There are rules and regulations for everything in life, and hunting season is no different.
A person cannot just wake up and decide that they want to go hunting. First, a hunting license needs to be purchased to secure his or her eligibility. There are different licenses for different types of game. Big game licenses are comprised of turkey, deer, elk and bear. Small game licenses are for squirrel, rabbit, beaver and duck. Youth from ages 6 to 15, also are allowed to hunt. Children should have supervision at all times, as well as the proper registration.
Duck hunting is the season now upon the area. For duck hunters, the following is information to be aware of that can serve as a reminder.
Along with the appropriate hunting license for the size of the game, a federal duck stamp and migratory bird permit are required. Before shooting, be knowledgeable of the duck type, duck zone, hunting date and daily limit.
Ducks, coots, mergansers, gallinules, virginia, sora rails and common moorhens are the main waterfowl found in Tennessee. Always do research before hunting and know the targeted animal. A good hunter knows the calls, markings and traits of their game.
Reelfoot and Statewide are the duck zones in Tennessee. Inside the Reelfoot duck zone, ducks, coots and mergansers can be hunted from Nov. 16 to 17. The season opens again from Nov. 30 to Jan. 26.
For the statewide duck zone, the date for the previously mentioned waterfowl goes from Nov. 28 to Jan. 26. Two days may not seem to affect much, but it is the law, and it will always pay to be caught on the right side rather than the wrong.
There is also a daily bag limit and possession limit. Always know the legal limit for both before hunting.
For more information about duck hunting, visit www.tn.gov/twra/waterfowl.html or the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Decoys, calls and blinds can be used to help attract ducks. Decoy ducks are designed to bring in real ducks.
When ducks see a flock of what seems to be other ducks, they usually cannot resist. Duck calls are used to do exactly what they are named for: call. Duck calls reel in ducks to a hunter’s shooting range so that he or she can have an easier shot.
Blinds can be stationary, while some can be mobile. A blind is an area or setup made to not be noticed by animals and fit in with the wilderness. Real and fake straw, along with other materials, are used in creating a blind. There are ground, tree, boat and shack blinds. Some blinds can be so believable that humans may not be able to recognize them.
Dexter Fields, a senior management major at UTM said that hunting is an enjoyable experience.
“I’ve been hunting since I was 6 years old, and I still enjoy it. Deer season is my favorite, but I enjoy duck season all the same. I love hunting in Virginia. You can hunt with dogs or a group of people if you choose to. Here, you mainly have to still hunt and stay in one place. Always have appropriate clothing if you are going to be outside for a while. Don’t forget to pack plenty of ammunition because you will miss. You don’t want to have to use rocks. Most importantly, have fun on a good or bad day,” Fields said.
