TWF Across the State

RE: 2009 - PROPOSED DEER SEASON CHANGES

2009-05-02T07:32:00.001-07:00

As requested, I have posted these thoughts from a TWF supporter. Let TWRA what you think as they move through their season setting process.

On an interesting and related note...you have to look awful hard to find an e-mail on TWRA's site that you can use to send comments. I found this e-mail address buried in the Newsroom section where is was listed in a Jan. 27 press release calling for input from sportsmen and women on hunting seasons.

Try contact TWRA by e-mail here... twra.comment@state.tn.us

----- Original Message ----- To: Michael Butler Sent: Sat May 02 07:05:41 2009 Subject: RE: 2009 - PROPOSED DEER SEASON CHANGES Mr. Butler, I'm sure you know that the TWRA has proposed a 14-day November muzzle-loader season which would close the day before rifle season opens, and, a 3-buck limit with any weapon. Without a break in between the seasons, rifle hunters will start their season hunting deer that have been hunted for 2-weeks with firearms. In short, the opening of rifle season will become the "third" week of firearms deer season. Without giving the deer a chance to "settle down" between the muzzle-loader, and, rifle season, there is no way the TWRA can justify this, and, say it is "fair" to rifle hunters, (who are in the majority). Furthermore, throughout most of Tennessee, the rut normally occurs around the middle of November, and, to one degree, or, another, coincides with the muzzleloader season. Adding an extra week to the muzzleloader season during the peak of the rut, along with the "proposed" 3-buck limit, will result in a "overharvest" of bucks, and, a "underharvest" of does. When knowledgable hunters know the rut is in full swing, most pass up does waiting on a buck. In addition to the unfair treatment of rifle hunters, a 2- week muzzleloader season also impacts bow hunters. I know a lot of avid bow hunters who like to hunt that week between the muzzleloader season closing, and, rifle season opening. This gives bow hunters a chance to hunt during the peak of the rut without competing with gun hunters. I have hunted deer with both a muzzleloader, and, rifle for 38-years. However, I am opposed to a 14-day muzzleloader season. As one who advocates quality deer management for our state's deer herd, (and, a 2-buck limit), I am opposed to a 3-buck limit for obvious reasons. Mr. Butler, I would like to ask you a favor with regard to these two proposals. I would like for you to post these issues on the TWF website so all of the members will be informed. I am not asking you, or, TWF, to "take a stand" one way, or, another. I do know, in the past, the TWF has "not" been a "rubber stamp" for the TWRA / TWRC on a number of issues. I hope that will be the case this time. As it stands right now, the only way hunters will know about these proposals is "word of mouth," or, going on the TWRA website, or, going on "tndeer." Otherwise, the TWRC can pass these proposals, and, the majority of hunters will find out about it when the "hunting guides" come out in August. If people can find out about these proposals now, they will have a chance to contact members of the TWRC, and, voice their opinions "one way, or, another," before the season are set at the meeting the end of this month. Mr. Butler, your thoughful consideration on this request will be very much appreciated. I think those of us who "pay the bills," for the TWRA, have a right to know what is going on with the Agency, and, the Commission. Thank you for your time, and, concern in this matter! Respectfully, Larry Elam Chattanooga, TN Email: beckyelam@comcast.net

2009-04-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our fearless TWF Board Member Terry Lewis from East Tennessee running a drip torch during the recent wildlife habitat project conducted by the TWF Camo & Casting Coalition organizations.

Chattanooga Resident is a Rare Breed among Volunteers

2009-03-23T15:49:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release
For more information, contact Brent Lawrence or Matt Lindler at (803) 637-3106

Chattanooga Resident is a Rare Breed among Volunteers

Mike Halter received the Wild Turkey Bourbon Rare Breed Award during the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show.
Click image for print quality version

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Volunteers who are as committed as Mike Halter are, indeed, rare.

Halter, a longtime, dedicated volunteer of the National Wild Turkey Federation, was presented the Wild Turkey Bourbon Rare Breed Award during the 2009 NWTF National Convention and Sport Show.

"They say it's not what you get in life that counts but what you give and leave behind," said Danny Young, NWTF vice president of marketing. "The winner of this year's Wild Turkey Bourbon Rare Breed Award is a shining example of that."

Halter, of East Ridge, Tenn., founded the Cherokee Chapter of the NWTF in Chattanooga, Tenn., and served as vice president, president and secretary of the half-million-dollar chapter. He also served the NWTF's Tennessee State Board as a director, vice president and president and the NWTF's Tennessee Super Fund committee as a member and chairman.

