norris lake - Tennessee Fishing and Hunting Guide

February 2013
FREE!
Plenty of action available on Tennessee lakes this month
Rabbit and quail seasons continue until Feb 28th
So get out and enjoy Tennessee woods and waters!
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TENNESSEE
FISHING &
HUNTING GUIDE
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ABOUT THE
COVER
Cody Justice poses with
a nice Cherokee Lake
striper. Some great fishing is available on Tennessee lakes and some of
the biggest game fish are
commonly caught in the
month of February. Rabbit and quail seasons also
continue until February
28th. So there’s plenty of
opportunities for action for
both hunters and anglers
this winter month - so
just dress warm, pack a
thermos of coffee, and get
out and enjoy Tennessee
afield this month. Cover
photo courtesy
Gilmore Dock
865-767-2177
Fish & Hunt
Tennessee!
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Ammo and supplies for every shooting need.
2
KEEP OUR TENNESSEE
LAKES CLEAN
Introduce A Kid
To Fishing!
WATTS BAR LAKE
Watts Bar Fishing Report: The lake on Sunday was at high summer level. The water temperature is in the upper forties. The water color is stained in most areas. Spillways are open at both
ends of the lake. The water conditions have prevented most anglers from being on the lake. A
few bank anglers caught catfish and white bass below Ft. Loudon Dam.
- TWRA TWRA Requesting Public Input for 2013-14 Hunting Regulations
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is soliciting comments for its 2013-14
hunting seasons’ regulations. This is an opportunity for the public to provide ideas and share concerns about hunting regulations with TWRA staff.
Public comments will be considered by TWRA’s Wildlife Division staff and may be presented
as proposals for regulation changes. Comments may be submitted by mail to: 2013-14 Hunting
Season Comments, TWRA, Wildlife and Forestry Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204
or emailed to twra.comment@tn.gov. Please include “Hunting Season Comments” on the subject
line of emailed submissions.
The comment period concerning the 2013-14 hunting season regulations began on Jan. 15, 2013
and will be open until Monday, Feb. 25.
---TWRA--Future Big Game Tagging, Check-in Procedures Approved at Commission Meeting
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a change in a proclamation in regard to future
big game tagging and check-in procedures. The vote came during the January meeting of the TFWC which concluded
Friday at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Region II Ray Bell Building.
The change calls for all big game animals to be checked in at an approved TWRA checking station, on the TWRA
website, or by the TWRA mobile application by the end of calendar day of harvest.
Evidence of the big game animal’s species and sex must be available for inspection by TWRA personnel until the animal is checked in. All big game animals taken to taxidermists or to meat processors must be accompanied by documentation on approved TWRA forms or mobile application.
The TWRA is adding a new mobile application for check-ins which will be ready for the 2013 spring turkey season.
TWRA is changing its big game tagging system from utilizing temporary and permanent harvest tags to a harvest log.
(Con’t on p. 13)
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3
HIWASSEE / OCOEE RIVERS
4
All photos this page courtesy Hiwassee Corner Market.
HIWASSEE / OCOEE RIVERS
Bryan Killion got this 210 lb, 9-pointer with 20” spread in Polk
County 12/26/12. Photo courtesy J & B’s Fish & Tackle.
Harris Stephens with big buck on muzzleloader in November.
Another shot of this big buck appears on page 6. Photo courtesy
Jeff Stephens.
Fishing Report: Hiwassee River near Reliance: Spillways at Applachia Dam are open creating
conditions that most anglers avoid. In the days leading up to the spillway opening, some anglers
were catching brown and rainbow trout. One angler had managed to catch eight rainbows and
two brown trout. The winter stonefly hatch was the key to the anglers’ success. All trout that
were caught were caught in the area above the railroad bridge.
- TWRA BIGGEST FISH ARE OFTEN CAUGHT IN FEBRUARY
5
HIWASSEE / OCOEE RIVERS
Harris Stephens got this trophy buck on muzzleloader hunt in
November. Photo courtesy Jeff Stephens.
Parksville Lake Fishing Report: The elevation on
Saturday was eight hundred twenty-one feet. This is
down seven feet since the big rains last week. The lake
is stained in almost all areas. Some of the coves downstream were clear. Largemouth bass and spotted bass
are being caught by those anglers using jigs, jerkbaits
and crankbaits. Some largemouth in excess of seven
pounds have are being caught. Spotted bass are being
caught that top four pounds. Some crappie anglers are
catching fish while trolling jigs and dipping minnows.
