TN Waterfowl Guide 2015-2016

T E N N E S S E E

WATERFOWL HUNTING GUIDE

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016

» New Process for 2016-17 Waterfowl Seasons: see page 3 » Sandhill Crane Hunting Season: see page 7 » New Light Goose Conservation Permit (free): see page 9 » Waterfowl Seasons: see page 14

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WHAT’S NEW FOR 2015-2016 Several important changes were made to the waterfowl hunting regulations for the 2015-2016 seasons. Among the primary changes are: 1.

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The Federal Duck Stamp has increased from $15 to $25.

The Sandhill Crane Handheld Drawing will be Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Birchwood, TN Community Center (see page 7).

Daily bag limit for the Sept. wood duck/teal season is 6/day (no more than 2 wood ducks).

There will be a 4-day, Teal-only season in September 2015.

A free permit is now required to participate in the Light Goose Conservation Season; new methods and provisions have been added (see page 9).

Timing of migratory bird season setting is changing for 2016-17, see article on page 3.

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

New Waterfowl Season Setting Process and Timing for 2016-17 Beginning in 2016-17, season dates and bag limits for ducks, geese and other migratory game birds (doves, snipe, etc.) will be available months earlier than in past years, thanks to a new regulation process adopted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Under the new process, proposed hunting season frameworks for a given year will be developed in the fall of the previous year. Those frameworks will be finalized a few months later, thereby enabling the state agencies to select and publish their season dates in late winter or spring for the upcoming fall seasons.

waterfowl. In the U.S., each flyway has a Flyway Council, consisting of representatives from state wildlife agencies. Tennessee is one of 14 states in the Mississippi Flyway. Each year, the four Flyway Councils recommend regulations to the USFWS for waterfowl and other migratory game bird hunting seasons. State and Canadian provincial biologists who make up Flyway Technical Committees advise Councils of species and population status, harvest, and hunter-participation data during the development of the Council recommendations.

For the past few decades, regulations have been established using two separate processes: early season (e.g. mourning doves, snipe, September Canada goose) and late season (e.g. regular duck and goose seasons). The timing of these processes has allowed the use of current year breeding population surveys and harvest estimates to aid in establishing fall hunting seasons, but states have had to wait until at least August to publish their seasons. Beginning in 2016, the early and late processes will be combined into a single process that will use previous year’s breeding population surveys and harvest estimates to establish migratory bird hunting seasons much earlier. “For example, fall 2016-17 hunting seasons will be set during the fall of 2015 and be based on spring 2015 waterfowl breeding survey data,” says Joe Benedict, TWRA’s State Waterfowl Coordinator. “As a result, hunters will have more time to plan vacations and hunting trips since regulations will be finalized several months before the seasons begin.”

The USFWS’s Migratory Bird Program evaluates Council recommendations, considers species status and biology, the cumulative effects of regulations and existing regulatory policy and makes recommendations to the USFWS’s Service Regulations Committee (SRC).

Assessments indicate that impacts of these changes on season length and bag limits will be negligible.

How Waterfowl Seasons Are Set

Migratory game bird management is a cooperative effort of state and federal governments of the U.S. and Canada. For waterfowl management, North America is divided into four flyways (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific) based on historical abundance and migration routes of

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

The SRC considers both the Council and USFWS’s Migratory Bird Program recommendations and then forwards its recommendations for annual regulations to the Director of the USFWS. Once preliminary regulatory proposals are approved, they are published in the Federal Register for public comment. After the comment period, final regulations are developed, which are then signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the resulting migratory bird hunting seasons are opened.

In Tennessee, the final federal regulations are evaluated by TWRA waterfowl staff and recommendations for Tennessee seasons are drafted in the form of a Proclamation and presented to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission for approval. Beginning with the 2016-17 migratory game bird seasons, the Proclamation will likely be presented annually at the January and February Commission meetings.

For more information on waterfowl seasons, hunting and management, visit the TWRA web site. For more information on the Federal waterfowl season setting process visit: http://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-andregulations/regulations/how-regulations-are-set-the-process.php.

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T E N N E S S E E

WATERFOWL HUNTING GUIDE 2015-2016

CONTENTS 2 | What’s New 3 | New Process for 2016-17

Waterfowl Seasons 5 | TWRA Regional Offices 6 | Don’t Shoot

Unless You’re Sure 7 | Sandhill Crane Season

T E N N E S S E E

8 | License Fees

WATERFOWL HUNTING GUIDE

10 | Special WMA Regulations 12 | Waterfowl Hunting on WMAs 14 | Waterfowl Seasons

and Bag Limits 15 | Canada Goose Seasons

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER

1, 2015 - MARCH 31,

2016

» New Process » Sandhill Cranefor 2016-17 Waterfowl Seasons: see page 3 see page 7 » New Light GooseHunting Season: ation Permit (free): » Waterfowl SeasonsConserv see page 9 : see page 14

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16 | Federal Regulations 19 | Sunrise/Sunset Tables

Please scan with your mobile device for waterfowl season dates and bag limits.

This Guide is designed and produced by The Bingham Group: 11921 Kingston Pike, Suite 201, Knoxville, TN 37934, www.binghamgroup.com For inquiries regarding advertisement in this publication, call (865) 523-5999.

Cover image: Andy Anderson Hunting and fishing license sales and federal excise taxes comprise more than 90 percent of the TWRA’s hunting and fishing operating revenues. Thank you for buying a hunting and fishing license. Without your support, Tennessee would not have fish and wildlife management programs.

This publication is not a legal document. It is a summary of Tennessee’s waterfowl hunting regulations. More detailed information on hunting and trapping is available from local wildlife officers and all TWRA offices.

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is available to all persons without regard to their race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or military service. TWRA is also an equal opportunity/equal access employer. Questions should be directed to TWRA, Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204, (615) 781-6594 (TDD 781-6691), or to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Human Resources, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.

About this Guide This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency through its unique partnership with The Bingham Group.

The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates savings. These savings translate into additional funds for other important fisheries and habitat programs. Promotional advertisement does not constitute endorsement by TWRA. If you have any feedback or are interested in advertising, please contact us: ph: (865) 523-5999 web: www.binghamgroup.com

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Authorization No. 328688, 80,000 copies, September 2015.

Printing of the Waterfowl Guide provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation in partnership with TWRA. This public document was promulgated at a cost of $.02 per copy.

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2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

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BLOUNT

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CARTER

SULLIVAN JOHNSON

Human Resources Division 615-781-6594 Quota Hunts..............................615-781-6621 Wildlife/Forestry Division ... 615-781-6610

3030 Wildlife Way Morristown, TN 37814 .......... 423-587-7037 Toll Free.................................1-800-332-0900 Fax................................................423-587-7057

SEVIER

JEFFERSON

GRAINGER

CLAIBORNE

REGION IV MORRISTOWN, TN

Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission information is available on our website www.tnwildlife.org.

