Squirrel season opens Aug. 26

Tennessee?s hunting season for gray, fox, and red squirrels opens on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The season continues through Feb. 28, 2007, with a daily bag limit of 10.

The hunting season for squirrels is one of the longest fall seasons and one of the most underutilized. Squirrel populations tend to rise and fall with the availability of mast (food). Mast production the past few years has been fair to good and has resulted in good populations.

Two of the most productive ways to hunt squirrels are still-hunting (slowly walking through the woods watching for squirrels) and stand-hunting (sitting near food trees). Squirrel hunting with dogs has been gaining popularity in recent years. The best hunting with dogs generally occurs from November through February after the trees shed their leaves.

Squirrels are abundant in most areas where patches of woods are available. Excellent squirrel hunting can be found on many of TWRA?s wildlife management areas.

Squirrel hunting is one of the best ways to introduce a young hunter to the outdoors and squirrels are known for their excellent table fare. Most recipe books have a variety of recipes for squirrel, with fried squirrel and squirrel and dumplings being two traditional southern favorites.

For more information on Tennessee hunting seasons pick up a 2006

Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available at all TWRA Regional Offices

and at all hunting license agents later this month or go online at www.tnwildlife.org.

‘

Questions & Answers

Due to the large number of questions often received by wildlife officers, I thought I would share with readers some of the more common questions dealing with hunting and fishing in Tennessee.

Q. What is the law regarding riding 4-wheelers in the woods during hunting season with a loaded firearm?

A. State law says that a person cannot hunt or shoot from a motorized vehicle. If an officer encounters someone who is operating to 4-wheeler by driving it through fields, woods, etc?in an attempt to locate deer, then the officer may issue that person a citation for hunting from a motorized vehicle. This year the law has been modified somewhat to allow a hunter to sit on a stationary vehicle, which cannot be legally licensed to operate on Tennessee highways (such as an ATV), while hunting on private property. This new law does not apply to hunting on public property.

Q. What is the law concerning hunting with mechanical calls?

A. By mechanical calls I assume you mean electronic calls. The use or possession of predator calls while night hunting of any species is prohibited and use or possession of electronic calls for fox, turkey and waterfowl is also prohibited. Raccoon hunters are also not allowed to use or possess any raccoon calls during the training season.

Q. What is the law regarding the use of night vision optics that are sold at gun shows and all national sporting goods retailers?

A. Firearms or archery equipment equipped with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife is illegal. Night vision scopes are also illegal.

Q. Are there Eagles or Mountain Lions on the Cumberland Plateau?

A. At certain times of the year there may be eagles on certain reservoirs on the plateau. Center Hill has had eagles in the past, and even an occasional nesting pair. As for Mountain Lions, if we do have any they are probably captive cougars that have been turned loose by owners who were unable to care for them. To date there has been no definite proof of cougars in this area.

Q. As a stream fisherman, do I have the right to wade a stream to fish without being guilty of trespassing?

A. The laws on water rights are complex and confusing and usually no clear answer exists. The TWRA advises hunters and fishermen to seek permission from the landowner whenever there?s a question about access. This is the most courteous way to gain access and keep waters open to future sportsmen.

Q. I always seem to be missing the classes that are offered for hunter safety or boating safety. What is the best way to find out about these courses being offered?

A. In general, hunter safety courses are only offered in the fall. August, September and October are all prime months for classes to be taught. While some counties may have 2 or 3 classes, others may have only one. Boating classes are generally taught in May, June or July and again these may vary depending on the county. The best way is to contact the wildlife officer in your county of residence. He will be the best source of information concerning your county. Also, newspapers and radio media are often used and you can also find most of this information online at the agency?s website at www.tnwildlife.org .

Do you have a question you would like answered? If so, e-mail me at [email protected] and I?ll try to answer it in an upcoming article. If you can?t wait, feel free to check out the agency?s website at www.tnwildlife.org and you can probably find out the answer to most questions.