there’s a lot more to the deer
season than just taking a shot with your rifle, muzzleloader or bow.
It’s all the things that go with it that help comprise a joyful moment
in the great outdoors.
Sometimes it’s a flock of turkeys yelping as they pass beneath the deer
stand without any idea you were there. Seeing and watching the wildlife
up close and personal adds another dimension to the hunt.
Perhaps an allusive coyote who keeps his distance while trying to figure
out what’s up. He senses something is different but can’t quite figure
it out. He plays the card of patience, using his wits and wisdom to
attempt to make you move first and reveal your whereabouts.
Same as the wise old buck who listens closely to any irregular noise or
glimpse of any unusual motion that ought not be there. He didn’t get
that majestic rack by being stupid. The years in the wild have honed his
senses.
If you’re lucky sometimes a covey of quail can stroll by and ruffle a
leaf or two as they pilfer for food. Maybe a rabbit or two dancing at
the edge of the thicket while all the time watching for a darting hawk
or sly fox to pose a threat to his peaceful morning stroll.
A day in the deer stand is bonding with someone special who has the
patience and experience to lead by example. Everything from gun safety
to just understanding nature and passing it on in response to endless
questions from a youngster with an inquiring mind.
There will be success stories of big bucks taken if the hunters pays his
dues and logs the time and effort. It may take long hours of planting
food plots, erecting stands long before season opens and then passing up
shots waiting on bigger bucks to appear.
It’s a season that has many dimensions to it. That’s why sportsmen hate
to see the curtain fall.
Who knows what next fall will bring? Or who will still be here. Will
that big buck make it another year to sport an even bigger rack to go
with his added wisdom.
Will Chronic Wasting Disease change the entire deer picture to the
extent seasons will never be the same?
A lot of questions and concerns enter the minds of deer hunters as the
season draws to a close.
Tomorrows aren’t guaranteed to anyone. Quiet times in the deer stand
sometimes help tell a story without having to say anything at all.
DEER HARVEST UPDATE
Tennessee’s deer harvest continues to increase and totals at the start
of the week had climbed to 112,303 for the statewide total.
Henry County hunters had check in a total of 1,888 by the start of this
week. Neighboring counties had the following harvest totals: Benton
1,242, Carroll 1,981, Stewart 1,920 and Weakley 1,615.
Still maintaining the lead among the state’s 95 counties is Giles
County. Hunters there have checked in 2,834 so far since season opened
back in late September.
Deer hunters are approaching the end of the regular gun, muzzleloader
and archery season. The final day is January 2. After that, a few more
days are available during a private lands only hunt slated for January
3-7.
After that the final two-day season for young deer hunters will be held
January 8-9. That’s the Young Sportsman Hunt available to youngsters
falling in the 6-16 year age bracket.
RECENT MEETING CASTS DARK CLOUD FOR DEER HUNTERS
After last week’s meeting by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at
Henry County Fairgrounds hunters and wildlife enthusiasts are better
informed about the ramifications of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the
state’s herd but most in the crowd now find themselves in a deer
dilemma.
Many in attendance gained a batter understanding and perception of what
this mysterious disease is about.
Said one hunter at the conclusion of the presentation: “we’re sick but
the doctor can’t do anything for us!”
A crowd of some 125 people attended, soaking up information presented by
Dan Grove, a veterinarian and wildlife health specialist working with
both TWRA and UT Extension Service. Also presenting was Jeremy Dennison,
CWD Field Coordinator with TWRA.
If those attending came to the event hoping to hear some good news of
progress or cures from the front lines of the war on CWD they left
disappointed. What they learned is that CWD is a formidable opponent to
the future of deer hunting here in Tennessee and Henry County.
Grove provided a pictorial presentation supported by graphs and several
years of data giving attendees some history of the disease that first
surfaced in western states in the 1960’s but was first discovered in
Tennessee in 2018.
In summary, Grove says:
(1) CWD is a significant threat to the state’s white-tail deer herd (2)
TWRA has the goal of keeping CWD from spreading and keeping the number
of diseased deer in areas to a minimum and reducing disease rates where
possible.
(3) Biologists want to increase the harvest in affected counties while
the agency increases its sampling as it attempts to better understand
the disease (4) bucks are twice more likely than does to have CWD and
older bucks are three times more likely to have it than younger ones (5)
CWD isn’t known to affect cattle, horses, sheep or goats (6) Long term
effects on the state’s herd are unknown (7) CWD is 100 percent
fatal…once deer have it they are unable to breed and die within 18
months. In the early stages cosmetic signs are thin hair, drooling,
walking in circles and allowing humans to approach them.