Fisheries Division ................... 615-781-6575 Hunter Education ................... 615-781-6538 Information & Education .... 615-781-6502 Law Enforcement/Boating ... 615-781-6580 License Sales ............................ 615-781-6585

464 Industrial Blvd.

Crossville, TN 38555 ............. 931-484-9571 Toll Free................................. 1-800-262-6704 Fax................................................931-456-1025

MARION

GRUNDY

WARREN

WHITE

PUTNAM

OVERTON

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HUNTING/FISHING VIOLATION NUMBERS Region I .................................. 1-800-831-1173 Region II ................................ 1-800-255-8972 Region III................................1-800-241-0767 Region IV ................................1-800-831-1174

FRANKLIN

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CANNON

DEKALB

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Ellington Agricultural Center P. O. Box 40747 Nashville, TN 37204 ............... 615-781-6500 Boating Education ................. 615-837-6013 Boat Registration ................... 615-781-6585 Boating Safety .........................615-781-6682 ...................... 615-781-6552

MCNAIRY

CHESTER

HENDERSON

CARROLL

HENRY

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8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Monday–Friday (local time) website: www.tnwildlife.org

HARDEMAN

MADISON

GIBSON

WEAKLEY

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Ellington Agricultural Center P. O. Box 41489 Nashville, TN 37204 ............... 615-781-6622 Toll Free................................. 1-800-624-7406 Fax................................................615-831-9995

FAYETTE

HAYWOOD

CROCKETT

OBION

ROBERTSON

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200 Lowell Thomas Drive Jackson, TN 38301 .................731-423-5725 Toll Free................................. 1-800-372-3928 Fax............................................... 731-423-6483

SHELBY

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TWRA OFFICES

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DON’T SHOOT UNLESS YOU’RE SURE

Many protected species of waterfowl, wading birds, and other waterbirds occur alongside the many species of waterfowl that can be legally hunted in Tennessee. These species are protected by both state and federal law, and cannot be legally hunted anywhere in the state. Some protected species utilize the same habitats, possess similar coloration, and share the habits of many legally hunted birds.

Through careful study, accidental shootings of protected species can be prevented. Please help the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency prevent accidental shootings by familiarizing yourself with these protected species before heading into the field and remember, “Don’t Shoot Unless You’re Sure.”

The Trumpeter and Tundra Swans are the largest and the only native, all-white waterfowl occurring in Tennessee. Both species are protected by both state and federal law in Tennessee and cannot be hunted. Until recently, John James Audubon had reported the last live Trumpeter Swans in Tennessee during his 1820 flatboat trip down the Mississippi River. As a result of intensive reintroduction efforts in the eastern United States, Trumpeter Swans returned to Tennessee in December of 2001 in Lauderdale County. Reintroduction of Trumpeter Swans is a cooperative effort between state, federal, and non-governmental organizations including sportsmen and nonconsumptive user groups. If you see a Trumpeter Swan in Tennessee, please report it to any TWRA Regional Office.

Historically, populations of both the Sandhill and Whooping Cranes in the eastern United States experienced widespread population declines. These declines resulted from the loss of wetland habitat and unregulated market hunting. The Sandhill Crane has experienced a tremendous recovery in recent years and migratory populations crossing through Tennessee are steadily increasing. Today, the Sandhill Crane is common in portions of western and eastern Tennessee. In fact, a limited Sandhill Crane hunting season was introduced in Tennessee along with the 2013-2014 waterfowl season.

A flock of Whooping Cranes migrating across Tennessee in October 2001 became the first migratory flock of that species in the state in over 100 years. An effort to reintroduce a migratory flock of Whooping Cranes to the eastern United States includes Tennessee as a vital part of the migratory journey. An ultralight aircraft serving as a surrogate parent to the Whooping Crane juveniles is teaching them the long forgotten migratory route through Tennessee to wintering grounds in Florida. Additional Whooping Cranes were led by aircraft in 2002 and several free-ranging Whooping Cranes can also be expected in the state from October–April.

If you have information regarding any illegal activities concerning protected species, please call the TWRA Poacher Hotline: West TN (Region I)

1-800-831-1173

Middle TN (Region II)

1-800-255-8972

Cumberland Plateau (Region III) 1-800-241-0767 East TN (Region IV)

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CANADA GOOSE Gray and white body and wings Black head and neck with white chin strap Wingspan: 60" Length: 45"

SNOW GOOSE White, with black wing tips Short neck Wingspan: 53" Length: 28"

TUNDRA SWAN All-white plumage Long neck Wingspan: 66" Length: 52" Juveniles: gray-brown

TRUMPETER SWAN All-white plumage Long neck Wingspan: 80" Length: 60" Juveniles: gray-brown

WHOOPING CRANE White body with black wing tips Long neck Long legs trailing body Wingspan: 87" Length: 52" Juveniles: white mixed with brown

GREAT BLUE HERON Gray and white plumage “S” shaped neck Wingspan: 60" Flies with neck folded inward and legs extended

1-800-831-1174

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

SANDHILL CRANE SEASON

Sandhill Crane Hunting Season in Tennessee

2015–16 Sandhill Crane Quota Hunt

Sandhill crane hunting opens with the late waterfowl season on Nov. 28-29, 2015 and continues from Dec. 5 through Jan. 1, 2016. Only individuals with a Tennessee Sandhill Crane Quota Permit may hunt. The U.S., Canada and Mexico manage sandhill crane harvest through the same regulatory mechanisms as waterfowl and other migratory game birds. Listed as a game species, many central U.S. states, Canadian provinces and Mexico have been hunting cranes for over 50 years and all populations are stable or increasing.

Quota Hunt Hand-Held Draw: Oct. 3, 2015 at the Birchwood Community Center in north Hamilton county. Check www.tnwildlife.org for updates and details.

North American Sandhill Cranes Sandhill cranes are the most numerous and wide ranging of all worldwide crane species with a population exceeding 600,000. There are six distinct migratory populations of sandhill cranes with breeding ranges extending across North America. During migration, sandhill cranes congregate in large numbers at staging areas of mid-latitude states and then migrate to wintering areas in the southern U.S. and Mexico. Hunting occurs on four of the six migratory sandhill crane populations with over 26,000 cranes harvested annually. The hunting of sandhill cranes continues to grow in popularity since the first U.S. hunts in 1961.

The Eastern Population of sandhill cranes has undergone an impressive recovery by rebounding from an estimated 25 breeding pairs in the 1930s to a minimum population of over 87,000 in recent years. The core breeding range lies in south-central Ontario, Michigan, and Wisconsin extending into adjacent Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Quebec. In recent years this breeding range has expanded south to Indiana, Ohio and Iowa, and east to several New England states. The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways are the main migratory routes of the Eastern Population. These cranes winter primarily in Florida and Georgia though recently cranes are wintering further north in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and even southern Ontario.

Hunt Dates: Nov. 28-29, 2015 and Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 1, 2016.

Hunt Zone: South of Interstate 40 and east of State Highway 56.

Limits: Daily bag, season bag, and possession limit is 3 cranes per permit holder.

Shooting Hours: Sunrise to 3 p.m. EST. Check-in: Harvested cranes must be accompanied by a completed kill tag and checked in by the end of the calendar day by mailing completed business reply card provided on the permit.

Federal Regulations: No shotguns larger than 10-gauge or capable of holding over 3 shot shells. Federally approved non-toxic shot is required.

Notes: All wildlife refuges are closed to sandhill crane hunting.

Hunters are required to fill out and return a post-season survey.

