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Tennessee deer hunters debate new regulation


At first glance these deer might both appear to be does. But on closer examination you see the deer on the right is actually a small spike buck. Some deer hunters complain that a new regulation defining bucks is too restrictive. (Photo: Richard Simms)
At first glance these deer might both appear to be does. But on closer examination you see the deer on the right is actually a small spike buck. Some deer hunters complain that a new regulation defining bucks is too restrictive. (Photo: Richard Simms)
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Tennessee deer hunters will be using a new set of rules this fall when determining what is a "buck," and what is not.

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission changed the legal definition of a buck, along with setting new hunting seasons & regulations for the 2016-17 hunting seasons at its meeting last week at the Arnold Air Force Base.

For big game hunting seasons, the TFWC changed the definitions of antlered and antlerless deer. Previously, a deer with antlers less than three inches long was considered "antlerless.' That means it did not count against a hunter's annual "2 buck limit."

However now, any deer with boned antler protruding above the hairline is legally considered a buck and will count toward the hunter's limit of two bucks.

Deer hunters on the popular TNDeer.com Internet Forum have been buzzing over what most consider a dramatic change. Many hunters have said it is often very difficult to distinguish bucks with extremely small antlers.

"Might as well change legal shooting light to sunrise-sunset because those low light deer, especially with a rifle, are impossible to tell if there's a half-inch inch nub above the hairline," posted catman529.

In many most middle and west Tennessee counties, where there is an overpopulation of deer, TWRA encourages the harvest of more does. Many hunters say it is unfair to be penalized for accidentally shooting an extremely small buck in an effort to reduce the population of does.

"Unfortunately this will result in a few bucks being left in the woods, rather than being checked in," posted encore06.

Many hunters were opposed to last year's action by the TFWC, reducing the bag limit from three bucks to two bucks. Now the broader legal definition of a buck further restricts those hunters.

On the other hand, many hunters strongly support more restrictive regulations in hopes it will ultimately lead to more quality bucks in Tennessee.

Another poster said, "The new antlered definition makes it easier for me to fill the freezer. I live in Unit D [deer hunting area] and have limited doe seasons and bag limits. There's no longer a worry about whether its antlers are three inches long or not. If I see antlers, I can shoot it."

In other action, the TFWC also approved two additional deer hunting units, C and D. The antlerless bag limit for archery is four and one during the muzzleloader season in these units. For gun season, the bag limit is one in Unit C for the first 16 days and one in Unit D for the first seven days. Some previous Unit A and B counties are now in other units. (An updated deer unit map is available here.)

The Unit D counties are Polk, Monroe, Blount, and Sevier. The Unit C counties are Cocke, Jefferson, Union, Grainger, Hamblen, Greene, Washington, and Unicoi.

Four counties were added to Unit L which border the Mississippi River. Lake, Dyer, Lauderdale and Tipton counties are the new additions making all West Tennessee counties now classified in Unit L.

Changes were made to the elk permits. The previous six permits continue but will now also be valid on private lands within the following five counties. The counties are Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott. Additionally, five new archery only permits were added, also valid on North Cumberland WMA and private lands within the five counties. Archery hunt dates are Oct. 3-7, 2016.

A significant change came to fall turkey hunting. The TFWC voted to reduce the fall bag limit to one for all counties currently open for fall turkey hunting. A hunter may harvest a turkey in each open county. Also changed was the bag limit for the Young Sportsman from one bird for the two-day hunt to one bird per day.

For TWRA Wildlife Management Areas, the most notable recommendations are establishing seasons for newly proclaimed areas.

Chuck Yoest, TWRA Wildlife and Forestry Division assistant chief, gave an in-depth presentation on the Agency's Chronic Wasting Disease response plan if the disease was to ever spread to Tennessee. The disease has now been confirmed in 24 states and two Canadian provinces.

The meeting was the TFWC's final meeting until August. The TFWC will hold its next meeting Aug. 18-19 in Crossville.

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