- TWRA -
6
Photos above courtesy Hiwassee Corner Market.
QUAIL & RABBIT SEASONS
continue until February 28
Enjoy Tennessee Outdoors More
In 2013!
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO
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Both of above photos show Bryant Cooper, age 9, with his big 9-point buck killed on hunt in Henry County in January. Photos
courtesy Sloan’s Center.
7
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO
Fishing Supplies - Custom Lures - Live Bait - Hunting Supplies - Licenses
Checking Station - Hardware - Gas - Convenient Mart - OPEN 7 DAYS
Landry Cooper, age 13, got this big 6-pointer on January hunt in Henry County. Photo courtesy Sloan’s Center.
TELLICO LAKE FISHING REPORT - by Charley Hensley - TWRA -
8
SUMMARY
Everything out on the water is pretty much moving in slow motion now. There are still a few crappie anglers out and they are catching some fish. The bass fishing is very slow right now. I have not talked to the walleye anglers yet, but that will happen very soon
along with the striper anglers.
(Con’t on page 9)
FORT LOUDON / TELLICO
This is another shot of Landry Cooper’s 6 pt shown on page 8.
Photo courtesy Sloan’s Center.
(“Fishing Report”.. con’t from p. 8)
CRAPPIE: 6-30 FEET - Slow
Crappie are still biting, if you can find them. Submerged structure
such as brushpiles and fallen trees are crappie magnets right now.
You may have to fish as deep as 20 to 30 ft. for some crappies, but
some are still biting around the 10 ft. level. Trolling small 1/8 ounce
lead heads tipped with a minnow is catching some of the bigger
crappies. As always, the number one bait of choice for crappie is the
minnow. Vertical jigging a minnow on a small leadhead seems to be
the best method for catching congregated crappie in brushpiles.
Creed Sullivan - 1/5/13. Photo courtesy Sloan’s Center.
9
CHEROKEE LAKE
Pat Potter with two nice Cherokee Lake stripers. Photo
courtesy Gilmore Dock.
CHEROKEE LAKE FISHING REPORT - by Gary Loucks
- TWRA -
Eric Miller - 8-point buck with Ruger M77 300 WSM.
Photo courtesy M &M Firearms.
Fish & Hunt
Tennessee!
10
SUMMARY:
Information in this portion of the report is based on only a
few days of the reporting period due to extremely heavy
rains followed by snowfall and frigid temperatures – keeping anglers off the water for the most part of the reporting
period. Crappie have been hitting well. Largemouth and
smallmouth bass as well as spotted bass are active at all
points of the lake with smallmouth giving anglers a lot of action. There isn’t much to report concerning bluegill or catfish
for this report. Striped bass have been fishing well.
BASS: Moderate
Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass have been
caught primarily on shorelines containing heavy rock
(Con’t on p. 11)
CHEROKEE LAKE
Cody Justice with big Cherokee Lake catfish. Photo courtesy
Gilmore Dock.
Cody Justice with winter striper at Gilmore Dock. Photo courtesy
Gilmore Dock.
(“Fishing Report”.. con’t from p. 10)
outcroppings and especially where shorelines plunge suddenly to
depths of at least thirty feet. Humps and valleys off island shorelines all seem to contain good quantities of fish. Creeks have not
shown to produce the catches that the main bay shorelines have
provided although creek mouths are good holds for bass.
Smaller baits have been the best choice over this report period.
Use crawfish and lizard patterns in dark colors as well as tubes
and jigs, especially for smallmouth. Smaller spinner baits and
crank baits in shad or green colors have been good baits for
largemouth and spots. Jerk baits combined with the smaller
varieties of crank baits and small silver spinners have been highly
effective on all species where boulder strewn shorelines exist.
Ramsey with a big striper catch. Photo courtesy Gilmore Dock.
Fish main bay shorelines where wood and boulders exist. Bass
can be found twelve to thirty feet. Use a moderate retrieve with
crank and spinner baits. Fish jigs with tubes with a medium
retrieve. Schooled fish can often times be caught, especially in
creek mouths, by jigging a small silver spoon or a pig and jig.
(Con’t on p. 12)
11
CHEROKEE LAKE
Pat Potter and son Cody with fine catch of stripers out of Gilmore
Dock. Photo Gilmore Dock/
Jake Miller released this largemouth. Photo courtesy
Gilmore Dock.