Permit Drawing A total of 400 3-permit packets will be issued by hand-held draw on October 3, 2015. Please check the TWRA website for further details and updates. Leftover permits, if available, will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at regional offices or other locations designated by TWRA. An Annual Hunting and Fishing License (Type 001), plus a Tennessee Waterfowl License (Type 005) or equivalent licenses (such as Lifetime or Annual Sportsman), are required in order to enter the draw or obtain a leftover permit. Permits are non-transferable and individuals must be present to obtain the permits.

Sandhill Crane Identification Test

Sandhill Crane Hunting Zone Tennessee Sandhill Cranes The sandhill cranes migrating through or wintering in Tennessee make up a large portion of the Eastern Population. These cranes are considered the world’s second largest sandhill crane population. Tennessee has wintered over 23,000 cranes in each of the last five years. Two areas serve as the primary migration and wintering areas: Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, where thousands can be seen at one time, and Hop-in Refuge and surrounding lands near Reelfoot Lake in west Tennessee which attract several thousand birds. Smaller groups of cranes can be seen scattered across the Tennessee landscape, too.

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

All sandhill crane hunters must pass an internet-based crane identification test each year before hunting. All permits issued are invalid until the permitee’s “Sandhill Crane Test” validation code is written on the permit. The purpose of this test is to improve hunter’s awareness and ability to distinguish between sandhill cranes and other protected species which may be encountered while hunting. Test will be available at tnwildlife. org just prior to the drawing date.

Whooping Crane There are approximately 100 whooping cranes in an experimental eastern migratory population and they share similar physical characteristics as well as habitats with the sandhill crane. An intensive reintroduction effort started in 1999 in which whooping cranes were taught their migratory path from Wisconsin to Florida by an ultra-light aircraft. Take the protection of this rare species seriously. Be sure that bird you intend to shoot is a sandhill crane.

Accidental or intentional shooting of a whooping crane is considered a dual violation and subject to state and federal laws. Please be sure of your target.

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LICENSE FEES All waterfowl hunters are required to have the following in order to hunt waterfowl in Tennessee: 1. Federal Duck Stamp (except as noted below) 2. Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit (HIP permit) 3. A state of Tennessee hunting license 4. Tennessee Waterfowl License (only required if purchasing Type 001 hunting license) 5. Other permits may be required depending on where you hunt (such as WMA permit, Reelfoot Preservation permit, WMA quota hunt permit) 6. Light Goose Conservation Season Permit (free), if you plan to hunt during Feb. 14 - March 10, 2016, see page 14.

Refer to the current Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide for additional regulations regarding waterfowl hunting on individual WMAs.

Federal Duck Stamp

$25

Federal law requires that each waterfowl hunter, age 16 and over, carry on his/ her person, in addition to a hunting license and state migratory bird permit, a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. These can be obtained through the Post Office, National Wildlife Refuge offices, and some discount and sporting goods stores. The stamps can also be purchased online at www.duckstamp.com

Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit Resident and nonresident hunters must possess a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit to hunt waterfowl and other migratory birds in Tennessee, available anywhere that hunting and fishing licenses are sold. The following do not need this permit: • Landowners hunting on their own land • Disabled veterans • Tennessee residents 65 years or older • Tennessee residents under 13 years of age • Lifetime Sportsman license holders Migratory Bird Permit (Type 006) Migratory Bird Permit (Type 007) Only available to Annual Sportsman license holders.

$2 no fee

Resident Licenses Hunting and Fishing Combination (Type 001) Age 16–64

$34

Tennessee Waterfowl (Type 005) Age 16 and over Needed in addition to Type 001 if waterfowl hunting.

$38

Annual Sportsman (Type 004) Age 16–64

$166

An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing.

No supplemental licenses are required, but other permits may need to be purchased. Allows holders to apply for quota hunt permits at no additional fee.

Lifetime Sportsman

Age determines the cost

An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing.

No supplemental licenses are required, but other permits may need to be purchased. Allows holders to apply for quota hunt permits at no additional fee. Applications and fee listings by age are available at your TWRA regional offices and on the TWRA website.

Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish (Type 002)

$10

Age 12 and under - no license required. WMA, special season permits, or quota hunt permits may be required.

Ages 13-15. An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits may need to be purchased. Fees are charged when applying for quota hunt permits and “leftover” permits.

Permanent Sr. Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap (Type 166)

$50

Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of residency is required. Applications with proof of age and residency may be submitted by mail. An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits may need to be purchased. Fees are charged when applying for quota hunt permits and “leftover” permits.

Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman (Type 167)

$50

An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing.

No supplemental licenses are required, but other permits may need to be purchased. Allows holders to apply for quota hunt permits at no additional fee. Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached.

Nonresident Licenses - Adult (Age 16 and Over) 7-Day Hunt – Small Game/Waterfowl (Type 072)

$61.50

Annual Hunt – Small Game/Waterfowl (Type 071)

$111.00

7-Day Hunt - All Game (Type 074)

$214.50

Annual Hunt - All Game (Type 073)

$306.00

Nonresident Licenses - Junior Age 12 and under - no license required. WMA, special season permits, or quota hunt permits may be required.

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Annual Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish (Type 070) Required for nonresidents ages 13–15 to fish or hunt small game (including waterfowl). A Type 085 or 086 is required to hunt big game.

$11.00

7-Day Junior Hunt - All Game (Type 085)

$26.50

Annual Junior Hunt - All Game (Type 086)

$42.00

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

Wildlife Management Area Permit Everyone who hunts on wildlife management areas that require permits must have a WMA permit except: holders of the Annual , Lifetime, or Senior Citizen Sportsman License, or juveniles under age 16 hunting small game or waterfowl.

A complete list of WMAs, including those that require permits, can be found in the current Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. Refer to this Waterfowl Hunting Guide for regulations regarding waterfowl hunting on specific WMAs. Permit cost is the same for residents and nonresidents.

NOTE: Juvenile hunters must be accompanied by an adult with a valid WMA permit, if required by that WMA. 1-Day WMA Small Game and Waterfowl (Type 092)

$12.50

Annual WMA Small Game and Waterfowl (Type 091)

$62.00

Reelfoot Preservation Permit Required for all users of Reelfoot WMA except those under 16 years of age, residents 65 years or older and holders of an Annual or Lifetime Sportsman License. Permit cost is the same for residents and nonresidents.

1-Day Reelfoot Preservation Permit (Type 090)

$3.50

3-Day Reelfoot Preservation Permit (Type 088)

$10.50

Annual Reelfoot Preservation Permit (Type 089)

$17.00

Light Goose Conservation Season Permit Required for all persons hunting during the Light Goose Conservation Season except those under 16 years of age. There is no fee for this permit.

These are self-issue permits and will be available beginning in late January on the TWRA website. Permit holders will be required to report their activities and harvest after the season. This new permit will allow for additional methods of take, see Light Goose Conservation Season on page 14.

Special Regulations Hunting Hours Ducks, Geese, Gallinules, Rails, Coots: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (except where otherwise noted).

Sandhill cranes: sunrise to 3 p.m. EST.

Plugged Shotguns No person shall hunt migratory game birds, except crows, with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three (3) shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three (3) shells.

Legal Shot All federally approved non-toxic shot (bismuth-tin, steel, tungsten-bronze, tungsten-iron, tungsten-matrix, tungstennickel-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-tin-bismuth or tungsten-tin-iron-nickel) are legal for waterfowl hunting. A complete list is available at www.FWS.gov/migratorybirds/ currentbirdissues/non-toxic.html Possession or use of any loose shot other than non-toxic shot or any shotgun shells other than non-toxic while hunting waterfowl, sandhill cranes, coots, gallinules, Virginia rails and sora rails is prohibited.

