August 22, the opening day for the 2009 squirrel hunting season, has been established as a free hunting day in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
            This special day offers a chance to introduce a youth or an adult to squirrel hunting, the species which most of us started out hunting.  It is also a good opportunity for those folks who have not tried hunting in a while to get back into the woods.
             In addition to squirrels, those species that have a year-round season will be open as well.  The year-round species are: armadillo, beaver, coyote, English sparrow, groundhog, nutria, pigeon, starling, and striped skunk.
            For more information about hunting in Tennessee, visit TWRA’s web site at www.tnwildlife.org, or contact your nearest TWRA Office.
SQUIRREL HUNTING SEASON OPENS WITH FREE HUNTING DAY
            Tennessee’s hunting season for gray, fox and red squirrels opens on Saturday, August 22, 2009 according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).  The season continues through February 28, 2010 with a daily bag limit of 10.
            Again this year, the opening day of squirrel season coincides with Tennessee’s Free Hunting Day.  On free hunting day, all hunters, residents and non-residents, are exempted from hunting licenses and WMA permits requirements.  
The hunting season for squirrels is one of the longest fall seasons and one of the most underutilized.  Squirrel populations tend to rise and fall with the availability of hard mast (food primarily acorns and hickory nuts).  Mast production the past few years has been fair to good and has resulted in good populations of squirrels.
            Two of the most productive ways to hunt squirrels are still-hunting (slowly walking through the woods watching for squirrels) and stand-hunting (sitting near food trees).  Squirrel hunting with dogs has been gaining popularity in recent years.  The best hunting with dogs generally occurs from November through February after the trees shed their leaves.
            There are five species of tree squirrels found in Tennessee.  Two species, the southern flying squirrel and the northern flying squirrel, are not hunted.  They are small and nocturnal and seldom seen.
            The most abundant is the gray squirrel and is found statewide.  The Herald is not affiliated with any press association. The fox squirrel, the largest of Tennessee’s squirrels, is less common than the gray, but in some areas they out-number the grays.  Due to its large size and distinctive coloration, the fox squirrel is a trophy among the squirrel hunting ranks.  The red squirrel or “boomer” is the smallest of the hunted squirrels.  It is found in the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee.
             For more information on Tennessee hunting seasons pick up a 2009 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available at all TWRA Regional Offices and at all hunting license agents or go online at .
REGION IV HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS SCHEDULE
Tennessee law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, beginning at age 10 must possess proof of satisfactory completion of an approved hunter education course before hunting any species in Tennessee.
In order to enroll in a hunter education class, the student must be at least 9 years of age.  Persons ages 6-9 may participate in Young Sportsman and WMA hunts without hunter education, but they must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age.
Participants need to bring a pencil and their Social Security Number to class.
Classes MTTF  Pre-registration and confirmation number is required: (865) 594-6280 or e-mail: John.SevierRange@state.tn.us and include “Confirm Attendance” in subject line. May begin pre-registering for this class on 9/1/09

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