TFWC Meeting in Tennessee

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WILDLIFE COMMISSION UPDATE

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission heard presentations on a variety of topics at its first two-day meeting of the new year. The meeting concluded Friday.

The Commission welcomed back Dave Kostersky, a 31-year veteran of Ducks Unlimited Canada. He provided information on the organization’s partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He addressed the TFWC with accomplishments of habitat protection on more than 2,000 acres, habitat restoration on more than 5,100 acres, and the habitat management of more than 57,300 acres.

Dr. Brad Cohen, Tennessee Tech University, gave an update on the mallard research project. The field study is now in its third year on state and federal refuges in West Tennessee. More than 500 mallards have been banded to track the movement of the ducks. The study also includes hunting pressure and how other variables impact waterfowl.

Capt. Tim Sain from TWRA Region IV provided information on a request from the Doe Mountain Recreational Authority to develop the Northeast Tennessee Shotting Complex in Johnson County. The range would serve six counties in the region.

The Commission also heard a request from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation for improvements at the Montgomery County Shooting Complex. The facility offers fixed-distance archery, trap, skeet, sporting clays, pistol, steel pistol, 100 and 400-yard rifle ranges. The pistol/rifle ranges portion of the facility have been closed since 2021 due to safety concerns.

Outreach and Communications Division Director Emily Buck provided a preview of the 2021-22 TWRA Annual Report. The publication will feature Agency success stories and projects summaries from last year and will be available online when complete.

The Biodiversity Division discussed projects which included a pair of endangered species, the cracking pearly mussel and bluemask darter. A report was made on the upcoming removal of Harm’s Mill Dam. The dam ranked as one of the top eight removal sites in the nation and the TWRA was awarded funds for the project.

Michael Cavins was announced as the Shikar Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2021. He serves in TWRA District 41 in East Tennessee. Hunter Daniels, who was announced last summer as the Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2021 was present and introduced to the Commission.

The Boating and Law Enforcement division also recognized members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, members of the 28th Tennessee Judicial District, Crockett County General Sessions Judge Paul Conley III, and Haywood County General Sessions Judge Jennifer Scott. The group helped the recently graduated class of TWRA wildlife officers in training involving case preparation and court room procedures. Present at Friday’s meeting to be honored were Judge Conley, Judge Scott, who was with the 28th Judicial District and recently elected judge of Haywood County, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Hooper, Assistant District Attorney Bill Hardegree, and Assistant District Attorney Jacob London.

Nashville area businessman Earl Bentz was selected as the 2023 Legacy Award winner. He will be presented the award at a future TFWC meeting.

WILDLIFE COMMISSION UPDATE

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission heard presentations on a variety of topics at its first two-day meeting of the new year. The meeting concluded Friday.

The Commission welcomed back Dave Kostersky, a 31-year veteran of Ducks Unlimited Canada. He provided information on the organization’s partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He addressed the TFWC with accomplishments of habitat protection on more than 2,000 acres, habitat restoration on more than 5,100 acres, and the habitat management of more than 57,300 acres.

Dr. Brad Cohen, Tennessee Tech University, gave an update on the mallard research project. The field study is now in its third year on state and federal refuges in West Tennessee. More than 500 mallards have been banded to track the movement of the ducks. The study also includes hunting pressure and how other variables impact waterfowl.

Capt. Tim Sain from TWRA Region IV provided information on a request from the Doe Mountain Recreational Authority to develop the Northeast Tennessee Shotting Complex in Johnson County. The range would serve six counties in the region.

The Commission also heard a request from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation for improvements at the Montgomery County Shooting Complex. The facility offers fixed-distance archery, trap, skeet, sporting clays, pistol, steel pistol, 100 and 400-yard rifle ranges. The pistol/rifle ranges portion of the facility have been closed since 2021 due to safety concerns.

Outreach and Communications Division Director Emily Buck provided a preview of the 2021-22 TWRA Annual Report. The publication will feature Agency success stories and projects summaries from last year and will be available online when complete.

The Biodiversity Division discussed projects which included a pair of endangered species, the cracking pearly mussel and bluemask darter. A report was made on the upcoming removal of Harm’s Mill Dam. The dam ranked as one of the top eight removal sites in the nation and the TWRA was awarded funds for the project.

Michael Cavins was announced as the Shikar Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2021. He serves in TWRA District 41 in East Tennessee. Hunter Daniels, who was announced last summer as the Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2021 was present and introduced to the Commission.