Guide License This license is required for anyone who accepts compensation for providing assistance to another in any act of hunting, fishing, and/or trapping.

Resident Guide License (Type 450)

$151.00

Nonresident Guide License (Type 455)

$651.00

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS BOGOTA WMA (Pool 1): Waterfowl hunting during the late duck season permitted only on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the first and last day of each segment of the duck season. No waterfowl hunters are allowed on the unit or access area from two hours after legal shooting hours have ended until 4 a.m. the following day. Temporary blinds only. All decoys, temporary blinds, blind materials and boats must be removed daily.

CAMDEN UNIT I:

All activities are prohibited in the sub-impoundments for the five days before each opening day of the statewide duck season. No fishing, trapping or hunting of any species, except waterfowl, during the late duck season.

Miscellaneous WMA Regulations

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Temporary blinds and decoys must be removed at the end of shooting hours each day.

All decoys from permanent registered and annual draw blinds must be removed by the owner of the blind within 10 days after the close of waterfowl season.

Youths hunting waterfowl on a WMA: Youths, ages 6–15, must be accompanied by an adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in position to take immediate control of the hunting device except as otherwise noted.

Wheelchair-bound hunts, zones, or blinds are open to hunters who are totally and permanently confined to a wheelchair as certified by a physician.

Certain WMAs have special blind sites established for wheelchair-bound hunters which include: Camden, Cheatham Lake, North Chickamauga Creek, Old Hickory, Reelfoot, and West Sandy. See specific WMAs for regulations. On wheelchairbound waterfowl hunts, each wheelchair-bound hunter must be accompanied by at least one, but not more than three assistants (at least one of whom must be age 16 years or older), who may also participate in the hunt.

West Sandy wheelchair-bound hunts are first-come, first-served. Applications for Cheatham and Old Hickory are available from the Region II office, (615) 781-6622. Applications for Camden and Reelfoot are available at www.tnwildlife.org and at the Region I office (731-423-5725) or Reelfoot office (731-253-7343). Information for North Chickamauga Creek (Varner Unit) is available from the Region III Office, (931-484-9571). Applications for wheelchair-bound hunts must be received by noon on the fourth Friday of October at the Region I Office (Camden), Reelfoot Office (Reelfoot), or Region II Office (Cheatham and Old Hickory).

Camden (Unit I), Gooch (Units A and E), John Tully, Obion River (Maness Swamp Hunt Unit), Old Hickory, Reelfoot, South Fork Refuge, Thorny Cypress (Pools 10, 11, 12), Tigrett, West Sandy, White Oak and Wolf River closes at 3 p.m. (CST) except on the last day of each segment of the season, when hunting closes at sunset.

• No waterfowl hunters are allowed on the unit or access area of Barkley (Unit I), Big Sandy, Camden (Unit I and II), Cheatham Lake, Chickamauga, Gooch (Unit A and E), Haynes Bottom, Obion River (Maness Swamp Hunt Unit), Old Hickory (Units I and II), South Fork Refuge, Three Rivers, Tigrett, West Sandy and White Oak from 2 hours after legal shooting hours have ended until 4 a.m. the following day.

Special Regulations on WMAs REGION 1 BARKLEY WMA UNIT I: Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday except the first and last day of each segment of the late duck and goose seasons. All activities are prohibited in the sub-impoundments for the five days before each opening day of the statewide duck season and on days when waterfowl hunting is closed. No fishing, trapping or hunting of any species, except waterfowl, during days open to duck hunting.

BIG SANDY WMA (including Gin Creek):

Special Closing Times on WMAs

Closed on Tuesdays and Fridays except the first and last day of each segment of the late duck and goose seasons. All activities are prohibited in the sub-impoundments for the five days before each opening day of the statewide duck season and on days when waterfowl hunting is closed. No fishing, trapping or hunting of any species, except waterfowl, in the sub-impoundments during the late duck season.

• Waterfowl hunting on all WMAs is open until sunset on the last day of each segment of the duck season (except for North Chickamauga Creek and Fort Loudoun WMAs).

• WMAs with special closing times are open all day, each day of the Youth Waterfowl Season.

• During the waterfowl season, hunting on

BOGOTA WMA: All hunt units except Pool 1 will be allocated by a special computerized draw (see page 13). Youth waterfowl hunts (Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2016; ages 6 -15) will be allocated by a hand-held drawing at the Dyersburg work base on January 25, 2016 at 6 p.m (CST).

10

*NEW* GOOCH UNIT A AND UNIT E: All activities are prohibited in the sub-impoundments for the five days before the opening day of the statewide duck season. No fishing, trapping or hunting of any species, except waterfowl, during the late duck season.

Gooch Unit E - waterfowl hunting will be restricted to designated blind sites allocated by a special computerized drawing (see page 13). No fishing, trapping or hunting of any species, except waterfowl, during the late duck season. No permanent blinds.

All temporary blinds, blind materials, and boats must be removed from the unit daily.

HORNS BLUFF REFUGE: The portion of Horns Bluff Refuge, that is north of the main river channel, is open for waterfowl hunting on Saturdays and Sundays during the late duck season(s). Hunting closes at 3 p.m. and no one is allowed on the area after 5 p.m. or before 4 a.m.

JOHN TULLY: (Fig Field Unit/Fullen North Tract)

Waterfowl hunts (opening weekend and Fri-Sun hunts) will be allocated by weekly hand-held drawings on the Monday prior to the hunt at 6:00 p.m. at the John Tully Field Office. Waterfowl hunting closes at 3 p.m. and is allowed only from designated locations. *NEW* MEEMAN-SHELBY FOREST STATE PARK AND NATURAL AREA: Waterfowl hunting is restricted to designated blind sites allocated by a special computerized drawing (see page 13).

OBION RIVER WMA MANESS SWAMP HUNTING UNIT Waterfowl hunting, during the late duck season, is permitted on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

SOUTH FORK REFUGE: Waterfowl hunting during the late duck season is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays and the first and last day of each segment.

WEST SANDY: All activities are prohibited in the sub-impoundments for the five days before each opening day of the statewide duck season. No fishing, trapping or hunting or any species, other than waterfowl, in the sub-impoundments during the late duck season.

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

WHITE OAK: Same as statewide season, except during the late waterfowl season hunting closes at 3 p.m. (CST) and all types of watercraft and waterfowl hunters are prohibited on the area from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.

(CST). Also, all water traffic is prohibited five days before each opening day of the statewide duck season. All decoys, temporary blinds, blind materials and boats must be removed daily.

Temporary blinds only. No waterfowl hunters permitted on the area or access areas before 4 a.m. opening day. *NEW* WHITE OAK (Lebanon Pond Area): Waterfowl hunting is restricted to designated blind sites allocated by a special computerized draw (see page 13). *NEW* THORNY CYPRESS WMA: All hunt units, except pools 10, 11 and 12, will be allocated by a special computerized draw (see page 13).

