Outdoors notebook

Wild hog violations: Two Middle Tennessee men have pleaded guilty to illegal possession of wild hogs.

The men – one in Lynchburg and one in Mt. Pleasant – were charged with violating the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s regulations regarding the possession of wild hogs.

The Lynchburg man received a total of $4,944 in fines and court costs while the Mt. Pleasant man had to pay $1,654 in fines and court costs, plus loss of his hunting and trapping privileges for one year.

The TWRA, as part of its attempt to control the spread of wild hogs in the state, has begun clamping down on the illegal possession, transportation and release of the animals.

A reward of $3,500 is posted for information leading to the conviction of any violator.

Wild hogs can cause extensive damage to farm crops, wildlife habitat, contribute to stream erosion and pollution and can carry diseases harmful to livestock and humans.

Ironically, the TWRA a few decades ago imported and stocked wild hogs and promoted them challenging big-game animals.

But biologists now admit that was a mistake, as the populations spread out of control. Now the Agency is working with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau and other organizations to control the spread of the hogs.

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Turkey, deer harvest: Approximately 2,700 turkeys were killed during the Oct. 13-26 fall season, about the same number as taken last fall.

As of Nov. 30 about 117,000 deer had been killed during archery, muzzleloader and thus far in gun season, about 7,000 more than during the same period last season.

Deer season runs through Jan. 6.

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Gun show: The Great American Gun & Knife Show is set for Dec. 29-30 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Visit greatamericanpromotinsllc.com for details.

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Trout stocking: The TWRA’s annual winter trout stocking will begin soon. Details about specific dates for specific waters will be available on tnwildlife.org and also publicized through the outdoors media.

A trout license is required, except for holders of Sportsman and Lifetime Licenses and certain other exceptions. Consult the 2012 Tennessee Fishing Guide for detailed requirements.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR:

Aug. 25-Feb. 28: squirrel season

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

Nov. 3-Feb. 28: rabbit, quail season

Nov. 17-Jan. 6: deer gun season

Dec. 18: dove season resumes

Dec-March: winter trout stocking

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