Halter even has served as the registration chairman and Turkey Shoppe chairman for the NWTF's Grand National Convention and Sport Show, is a member of the Tennessee Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame, a winner of the NWTF's L.A. Dixon Award and has been an active Federation member for more than 30 years. This year's NWTF National Convention and Sport Show drew a record crowd to 43,000 to the Gylord Opryland Hotel and Resort.

"I'm humbled, and I feel great and very honored to have won this award," Halter said. "I love the NWTF. I've always loved the NWTF. Until somebody shows me something better, they'll have to run me off. No one's run me off yet, and I hope they never do."

Wild Turkey Bourbon has partnered with the NWTF for many years as the primary sponsor of the Wild Turkey Bourbon/NWTF Grand National Turkey Calling Championship, also helping create this award to recognize dedicated NWTF volunteers.

"Honestly, it's a small thing that I do," Halter said. "Others are donating significant portions of their time and money to the NWTF. All I try to do is donate a smile and my willingness to help in any way that I can."

For more information about the NWTF or the Wild Turkey Bourbon Rare Breed Award, contact Brian Dowler at (800) THE-NWTF or visit www.nwtf.org.

2009 Convention Sponsors
Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, Chevrolet, Crescent Cardboard Co., LLC, Federal Premium Ammunition, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Longleaf Camo, Marlin Firearm/H&R 1871 LLC, Mathews Bows, Inc., MeadWestvaco, Motorola, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band and Tag, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Outdoor Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Inc., Remington Arms Company, Inc., S.C. State Chapter, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Tennessee State Chapter, The Sportsman Channel, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Weatherby, Inc., Weyerhaeuser, Wild Turkey Bourbon and Winchester Olin

About the NWTF: In 1973, Tom Rodgers founded the National Wild Turkey Federation in Fredericksburg, Va., as a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions. Shortly thereafter, Rodgers relocated the NWTF to Edgefield, S.C., where it's still headquartered today.

At the time NWTF was established, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America, thanks to the efforts of state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners.

Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to nearly a half million today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its conservation mission. Together, the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

While wild turkey restoration is nearing completion, the NWTF still has much work to do. Across North America, supporters are working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife while providing hunters with more opportunities and access to public and private land. In addition, NWTF volunteers and partners are introducing youth, women and people with disabilities to the outdoors through special educational events.

If you would like to become a member of Team NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter, please visit our Web site at www.nwtf.org or call us at 800-THE-NWTF.

FW: Google Alert - Tennessee Wildlife Federation

2009-03-23T10:11:00.001-07:00

Tennessee Wildlife Federation

Young hunters get first shot at turkeys
The Tennessean - Nashville,TN,USA
Allowing them to hunt before the regular season starts is a benefit, said Mitchell Bailey, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency assistant supervisor. ...

Sportsmen, Lawmakers Rally to Protect America's Public Lands

2009-03-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

Sportsmen, Lawmakers Rally to Protect America's Public Lands

Omnibus Bill Provides for Crucial Wildlife Habitat, Healthy Watersheds
and Streams, and Resources and Recreation Opportunities that Drive Local
Economies

Washington, DC (March 18) - On a telephone press conference today,
hunters and anglers from across the country pushed for passage of the
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, a collection of bills vital
to America's sporting heritage.

U.S. Representatives Nick Rahall (D-WV), Shelley Capito
(R-WV), Buck McKeon (R-CA), and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) also stood with
hunters and anglers at a separate Capitol Hill press conference to push
for swift legislative action.

"This package of bills include many important provisions for America's
public lands and waters, which provide crucial habitat for game birds,
deer, and elk and provide healthy watersheds and streams," said Steve
Torbit, Regional Executive Director, National Wildlife Federation Rocky
Mountain Natural Resource Center.

"The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 will conserve critical
public lands and waters, which provide important wildlife habitat and
provide resources and recreation opportunities that drive local
economies," Torbit said.

Public lands are a fundamental part of America's outdoor recreation
industry that contributes $730 billion to our economy and supports 6.5
million jobs - or 1 in 20 American jobs.

Most of the more than 160 individual bills included in the Omnibus
Public Land Management Act have been through the normal legislative
process and enjoy broad bipartisan support in Congress.

National Wildlife Federation ( http://www.nwf.org/ )is America's
conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for
our children's future.

