According to a release from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the 2010 spring turkey harvest has already surpassed the total number for the 2009 season, and there is still two weekends remaining this season as it continues through May 16.

Heading into the first of the two final weekends of the statewide season, 33,764 birds have been harvested and the 2009 spring season total was 32,081.

Tennessee sportsmen are on trek to pass the highest mark since 2007, when the total harvest was 34,256. The record harvest was the previous season in 2006 when more than 38,000 birds were harvested.

All Tennessee counties are open to wild turkey hunting including Wildlife Management Areas and refuges unless specifically listed. For specifics on 2010 spring turkey hunting, sportsmen should check the 2009 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide which is available at any TWRA Regional Office, license agent, or online at www.tnwildlife.org.

2 pounds wins first

“Thursday-nighter”

CELINA-The first ‘smallmouth-only’ night tournament held here at Dale Hollow Marina last Thursday night was taken with just over two pounds as tough fishing ruled the initial contest.

Fifteen boats blasted off and Derrick “Pencil” Anderson and Andrew Campbell won with a pair small fish weighing 2.13 pounds.  They carried home $150.

Second place went to Scotty Reagan and Tony Daniels.  They had 1.94 pounds to win $90.

The final paid position went to tournament co-director Jeff Smith and his daughter Chelsea.  They had 1.44 pounds and won $60.

The event will again feature a “big fish of the year” pot and 19 anglers have already signed up for the chance to win the additional money at the end of the year.  The entry for the pot is $10 per person.

The tournaments start at 7 p.m. and participants return to a 11 p.m. weigh-in.  The entry fee is $20 per boat.  For more information about the competitions, call Steve at 823-5746 or Jeff at 823-4233.

A big fish shows

up at Star Point

BYRDSTOWN-A smallmouth over 21 inches long made the trip up to the scales here at Star Point last Saturday night for the weigh-in at the first night tournament of the year.

Ronnie Dowdy and David Beaty caught the trophy fish and it weighed in at 4.42 pounds.  It, paired with another under 16 inches long, handed them the victory and $260 with a total of 5.80 pounds.

Second place went to Rod Moon and Robbie Johnson.  They had two smallmouth under 16 inches long weighing a total of 3.41 pounds to win $156.

John Jackson and his daughter A.J. claimed the third and final spot with 2.33 pounds.  They took home $104 from the 13-boat field.

Tournament director Randy Roysden said the events would continue throughout the month of May with a start time of 6 p.m. and a weigh-in time of 12 midnight.  The fishing hours will then change to 7 p.m.-1 a.m. with the first Saturday night in June.

The tournament series is a smallmouth-only weekly competition and it features a $40 entry fee and 100% payback.

For more information, contact Roysden at 879-0555.