For more than a week there’s been a nip in the air. About this time every year archery hunters are anxious to get the season going and a cool spell really triggers their desire to climb a tree and watch the countryside wake up.

Henry County Friends of NRA will host its annual event at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Duck hunters refer to it as the “early season.” The official name in the billing of hunt regulations and season dates by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Hunting Guide brochure is the wood duck and teal combo season.

Dove hunters across northwest Tennessee got off to a soggy start Tuesday afternoon when the season opened at high noon. Thunderstorms full of rain and lightning plus high winds drenched the outdoor scene, sending most hunters scrambling back to the trucks seeking shelter.

Tennessee’s first segment of its three-segment dove season opens at high noon Tuesday. That’s the traditional opening day and hunters looking for a place to go can log onto the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s website at www.tnwildlife.org for maps and listings of opportunities.

That howling sound anglers are hearing out on the lake is the return of the “dog days of summer.” After a short honeymoon of below-average temperatures that kicked off the month of August, it appears that feel of fall has gone with the wind.

Late July with its typical hot and muggy days has a reputation for a somewhat sluggish summer fishing scene unless you rise before dawn and hit the water early. If you’re disciplined enough to do that, there are a few decent hours of fishing awaiting your arrival each morning.

Sunday night is an important deadline for a lot of duck hunters across West and Middle Tennessee. For the first time, waterfowlers entering the draw for duck blinds on 12 of the most popular waterfowl holding wildlife management areas under the umbrella of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Ag…

Nothing says more about midsummer recreation than the Fourth of July on Kentucky Lake. For legions of recreational boaters, anglers and campers, the lake is Ground Zero for fun in the sun.

Summer’s official arrival last Saturday lived up to the season’s Southern reputation, as hot and humid weather was here in full force.

Summer is about to take over its official spot on the calendar. That happens Saturday, but all sorts of fish, ranging from bass to crappie, have been playing hide-and-seek with fishermen.

BY STEVE McCADAMS

Nothing says more about seasonal transition than the start of mayfly hatches across Kentucky Lake. The first one showed up late last weekend and although it wasn’t massive like those of yesteryear it still signaled the start of summer fishing patterns.

Two fishing teams from Henry County High School placed in the top 10 at the West Tennessee Region BASS National High School day last weekend at Pickwick Lake near Savannah.

Lake levels crested Wednesday across Kentucky Lake after sleeping at more than 2 feet above normal summer pool the last week or so. Now, temperatures are rising as lake levels recede.

Warmer weather returned last week and it has helped heat up the fishing scene across Kentucky Lake. Decent conditions were long overdue as below normal temperatures had lingered far too long and thrown the spring fishing timetable off balance.

Locals refer to these unusual cool windy days we’ve been having as “blackberry winter.” Not supposed to be wearing sweatshirts and coveralls this time of year out on the lake but that’s been the attire as of late. And did I mention rain suits too?

Once May arrives every year, Kentucky Lake anglers see another transition taking place that sort of rearranges the fishing scene for a variety of fishermen.

The 2020 spring turkey hunting season is set to be open for business in Tennessee beginning Saturday. Turkey hunting is an excellent way to keep social distance, enjoy the outdoors, and take part in a popular activity which has seen tremendous growth in recent years.