Commission approves Hatchie River WMA, hunting and fishing proclamations and several namings; honors outgoing chair

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a series of agency proclamations and routine items during the Dyersburg meeting, including establishment of a new Hatchie River Wildlife Management Area and updates to hunting and fishing regulations.

Wildlife manager presented two proclamations concerning the Hatchie River WMA (two tracts totaling about 8,600 acres along approximately eight river miles). Commissioners moved, seconded and approved proclamation 2601 establishing the Hatchie River WMA and a follow‑up proclamation setting hunting seasons and bag limits specific to that WMA. The agency recommended statewide seasons with a single male turkey bag limit for spring turkey on the WMA and special Young Sportsman provisions.

Assistant Chief of Fisheries Travis Scott summarized sport fish proclamation 2603, which includes adjustments to delayed‑harvest areas, changes to closure language on Catoosa WMA to allow more access, catch‑and‑release rules for lakes undergoing renovation, a renaming for Herb Parsons Lake and cleanup of references to obsolete units. Commissioners approved proclamation 2603 by voice vote.

General counsel Tory Grimes presented two naming proclamations: 2604 to name the Duck River access area at Howard Bridge in Maury County after Edward and Nancy Penrod, and 2605 to name the Elk River access area at Vito Road in Giles County after Paul Edgemond. Both naming proclamations passed after the chair called for motions and voice votes.

The commission also created an ad hoc committee to recommend a recipient for the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Legacy Award, presented a leadership plaque to outgoing Chair Chris Devaney, and approved a slate of officers recommended by the nominating committee.

Motions and voice votes recorded by the chair approved each proclamation; no contentious roll‑call controversies were reported for these items.