Youth waterfowl hunts (Feb. 6 and Feb. 13, 2016; ages 6 -15) will be allocated by a hand-held drawing at the Dyersburg work base on Jan. 25, 2016 at 6 p.m. (CST).

waterfowl season. Hunting ends at 3 p.m. (EST) on Thursday and Friday and sunset on Saturday and Sunday. All hunting during the regular duck season is from registered blinds only. During Youth Waterfowl hunts, youths may hunt from registered blind sites on a first-come, first-served basis, and must enter the hunting area only from established TWRA parking areas.

REGION II

NORTH CHICKAMAUGA CREEK: Open each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and the first and last day of the statewide season. Hunting ends at noon each day. Shot size No. 2 or smaller is required.

AEDC & WOODS RESERVOIR REFUGE, CHEATHAM LAKE WMA and HAYNES BOTTOM WMA: All areas closed on Monday, Tuesday and Friday except the first and last day of each segment of the late duck season.

REGION III CHICKAMAUGA (Candies Creek, Johnson Bottoms, Rogers Creek and Yellow Creek Units): All hunts (except the Youth Waterfowl Hunts) will be allocated by a special computerized draw (see page 13).

Open each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the first and last day of the statewide

REGION IV FORT LOUDOUN: Same as statewide waterfowl seasons, except only open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Hunting ends at noon each day. Shot size BBB or smaller is required.

ATTENTION: According to Tennessee law (TCA Section 70-4-108) when hunting on public land or waters, you can not hunt within 100 yards of a visible dwelling without the owner’s permission.

www.tnwildlife.org

THORNY CYPRESS WMA (Pools 10, 11, and 12): Waterfowl hunting during the late duck season permitted only on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the first and last day of each segment.

All hunting closes at 3 p.m. (CST) each day, except the last day of each segment of the season when hunting closes at sunset. No waterfowl hunters are permitted on the unit or access area from two hours after legal shooting hours have ended until 4 a.m. the following day. No permanent blinds. All decoys, temporary blinds, blind materials and boats must be removed daily.

For area information

www.dalehollowlake.org Whether it be big game or small, by rifle or arrow, Clay County, Tennessee offers a veritable treasure of prime public and private hunting lands. The county hosts a significant portion of the Army Corps of Engineer’s Dale Hollow Lake complex, which opens most of its public land to hunting. This is complemented by numerous private farms and other grounds that permit hunting.

Big Game: Turkey Migratory Birds: Dove–Waterfowl

424 Brown Street | Celina, TN 38551 | (931) 243-3338

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

11

WATERFOWL HUNTING ON WMAs Blind Site Drawings A valid Lifetime, Annual or Senior Citizen Sportsman License, or an Annual WMA Small Game and Waterfowl Permit (along with a Type 001 or 071 as appropriate) are the minimum needed to enter the blind site drawings in August.

For full list of license requirements to waterfowl hunt, see page 8 of this guide.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Hand-Held Drawings Hand-held drawings will be held on the first Saturday in August for the permanent (annual) waterfowl blind sites on AEDC (Woods Reservoir), Barkley (Unit I), Big Sandy (including Gin Creek Unit), Camden (Units I and II), Cheatham Lake, Gooch (Unit A), Harmon Creek, Haynes Bottom, Old Hickory (Units I and II), Reelfoot, Tigrett and West Sandy WMAs. Individuals wishing to compete in the drawing must appear in person at the designated location and submit an application between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. The drawings will be held immediately after the last person signs up. One application is permitted per person and no one may apply for more than one area. Each applicant must be at least sixteen (16) years of age to compete in the drawing or sign-on.

The permittee, who is the person to whom the TWRA issued a permit, or any of their sign-ons, must occupy the blind by the legal shooting time on

12

days they wish to hunt. The permittee or sign-ons have priority use (exclusive and uninterrupted) only if they are in the blind on or before the legal shooting time, regardless of whether or not the blind is occupied by another person or party, provided the permittee produces identification and his/her blind permit.

If the blind is not occupied by the permittee or a sign-on by legal shooting time, the first person or party occupying the blind shall be entitled to the privilege of its exclusive and uninterrupted use until the end of shooting hours that day.

Exclusive and uninterrupted use entitles the person or party the right to exclude all others from the blind, at the person’s or party’s option, except for law enforcement personnel engaged in the performance of their duties; no more than 8 individuals, age 16 or older, may occupy a permanent (annual) draw blind at any time; no restrictions on the number of youths under age 16.

Permanent Draw Blind Sites Waterfowl hunting on all the above WMAs (except Big Sandy, Camden (Unit II), Harmon Creek, Reelfoot, and West Sandy) permitted only from permanent blind sites allocated by the annual hand-held drawing, unless otherwise specified.

On Big Sandy, Camden (Unit II), Harmon Creek, Reelfoot, and West Sandy, hunting is permitted

from registered blind sites and from temporary blinds or hides. Temporary blinds and decoys must be at least 200 yards from any permanent blind. Blinds, blind materials, boats, hides and decoys must be removed at the end of shooting hours each day.

Permanent Registered Blinds

West Sandy (Springville Bottoms) and Reelfoot Lake A valid Lifetime, Annual or Senior Citizen Sportsman License, or an Annual WMA Small Game and Waterfowl Permit (along with a Type 001 or 071 as appropriate) are the minimum required to register blinds on West Sandy.

West Sandy blind sites must be registered at the designated location on the first Saturday in August by 10 a.m. (CST).

A Reelfoot Waterfowl Blind Permit (Type 025) is required to register blinds on Reelfoot Lake.

Reelfoot blinds must be registered with the TWRA Sales Office prior to August 1.

All blind sites will be given a registration number, which must be displayed, using lettering 2 inches or larger inside the blind, or on a stake at floating blind sites. When floating blinds are moved to designated blind stakes, the number must be immediately transferred from the stake to the blind. No blind may be constructed or repaired or any floating blinds

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

moved onto the area that have not met the deadline for registering that blind. Unregistered and/or unnumbered blinds are subject to removal.

Individuals claiming permanent blind sites on these two areas may not compete in annual blind site drawings on any other areas.

Computerized Drawings Blind/pool sites at Bogota, Chickamauga (Candies Creek, Johnson Bottoms, Rogers Creek, and Yellow Creek Units), Gooch (Unit E), Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and Natural Area, Thorny Cypress, White Oak (Lebanon Pond area) will be allocated by a computerized drawing. Hunters can apply through any TWRA license agent or on the internet at www.tnwildlife.org from Sept.

9-30, 2015. There is a $12 application fee plus a $1 license agent fee for applying through a TWRA license agent. For applying on the internet the application fee is $12 plus a $2.50 fee charged by the company handling internet sales. Lifetime, Annual, and Senior Citizen Sportsman license holders are exempt from the application fee.

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

If the “Notice of Intent” is not received by TWRA by the specified deadline, the blind/pool will become vacant. Any vacant blinds/pools, will be reallocated by a hand-held drawing.

For the Candies Creek, Johnson Bottoms, Rogers Creek and Yellow Creek Units of Chickamauga, a hand-held drawing for vacant blinds will be held Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 at 6 p.m. (EST) at the Hiwassee Refuge, 525 Priddy Lane, Birchwood, TN 37308. Information concerning availability of vacant blinds/pools can be obtained at www.tnwildlife.org, or by contacting the Region III Office at 1-800-262-6704.

