TWRA commission makes subtle changes at monthly meeting

New rules could impact East Tennessee hunters news@theheraldnewspapers.com Outdoorsmen from East Tennessee could feel the affects of last week’s meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission. The proposals, along with supporting justifications, were presented to the commission and public last month. The changes will take effect in August and will be in the new 2006/07 Hunting and Trapping Guide. The commission agreed to legalize all centerfire rifles for hunting deer, bear and boar (presently only .24 caliber and larger are legal). Another change that will please area hunters is a rule that stipulates hunters that have already filled their respective bags to accompany other hunters in the woods. That change will particularly benefit families who enjoy accompanying younger family members in the woods. The commission also agreed to allow hunters on private land to hunt from a stationary ATV or other vehicle that cannot be licensed to operate on the state of Tennessee’s highways. That particular stipulation will allow a large amount of ‘lawbreakers’ in past years to regain their status as law abiding citizens. The East Tennessee trapping season was also extended to January 31st. The river otter bag limit of four-per season in East Tennessee was extended in Eastern Tennessee by the commission. For big game hunting seasons, the quota hunts in area counties Anderson, Blount, Roane and Knox were adjusted. The bag limits for turkey season was clarified to one-bearded turkey per day, not to exceed four per season with no more than two per season on Wildlife Management Areas and Reguges, except turkeys taken on all quota hunts are considered bonus turkeys. Hunters that like to frequent the fertile fields and forests of Oak Ridge were given a break by the commission. Quotas were raised on deer and limits for most hunts. The Canada Goose hunting season in the Secret City lasts from September 2 through September 9, and closes at noon on each day. Harvested geese must be checked out no later than 1 p.m. during that season. For further details on last week’s commission meeting check out the listings on the web site at www.twra.com.