(8) It has never been known to infect humans (9) It’s a prion type
disease brought on by abnormal, pathogenic agents that throw off the
balance of proteins especially in the brain of deer, lymphatic system,
etc… (10) CWD management is not a one-man band. It is a partnership
between TWRA, partners, hunters, landowners, and you. Your engagement
and support is needed. Please, harvest more deer in Unit CWD. Abide by
carcass transportation and feeding restrictions in CWD-positive and
high-risk counties.
Meanwhile, there’s a lot of uncertainty among the ranks of hunters as to
the future of deer hunting not only here in Henry County but across the
state.
There’s some unknowns as to how to address and stop CWD. There are some
knowns too and that information is quite disturbing.
Henry County has been one of the top counties in the state as to harvest
numbers for decades. From leases to hunters by landowners and farmers to
the tourism generated by legions of hunters who travel here for the
excellent deer hunting opportunities; there’s insecurity as to what lies
ahead.
Same goes for the sporting goods industry both locally and statewide.
Meanwhile, hunters can help their own cause by following TWRA
guidelines.
For additional information and more details of CWD the agency has
established a website: CWDinTennessee.com that will provide specifics of
transportation and the overall scenario of the situation at hand.
Stay tuned as the future has a lot of chapters ahead that haven’t been
written on this saga. An uncertain future awaits deer hunting wherever
this ugly disease shows up!
DEER HARVEST UPDATE
2020-2021
Volunteer State deer hunters have really been racking up this past week.
The statewide harvest stood at 102,724 at midweek, crossing the 100,000
mark on Monday on the data base of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Still the leader among the state’s 95 counties is Montgomery at 2,417.
However, Giles County is hot on their heels with 2,394.
Locally, Henry County hunters have checked in 1,960. For the first time
this season all five area counties have now harvested over the four
digit mark as Benton has 1,125, Carroll 1,936, Weakley 1,605 and Stewart
1,857.
Area hunters have taken some huge bucks these last two weeks too.
Several trophy bucks have been taken both in Henry County and the
surrounding area.
The regular gun/muzzleloader/archery season runs through January 3.
Then, a Private Lands Only hunt will be held
Jan 4-8.
STATE DEER HARVEST ECLIPSES 134,000
2019-2020 Season
Tennessee deer hunters harvested just over 134,000 deer this year
according to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s data base. Season
ended last Sunday at the culmination of the two-day Young Sportsmen’s
Deer Hunt.
A breakdown of the counties unofficially shows Giles taking the top spot
as hunters there checked in 1,721 this year.
Henry County hunters had another good year checking in 1,372 deer and
ranked seventh among the state’s 95 counties.
The tally for the season was 134.090 according to the agency’s website.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING SUCCESSFUL
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced its initial chronic
wasting disease (CWD) response efforts were successful in the Agency
sampling more than 2,700 deer for the disease in the CWD Management Zone
with the assistance of hunters.
“Thanks to the cooperation of hunters and efforts by Agency staff, we
exceeded our sampling goals for the CWD Management Zone,” said Chuck
Yoest, CWD Coordinator. “The information gathered from these efforts is
critical to developing a successful long-term CWD management plan.”
The CWD Management Zone, established in December, has grown to include
eight southwest Tennessee counties. The counties are Chester, Fayette,
Hardeman, Haywood, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton. Tipton County
was just added this week upon confirmation of a CWD positive deer
harvested near its border in the adjacent Fayette County.
Statewide, TWRA was able to obtain samples from almost 5,400 deer during
the 2018-19 deer hunting seasons. All CWD positives found were harvested
in Fayette, Hardeman, and Madison counties.
It will take until later in February for all the results from the
samples to be received by the TWRA. Once the results are received and
analyzed, final development of the long-term CWD management plan will be
completed.
DEER HARVEST/CWD UPDATE
The statewide deer harvest stood at 145,711 this week and while the
regular season ended January 13, 2019 with the last Youth Deer Hunt there’s
still change underway as season has been extended in Fayette and
Hardeman counties due to the discovery of deer that tested positive for
Chronic Wasting Disease.
Season has been extended in those counties until January 31. So, that
will alter the statewide harvest somewhat by the end of the month.