Immediate Release: March 18, 2009
Contacts:
Aileo Weinmann, communications manager, 202-797-6801, weinmanna@nwf.org
###

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NWF's mission is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our
children's future.

Aileo Weinmann - Communications Manager, National Wildlife Federation
Phone: 202-797-6801 | Cell: 202-538-5038 | Fax: 202-797-6646 |
weinmanna@nwf.org

www.nwf.org ( http://www.nwf.org/ )
901 E St, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

FW: [NEWSENDER] - RGS Johnson City Fundraiser Dinner Press Release - Message is from an unknown sender

2009-03-23T10:07:00.001-07:00

www.ruffedgrousesociety.org

March 19, 2009

For Immediate Release

RGS to hold fundraiser dinner in Johnson City

Proceeds used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitat

The Appalachian Highlands Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) will hold its 14th Annual Sportsmen’s Banquet on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Holiday Inn, 101 W. Springbrook Drive, Johnson City, TN, beginning with a reception party with live Bluegrass music at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

As has been the practice at this event, the banquet will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes; highlighted with the finest selection of quality firearms, artwork and collectable’s.

According to Donna Vance, membership and dinner tickets are $45, spouse dinner ticket, $20, and youth ticket and membership $30. Banquet, Conservation and Sustaining sponsorship packages are also available at $275, $500 and $1,000 respectively.

And, continuing in the spirit of the outdoors, youngsters under the age of 16 who recently took and passed a hunter education course and/or women who have participated in a recent Outdoors Women program, and can verify same, will receive a complimentary dinner ticket when accompanied by a paying adult.

As with all RGS fundraisers, proceeds from this event will be used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitat.

For more information and/or tickets contact Vance at 423-357-1735 (after 5 p.m.) or by e-mail at donna.vance@generalshale.com .

Media Contact:

Donna Vance, 423-357-1735.

E-mail: donna.vance@generalshale.com .

FW: TWF Camo and Casting Coalition Undertakes Ambitious Wildlife Management Project

2009-03-23T07:52:00.001-07:00

North Cumberland Wildlife Openings Project

The Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Camo and Casting Coalition held meetings with TWRA and several local conservation groups at the University of Tennessee’s Ag center to discuss the possibilities of working together to create additional wildlife openings on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA). After much discussion and consideration, a habitat management plan was developed by TWRA to increase the amount of permanent openings utilizing prescribed controlled burns on a scheduled basis. The goal of this management plan is to create 10,000 acres of new wildlife openings over a 10 year program. This is arguably the largest volunteer habitat management program ever proposed in East Tennessee.

On February 24^th46 volunteers from TWF, CORA, RMEF, NWTF and QU attendeda class held at the Campbell County Forest Service offices to familiarize and educate volunteers in the process of controlled burns and fighting forest fires. The volunteers received Forest Service certifications enabling them to participate in the TWRA volunteer program. In January TWRA and TWF surveyed and selected areas to be managed through this program.

On Saturday, March 7^th a volunteer force of over 43 individuals participated in the first of many controlled burns to be held on the North Cumberland to promote new wildlife openings. TWRA provided the heavy equipment used to construct fire breaks in advance of the Saturday burn schedule. Area Manager Stan Stooksbury held a comprehensive safety and coordination meeting the morning of the event. Due to some areas of the selected habitat to be managed, a group of volunteers were provided additional IMSA (mine site training) safety training enabling them to be on an active mine site. Much of the area selected to be burned were steep mountainous slopes with abandoned mine site high walls. Safety in these areas was a major concern and was heavily addressed by the TWRA Burn Boss Stan Stooksbury.

The volunteer group was divided into 5 teams of 6 with a team leader assigned to each. Some of the volunteers were assigned to road blocks at each entry into the areas stopping all vehicle traffic from entering into these targeted areas. Selected volunteers were also assigned to a support team that provided transportation and mobility for equipment like chain saws, water tanks and fuel for drip torches.

Communications by hand held radios were critically important to the success and safety of the volunteers. Each volunteer was equipped with a radio linked to his assigned individual team. Each team leader was linked to his individual team on one channel and to the other team leaders, the Burn Boss and the support team on another channel. This method allowed the each team to work within their area assignments and to call for backup support if conditions called for additional manpower or equipment.

Teams were assigned areas and a coordinated and structured fire was set along fire lines to create a beginning fire and back fires were set to control the fuel supply at the opposite side of the selected areas to allow the fires to burn themselves out.

