Outdoors notes
TWRA seeking help: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be taking public comments until Feb. 24 about its regulations for the 2012-13 hunting seasons. Anyone is welcome to share his or her concerns or suggestions about any regulated game in the state. Comments can be mailed to 2012-13 Hunting Season Comments, TWRA, Wildlife Management Division, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204; or emailed to twra.comment@tn.gov with "Hunting Season Comments" on the subject line.
Elk youth hunter possible: Among other subjects at its January meeting in Chattanooga, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission discussed possibly adding a youth-only tag (ages 13-16) to the state's annual elk hunt in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. There have been only five spots awarded each of the past two years, four through a drawing and a fifth through a conservation organization using it as a fundraising tool.
Fresh Air Calendar
Outdoor Chattanooga winter workshops: Today 6 p.m., edible plants in your back yard, led by herbalist Holli Richie with taste samples, Outdoor Chattanooga building in Coolidge Park; free, open to public; Feb. 2, building a bat house, led by former TWRA wildlife officer Mike Bailey. Email ruth@outdoorchattanooga.com or call 643-6888.
Soddy-Daisy chapter of Tennessee Trails Association hikes: Saturday, Cumberland Trail, Signal Point to Mushroom Rock, about 8 miles, 9 a.m.; Wednesday, Pot Point Nature Trail, about 3.5 miles, meet at Bi-Lo in Red Bank at 10 a.m.; Feb. 4, North Chickamauga Creek, 4.5 miles 1 way, start 9 a.m. at trailhead at Montlake Road. See www.tennesseetrails.org/soddydaisy.php or contact hike leader George Bonneau at george.r.bonneau@gmail.com or 842-3619.
Weekly SORBA-Chattanooga rides: Sundays, 10 a.m., from 5 Points Recreation Area on Lookout Mountain; all riders welcome, average ride length 12-16 miles. See sorbachattanooga.org.
Rapid Learning Whitewater kayak roll practice: Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m., UTC's Maclellan Gym indoor pool; beginners welcome; first visit free. Contact Terri Chapin at chapin_t@chattanooga.gov or 643-6882.
South Cumberland State Park hikes: See www.friendsofscsra.org.
Snake Creek Gap mountain bike time trials: Feb. 4 and March 3, Dalton, Pinhoti Trail system; 34- and 17-mile options; on-site registration starts 7 a.m. at Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center gravel parking lot; shuttles leave trade center at 9 a.m. See snake.nwgasorba.org.
Chattanooga Chapter of Tenn. Ornithological Society meeting: Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Ascension Lutheran Church, 720 S. Germantown Road. Contact David Stone at rockyturf@comcast.net or 238-4234.
Cumberland Trail Breakaway: Feb. 26-March 31; volunteers sought by Cumberland Trail Conference for CT maintenance in Hamilton and Rhea counties. Contact Tony Hook at tony.hook@frontiernet.net or 931-456-6259.