(“Fishing Report”.. con’t from p. 11)
The right shoreline travelling upstream in the Greenlee/Gall Creek Campground area is a good bet for bass. The mouth of the
Kidwell boat ramp cove where it enters the main bay has produced nice spotted and largemouth bass. Largemouth have been
active on the stretch of water to the left immediately exiting the Quarryville ramp as well as the main bay travelling downstream on
the right shoreline. All islands offering boulder shorelines will produce bass of all three species.
STRIPED BASS: Fair
Striped bass have been found in the deeper channels between islands. Wave action and current drive shad to these channels and
as the shad goes, so goes the predator. Striped bass have been very active at creek mouths but have been concentrated in great
numbers in the island throughways and bay areas with island throughways close at hand. Fish around the bottom of huge humps
and don’t forget to hit water off rock points, especially if it drops deep to forty or more feet rapidly.
12
DOUGLAS LAKE
2012 State’s Black Bear Harvest Nears 400
NASHVILLE --- Tennessee’s black bear harvest is hovering near the 400-mark for 2012, marking
the eighth consecutive year that hunters have harvested more than 300 bears in the state’s bearhunting counties.
The 2012 harvest stands at 397 after the state record of 581 in 2011. The previous two years saw
301 harvested in 2010 after the previous record of 566 was set in 2009.
Black bears were harvested in 11 East Tennessee counties during the recently completed season.
Cocke County led the way with 85 bears, unseating Sevier County for the top county harvest. Monroe County was second for the second straight year with 64.
Polk County was third with 44, followed by Carter 41, Sevier 36, Unicoi 27, Greene and Johnson
26, Blount 24, Washington 15, and Sullivan 9.
Tennessee black bear harvest reports started in 1951. There were a total of 29 bears harvested that
year.
Tennessee’s black bear population has been steadily increasing over the past 40 years due to
several management practices put in place by TWRA. These practices include establishment of a
series of bear reserves throughout the bear habitat, protection of females and cubs, and setting the
majority of the bear hunting season later in the year when most females have gone to the den.
---TWRA--(“New Tagging Procedures”.. con’t from p.3)
In other business, the commission heard a report on the recently completed 10-day hog control season held at Catoosa
Wildlife Management Area from TWRA Region III Wildlife Program Coordinator Kirk Miles. The control season had a
total of 1,565 participants, the heaviest volume coming on the weekend dates. Dogs were allowed to be used during the
season and a total of 36 hogs were taken.
A public meeting concerning the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed closure of tailwaters on the Cumberland
River and its tributaries to boating traffic was scheduled for Jan 15 and cancelled due inclement weather. The meeting
has been rescheduled for Feb. 5 and will be held at Nashville’s McGavock High School. However, a meeting was held
on Thursday (Jan. 17) at Upperman High School in Baxter. TWRA representatives were present, including Fisheries
Division Chief Bobby Wilson who reported to the commission on Friday that those from the public voiced a unanimous
disapproval of the proposal. The TWRA has repeatedly voiced opposition to the closures.
Jason Henegar, TWRA Statewide River and Streams Coordinator, gave a report of the re-introduction of lake sturgeon
in the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. The agency has reports of the sturgeon being caught at various spots in
the Tennessee River as far north as the Knoxville area and in the Cumberland River ranging to the Land Between the
13
Lakes area.(Con’t on p. 16)
NORRIS LAKE
All photos this page courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Gregory Bean
Danny Russell
14
Michael Marlowe
Taylor McCarty
James Daryl Pate
Randy Baird
Gary Bowlin - 6 pt0
NORRIS LAKE
All photos this page courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Bob Blevins
nice buck
Aaron Russell
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15
NORRIS LAKE
(Con’t from p. 13)
Don King, TWRA Information and Education Division Chief,
played a preview of the recently completed Charlie Daniels
Public Service Announcements.
The commission approved a budget expansion for the new
Reelfoot Spillway. The funds will be used to establish a lake
level flow gauge network, compile data to produce an operation
manual, and test the spillway computer system. This initiative
will be a cooperative, cost-shared project with the U.S. Geological Survey.
The TFWC scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 14-15 in Nashville. Committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. on Feb. 14 and
the formal meeting is at 9 a.m. on Feb. 15.