Approx. 500 to 600 acres were successfully managed and controlled by the burning process. Areas where the fire crossed over the fire breaks were quickly controlled by the volunteers who were directed to the problem areas by radio. This method proved very effective by providing rapid response to these areas allowing volunteers to quickly extinguish fires before they became too large and out of control.

Cost for this program is being assembled and will be submitted as soon as possible. Costs using these techniques are historically much lower than other methods.

43 volunteers from TWF, CORA, RMEF, NWTF and UT student’s approx 12 hours each plus 4 classroom
3 UTV personnel and equipment carriers
4 ATV’s with portable electric pump water tank sprayers
3 backpack portable water sprayers
30 Rakes and hand tools
40 hand held radios
Approx. 24 sets of Nomex clothes
Bottled water

TWRA Assistance

7 TWRA Personnel
Personnel used to set up, survey and mark fire lines and to evaluate the burn success after the event.
Approx 2 weeks of dozer work to cut fire lines
TWRA 550 John Deere Dozer
2 UTV personnel and equipment carriers
6 ATV’s 4 with portable electric pump water tank sprayers
3 chain saws
14 Drip torches and fuel mixture
10 rakes and hand tools
12 Hand held radios
Nomex clothes
Road Block Signage
Bottled water
Trucks and transportation

From Knoxville News Sentinel: Hodge: Every journey must come to an end

2009-03-15T19:49:00.001-07:00

Tennessee is losing one of the few remaining full time outdoor writers. Sad part is he is arguably the best outdoor writer in the state. Thanks for all you have done Bob.

Hodge: Every journey must come to an end

http://knoxnews.com/news/2009/mar/15/every-journey-must-come-to-an-end/

Knoxville News Sentinel

From Knoxville News Sentinel: Fires used to improve the wildlife habitat of North Cumberland

2009-03-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

A big "Thanks" to TWF's board member Terry Lewis for his efforts leading the TWF Camo & Casting Coalition on a great habitat management project.

Fires used to improve the wildlife habitat of North Cumberland

http://knoxnews.com/news/2009/mar/15/better-by-burning/

Knoxville News Sentinel

Bogota Update

2008-08-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a good update on the Bogota Waterfowl Management Area.

Click here for the story.

Wildlife Crossroads and the Future of Our Wildlife Agency

2008-08-13T10:00:00.001-07:00

Nearly 35 years ago the Tennessee Wildlife Federation led and participated in a review of the then Tennessee Game and Fish Commission. The goal of that review was to determine where and how the Agency needed to change and grow to become one of the leading wildlife agencies in the United States. Results of that review in the mid-1970’s included the development of the commission form of government and the regional system that has served the citizens of Tennessee so well.

Since that time our Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has grown and excelled in its mission with the resources it has been afforded by the sportsmen and women of this state. But times are changing. If you haven’t looked around recently costs of doing business are going up, and in the case of TWRA revenues are trending downward.

Financial Challenges

Some proclaim that the reason for the Agency’s financial woes are the loss in sales of hunting and fishing equipment. It is true that the sales of hunting and fishing licenses have fallen, however the real question is why have they fallen.

Many point to changing times and mindsets. Some say it is the lack of places to go. It is most likely the combination of several different influences, but one thing that we do know that causes a drop in license sales is the cost of those licenses.

Every single time TWRA raises license fees sales of licenses drop. In fact, when looking at license increases, TWRA automatically builds in a factor for a drop in license sales, and they are usually correct in their estimates. In fact, TWRA has some of the highest priced licenses in the southeast. Just ask a deer hunter or a fisherman…they can tell you faster than anyone.

But why is any of this important?

It is vitally important because nearly all of TWRA’s $70 million budget is paid by sportsmen and women. TWRA receives no general fund dollars. In Alabama, hunting and fishing licenses are cheaper than Tennessee, but why?....because Alabama’s wildlife agency collects some of their revenue from the general tax funds of their state.

Solutions?

So are we saying that TWRA needs general fund tax dollars to help its budget?

Not if the purpose is to grow TWRA into a larger state bureaucracy! In these revenue strapped times, we must be certain that TWRA is functioning as efficiently as possible. Increasing revenues without taking a thorough look at the agency and its functions would be highly irresponsible.

