Outdoors notebook

Deer archery season opens: Tennessee’s deer archery-only season opens Saturday, Sept. 22.

Regulations are unchanged from last season for Unit L which encompasses most of Middle Tennessee including Wilson County: three antlerless deer per day and three antlered deer per season -- but only one antlered deer per day, with the total including bucks taken during the muzzleloader and gun seasons.

In addition to deer, archers also may harvest wild turkeys during the archery-only season in counties that have a fall turkey hunt.

For statewide regulations and county-by-county details, visit tnwildlife.org or consult the Tennessee Trapping & Hunting Guide, available at most outdoor outlets.

Last year 2,811 deer were taken on the opening weekend of archery season, up 407 from the 2010 opener. Since the TWRA began allowing crossbows to be used, the deer archery harvest has increased.

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Youth deer hunt: Youngsters between the ages of 10-15 who have never killed a deer and are hunter-safety certified are eligible to win a spot in a special hunt Oct. 29.

A total of 42 youngsters will be selected to participate in one hunt in Humphreys County and another in Trousdale County near the Smith County line.

Both hunts will have a Friday night cookout and campout. Participants must bring their own camping gear. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday.

Each young hunter must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 21 or older.

Applications are available at tnwildlife.org or contact Donald Hosse (615-781-6541).

Send applications to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Youth Deer Hunt Giveaway, P.O. Box 40747, or fax to 615-781-6543. 

Applications must be received by Oct. 12.

The TWRA will hold a drawing, and winners will be notified by Oct. 15.

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Trap shoot: Ray Hutcheson won a shootoff with Danny Shaw to take top honors in the Cedar City Gun Club’s weekly trap shoot. Both hit broke 47 of 50 targets in regulation rounds.

Dave Fitzwater won Class B (39), Will Myers was top Junior (45) and Amber Edwards took Lady honors with a 27 in just her third shoot.

For information about the weekly competition or other area shooting events contact Ben Schade at the Gun Club.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR:

Aug. 25-Feb. 28: squirrel season

Sept. 14-Feb. 28: raccoon, possum season

Sept. 22: deer archery season opens

Oct. 13-26: fall turkey season

Nov. 3-16: deer muzzleloader season

Nov. 17-Jan. 6: deer gun season

PHOTOS WELCOME: Caught a big bass or a batch of crappie? Bagged a limit of doves or squirrels? Share your outdoors photos with readers of The Lebanon Democrat by e-mailing them to andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com