The wildlife committee recommended that the full Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission establish the Hatchie River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and forwarded proposed hunting seasons and bag limits for commission action.

Patrick Lemmons, Region 1 wildlife program manager, presented proclamation 26‑01, describing two acquisition tracks totaling approximately 7,400 acres and 1,273 acres (presenter gave acreage ranges) spanning Haywood, Hardeman and Madison counties, five developed access points and two boat ramps, and roughly eight miles of river frontage. He said funding came from a one‑time governor appropriation to the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, the agency wetlands fund and a grant from the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Lemmons also presented proclamation 26‑02, which would set hunting and trapping seasons and include a caveat for spring turkey consistent with regional WMA policies; the agency recommended temporary‑blind-only waterfowl hunting with daily removal of blinds and decoys.

The wildlife committee voted by voice to approve proclamation 26‑01 at the committee level (chair recorded the 'Aye' and stated the proclamation passed the wildlife committee). Proclamation 26‑02 (hunting seasons and bag limits for the new WMA) was recommended to the full commission for final action.

Why it matters: Creation of the Hatchie River WMA adds substantial public wetland acreage in West Tennessee and increases public access and habitat protection in an unchannelized river corridor. The acquisition is intended to expand habitat protection and public hunting access before spring seasons.

What’s next: The committee recommendation advances both proclamations to the full commission for a final vote at the next scheduled meeting.