Applications for WMA hunts now available across state

Hunters may start applying for the 2006-07 wildlife management area quota hunts beginning on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

The information forms have been mailed to license agents and TWRA regional offices. Sportsman license holders will receive their information form on the back of their Tennessee Wildlife Magazine (July-August Calendar issue).

The information form is also available on TWRA?s website, www.tnwildlife.org.

To apply, complete the information on the form and take it to any place where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Mailed forms will not be accepted, according to TWRA.

When applying at a license agent, there is no fee for current Sportsman License holders or Seniors with a Type 167 permit. For all others, there is a $20.00 permit fee per drawing plus a $1.00 agent fee.

Hunters may also apply over the internet. This year there will be no charge for hunters possessing a current sportsman license or senior license with a Type 167 permit.

All others will be charged a $2.00 usage fee and a $20.00 permit fee per drawing plus 50 cents for each drawing entered. The $2.00 usage fee is collected by the company that maintains the license internet site.

Rules for applying are the same as last year for adults and youths. Youths, ages 6-16, may apply for separate youth hunts and in a party with adults for regular hunts.

When applying for Catoosa, Laurel Hill, Presidents Island, Oak Ridge, and Yuchi hunts, hunters should be aware that these areas have special antler restrictions for bucks.

There are two units being added to the young sportsman hunts this year. They are Henderson Island and Tellico Lake – Niles Ferry Unit. Other young sportsman hunts this year include: Catoosa, Chuck Swan, Hiwassee Refuge, Kingston Refuge, Tellico Lake – McGhee Carson Unit, and Yuchi Refuge at Smith Bend. These hunts are listed on the lower right corner of the information form.

Wild turkey hunters should be aware that the fall turkey hunts on Cheatham, Cheatham Lake, Chuck Swan, Eagle Creek, and Laurel Hill are listed on the form. In addition, AEDC, Chuck Swan, Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant, and Yuchi Refuge at Smith Bend will allow turkeys to be harvested during the archery-only deer quota hunts.

Remember to read the information form carefully, fill out all requested information, double-check the form, and take it to a license agent where it will be entered into the system.

Application must be made no later than midnight, July 20. The priority system remains in effect. Anyone who applied last year but was unsuccessful in the drawing, has priority status. If you have priority, be sure to apply alone or in a party in which everyone has priority.

A common mistake is adding someone who does not have priority status. If this happens, the party will be drawn at zero priority.

If permits remain after the drawing is completed, vacancy permits will become available through license agents beginning on September 13, 2006. Refer to the 2006 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide for details (available later this summer).

(Look for more ?Woods and Water,? and the Southern Standard Fishing Report, in Sunday?s edition.)