AEDC hunting policies change, take heed before shooting

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Arnold AFB has a Memorandum of Agreement between the base and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to operate a State of Tennessee Wildlife Management Area (the AEDC WMA). All of the base property outside of the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Security Area fence and the

Arnold AFB Weapons Range are included in the AEDC WMA.
Beginning this month, there will be several changes to the AEDC WMA hunting procedures. The WMA has been divided into six units with different regulations applying specifically to Units 1 and 2, those areas used by the Tennessee National Guard (TNG). The training area is often closed to hunting due to military training activities.

Unit 1 is the area previously known as the Tennessee Army National Guard maneuver area. Unit 2 is the old Camp Forrest area, from the AEDC golf course to UTSI Road and from Wattendorf Memorial Hwy to the southern property boundary. Units 3, 4, 5 and 6 comprise the remainder of the WMA. The map shows the new units.

"An additional change is being made to try to document how many people actually use the WMA for big game and small game hunting," Natural Resources Manager Rick McWhite said. "At Arnold, only deer and turkey are considered 'big game' while 'small game' species include squirrels, rabbits, Northern bobwhite, etc."

According to McWhite, all hunters must check-in at one of two information kiosks or the Hunter Checking Station prior to hunting. Hunters must fill out the first half of a two-part card and deposit in the receptacle provided. After hunting, the bottom portion of the card will be filled out recording harvest and other requested information.

The two information kiosks are located on Harton Blvd., Wattendorf Highway and on Dixie Road just north of Wattendorf Highway. The Hunter Checking Station is located just north of the old Coffee County Recreation Area. The exception to this policy is waterfowl hunters hunting on Woods Reservoir, who do not have to check-in.

"Arnold has also adopted a new barricade policy," McWhite said. "All barricades will be locked year-round except during scheduled TWRA hunting seasons and only specific designated barricades will be open during these periods."

"When barricades are closed," McWhite continued, "The entire hunting unit is also closed to all public access. Persons caught going around barricades are subject to fines and administrative penalties, including loss of access to Arnold AFB for recreation. Some areas are subject to closure without notice.

"Finally, in an effort to reduce the number of deer vehicle collisions, special Deer-Archery Zones have been designated in select locations in an attempt to reduce the herd size. These areas may be hunted on any deer hunt by hunters possessing a permit (either an AEDC WMA big game quota permit for quota hunts or Type 94 permit for non-quota hunts) with archery equipment only."

McWhite says these areas are closed to small game and turkey hunting. These areas will be marked with orange signs and orange paint.

Maps available on the TWRA Web site at www.tnwildlife.org, the two information kiosks and the Hunter Checking Station provide the pertinent information regarding barricades, Unit boundaries and designated hunting areas.

For more information or questions on the new policies contact AEDC WMA Manager, Wes Winton at (931) 967-6101, Rick McWhite at ext. 5086 or ATA Conservation at ext. 4066.

Unit 1
Deer -- shotgun/muzzleloader/archery -- Hunts are subject to coordination with military training missions. Hunt dates will be confirmed by the Air Force a month in advance and advertised on the TWRA Web site and posted at the sign in stations. Permits will be sold by REAL system license agents or purchased on-line through the TWRA Web site.

Available hunt dates:
Three Hunts -- Oct. 4-5, Oct. 11-12 and Oct. 18-19, 100-hunter quota, two deer, either sex, only one may be antlered, deer count toward statewide bag limit.
Potential future hunt dates:

Five Hunts -- Nov. 1-2, Nov. 8-9, Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-23 and Nov. 29-30, 100-hunter quota, two deer, either sex, only one may be antlered, deer count toward statewide bag limit.

Four Hunts -- Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21 and Dec. 27-28, 100-hunter quota, two-deer, either sex, only one may be antlered. Deer count toward statewide bag limit.

Unit 2
Deer -- shotgun/muzzleloader/archery -- Hunts are subject to coordination with military training mission. Hunt dates will be confirmed by the Air Force a month in advance and advertised on the TWRA Web site and posted at the sign in stations. Permits will be sold by REAL system license agents or purchased on-line through the TWRA Web site.

Available hunt dates:
Four Hunts -- Oct. 4-5, Oct. 11-12, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26, 200-hunter quota, two deer, either sex, only one may be antlered. Deer count toward statewide bag.
Potential hunt dates

Five Hunts -- Nov. 1-2, Nov. 8-9, Nov. 15-16, Nov. 22-23 and Nov. 29-30, 200 hunter quota, two deer, either sex, only one may be antlered, deer count toward statewide bag.

Four Hunts -- Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21 and Dec. 27-28, 200-hunter quota, two deer, either sex, only one may be antlered, deer count toward statewide bag.
Units 3, 4, 5, and 6 Deer, turkey, archery--Two hunts: Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 26-28. No hunter quota. Three deer, only one may be antlered, one turkey, either sex, deer count toward statewide bag.

Deer -- shotgun/muzzleloader/archery -- Young Sportsman -- One hunt: Oct. 4-5. No hunter quota, two deer, only one may be antlered. (bonus deer)
Deer -- shotgun/muzzleloader/archery -- Five hunts: Oct. 18-19, Nov. 8-9, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7 and 13-14l, 750-hunter quota, two deer, either sex, only one may be antlered, deer count toward statewide bag.