Outdoors notebook

Turkey banquet: The Cedar Roost Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its annual banquet and fundraiser March 1 at The Mill. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased from committee members Greg Watkins, John Barrett, Junior Davis, Josh Norman, Clarence Dies, Roy Denney, Chris Draper, James Adams, Doug Allison, or from club president Jimmy Sloan at Tractor Supply in Lebanon.

There will be a silent and live auction featuring a variety of items, including a Browning Silver Anniversary NWTF Edition 12-gauge.

Proceeds go to a number of causes supported by the Cedar Roost Chapter, including Wounded Warrior hunts and Hunter Safety Courses which last year graduated 143 youngsters and 41 adults.

…

Deer harvest up: Tennessee hunters bagged 176,447 deer last season, an increase of 8,625 from the previous season. That includes all deer taken during the archery, muzzleloader and gun hunts, and also the special Youth Hunts.

The figures indicate a continued comeback from the EHD epidemic three years ago that took a toll on deer in several counties.

Henry County recorded the most deer killed, 5,495, followed by Giles with 4,490.

…

Photo contest: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is accepting entries for its annual Tennessee Wildlife Magazine photo contest. The deadline for submissions is March 7.

Winning photos will be published in the magazine, with a $60 prize.

The format is horizontal digital images on disk. For specific information about photo size and other requirements visit tnwildlife.org and check Photo Contest Entries.

Entries can be mailed to: Tennessee Wildlife Magazine, Calendar Issue, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, Tn. 37204.

Tennessee Wildlife is the official magazine of the TWRA and contains features and news about hunting, fishing, nature and conservation. Subscription rates are $10 for one year, $17 for two and $25 for three. Holders of Sportsman License and Lifetime License receive a complimentary subscription.

…

Trap shoot: Ben Schade won the Cedar City Gun Club’s week trap shoot, hitting 47 of 50 targets.

Billy Robb took Veterans honors with a 41 while Justin Cooper and Danny Shaw tied in the Junior completion with 43’s.

For information about the trapshoot or other area shooting sports, contact Schade at the Gun Club.

…

Outdoor Shows: Feb. 8-10 are the dates for the Tennessee Boat and Fishing Expo at the State Fairgrounds. Visit exposouth.com for times and ticket information.

The National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its annual convention at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center Feb. 14-17 (nwtf.org)

OUTDOORS CALENDAR:

Feb. 28: squirrel, rabbit, quail seasons end

Feb. 28: raccoon, possum seasons end

Feb. 8-10: Boat & Fishing Expo, State Fairgrounds

Feb. 14-17: Wild Turkey Federation Convention, Opryland

Feb. 28: hunting/fishing licenses expire

March 1: Cedar Roost banquet

PHOTOS WELCOME: Caught a big bass, bagged a buck or a duck? Share your outdoors photos with readers of The Lebanon Democrat by e-mailing them to andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com