The Boating and Law Enforcement division also recognized members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, members of the 28th Tennessee Judicial District, Crockett County General Sessions Judge Paul Conley III, and Haywood County General Sessions Judge Jennifer Scott. The group helped the recently graduated class of TWRA wildlife officers in training involving case preparation and court room procedures. Present at Friday’s meeting to be honored were Judge Conley, Judge Scott, who was with the 28th Judicial District and recently elected judge of Haywood County, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Hooper, Assistant District Attorney Bill Hardegree, and Assistant District Attorney Jacob London.

Nashville area businessman Earl Bentz was selected as the 2023 Legacy Award winner. He will be presented the award at a future TFWC meeting.

WILDLIFE COMMISSION UPDATE

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved several proposals by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for changes to public land duck hunting and blind draw procedures at its two-day meeting which concluded Friday at the Marriott of Cool Springs.

TWRA’s proposal for public land duck hunting is a significant effort to increase access for hunters statewide and retain traditional season-long, 60-day blind locations as offered currently. In addition to the 414 season-long blinds, there will be 52 hunt locations designated for quota hunts for 3, 4, or 7-day periods at a marked location or an Agency-built blind. There are no changes proposed to privately-owned/permanent registered blinds.

Other agenda items included a presentation on new research efforts beginning on wild turkeys to better evaluate implications of harvest and recent regulations changes. The goal is to gain information for future management decisions.

A review was given of the Agency’s marketing tactics and successes from 2020 that assisted in creating a record year for new license buyers and for getting more people involved in outdoors activities. The review featured some of the tactics that have been successful which includes the CWD campaign, boat ramp geofencing, and targeted social media ads.

The commission recently established a Legacy Award. The inaugural winner is David Wright who has volunteered for years to help veterans get to go on hunts after serving. The award was established to show appreciation for service and dedication to the people and wildlife in Tennessee.

The Information Technology (IT) Division recognized its professional of the year. Michelle Ray received the IT Professional of the Year honor.

The TFWC elected its new officers for 2021-22. Jim Ripley (Kodak) will serve as chairman after serving as the vice chair. Angie Box (Jackson) is the vice chairman and Tommy Woods (Piney Flatts) is the secretary.

The meeting was also the final scheduled for five commissioners. Chairman Kurt Holbert (Decaturville), Dennis Gardner (Lebanon), Connie King (Clarksville), Tony Sanders (Hixon), and James Stroud (Dyersburg) were all recognized for their contributions.

TWRA PROPOSALS DRAW FIRE FROM HUNTERS/POLITICIANS

New proposals for wildlife management areas from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency which the agency claims is based on surveys it received has drawn fire from upset duck hunters, most of whom say they never were surveyed and don’t know who many who were.

Furthermore, the proposals say the basis is to add additional opportunities for public hunting in the various units that range from Reelfoot Lake in the northwest portion of the state to wildlife management units such as the popular ones here in the Kentucky Lake area such as West Sandy, Big Sandy, Gin Creek, Camden Bottoms and others.

Waterfowlers say the devil is in the details as the proposals will not increase opportunities but actually decrease them. And, the proposals seem to have been put together without seeking hunter input, especially from those who already have blinds in the units or others who know the lay of the land as to access and other factors.

Upset duck hunters across the region have contacted many local and state officials plus making efforts to voice their opposition to TWRA wildlife commissioners prior to the forthcoming meeting in Franklin at the Marriott Cool Springs on February 18-19.

Comments and complaints have been pouring in since the proposals were announced and placed on TWRA’s website www.tnwildlife.org.

Here’s a few random samples from distraught duck hunters which have been summarized due to length:

“Over the course of several weeks, I have been contacted by hundreds of hunters in my district. Not only are they not supportive of this proposal, none of them were invited to participate in the “survey” that this is based on.”

“To gain access to the survey results, our hunters had to file Freedom of Information Requests. I find that this proposal misses the entire purpose purported by the TWRA. Increasing access to public lands is not a difficult task, and in fact, it may be easier than changing the system.”

“Hunter safety needs to be taken into consideration at some locations in regard to the number of Tier 1, 60-day blind locations, such as Reelfoot Lake. Tigrett WMA has a number of blinds that are difficult to access, and this poses a safety and access concern.”

“I encourage the Commission to postpone the consideration of this proposal.”… STATE SENATOR JOHN STEVENS

“I believe the proposal by TWRA to change duck blind drawings is a mistake. I would rather have the CHANCE of me or one of my friends being drawn to hunt for an entire season in a permanent blind than the chance of being drawn for ONE 3 or 7 day hunt probably out of a boat or wading!