--TWRA--NORRIS LAKE FISHING REPORT - by Paul Shaw - TWRA WATER CONDITIONS
The water elevation at midnight, 26 December, was 1,011.5-feet, which is 8-feet higher than it was last Wednesday. The water level
is predicted to fall 1.6-feet by Friday, Jan 25th. The heavy inflow of last week has decreased to 7,755 cfs. Although many of the
larger creeks are still running in with muddy water, the headwaters of the Clinch and Powell rivers are stained, but not muddy, with
a visibility of about 2-feet. The main channels on the upper half of the reservoir are muddy, however. Stained water was as far down
stream as Island F on the Clinch and below Point 12 on the Powell. Four to 6-inches of snow melt caused the water temperatures
to drop on the upper end. Water conditions on Wednesday evening were: 42 degrees where Highway 25E crosses the Clinch, 43
degrees and stained with 18-inches of visibility in Sycamore Creek, 48 degrees and muddy at Highway 33 Bridge, 48 degrees with
stained hollows in the Loyston area near Point 19, and 49 degrees and clear at Point 1. The headwaters of Cove Creek, Big Creek,
and Davis Creek are muddy and 48 degrees.
Much debris is flowing into the reservoir from the river arms and larger creeks. In addition, the rise has lifted a tremendous amount
of limbs and logs from the shoreline, all of which are hazards to boaters. Boaters should exercise caution. The floating dock at
Loyston Point is hung up on its tracks and is underwater. Beware of hitting it with a propeller.
SUMMARY
Anglers were having to fish deeper than before the quick water rise to get good sized fish. Colder water required a slower presentation. Overall, the drastic rise in the water level, and influx of cold water from the snow melt caused reduced catches.
BLUEGILL and REDEAR (SHELLCRACKER): Bluegill slow. Shellcracker are slow to hit in the Poor Land and Lost Creek areas.
Bluegill are hitting crickets and mealworms at 15 to 20 feet, whether suspended or close to the bottom.
CRAPPIE: Fair. 5 to 15-feet. The stained creek water produced catches in shallower brush in the heads of the larger creek embayments. Heavy current in the channels, far upstream, hindered fishing in those sections.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: Fair. Shallow and close to the shore, especially in stained sections. Crankbaits and jigs did well in stained
and muddy water. Tube Jigs and Carolina-rigged plastic worms or lizards, jerkbaits, medium-running crankbaits in stained channel
sections. Surface to 5-feet in the morning; 15 to 25-feet at mid-day. Muddy water areas will have largemouth very close to the shoreline, and very shallow. Muddy water sections, upstream, were too cold for good jig pole fishing.
SMALLMOUTH BASS: Fair. (*Note the regulation change which became effective Oct. 16th.)
15 to 30-feet on main channel clay shelves which are adjacent to deeper water and on transition zones to large rock. Shiners and
jigs took the larger smallmouths, but the bite is slow. Transition zones from boulders to gravel have been good. Transition zones on
points have been the best. Please look at the regulation change reminder, below. The one-fish, minimum 20-inch length limit is now
in effect:
(Con’t on p. 17)
16
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NORRIS LAKE
David P. with a 3 pt. Photo courtesy Crossroads Grocery.
Larry Chapman - 6 pt. Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
(“Fishing Report”.. con’t from p. 16)
*REGULATION CHANGE FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS: The regulation changed on October 16th. It now allows five smallmouth with a
minimum length limit of 18-inches.
Kermit York - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
SPOTTED BASS: Fair on large rock shorelines. Topwater plugs,
spinners, and buzzbaits in the channels on rocky shorelines. Small,
crawfish pattern crankbaits and pig’n jigs along the shorelines where
there are big boulders and plenty of gravel to boulder transition
zones.
STRIPED BASS: Fair. (*See regulation change, below, effective Nov. 1st.) 25-feet to as deep as 45-feet. Surface feeding striped
bass are showing up on calm, sunny afternoons and on some mornings, but were harder to find, this week. Most of those caught
were below the legal size limit.
*REGULATION REMINDER FOR STRIPED BASS: November 1–March 31: 1 per day, 36 inch minimum length limit.
17
NORRIS LAKE
Alan Phillips - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
18
Curtis Graham - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Nathaniel Goins - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Joey Nelson - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
NORRIS LAKE
Ralph Gross - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Dexter Goins - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Brian Tiller - Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
Phillip Johnson - 11 pt. Photo courtesy Judy’s Grocery.
19
WATAUGA / SOUTH HOLSTON
Jerry Stanberry - 245 lb bear. Photo courtesy Neva General
Store.
Michael Dickens - 250 lb bear 11/22/12. Photo courtesy Neva
General Store.
