By LARRY SELF

Outdoor Writer

Waterfowl guide Steve McCadams sent this report earlier this week as duck numbers are on the rise in west Tennessee. The duck hunting has been less than thrilling around here, so it may finally be time to head west.

McCadams said ducks have increased across west Tennessee in the aftermath of the last cold front that was escorted by heavy rains that helped inundate most bottoms and swamps across the region that have been in need of water.

A lot of movement was taking place early this week as ducks were moving good and heading toward fresh backwater that was beginning to offer new feeding areas as grain fields flooded and some timber received runoff.

He said several big bunches of new ducks were arriving in areas that had not seen much movement lately. And, some areas are receiving water for the first time this season. It appears many ducks were coming in from northern areas and southeast Missouri. Severe cold to our north is finally working in favor of duck hunters.

Aerial surveys taken Monday by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge on Kentucky Lake further confirmed the migration. Biologists estimated 201,392 ducks and 4,173 geese are now residing on the units there, which is 55 percent above the 15-year average for this time of year.

Additional comparisons from the USFWS data base showed present numbers were 3 percent above last year at this time and 37 percent above the 5-year average. Compared to the 10-year average ducks were up 33 percent. The numbers are up significantly from the previous survey taken back on December 4th when 114, 390 were reported.

A breakdown of species shows mallards topping the list at 133,344. Gadwall were second at 15,676, followed by ringneck at 12,460, pintail at 11,245, and greenwing teal at 11,090, according to USFWS data.

In the Paris area, the Big Sandy Unit was holding 60, 014 out of the total count. The Duck River Unit near New Johnsonville had the lion's share at 136,712, with the rest residing on the Busseltown Unit south of Camden.

McCadams said although hunting had been slow late last week across much of the region things have changed quickly thanks to the recent cool spell and the influence of heavy rains that have added appeal to areas that were pretty much high and dry a few days ago.

Hunters in the Obion and Forked Deer River drainage to the west reported lots of ducks on the move Sunday and Monday as new birds entered the region. Several wildlife management areas around Kentucky Lake and to the west were seeing increased activity Monday afternoon as well.

Although warmer weather is in the forecast for the next few days it appears waterfowlers there will have more ducks in the area compared to last week at this time. To hunt with Steve McCadams, call him at (731)-642-0360, or by e-mail at (stevemc@charter.net)

The TWRA reminds all deer hunters that Tennessee's 2008-09 deer hunting seasons will end in all Units with the Young Sportsman Deer Hunt that will be held on January 17-18, 2009.

Bag limits allow for either-sex hunting in all units. In Unit A, the antlerless limit is 2 for the hunt while in Unit L the antlerless limit is 3 per day. In Unit B, the bag limit is one deer of either-sex.

Remember that antlered deer taken during the Young Sportsman Hunt counts toward the statewide antlered deer bag limit. If a youth in Unit A or L has already taken three antlered deer this year, they would only be allowed antlerless deer on this hunt. A youth in Unit B that has already taken two antlered deer in Unit B could only take one antlerless deer.

Only youths, ages 6 through 16 (as long as they have not reached their 17th birthday), may participate, regardless of whether they possess a Junior or Adult license. Each youth must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years or older, who does not need a license but must also wear 500-square inches of fluorescent orange.

Youth hunters ages 10 - 16 need a hunter education card along with the appropriate license where applicable. Those, ages 6 - 9, are not required to possess a hunter education card or license (these youths must have their Social Security Number to check out a deer).

For those youth hunters, ages 10 and older, who have not taken the hunter education course, the Apprentice License is available. The Apprentice License exempts a hunter, age 10 or older who falls within the hunter education requirement, from having to complete the mandatory hunter Education Course for the current license year.

The Apprentice License (Type 12) may be purchased for $11 at any hunting and fishing license agent. The license is valid from the date of purchase through the last day of February. This license may only be purchased once in the lifetime of the hunter.

While hunting, the apprentice hunter must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years of age, who is hunter education certified or otherwise exempt from the law. In addition to the apprentice license, the hunter must have other applicable licenses and permits.

For more information about this special hunt, refer to the 2008 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide or go to http://www.tnwildlife.org .

The TWRA also wants hunters to not overlook the small game opportunities still afforded them through February. With the explosion of big game opportunities the last few years in the Volunteer State, the small game options get put on the backburner but can still offer a great outdoor experience.

The Agency said Tennessee's deer hunting seasons may be closing soon, but hunters should remember that they still have about eight weeks of small game hunting seasons left.

Some of the best hunting for rabbits, ruffed grouse, and squirrels can be experienced between now and the end of February, the close of small game hunting seasons. With less escape cover and increased movement required to find food this time of year, these species are easier to locate now than when the seasons first opened.

For squirrel hunting, most any woodlot will hold good populations. Overgrown fields will provide good rabbit hunting. Ruffed grouse can be found in thick brushy areas (clear cuts) or heavy growth along creeks. Also look for food sources during this late season. The use of dogs will make hunting for these small game species even more enjoyable and more productive.

I absolutely love to point out whenever a poacher gets caught and prosecuted. I've said it for years, a poacher is not a hunter. The TWRA reported that a Waynesboro man will spend the early part of 2009 locked inside the Wayne County jail, but after he is freed following 80 days of incarceration for repeatedly violating hunting laws, he will face the cold reality that he is prohibited from ever again legally hunting in Tennessee.

If he ignores a court order that has banned him for hunting for life, 32-year-old Jimmy Daniel Prater could find himself spending considerably more time in jail because of his habitual history of deer poaching.

With help from fellow wildlife officers in southern Middle Tennessee, Wayne County Wildlife Officer Tim Aston spent many hours collecting data that included tissue samples from dead deer that ultimately linked Prater to numerous deer poaching crimes.

"Prater enjoyed killing big bucks and then removing their antlers for trophies," said Aston. "We had an idea that some of the deer we found dead were killed by him. We removed tissue samples from the dead animals and eventually were able to match that tissue with tissue obtained from antlers confiscated from Prater's home."

Found guilty of his third poaching offense, Prater was told by Circuit Court Judge Robert L. Jones that he must spend 80 days in the Wayne County Jail starting Jan. 12, but that he would enforce a stricter sentence if Prater was ever caught hunting again. In addition, Judge Jones ordered Prater to pay nearly $3,200 in court costs and fines.

Some of Prater's offenses included; spotlighting deer, hunting in closed season, hunting with a firearm during archery season, falsifying a kill tag, and hunting on a revoked license.

Mossy Oak just announced that Mossy Oak Pro Staff member Shelby Free recently won the 2008 Women's World Duck Calling Championship in Stuttgart Arkansas. Shelby is a 2-time Women's Champion having also one the event in 2006. This year's win gives Shelby her third World title, she also previously one the Jr. Women's World title.

"Shelby is a terrific young lady in addition to being the best duck caller in the world," said Bill Sugg, president of Mossy Oak. "We are delighted to have her as part of the Mossy Oak team."

In addition, Mossy Oak Pro Staff member Wade Walling recently won the 2008 World Goose Calling contest held in Easton, Maryland. This years contest featured the top 33 goose callers in the world. After making it to the finals, Wade topped the final five contestants to win this years title as the World Goose Calling Champion.

"Wade has worked very hard to refine his skills as a competitive Goose Caller," said Tim Anderson, Pro Staff Manager for Mossy Oak. "It takes a lot of dedication and hours of practice to win this prestigious title."