TWRA Considering August Hunt for "Velvet" Bucks?

TWRA commissioners are meeting today in Tennessee. The agency just posted this on Twitter:

Chuck Yoest, an assistant chief of wildlife, is discussing the possibility of a late August hunt when bucks are often in velvet. The commission is discussing the possibility of this. The agency does not favor for now as it continues working on a "strategic" management plan. 1/2

The agency and commission have been approached by some sportsmen about the possibility of an August "velvet" hunt. Deer Program Manager James Kelly is outlining a number of studies that the agency's wildlife division has planned. 2/2


I don't give beans about shooting a buck in "velvet" and don't see the big attraction, but hope IF they do it then it'll be with biology and the population in mind instead of how much money they can rake in from nonresident hunters. Kentucky and South Carolina see a boon in nonresident hunters thanks to their early seasons despite the heat.

I fear, though, that money and influence will win over biology. It usually does.

At what point do we hear AGAIN that only 2-3 states are not doing it and we don't want to be one of them. So we have to change. Velvet bucks for everyone!

Personally, I have no desire for a velvet anything.

My biggest fear last year was that the Utah deer would still be in velvet. Thankfully, they shed about 4 days before I got there.

This guy should have waited a few more days....

It passed.

I heard it did but haven't seen anything official or any news reports.

The commission approved rules/limits/dates for two years, banned deer urine starting in July 2019, set a 3-day "velvet bucks" season in late August, and returned to the "legal bucks have 3-inch or greater antlers" - which IMO is stupid that a spike with anything less than 2 inches isn't considered a buck. Good grief. This was all done by the state's appointed commissioners.




TFWC Establishes Two-Year Hunting Seasons at May Meeting

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission established the state’s 2018-19 and 2019-20 hunting and trapping seasons at its May meeting which concluded Friday afternoon

The TFWC serves as the governing body of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The commission’s actions, which include season dates, bag limits, and rules and regulations, go into effect July 1. It marks the first time that the regulations will be effective for two years rather than one year.

Among changes made was the addition of a three-day, archery-only antlered deer hunt Aug. 24-26 in 2018. The commission had been requested to consider the season so that hunters can have an opportunity to harvest deer while they still have velvet covered antlers.

In addition, the 13-member body approved an agency recommendation to return to a previous definition of what constitutes an antlered deer. For the last two deer seasons, any deer with antlers above its hairline was considered an antlered deer. Now, antlered deer are defined as “male of female deer with antlers that are minimum of three inches in length.” Hunters had indicated to TWRA that they preferred the 3-inch rule and that was one of the several reasons why the agency proposed returning to the traditional definition.

The agency will publish its Tennessee Hunting & Trapping Guides prior to the beginning of seasons, which will include the changes made in hunting or trapping seasons, but also all season dates and bag limits. The guide will be available in hard copy, but also on the agency's website. It will also list the various changes and regulations that will apply to a specific wildlife management area (WMA). Among the various changes on WMAs, deer seasons were restructured on Cheatham WMA. On Wolf River WMA, deer hunting opportunities were expanded.

The TFWC voted to eliminate the special private lands only raccoon/opossum hunting season in selected East Tennessee counties as requested by public input. The statewide season opens in mid-September.

With concerns for a recent dip in the wild turkey harvest, the TFWC also voted to limit the fall turkey hunting seasons to bearded birds only, dropping the harvest of hens during the fall. The spring turkey season will remain the same as it has been in recent years, allowing a four bearded bird bag limit.

While it will not become law until July 1, 2019, the commission, noting concerns over the potential of Chronic Wasting Disease finding its way into Tennessee, voted to ban the use of cervid lures with urine. There is concern nationwide that the disease could be passed through tainted urine. Synthetic deer and elk lures, readily available on the market, would still be legal.

The TWFC also voted to make the use of aerial drones illegal for the purpose of hunting during its discussion on "manner and means," which includes equipment legal to use while hunting or trapping.

It also legalized the use of pneumatic devices (air guns) only for licensed disabled hunters during the state's archery-only seasons. The device will also be legal for everyone during the modern gun hunt, but not during the state's muzzleloader season.

August is not a time you’ll find me in a stand.

I hunted in August in South Carolina once. Mosquitoes won, and I slept in the next morning.

I killed one on Oct. 1st. in Fla. The Last day of bow season 1976.

No way im hunting anything in August other than a nice shade.

Between the ticks, snakes, spiders and heat, not to mention potential spoilage of the meat if you make a bad shot and have to track, August isn't a great time.

This decision is about nothing more than money. It's happening roughly 3.5 to 4 weeks before the regular season-opener. I'll guarantee you if they have turnout that meets or exceeds whatever $$$ goal they have in mind, they'll wet their pants and expand it.

What biological negative impact are you expecting to see from a 3 day buck only hunt?

To each his own, but I have no desire to kill a buck in velvet. I don't think they are attractive until the velvet is gone and the "bone' is polished and like others said, who wants to fight all the bad creatures and heat?

Probably none to minimal. But if so, why only three days? Why not a week? More money in a week than just three days.

More stupid IMO is them returning to a "legal buck" having antlers of at least 3 inches. Anything less isn't considered a buck, even though it has antlers above the hairline and male genitals.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I just have no desire to shoot a deer still in velvet. I like the pictures I get on game cameras with them before they shed it but I want to shoot one with bare antlers.

Dr. B

2 years ago i shot a buck on dec 15th. It was 70 degrees outside. It took me 4 hours to get that buck dragged, cleaned and put into freezer. My meat tasted terrible. I wont hunt unless its cold. Thats the only deer that i have killed in warm weather and thats the only deer that tasted bad to me

The velvet hunt can't run much later. Hence the reason that weekend. There is a short window between maximum antler growth and velvet shedding. Usually about 4 weeks I'm told by the professionals. It was either that weekend or the next. After that the velvet starts shedding up there.

I'm neutral on it. I may or may not hunt it. Guess weather and game cameras will dictate it.

It also falls on the free hunt day for residents.

Apparently a case of stupid has come over them. Much like the corruption we experience in Montgomery the people at the top appear to be basing the "rules" around how they want to hunt on their own property. Not what's good for the rest of the State once they step across their own property line. I don't think the people on our advisory board are properly vetted and as of the last round of appointments... I don't think they are in TN either.

That's only bad for the common man. That's unfortunate.

Mostly who donated the most I think

Oh boy, more time to fight skeeters.

I am on a 2,000 acre lease in middle TN that we have killed 4 P&Y bucks on including one that netted 158 - yet I have zero desire to make this hunt. I hate heat, ticks and snakes when I hunt and all three will likely be present. I will wait until early November.