Jett Arnold - 12/9/12. Photo courtesy Neva General Store.
Cody Osborne - big doe 12/21/12. Photo courtesy Neva General
Store.0
WATAUGA LAKE FISHING REPORT - by Richard Markland - TWRA Largemouth/Spotted Bass: Action: good Lures: crankbaits, swimbaits, spoons, Damiki lures Presentations: casting, jigging
Depth: 2 to 15-ft, 25 to 40-ft for Damiki Lures and spoons Time: evening, mid-day Habitat: rocky banks, brush, small pockets
Where: creeks, pockets, Watauga River, near suspended shad schools for Damiki lures
Smallmouth Bass: Action: good Lures: crankbaits, jigs, swimbaits, Damiki lures, spoons Presentations: casting, jigging
Depth: 6 to 20-ft, 25 to 40-ft for jigging Damiki lures and spoons Time: morning, mid day, evening, night Habitat: points, main lake
points, brush
Where: dam, Point 2, Cove Ridge, lower end, near suspended shad for jigging
20
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WATAUGA / SOUTH HOLSTON
Donald Hollaway - 4 pt 11/15/12. Photo courtesy Neva General Store.
Rick Townsend - 7 pt 11/26/12. Photo courtesy Neva General
Store.
Craig Tester - 8 pt 12/12/12. Photo courtesy Dry Hill General
Store.
To advertise in the Tennessee
Fishing & Hunting Guide call
J.L. at (865) 693-7468
Donald R. Elkins - 3 pt 11/26/12. Photo courtesy Dry Hill
General Store.
Benjamin Howard - spike 11/17/12. Photo courtesy Dry Hill
General Store.
21
WATAUGA / SOUTH HOLSTON
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423-727-0611
4862 Roan Creek Road
Mountain City, TN 37683
Prevent Hypotherma
Check weather conditions before going afield
All photos this page courtesy Neva General Store.
Tori Arnold - 1st buck - a spike 12/19/12.
H. Cole - spike 11/10/12
22
Chris McCroskey - 8 pt 12/14/12
Opie Cunningham - 8 pt
Connie Holloway - doe 12/23/12
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WATAUGA / SOUTH HOLSTON
Craig Tester - 8 pt 11/9/12. Photo courtesy Dry Hill General
Store.
Anthony Smith - 8 pt 11/23/12. Photo courtesy Dry Hill
General Store.
Don Elkins - 3 pt, and Wayne Carr - 6 pt. Photo courtesy Dry
Hill General Store.
Donald Elkins - 8 pt 11/17/12. Photo courtesy Dry Hill General Store.
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WATAUGA / SOUTH HOLSTON
The
Tennessee Traveler
Places to go and see for fun in Tennessee
… by Lin Stepp
TENNESSEE’S STATE PARKS – 75 YEARS AND COUNTING!
In 2012, the Tennessee’s State Parks system celebrated their 75th
birthday since its establishment in 1937. Looking back, Tennessee’s
development of the earliest state parks grew out of a national movement in the 1930s to create recreational areas for the public. This
state parks movement in the United Stated followed in the footsteps
of the national park movement also occurring at that same time in
history. Niagara Falls State Park is usually listed as the first state
park in America, and now the U.S. has over 6,624 state parks scattered all across the nation.
Chickamauga Lake at Harrison Bay State Park
Photo TN State Parks
The creation of national organizations, like the National Park Service
and the National Conference on State Parks, and later specific state park agencies helped to escalate the spread of the
state park movement. State parks were usually chosen for scenic
beauty, recreational potential, and/or historical interest. Surveys
from the Parks, Parkways and Recreational Study Act of 1936
helped to identify historic sites and scenic areas appropriate for
state park development. Between 1920 and 1940, approximately
36 states established agencies for acquiring and administering state
parks for the public’s use.
Tennessee’s Division of State Parks was developed in 1937. In
1938, Harrison Bay State Park, northeast of Chattanooga in Hamilton County, became the first state park in Tennessee. The park
today encompasses 1,200 acres on the shores of Chickamauga
Lake. The park, typical of many state parks, has a marina, restaurant, golf course, picnic area, swimming pool, play grounds, camping areas, and hiking trails.
