Tennessee will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day this weekend, coinciding with the start of hunting season across the state.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is sponsoring the National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 27. The 2014 deer archery-only hunting season also opens statewide in Tennessee on that date.
The day was established in 1972 by the U.S. Congress and recognizes hunters and anglers for their contributions to wildlife conservation.
“It is so significant that a great nation like ours takes the time to pause and recognize two activities that are steeped in our nation’s heritage,” said TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter in a released statement. “For those who participate, it is not only a great recreational venue which generates the lion’s share of funding for the management of all wildlife, but also generates billions of dollars in economic return. For those who don’t participate, it is fitting that we all join together to take a moment and reflect on how the North American Wildlife Conservation Model has enhanced all our lives.”
According to TWRA, wildlife conservation efforts receive funding from federal aid programs but are mainly funded by the money sportsmen and women spend on their license fees, as well as the taxes they pay on certain types of outdoor recreational equipment that includes firearms, ammunition and fishing gear. These funds support conservation programs, habitat acquisitions and outdoor recreation opportunities in Tennessee and throughout the nation.
According to TWRA, Tennessee is divided into three deer units for better management, A, B and L. The archery season dates in all three of the state’s deer hunting units are the same: Sept. 27-Oct. 24 and Oct. 27-Nov. 7.
In addition to deer, archers may harvest wild turkeys of either sex during the archery-only deer season in counties that have a fall turkey hunt. Turkeys harvested during the archery-only deer season count toward the fall turkey county bag limits.
TWRA reminds residents they must possess the appropriate licenses and permits to hunt or fish in the state and any hunter born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, is required to carry proof of satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or be in possession of the Apprentice Hunting License — along with other required licenses — while hunting any species in Tennessee.