My main area of concern is the Camden and or Big Sandy units because that is my preference to hunt. Hunters for years have spent thousands of their own dollars building and or maintaining blinds. If drawn they make sure blind is in good shape or in some instances, build completely new blinds that have been burned by TWRA because they were deemed unsafe.

If the new proposal passes, in my opinion, all existing blinds will be unhuntable in the next 2 to 5 years. Hunters will then have to hunt out of boats or standing in marsh. That is extremely UNSAFE, especially for someone like me that is older wishing to take our children or grandchildren. As the proposal stands, only 9 blinds in these units are available for a chance at full season. I believe they should leave ALL the blinds available for everyone to have a chance to hunt for a full season…. Glynn Mebane, Henry.

“I'm not sure who they surveyed to come up with the idea that there are changes needed. I do not know a single person that was sent the survey. I am against the idea of a quota type system.

The WMA's are not taken care of now. The gates that control the water level at West Sandy and now at Big Sandy are perfect examples of WMAs not being taken care of. The gates or pumps are broken and water is allowed to stay in the fields year round. This means no crops can be planted and the trees will eventually die out.

I see a real problem with the first come first served blinds too. I could see this causing bad blood and heated tempers if more than one group shows up to hunt a spot.

I do not see TWRA building and maintaining blind sites under their new proposal. They are worried more about the buying and selling of blinds. The computer draw seemed to take care of the majority of that issue.

I would like to see it remain a yearly draw and I am OK with it being computer draw. I would rather see them put more of their time and effort and money into properly maintaining these WMAs…Randall Neal, Paris.

“I know well that duck hunts on Reelfoot Lake on a daily basis can boil it down to this: "We do not believe that people without personal knowledge of duck hunting on Reelfoot Lake should make decisions about things they know nothing about. We feel there is a lack of representation.

Instead of TWRA sending out a few surveys to mostly the wrong people and having meetings about duck season, during duck season, and hours away from Reelfoot Lake they should give the general public (more localized the better) an opportunity to submit a plan to help solve issues and actually make a real effort to help regulate the places we use on a regular basis.

Reelfoot Lake is extremely dangerous. The water is cold and the lake can get extremely rough. This is not like a waterfowl set up you would have in a field where you would walk to the blind. You will need a boat to hunt Reelfoot Lake.

There are too many blind locations on Reelfoot Lake that are absolutely pointless in terms of hunting success. There are very few locations on the lake that you can have a successful hunt. People who draw these "pointless" locations get excited and spend their money to prepare for a duck hunt only to realize that the spot they have isn't worth going.

This plan is complicated and there will be an unusual amount of confusion in the dark every morning because people from out of town are in boats, in the dark, trying to find a location, and do this during the coldest months of the year. It is not safe.

If this plan is designed to increase revenue, TWRA should be consulting the people who own businesses at Reelfoot Lake for ideas. Business owners have a common goal with TWRA in that their livelihood is based on tourism.

Actually local business owners are more concerned with tourism than TWRA because their household income is directly correlated with tourism. So if the goal is to increase tourism and license revenue they should be communicating with local business owners…Ben Parker, Outfitter, Reelfoot Lake

“Too much at one time! These are drastic changes that I don’t think will increase hunting opportunities and ultimately lead to confusion. I don’t know of a single person who received a survey,”….Gerald Howard, West Sandy Hunter, Paris.

“My concern here is, why did so few people receive a survey and why is their input not considered? TWRA sent out a mass email a few days ago regarding the TWRA comment section on their website. Why could they have not done that with this survey?

It's not fair. You have people making decisions whom have no knowledge of the areas from Camden all the way West to Reelfoot Lake. The folks who live east of here believe that we are in a duck hunting mecca, and that is simply not the case…Jason Brewer, Paris.

“These proposals are not going to increase opportunities but actually diminish them. It’s a recipe for disaster and one that will tarnish TWRA’s reputation and public relations. Hunters were not consulted in a proper manner and the public doesn’t have faith in TWRA maintaining blinds or coordinating first come first serve in the wee hours of the morning when crowds show up. Believe me there are a lot of issues TWRA hasn’t studied on these proposals so I am totally against implementing this at this time.”….Jerry Price, Big Sandy.

These are just a sample of comments or calls this writer received within the last week or so. Most had to be summarized due to space but it’s easy to see there is a common denominator among the ranks of disgruntled duck hunters who feel their wildlife agency is about to make a mistake.

At stake is not only public hunting opportunities but the reputation of TWRA who may find out the cure was worse than the disease. Reasonable minds can differ.

Meanwhile, duck hunters are hoping this isn’t a done deal and that perhaps there’s a chance the wildlife commission will reevaluate its position to make this many changes at one time without more input from the hunters themselves!

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