Tennessee Hunting Season

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HUNTING SEASONS ON THE DOORSTEP
by Steve McCadams
www.stevemccadams.com

For many sportsmen the most popular time of the year is close at hand. Knocking on the door is a variety of hunting seasons that offer something for everyone from grandfather to grandson.

Squirrel season opens statewide tomorrow morning at first light and that’s a Tennessee tradition. Squirrel hunters have had a reputation dating back to the old days when the early settlers hunted for food.

Slipping around in the woods and scouting the ridges where hickories attracted the busy tails has and is an art in itself. Stalking silently down a path or creeping along a sand ditch so as not to make too much noise; that’s a challenge in the wee hours of the morning.

How does it look for the season ahead? It appears there’s been a banner crop of squirrels this year and many young of the year are darting about the treetops or searching the forest floor for morsels.

If squirrel hunting isn’t your thing and dodging the cobwebs, chiggers, and seed ticks is too much of a challenge then there’s more opportunities awaiting you.

On Sunday, September 1 is the opening of the first ever early goose season here in west Tennessee. Hunters will have a chance to bag some of the resident geese that have expanded their numbers over the last several years.

Season will run from September 1-15. Bag limit is three daily.

If you plan on hunting geese then remember to stop by and pick up not only your state waterfowl tags and migratory bird permit but also your Federal Duck Stamp. While some businesses carry Federal Duck Stamps in the winter, your best bet for purchasing one this early in the year will be a trip to the post office.

From waterfowl to darting doves, that’s what hunters can do next weekend as the annual opener for the statewide dove season has been moved to Labor Day this year. Season will begin at noon on Monday, September 2.

For eons the traditional opening day for doves has been the first day of September but the TWRA commission changed it a couple of years ago. After opening day, dove hunting can begin in the morning hours.

Not far behind the squirrels, geese, and doves is the early wood duck and teal season. Tennessee hunters will have another five-day segment running from September 14-18. That’s a week later than last year but pushing it back a few days seemed to suit most waterfowlers just fine.

Grab a rag and some oil then knock the dust and rust off the old smokepole. It’s time to get the cobwebs out of the barrel and scan the sky and treetops. Fall is just about here!

Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT.

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