Henry County appears to be in third place for the statewide harvest this
year as hunters here checked in a total of 3,377.
Leading the state was Giles County where hunters checked in 3,638. Wayne
County placed second with 3,528.
An update on the status of chronic wasting disease (CWD) was presented
during the first meeting of the
wildlife commission of 2019 which concluded recently at the Duck
Unlimited national headquarters in Memphis.
Chuck Yoest, CWD coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency, made a presentation on the agency’s chronic wasting disease
response. Yoest informed the commission the agency has sampled more than
4,800 deer this season in Tennessee. Also, he shared that 62 samples
from Hardeman and Fayette counties have been confirmed CWD positive.
The agency anticipates more positive CWD results from these areas since
it is placing a heavy emphasis on sampling there according to its
response plan. Yoest also said that public meeting held in Bolivar
earlier in January in regard to CWD, had an attendance of about 400.
WIILDLIFE COMMISSION HEARS 5-YEAR DEER PLAN
Deer hunters across the Volunteer State are likely watching and waiting
to hear more on a five-year deer management plan, especially here in
deer rich Henry County.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s five-year strategic deer
management plan was presented during the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife
Commission’s final meeting of 2018.
The two-day meeting concluded Friday at the TWRA’s Region II Ray Bell
Building in the Ellington Agricultural Center.
The strategic deer management plan has six major goals. This includes
gathering more information about Tennessee’s deer herd, about the
harvest of deer in Tennessee, and about the desires of Tennessee
hunters. It also encompasses the development of support programs for
landowners and communities and to address potential deer-related
problems.
In addition, minimize the threat of chronic wasting disease. Increase
communication efforts between the Agency and the public. Identify the
resources and funding necessary to improve the hunting, management, and
overall health of Tennessee’s deer herd.
The draft plan is available online on the TWRA website for a 30-day
public comment period at tn.gov/TWRA/deerplan. The Agency will consider
all public comments and modify the draft plan as appropriate. The TWRA
hopes to release a final version of the plan in late February.
The TWRA and TFWC honored the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wild
Turkey Federation with a resolution for its longtime partnership with
the Agency. Ross Melinchuk, NWTF Vice President of Conservation was
among the guests. The TWRA and NWTF have had strong partnership through
the years in efforts to restore the wild turkey population. The NWTF is
involved annually on various projects with the TWRA.
Joe Benedict, Wildlife and Forestry Division Chief, gave a presentation
on how the TWRA plans to increase habitat management on four featured
wildlife management areas (WMAs). These WMAs include one each from the
four TWRA regions and are Wolf River, Cheatham, Bridgestone/Firestone,
and North Cumberland.
The TWRA Fisheries Division previewed proposed changes to Rule 1660-1-26
Rules and Regulations for Fish Farming, Catch-out Operations, and Bait
Dealers. In an effort to prevent invasive species from being transferred
into or propagated in Tennessee, the TWRA proposes a list of species
that will be authorized for use in these operations. The TFWC will vote
on the rule in February 2019.
The TFWC first meeting in 2019 will be held in Germantown at the Ducks
Unlimited National Headquarters. It will be a two-day meeting on Jan.
17-18.
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/)
__________________
ON-LINE HARVEST INSTRUCTIONS
The
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides several methods for hunters
to report their big game harvests. Recently some hunters have reported
problems when using their personal computer to report a harvest. TWRA is
offering the following instructions for those persons experiencing
time-out issues when accessing the TWRA’s online harvest reporting system.
In most
cases, the issues are connected to the internet browser on your computer
and can be resolved by following the steps below. (The specific
instructions are based on Internet Explorer because it is the State of
Tennessee standard). However, if a different browser is utilized such as
Firefox or Chrome, the persons will need to accomplish the same task, but
will need to refer to specific instructions posted on those manufacturer
websites.
1) Select
"Tools"
2) Select
"Internet Options"
3) Delete all
cookies and temporary internet files
4) Open a new
browser tab and manually type in GOTWRA.ORG (do not use the saved link
from a previous session)
Sportsmen
are reminded that big game harvests can also be checked in on the TWRA
mobile app from a smart phone or tablet and in person at a traditional
check station.
_______________________
HENRY
COUNTY SECOND STATEWIDE 2017-18 HARVEST DOWN FROM LAST YEAR
Tennessee’s deer season officially ended Sunday afternoon when the curtain
fell on the second and final youth hunt. It’s over now for the Volunteer
State until the archery season returns on the traditional fourth Saturday
in September to kick things off next fall.
