Tennessee deer harvest down for opening weekend
A soggy start for the opening of deer hunting season across the state resulted in a smaller than usual harvest.
A total of only 1,056 deer were killed over the weekend in the archery-only hunt, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
That is down from the 1,417 deer harvested on the opening weekend in 2017 and 1,808 in 2016.
Wet weather persisted for much of the state Friday-Sunday, which made for poor hunting conditions.
Counties with the largest harvests: Hawkins 37, Sullivan 34, Montgomery 28, Carter 27, Loudon 26, Sumner 25.
The current archery-only season lasts through Oct. 26. The second season is Oct. 29-Nov. 2.
Archery and muzzleloader season is Nov. 3-16, and gun, archery and muzzleloader season is Nov. 17-Jan. 6.
The statewide bag limit is two antlered deer and no more than one per day.
New fishing regulations set
The state's 2019-20 fishing regulations have been set by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Several of the new regulations are geared toward the agency's effort to battle the invasive Asian carp.
In Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Regions I and II, skipjack, herring, gizzard shad and threadfin shad no longer will be transported alive from the Mississippi River along with Barkley, Kentucky and Pick reservoirs or any tributaries or oxbows of these waters.
The restrictions do not apply to the Duck River above Normandy Dam.
These bait species are similar in appearance to small Asian carp. The change is aimed at reducing the risk of accidentally introducing Asian carp into new waterways.
Another amendment passed stating that commercially harvested catfish more than 34 inches in length cannot be kept alive after being caught.
Representatives from the Tennessee Chapter of Trout Unlimited presented the TWRA with a $10,000 donation prior to the meeting to further the agency's efforts in brook trout restoration throughout their range in the state.
During the meeting, TWRA fisheries division assistant chief Jason Henegar gave an update on the current status of brook trout management and distribution. He also highlighted future directions of management and the manner in which funding from Trout Unlimited will be used to better inform the agency of future restoration projects.
Lionel Ferguson, who caught the state record for black crappie (5 pounds, 7.68 ounces) in May in a pond in Loudon County, was introduced at the meeting and presented with his certificate for the state record.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.