Spectacular falls at Falls Creek State Park
All photos courtesy TN State Parks, Nashville
In 1949, seven more state parks were added including: (1) Cove
Lake, 30 miles northwest of Knoxville in East Tennessee; (2) Montgomery Bell, west of Nashville near Dickson, (3) Meeman-Shelby, bordering the Mississippi Rover north of Memphis; (4)
Fall Creek Falls on the Cumberland Plateau in Middle Tennessee; (5) Paris Landing in West Tennessee near the Kentucky border; (6) Pickett State Park in upper Tennessee near the Big South Fork Recreation Area; and (7) Norris Dam
State Park in East Tennessee along Norris Lake near the TVA dam.
Tennessee continued adding parks through the fifties and sixties, while enhancing the
already established parks with swimming pools, golf courses, campgrounds, rustic cabins,
and other recreational facilities. With the founding of the Tennessee Trails Association in
1968, many hiking and walking trails began to develop within the parks. As the growth
and popularity of the parks continued, festivals, dramas, historical reenactments, and other
events began to be held on park sites.
The state park system grew by leaps and bounds through the following years and today in
2013 there are 54 state parks in Tennessee. The newest, Cummins Falls State Park, the
54th state park in Tennessee, opened in 2012 in Middle Tennessee near Cookeville on the
Highland Rim. The new state park, situated among the rolling hills along the Blackburn
(Con’t on next page)
24
WATAUGA / SOUTH HOLSTON
(“Tennessee Traveler”.. con’t from page 24)
Fork State Scenic River, contains the spectacular 75 foot tall Cummins Falls, the eighth highest waterfall in volume in
Tennessee. The 211- acre park is still a wilderness area but has good fishing,
a scenic overlook, a fantastic swimming hole at the base of the falls, and plans
for hiking trails and other facilities in the future.
Tennessee state parks have won many awards. For example, in 2007, the
state’s parks were awarded the Gold Medal for Excellence for Park and Recreation Administration, recognized as “Best in the Nation.” There are 12 state
parks in West Tennessee, 26
in Middle Tennessee, and 16 in
East Tennessee. Many lie on
Cummins Falls State Park
Tennessee’s lakes with easy
Photo TN State Parks
access to boating and fishing
and the majority offer camping
facilities. The Tennessee State Parks agency has now implemented a
reservation system for campsite reservations through an online reservation system at: http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/reservations/ or by
calling the Tennessee State Parks Office at: 1-888-TN Parks (867-2757).
Camping reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance for
campsites, state park inns, or cabins.
Cumberland Mountain Bridge at Cumberland
Mountain State Park. Photo TN State Parks.
The main Tennessee State Parks website is: www.tnstateparks.com You
can look up all the state parks on this website to read about them and find
directions to get to them. Another fine website about the parks with a listing of all the state parks, links to photos and information about them, and download brochures on each park can be found on www.tnvacation.com, The State’s Official
Travel Planning Website at the link listing all parks at: http://www.tnvacation.com/75/list/
Here are some Fun Facts about Tennessee State’s Parks:
1. Reelfoot Lake, in Reelfoot Lake State Park, was formed in the winter of 1811-1812 by the New Madrid Earthquake,
one of the largest quakes in U.S. history.
2. Dunbar Cave State Park, near Clarksville, has an eight-mile cave. Square dances and concerts have been held in
the cave’s large entrance, and the cave is one of TN’s 3,800 documented caves.
3. The largest state park in the state is Fall Creek Falls State Park with 22,477 acres on the Cumberland Plateau and
some of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States, including the spectacular 256 ft Fall Creek Falls, the highest
free-fall waterfall east of the Mississippi.
4. The least visited state park, one of the most remote and the smallest with only a 27 acre park, is Big Cypress State
Park in Middle Tennessee on the Obion River.
5. The Cedars of Lebanon State park near Nashville contains the largest red cedar forest in the Eastern United States
with 8 miles of hiking trails through the forest.
6. Cumberland Mountain State Park sits by the Cumberland National Historical Park, one of the largest historical parks
in the United States. The dam and bridge in the park is the largest masonry structure ever built by the Civilian Conversation Corps (CCC).
7. Ft. Loudon State Park, near Vonore in East TN, is the location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the frontier,
built in 1756. A film in the Park’s visitor center explains Ft. Loudon’s history and the park offers many reenactments and
festivals.
8. The Harpeth River State Park near Nashville contains a 100 yard long tunnel chiseled through solid rock to power an
1800s iron forge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
9. Pinson Mounds State Park below Jackson, Tennessee, has the 2nd largest Indian Mound, Saul’s Mound, in the US,
72 feet high. The park has many archeological earthworks dating back to 1-500 AD. The area has been named a National Historic Landmark.