Henry County hunters had another good year, ranking second in the
statewide total harvest among the state’s 95 counties. The unofficial
total harvest from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency shows hunters here
checked in 3,691 deer this season. Last year’s total was a bit higher at
3,839.
Odds are the total for both Henry County and statewide would be been a bit
higher had severe weather and blizzard conditions not descended during the
last weekend of the youth hunt and at the end of the antlerless week which
allow five days on private lands.
Statewide Volunteer State deer hunters checked in 143,881 this season.
That’s also down compared to last year’s total of 157,801.
Leading the state this year was Fayette County where hunters harvested
4,028 to command the top spot.
Neighboring counties that make the top 15 ranking were Carroll which
placed seventh with 3,058. Stewart County ranked 11th with
2,745 followed by Weakley in 15th place with 2,536.
Just why the local and statewide harvest was down has hunters voicing
opinions. Some say they just saw less deer this year around this area.
Several veteran hunters reported fewer deer sightings while others say
they saw plenty but took fewer small bucks in hopes of managing their
acreage for bigger deer in the future.
Others feel there are just less deer in the county and region. A few feel
the liberal doe limited enacted several years ago may have diminished the
herd, a scenario that may well have been the object of the overall
management plan by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Factors like blue-tongue in some middle and east Tennessee counties could
well have hurt the deer numbers for hunters in some places.
Weather is always a factor too and the last week or so wasn’t friendly to
most hunters nor was the first full week of January at the end of the
regular gun season when frigid temperatures likely curtailed hunting
activity for some.
Still, it was a pretty good season overall for most. Practically every
deer hunter was able to put some meat in the freezer even if they didn’t
bag that trophy buck of their dreams this year.
It
will be interesting to hear from Henry County deer hunters as to their
overall take on the season just passed. How about it? Do you think the
buck limit or doe limits need adjusting? Season dates need changing?
If
you have an idea TWRA is seeking comments up until February 15 so now is
the time to formulate your thoughts and sent them to the agency.
Comments may be submitted by mail to: 2018-19 Hunting Season Comments,
TWRA, Wildlife and Forestry Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204
or emailed TWRA.HuntingComments@tn.gov.
____________________
HENRY COUNTY THIRD STATEWIDE IN DEER HARVEST 2016-17
Tennessee’s deer season ended last Sunday when the last of two special
youth hunts saw the curtain fall. Overall it was a pretty successful
season for local hunters and those statewide as well.
Unofficial total from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency stood at
157,227 for the year. Locally, hunters in Henry County checked in 3,823
since the archery season opened back on the fourth Saturday in
September.
Henry County’s total ranked third in the statewide harvest among the
state’s ninety-five counties.
Top county for the year in Tennessee was Fayette where hunters harvested
4,233 deer. Second place went to Giles County as hunters there checked
in 3,925.
One of the highlights of the season was a buck harvested in Sumner
County during the a muzzleloader season, has completed a step toward
becoming a world record for a non-typical deer rack.
Boone and Crockett officials spent several hours on January 9 scoring
the 47-point buck tabbed the “Tennessee Tucker Buck” as the Nashville
headquarters of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The buck was
harvested by 26-year old Gallatin resident Stephen Tucker.
The deer rack scored 312 3/8 in the Boone and Crockett tabulation. The
tabulation was held after 60 days had passed since the original “wet”
score indicated that the buck was a potential world record. As it
stands, the score will break previous mark of 307 5/8.
Here’s hoping you had a good season even if you didn’t take a trophy
buck!
_________________
HENRY SECOND IN STATEWIDE DEER HARVEST 2015-2016
The Volunteer State’s deer season came to an end last Sunday with the
culmination of the final weekend youth deer hunt where kids ages 6-16
had the last shot.
According to unofficial figures from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
the statewide deer harvest stands at 167,240 for the 2015-2016 season
total.
Henry County deer hunters had another good year and were leading the
state’s 95 counties for a few weeks in the latter part of the season but
lost the top spot ranking to Giles County by only 116. Hunters here
checked in 4,616 but Giles was tops with 4,732.
Neighboring counties had the following totals for the year: Benton
2,228; Carroll 3,334; Stewart 3,043; Weakley 2,956.
____________________
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.
Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing
area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to
various national publications.
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