For Gooch (Unit E), Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, and White Oak (Lebanon Pond area), hand-held drawings for vacant blind sites will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Registration for the drawings will begin at 8 a.m. and take place at 10 a.m. Drawings will be held at the following sites: Gooch Unit E will be at the Kenton Gym, 206 W College St. in Kenton, TN 38233 (for information contact Larry Armstrong at (731) 749-5587); Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

and Natural Area will be at Shelter #6 behind the swimming pool (for information contact Chris Park at (901) 876-5169); White Oak (Lebanon Pond area) will be at the Milledgeville City Park, behind the Milledgeville Fire Station off of Highway 22A (for information contact Pete Creech at (731) 687-3444).

For Bogota and Thorny Cypress, hand-held drawings for vacancies will occur each Monday from Nov. 23 - Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Dyersburg TWRA Workbase. Information concerning availability of vacant blinds/pools can be obtained at www.tnwildlife.org, or by contacting Jason Maxedon at (731) 285-6124.

All hunting on computer drawn areas is permitted only from designated temporary blind sites. A blind may not be hunted unless a hunter who was drawn for that blind site and hunt date is present and possesses a valid TWRA blind site confirmation number. If a drawn hunter is not present the blind site will not be hunted. A hunter drawn for a blind may bring up to four additional hunters. Decoys and temporary blinds may be left out during the specified hunt period.

No portion of a blind used for discharging firearms at game may be locked or barricaded when the blind is not in use.

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www.tnwildlife.org

Hunters that are successful in drawing a blind/ pool site on Bogota and Thorny Cypress must, two weeks or more prior to their hunt date, return to TWRA a “Notice of Intent” which states they do intend to hunt their assigned blind/pool. Hunters that are successful in drawing a blind site on Chickamauga (Candies Creek, Johnson Bottoms,

Rogers Creek and Yellow Creek), Gooch (Unit E), Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and Natural Area, and White Oak (Lebanon Pond area) must by Nov. 6, 2015 return to TWRA a “Notice of Intent” which states they do intend to hunt their assigned blind pool.

WATERFOWL SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS Species

Ducks, Coots & Mergansers

Statewide Duck Zone

Reelfoot Duck Zone

(the remainder of the state outside the Reelfoot Lake Duck Zone)

(the lands and waters within the boundaries of Reelfoot Lake WMA only)

Nov. 28-29, 2015

Nov. 14-15, 2015

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Gallinules & Moorhens

Nov. 28-29, 2015

Nov. 14-15, 2015

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Virginia & Sora Rails

Nov. 28-29, 2015

Nov. 14-15, 2015

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Feb. 6, 2016 and Feb. 13, 2016

Feb. 6, 2016 and Feb. 13, 2016

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season* (for youths 6–15 years of age)

Daily Bag Limit

Possession Limit

Ducks: The Daily bag limit of ducks is 6, and may include no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be female), 3 scaup, 3 wood ducks, 2 pintails, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 1 black duck.

Coots and Gallinules: 15 Mergansers: 5 (only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers) Virginia and Sora Rails: 25

The maximum number of birds that could have legally been taken in 3 days, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is the daily bag limit and two times the daily bag limit, respectively.

Same as regular season daily bag limits.

* Federal regulations allow only youth waterfowl hunters from 6 -15 years of age to participate. An adult at least 21 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field and must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult. The adult accompanying the youth hunter may not hunt ducks but may participate in other open seasons. Geese, coots, gallinules, moorhens, and ducks may be taken by youths during the Youth Waterfowl Season. WMAs with special closing times are open all day, each day of the Youth Waterfowl Season.

Species

Blue, Snow & Ross’ Geese (Light Geese)

Standard Season

Light Goose Conservation Season*

Standard federal regulations apply (unplugged shotguns and electronic calls NOT allowed) Nov. 28-29, 2015 Dec. 5, 2015 - Feb. 13, 2016

The following provisions apply during the Light Goose Conservation Season only: Unplugged shotguns, electronic calls, shooting from 30 minutes before official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset, no daily bag or possession limit.

Feb. 14 - Mar. 10, 2016

Nov. 28-29, 2015

White-Fronted Geese

Dec. 5, 2015 - Feb. 13, 2016

Brant

Nov. 23, 2014 – Jan. 31, 2016

Daily Bag Limit Standard season: 20 Conservation season: no limit

—

2

—

2

Possession Limit There is no possession limit for blue, snow and ross’ geese except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is the daily bag limit and two times the daily bag limit, respectively.

The maximum number of birds that could have legally been taken in 3 days, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is the daily bag limit and two times the daily bag limit, respectively.

* A free Light Goose Conservation Season Permit is now required to hunt during the Conservation Season, available in late January on the TWRA website. Hunting is allowed from 30 minutes before official sunrise until 30 minutes after official sunset. There is no daily bag or possession limit. No Federal or state waterfowl stamps are required to hunt during the Conservation Season. Hunters must possess a TN Light Goose Conservation Season Permit and have a valid hunting license, but the license may be from any state.

Species

Season and Zone

Permits and Limits

Nov. 28-29, 2015 and Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 1, 2016.

Daily bag, season bag, and possession limit is 3 cranes. Harvested cranes must be accompanied by a completed kill tag and be checked in by the end of the calendar day of harvest by mailing completed business reply card on the permit. Also, hunters must fill out and return a post-season survey. Failure to return the post-season survey will be a violation of this proclamation.

Standard federal regulations apply.

Sandhill Crane* Hunt Zone: South of Interstate 40 and east of State Highway 56.

* 400 3-permit packets will be issued by handheld draw. A Type 001 Hunting & Fishing License and Type 005 Waterfowl License or equivalent are required to enter the draw. Leftover permits will be available on a first come basis at regional offices. Permits are non transferable. Permits are invalid until proof of passing a bird identification test the year the permit is obtained and permit is signed by the individual.

Please scan with your mobile device for waterfowl season dates and bag limits.

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2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

CANADA GOOSE SEASONS Canada Goose Zones STEWART

CH

WEAKLEY

EA

HENRY

HOUSTON

ON

GIBSON

ITH

DEKALB

RUTHERFORD

GRUNDY

OO

WAYNE

M LAWRENCE

GILES LINCOLN

Species

Statewide Canada Goose Zone

MCMINN

FRANKLIN

MARION

HAMILTON

BLOUNT

BRADLEY

POLK

Statewide Zone Northwest Zone

Northwest Canada Goose Zone

All counties and portions of counties not included in the Northwest Zone.

Lake, Obion, and Weakley counties; that portion of Dyer County, excluding that portion south of Hwy 104; and Gibson County excluding that portion bounded on the south by Hwy 104 and on the west by Hwy 45W.