10. The most visited state park in Tennessee is Warriors Path State Park, situated on 950 acres near Kingsport, Tennessee. The park was named for its proximity to an ancient war and trading path used by the Cherokee Indians.
As you travel Tennessee, look for and visit its colorful state parks!
25
DALE HOLLOW LAKE
Boat Parking
With Elec. Hook-ups
Wireless Internet
Security
Cameras
- Dale Hollow Fishing Report courtesy Sportsman’s Lodge Motel
Dale Hollow: Fishing is fair. Water temperature
is 45 degrees; lake is slowly rising. A few fish are
being caught on float’n’fly method and jigs, while
fishing channel banks in the creeks in 20 feet of
water. A few largemouth are being caught in the
rivers while casting jigs on channel banks in 15-to20 feet of water.
- TWRA -
Maury County Youth Small Game and Predator Hunt Scheduled for February 9
COLUMBIA, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be one of the sponsors for
the Fourth Annual Maury County Youth Small Game and Predator Hunt to be held Feb. 9.
The free event is for youth from ages 9-15 who must have a TWRA Hunter Education certification
by the hunt date and have all the appropriate licenses permits. Hunters must also provide their
own firearm and ammunition. Firearms and ammunition will be provided for the clay target range.
Along with the TWRA, the Tennessee Wildlife Officers Association, Columbia Noon Rotary Club,
Sundrop, Wal-Mart and several other local businesses are sponsoring the event. The Columbia
National Guard Armory will serve as the event’s headquarters.
The day’s activities will begin at 6 a.m. with breakfast at the armory. Young sportsmen and women
will be teamed with hunting guides, dog handlers and safety officers to participate guides who
will accompany them to pre-selected property to hunt rabbits, squirrels or predators. The hunt will
conclude with lunch, prizes, and clay target shooting at the armory.
(Con’t on p. 29)
26
QUAIL & RABBIT SEASONS CONTINUE UNTIL FEBRUARY 28
DALE HOLLOW LAKE
K-12 Students Invited to Enter 2012-13
Junior Duck Stamp Artwork Competition
2012 Best of Show
NASHVILLE --- All Tennessee K-12 students
are invited to compete in the 2013 Federal
Junior Stamp art competition. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency serves as a
partner in the contest which is sponsored by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Tennessee has been involved in the project
since 1995. Florida piloted the first local contest in 1989. The program grew rapidly, and
now all states and the District of Columbia
participate. Entries are accepted through
school (public or private), home school, or on your own.
The Junior Duck Stamp Program is also a conservation program designed to teach children about waterfowl and the
value of wetlands. The dividends for program participation have proven tremendous.
Since the inception of the program, educators and parents have recounted the many ways it has had an immeasurable
impact on their students. Students have also increased their observation skills, made great improvements in other
academic areas, increased self-esteem and some have launched a career in art.
Jet Smith, of Ooltewah, was the Best of Show winner in the 18th annual contest. A 10th grade student last year, Jet
depicted a female and male king eider and used colored pencils in his winning artwork he titled “In Royal Company.”
There were 11 other finalists for the Best of Show as a result of their first place award. Three first place winners were
awarded for each division. An awards ceremony was held at the Bass Pro Shops location in Nashville in May.
How the enter the 2013 competition
All entries for the Tennessee art competition are due on
March 15, 2013. Click here to print the rules and entry form
for this free competition. Please keep in mind two key rules.
First, the species of waterfowl you draw must be a native
North American duck, goose, or swan. Second, all entries
must be drawn horizontally and be nine inches high by 12
inches wide.
Soon after the annual entry deadline, the artwork is judged
by a panel of experts. The judges change each year, but the
panel typically includes a combination of waterfowl biologists, artists, and natural resource professionals. The art is
separated into four grade groups (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12),
and each group is judged independently. Once the first
place winners for each group have been selected, they are
viewed again to select a single Best of Show for the state.
Entries may be sent to the following address:
2012 Best of Show
Joan Stevens, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, 3006 Dinkins Lane, Paris, TN 38242
Other helpful web sites:
Tennessee Jr. Duck Stamp webpage:
http://www.fws.gov/tennesseerefuge/JrDuckStamp.htm
National Jr. Duck Stamp webpage:
http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/junior/junior.htm
27
CENTER HILL LAKE
Photo courtesy Meadow Park Lake.
Luckie Pelfrey - 1st deer - an 8 pt killed near Spring City, TN. Photo
Outdoor Connection.
