Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hunting Regulations Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves private‑land straight‑wall rifle allowance (second week of muzzleloader); language limited to single‑shot .35‑caliber and up
Summary
The Wildlife Committee amended the big‑game proclamation to permit straight‑wall cartridge rifles on private lands during the second week of muzzleloader season and later clarified the allowance to single‑shot straight‑wall metallic cartridges .35 caliber and larger; the amendment passed at committee and will be forwarded to the full commission.
The Wildlife Committee voted to amend the big‑game proclamation to allow the use of straight‑wall cartridge rifles on private lands during the second week of the muzzleloader season.
Mike Butler of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation had presented draft language and a survey supporting a private‑lands only compromise; committee members approved an initial motion to add the privilege to the proclamation. After the recess the committee refined the language to specify single‑shot straight‑wall metallic cartridges of .35 caliber and larger for the second week on private lands only. The committee accepted that clarified language by voice vote and moved the proclamation forward to the full commission.
Committee discussion emphasized limiting the change to private lands and a narrow technical definition to reduce crowding and safety concerns on public WMAs. Staff said they would coordinate with counsel to finalize proclamation language before the full commission vote and asked council to review the submitted draft.