Oct. 10-27, 2015

Oct. 10-14, 2015

Nov. 28-29, 2015

Nov. 14-15, 2015

Dec. 5, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016

Dec. 5, 2015 - Feb. 13, 2016

Canada Geese

MONROE

IE CH

MCNAIRY

COCKE

SEVIER

RHEA

AT QU

HARDEMAN

BLEDSOE

SE

COFFEE

BEDFORD

OI

IC

UN

E

LEWIS MARSHALL

HARDIN

VANBUREN

GREENE

AN

RO

RE

FAYETTE

CUMBERLAND

MAURY

L

MB

JEFFERSON KNOX

CANNON WARREN

PERRY DECATUR

JOHNSON WASHINGTON

EN

EIG S

HENDERSON

ANDERSON

WHITE

WILLIAMSON

CHESTER

SHELBY

MORGAN

PUTNAM

CARROLL

TIPTON

GRAINGER

HA

WILSON

SULLIVAN CARTER

UNION

SM

N

IDSO

DAV

HICKMAN

MADISON

HAYWOOD

AM

FENTRESS

OVERTON

HAWKINS

CAMPBELL

HUMPHREYS

CROCKETT

LAUDERDALE

JACKSON

TH

DICKSON

NT

BE

DYER

HANCOCK CLAIBORNE SCOTT

TROUSDALE

LO UD ON

OBION

ETT

PICK

CLAY

MACON

SUMNER

M

LAKE

ROBERTSON

MONTGOMERY

Daily Bag Limit

Possession Limit

3

The maximum number of birds that could have legally been taken in 3 days, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is the daily bag limit and two times the daily bag limit, respectively.

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2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

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FEDERAL REGULATIONS SUMMARY Wanton Waste All migratory game birds killed or crippled shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field.

Tagging No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: The hunter’s signature, address, the total number of birds involved by species and the dates such birds were killed. No person or business shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are properly tagged.

Possession of Live Birds In addition to state regulations, the following federal rules apply to taking, possession, shipping, transporting, and storing of migratory game birds. This is only a summary. Each hunter should also consult actual regulations, which may be found in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.

Restrictions No person shall take migratory game birds: • With a trap, snare net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive or stupefying substance.

• With a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a onepiece filler which cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.

• From a sink box (a low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water).

• From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven vehicle, or any aircraft, except that paraplegic and single or double amputees of the legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle. “Paraplegic” means an individual afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs, usually due to disease or injury to the spinal cord.

• From or by means of any motor boat or sail boat unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.

• By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame or captive ducks and geese shall be removed for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to hunting and confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such tame birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl.

• Using records or tapes of migratory bird sounds, or electronically amplified imitations of bird calls.

16

• By driving, rallying or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sail boat to put them in range of hunters.

• By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt or other feed to constitute a lure or enticement), or on or over any baited areas. Hunters should be aware that a baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait, and it is not necessary for the hunter to know an area is baited to be in violation.

Closed Season No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season.

Shooting or Falconry Hours No person shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open to shooting and falconry as prescribed.

Daily Bag Limit No person shall take more than one daily bag limit per day.

Field Possession Limit No person shall possess more than one daily bag limit while in the field or while returning from the field to one’s car, hunting camp, home, etc.

Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be immediately killed and included in the daily bag limit.

Dressing No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird (except doves and band-tailed pigeons) and then transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility.

Shipment No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with: (a) the name and address of the person sending the birds, (b) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and (c) the number of birds, by species, contained in the package.

Importation For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66. One fully feathered wing must remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between a port of entry and one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility.

No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country, except Canada,

Mandatory Hunter Education All hunters, resident or nonresident, born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, must possess proof that they have successfully completed a hunter education course. Those under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device. Call your local TWRA office or visit the TWRA’s website at www. tnwildlife.org for a listing of scheduled Hunter Education classes.

NOTE: To replace a Hunter Education Card at a TWRA license agent location, first contact your TWRA Regional Office during normal business hours. Verify that your Hunter Education number has been updated in the TWRA license system. Then you may go to a TWRA license agent and purchase a Type 500 (Hunter Education Card Replacement for $8.00).

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

unless such birds are dressed (except as required above), drawn and the head and feet are removed.

No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person.

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp The law requires that each waterfowl hunter, 16 years of age and over, must carry on his or her person a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face.

Dual Violation Violation of state migratory bird regulations is also a violation of federal regulations.

Caution More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For additional information on federal regulations, contact: Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, RM 132-C, U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Telephone: 615-736-5532.

To Report Recovered Duck and Goose Bands: 1-800-327-BAND (2263) www.reportband.gov

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2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

SUNRISE/SUNSET TABLES Bristol, Tennessee (EST) 2015 NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

624 625 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 631 632 633 634 635

1813 1811 1810 1808 1807 1805 1804 1802 1801 1800 1758 1757 1755 1754

652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 700 701 702 703 704 705

1732 1731 1730 1729 1728 1727 1726 1726 1725 1724 1723 1722 1722 1721

722 723 724 725 726 726 727 728 729 730 731 731 732 733

1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1713 1714 1714

741 741 741 741 741 741 741 741 741 741 741 741 741 740

1724 1724 1725 1726 1726 1728 1729 1730 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735

731 730 729 728 728 727 726 725 724 723 722 721 720 718

1754 1755 1756 1757 1757 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

636 637 638 639 640 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651

1753 1751 1750 1749 1748 1746 1745 1744 1743 1741 1740 1739 1738 1737 1736 1734 1733

706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721

1720 1719 1719 1718 1718 1717 1717 1716 1716 1715 1715 1714 1714 1714 1714 1713

733 734 735 735 736 736 737 737 738 738 739 739 740 740 740 740 741

1714 1715 1715 1715 1716 1716 1717 1717 1718 1718 1719 1719 1720 1721 1721 1722 1723

740 740 740 739 739 738 738 737 737 836 736 735 734 734 733 732 732

1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1742 1753

717 716 715 714 713 711 710 709 708 707 705 704 703 701 700

1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823

Day

All sunrise/sunset tables are shown in military time.

October 1, 2015 – October 31, 2015: Add one (1) hour to the times in the chart for Daylight Savings Time (DST).

November 1, 2015 - Feb.29, 2016: the times in the chart are correct.

Chattanooga, Tennessee (EST) 2015 Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Knoxville, Tennessee (EST)

2016

2015

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

636 636 637 638 639 640 640 641 642 643 644 644 645 646 647 648 649 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 656 657 658 659 700 701

702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 724 726 727 728 729 730

731 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 737 738 739 740 740 741 742 742 743 744 744 745 745 746 746 747 747 747 748 748 748 749 749

749 749 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 749 749 749 749 749 748 748 748 747 747 746 746 745 745 744 744 743 742 742 741

740 740 739 738 737 736 735 735 734 733 732 731 730 729 728 727 725 724 723 722 721 720 719 717 716 715 714 712 711

1825 1824 1823 1821 1820 1818 1817 1816 1814 1813 1812 1810 1809 1808 1806 1805 1804 1803 1801 1800 1759 1758 1757 1756 1754 1753 1752 1751 1750 1749 1748

1747 1746 1745 1744 1743 1742 1742 1741 1740 1739 1738 1738 1737 1736 1736 1735 1734 1734 1733 1733 1732 1732 1732 1731 1731 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide

1729 1729 1729 1729 1729 1729 1729 1729 1729 1730 1730 1730 1730 1730 1731 1731 1731 1732 1732 1733 1733 1734 1734 1735 1735 1736 1737 1737 1738 1739 1739

1740 1741 1742 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1749 1750 1751 1752 1753 1754 1755 1756 1757 1758 1759 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808

2016

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1835 1836

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

2016

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

631 632 632 633 634 635 636 636 637 638 639 640 641 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657

658 659 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727

728 729 729 730 731 732 733 734 734 735 736 737 737 738 739 739 740 741 741 742 742 743 743 744 744 745 745 745 746 746 746

