Woods & Water: Licenses will expire Feb. 29 across state
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) would like to remind all sportsmen that Feb. 29 will mark the expiration of the 2003-2004 Tennessee Hunting and Fishing Licenses. The expiration of the licenses coincides with the time when most hunting seasons in the state end and the prime fishing begins.
Although the old license has not expired yet, new licenses for the 2004-2005 year will go on sale beginning Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Resident licenses may be purchased by: persons who possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license; persons who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home; military personnel on active duty in this sate and their immediate families, who reside with them, regardless of resident status; students who are enrolled in a Tennessee school, college, or university for at least six months. A Social Security number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.
All Tennessee license agents are now on an electronic licensing system called R.E.A.L. (Remote Easy Access License) to make it easier for hunters and anglers to purchase their licenses.
Licenses may also be purchased online here: “http://www.wildlifelicense.com/tn/” and charged to a credit card. Licenses may also be ordered by telephone and charged to a credit card by calling 1-888-814-8972.
All licenses purchased by credit card will be charged a $3.95 processing and handling fee. To expedite telephone orders, the caller should have ready: name, address, physical description, Social Security number, driver’s license number, TWRA ID number (if a license renewal), and credit card number.
Licenses are printed on a special tear-resistant, water-proof paper. In case of a lost license, duplicate licenses can be obtained from any REAL license agent for a $5.00 fee.
The cost of the 2004-05 licenses is the same as the last several years.
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Anglers Can Soon Get TWRA Certificates To Recognize Special Trophy Catches
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is entering its second year of a new program that acknowledges outstanding catches of fish by anglers in Tennessee.
This new program is designed not only to recognize anglers for their exceptional Sportfish accomplishments, it will also encourage catch and release of trophy fish as well, and it will provide the TWRA with information on large fish caught throughout the state.
Anglers of any age who meet or exceed qualifying lengths of the fish listed below, can apply. Once approved, an angler will receive a color reproduction of the species of fish that they caught on a certificate suitable for framing.
To qualify, the fish must have been caught on or after Jan. 1, 2003; it must meet or exceed the minimum length; it must have been legally caught in Tennessee waters by sportfishing methods only (rod and reel or cane pole); the length of the fish must be verified by either a witness or a photograph. A $5 processing fee, per application, must also be enclosed.
Brochures which include a description of the program as well as a trophy fish application will soon be available at most bait shops and license agents across the state. These brochures can also be picked up at all TWRA Regional offices.
For further information about this program, call the Fish Management Division in Nashville at 615-781-6575 or look it up on the TWRA web site at www.tnwildlife.org.
Minimum Trophy Fish Lengths:
Species Length (inches)
Largemouth Bass 22
Spotted Bass 18
Smallmouth Bass 20
Striped Bass 40
Cherokee Bass (Hybrid) 30
White Bass 18
Crappie (Black or White) 14
Bluegill 10
Redear Sunfish 11
Rock Bass 10
Sauger 20
Walleye 28
Muskellunge 40
Brook Trout 10
Brown Trout 26
Rainbow Trout 24
Lake Trout 28
Channel Catfish 30
Blue Catfish 34
Flathead Catfish 34
Common Carp 34
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SPORTSMAN SHOW SET FOR MARCH 6
The Middle Tennessee Sportsman Show is back again and is set for March 6 at the McMinnville Civic Center with doors opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Deer hunters who wish to have their mounts scored for the Tennessee Deer Registry should bring trophies between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers will be on hand to score heads that have not been scored before. Certificates will be given for those deer making the Tennessee Deer Registry.
Vendors will be on hand with great deals on camouflage clothing, turkey calls and other equipment to get you geared up for the upcoming turkey season. Children under 12 are admitted free and adult admission is only $2.