28
Photo courtesy Outdoor Connection.
Photo courtesy Outdoor Connection.
Photo courtesy Outdoor Connection.
CENTER HILL LAKE
(“Maury County Youth Hunt”.. con’ from p. 26)
Parents and/or guardians are welcome to accompany the youngsters on the hunt. There will be safety officers assigned to all hunting parties going rabbit or squirrel hunting.
To register for the hunt click here and please include the young
hunter’s name, age, address, email, phone number, and which species he or she prefers to hunt (rabbits, squirrels, or predators). For
more information contact Maury County TWRA wildlife officers Mark
Ventura by email, mark.ventura@tn.gov or at (615) 483-7305 or
Rusty Thompson at rusty.thompson@tn.gov or (931) 881-8241.
---TWRA---
Dale Swallows with his huge 11-point, 161 pound buck that measured out 164 inches. Photos courtesy Outdoor Connection.
Center Hill Fishing Report: Fishing is good. Water temperature is 49; lake is rising. Several spotted
bass are being caught on channelbanks with shaky-head worms and jigs in 15-to-20 feet of water. A few
fish are being caught on crankbaits on broken banks in the more colored water.
-TWRA -
THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION PRESENTS
The 37th Annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show
Feb. 14-17, 2013 at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Then. Now. Always.
Join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the NWTF!
Join us for four days of fun for the entire family -More than 700 booths covering 220,000 square feet - Exclusive performances
from Sawyer Brown, Craig Morgan, Mic Gillette and more - Meet your favorite outdoor television celebrities - Chase Landry and
Brandon Hotard from the "Swamp People" television seriesLizard Lick Towing Krew - "Call of the Wildman" personalities
Saturday morning salute to our veterans with guest speaker retired Army Gen. Dan K. McNeill. - Sunday morning worship service
featuring Dennis Swanberg, America's Minister of Encouragement and host of "The Dennis Swanberg Show."
29
OLD HICKORY LAKE
Third Annual Daniel Greer Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt Set for Cheatham County on Feb. 9
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is among the partners to host the Second Annual Daniel Greer Memorial Youth Waterfowl Hunt. The event will be held Feb. 9 at Cheatham Lake Wildlife
Management Area.
Marine Corporal Daniel Greer lost his life to an IED explosion in August 2010 while serving in southern
Afghanistan. He was an Ashland City firefighter and avid outdoorsman.
The hunt is for youth ages 10-15. In addition to the hunt, participants will gather at the Ashland City Park at
11:30 a.m. There will be lunch served, as well as dog handling and duck calling demonstrations.
The TWRA is partnering with Delta Waterfowl and the Young Sportsman Foundation to sponsor the event
this year.
Space is limited for the event. For an application or for more information, visit the TWRA website at www.
tnwildlife.org or contact Donald Hosse, TWRA Wildlife Education Coordinator at don.hosse@tn.gov or (615)
781-6541, Don Crawford, Assistant Chief,Information and Education at (615) 781-6542 or don.crawford@
tn.gov, or Darren Rider, Chief, TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement, (615) 781-6669.
---TWRA--Online Registration Now Required for Tennessee Hunter Education Course
NASHVILLE --- Registration for a Tennessee Hunter Education course is now required to be made online.
The new registration process became effective Jan. 1, 2013 on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s website. (Click here to visit the Hunter Education page).
Those wishing to register for a class will click the “register for a hunter education class” link. Once clicking
the link, there will be directions to search for hunter education classes closest to your area.
Registration must be completed prior to the starting date of a class to ensure a spot in a particular class.
For those persons without computer access, they are encouraged to visit a local library or call a TWRA
regional office for further assistance.
Advance registration provides more time for instructors to devote to students. It also provides a quicker
method for the registration process.
---TWRA---
30
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31
13!
r 20
o
F
w
Ne
IBO: up to 328 fps
Axle-to-axle: 30”
Brace Height: 7”
Draw Weight: 50-70 lbs
Weight: 3.85 lbs
Let-Off: 80%
Draw Lengths: 26-30
Half Sizes: 26.5 - 29.5
Cam: SimPlex Cam
IBO: up to 333 fps
Axle-to-axle: 30.5”
Brace Height: 7”
Draw Weight: 50-70 lbs
Weight: 3.90 lbs
Let-Off: 80%
Draw Lengths: 23-30
Half Sizes: 23.5 - 29.5
Cam: DYAD AVS Cam