In contrast, the WILDLIFE resources of the state of Tennessee and the recreational users of the state of Tennessee need additional funds invested in our fish and wildlife resources to ensure their health and sustainability. We need to be able to lower license fees for sportsmen and women while still providing for habitat management and the myriad of other functions TWRA provides across the state. These objectives, even after assuring that TWRA is operating lean and efficiently, will require more revenue than the agency currently has available.

Does this mean that TWRA should receive some general fund tax dollars from the General Assembly to accomplish this goal – ABSOLUTELY!

And again we need to ask, why is this important?

Unfunded Mandate

TWRA’s legislatively mandated mission states that the Agency “shall place first and foremost the welfare of the wildlife and its environment”. While the code does acknowledge hunting and fishing, it also specifies TWRA to manage for ALL wildlife species.

Thus, TWRA is charged with managing all wildlife for the benefit of Tennessee’s citizens while only a small portion of the citizenry is paying all the bills.

Tennessee sportsmen and women contribute approximately $100 million is state sales, gas and motel taxes each year to the general fund of Tennessee. They are the ones supporting the $2.4 billion outdoor industry in our state. But none of these revenues are returned to the TWRA.

So if you are managing TWRA, as does the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission, and your costs of doing your business continues to soar, and your primary revenue stream is declining – what are you left to do? Cut spending.

And this is what has been done. TWRA has cut some $4.7 million from their 2009-2010 fiscal year budget. Are some of the cuts warranted? - yes. Is this process healthy in some aspects? – yes. Are some of the cuts going to hurt the Agency and its ability to meet its mission? – yes. Is the long-term future effectiveness and stability of the agency at risk? – YES!

Next Steps

In 2007, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation began requesting that the TWRA conduct a review of the agency for three purposes (1) review and ensure that the Agency is meeting is legislative mandate in managing Tennessee’s wildlife for our citizens, (2) review and validate that functions of the Agency are being maintained in an efficient and effective manner and (3) provide these review results to the public and elected officials

Early in 2008, the TWRA Commission did in fact order a third-party functional review of the Agency. This review will conducted this fall and will conclude in January 2009. The Federation will be working as a stakeholder in the review process. It is our hope that this review will once again confirm that our wildlife and natural resources managed by TWRA are worthy of investment by the General Assembly.

Now is the time to plan for the future of our wildlife agency. We hope you will join us in ensuring the next 30 years are as productive as the past 30 have been.

Please check our publications and www.tnwf.org of regular updates.

Bogota Waterfowl Area

2008-08-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

We have been contacted by several people wanting to know the status of the Bogota Waterfowl Area for the 2008-2009 waterfowl hunting season.

Here is a short update as to what changes have been made and a little history on Bogota.

Bogota is comprised of 10 parcels of property that were purchased beginning in 1995 through 2007. The properties were purchased via the wetland acquisition fund for the purpose of providing more public waterfowl management and hunting opportunities. To this point, it is our understanding that no sportsmen's dollars have been spent in the acquisition and management of Bogota.

Additionally, the management of Bogota has also been paid for utilizing the wetlands acquisition fund and the general area between the town of Bogota and Miston have grown into a waterfowling hot spot in recent years.

The method of management at Bogota represents some new techniques for managing waterfowl given that the area uses low level levees in place of larger levees to manage slash water for ducks and other waterfowl that frequent the area.

Over the years it has been discovered that certain portions of Bogota do not maintain floodwater well due to the geology of the sites. This has been confirmed through the use of ground penetrating radar from the University of Tennessee.

In previous years Bogota was hunted via a 3-day application draw process where applicants were drawn and granted access to the area for 3 consecutive days. While this process was good and provided predictability for waterfowl hunters required to travel significant distances, it was not highly utilized having only about 100-150 applicants during the 2007-2008 waterfowl season.

It our understanding that Bogota will be open to regular season hunting, and the cells (i.e., fields 1, 2, and 3) that can hold water will be pumped and managed for hunting opportunity. It is also our understanding that cells that have significant leaks and do not hold water, which in the past have required continual pumping on a daily basis throughout the season, will not be maintained due to the high cost.

Welcome

2008-08-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Sportsmen and Wildlife Enthusiasts,

Welcome to the first installment of "Keeping Up with the Commission". On this blog I will be working to keep everyone up to speed on certain items of interest with the TWRA and its Commission.

Please check back regularly for updates. You can also visit us at http://www.tnwf.org for more information on Tennessee wildlife.

Thanks for stopping in,

M.A. Butler