746 746 747 747 747 747 747 747 747 747 747 746 746 746 746 745 745 745 744 744 744 743 743 742 741 741 740 740 739 738 737

737 736 735 734 733 733 732 731 729 729 728 727 726 725 723 722 721 720 719 718 717 715 714 713 712 710 709 708 707

1820 1818 1817 1815 1814 1813 1811 1810 1808 1807 1806 1804 1803 1802 1800 1759 1758 1756 1755 1754 1753 1751 1750 1749 1748 1747 1746 1744 1743 1742 1741

1740 1739 1738 1737 1736 1735 1735 1734 1733 1732 1731 1730 1730 1729 1728 1728 1727 1727 1726 1725 1725 1724 1724 1724 1723 1723 1723 1722 1722 1722

1722 1722 1721 1721 1721 1721 1721 1721 1722 1722 1722 1722 1722 1723 1723 1723 1724 1724 1724 1725 1725 1726 1726 1727 1727 1728 1729 1729 1730 1731 1731

1732 1733 1734 1735 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1752 1753 1754 1755 1756 1757 1758 1759 1800 1801

1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1827 1828 1829 1830

19

SUNRISE/SUNSET TABLES Camden, Tennessee (CST) 2015 Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Dyersburg, Tennessee (CST)

2016

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

547 548 549 550 551 551 552 553 554 555 556 556 557 558 559 600 601 602 603 604 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614

615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 643

644 645 646 647 648 649 650 650 651 652 653 654 654 655 656 656 657 658 658 659 659 700 700 701 701 702 702 702 702 703 703

703 703 703 704 704 704 704 704 704 703 703 703 703 703 703 702 702 702 701 701 700 700 659 659 658 658 657 656 656 655 654

653 653 652 651 650 649 648 647 646 645 644 643 642 641 640 639 638 637 636 635 633 632 631 630 628 627 626 625 623

1736 1735 1733 1732 1731 1729 1728 1726 1725 1724 1722 1721 1719 1718 1717 1716 1714 1713 1712 1710 1709 1708 1707 1706 1704 1703 1702 1701 1700 1659 1658

1657 1656 1655 1654 1653 1652 1651 1650 1649 1649 1648 1647 1646 1646 1645 1644 1644 1643 1642 1642 1641 1641 1641 1640 1640 1639 1639 1639 1639 1638

1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1638 1639 1639 1639 1639 1640 1640 1640 1641 1641 1642 1642 1643 1643 1644 1645 1645 1646 1646 1647 1648

1649 1649 1650 1651 1652 1653 1654 1655 1655 1656 1657 1658 1659 1700 1701 1702 1703 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 1711 1712 1714 1715 1716 1717 1718

1719 1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 1726 1727 1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747

2015 Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

552 553 554 555 556 556 557 558 559 600 601 602 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619

620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649

649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 656 657 658 659 659 700 701 701 702 703 703 704 704 705 705 706 706 706 707 707 707 708 708

708 708 708 709 709 709 709 709 709 709 708 708 708 708 708 707 707 707 706 706 705 705 704 704 703 703 702 701 701 700 659

659 658 657 656 655 654 653 653 652 651 650 649 647 646 645 644 643 642 641 640 638 637 636 635 633 632 631 630 628

Memphis, Tennessee (CST) 2015 Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

20

1643 1643 1643 1643 1643 1643 1643 1643 1643 1643 1644 1644 1644 1644 1644 1645 1645 1646 1646 1646 1647 1647 1648 1648 1649 1650 1650 1651 1652 1652 1653

2015

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

555 555 556 557 558 558 559 600 601 602 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 616 617 618 619 620

621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649

650 651 651 652 653 654 655 656 656 657 658 659 659 700 701 701 702 703 703 704 704 705 705 706 706 706 707 707 707 708 708

708 708 709 709 709 709 709 709 709 709 709 708 708 708 708 708 707 707 707 706 706 705 705 704 704 703 703 702 701 701 700

659 659 658 657 656 655 654 653 653 652 651 650 649 648 647 645 644 643 642 641 640 639 637 636 635 634 633 631 630

1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1648 1649 1649 1649 1649 1650 1650 1650 1651 1651 1652 1652 1653 1653 1654 1655 1655 1656 1657 1657 1658

1702 1701 1700 1659 1658 1657 1656 1655 1654 1654 1653 1652 1651 1651 1650 1649 1649 1648 1648 1647 1647 1646 1646 1645 1645 1645 1644 1644 1644 1644

1654 1655 1655 1656 1657 1658 1659 1700 1701 1702 1702 1703 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 1711 1712 1713 1714 1716 1717 1718 1719 1720 1721 1722 1723

1724 1725 1726 1727 1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1752

Nashville, Tennessee (CST)

NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M. 1705 1705 1704 1703 1702 1701 1700 1659 1659 1658 1657 1656 1656 1655 1654 1654 1653 1653 1652 1652 1651 1651 1650 1650 1649 1649 1649 1649 1648 1648

1741 1740 1739 1737 1736 1734 1733 1731 1730 1729 1727 1726 1725 1723 1722 1721 1719 1718 1717 1716 1714 1713 1712 1711 1710 1708 1707 1706 1705 1704 1703

2016

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M. 1744 1743 1741 1740 1739 1737 1736 1734 1733 1732 1730 1729 1728 1726 1725 1724 1723 1721 1720 1719 1718 1717 1715 1714 1713 1712 1711 1710 1709 1708 1707

2016

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

1659 1659 1700 1701 1702 1703 1704 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 1711 1712 1713 1714 1715 1716 1717 1718 1719 1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 1726 1727

1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1752 1752 1753 1754 1755

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

2016

OCT. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

NOV. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

DEC. Rise Set A.M. P.M.

542 543 544 544 545 546 547 548 549 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 557 558 559 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609

610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 637 638

639 640 641 642 643 644 645 645 646 647 648 649 649 650 651 651 652 653 653 654 654 655 655 656 656 656 657 657 657 658 658

1731 1730 1728 1727 1725 1724 1722 1721 1720 1718 1717 1715 1714 1713 1711 1710 1709 1708 1706 1705 1704 1703 1701 1700 1659 1658 1657 1656 1654 1653 1652

1651 1650 1649 1648 1647 1646 1646 1645 1644 1643 1642 1641 1641 1640 1639 1639 1638 1637 1637 1636 1636 1635 1635 1635 1634 1634 1634 1633 1633 1633

1633 1632 1632 1632 1632 1632 1632 1632 1632 1633 1633 1633 1633 1633 1634 1634 1634 1635 1635 1636 1636 1637 1637 1638 1638 1639 1640 1640 1641 1642 1642

JAN. Rise Set A.M. P.M. 658 658 658 658 659 659 659 659 659 658 658 658 658 658 657 657 657 657 656 656 655 655 654 654 653 653 652 651 651 650 649

1643 1644 1645 1646 1646 1647 1648 1649 1650 1651 1652 1653 1654 1655 1656 1657 1658 1659 1700 1701 1702 1703 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 1711 1712

FEB. Rise Set A.M. P.M. 648 648 647 646 645 644 643 642 641 640 639 638 637 636 635 634 633 632 630 629 628 627 626 624 623 622 621 619 618

1713 1714 1715 1716 1717 1719 1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 1726 1727 1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742

2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Guide