Tennessee WildCast

Bear Hunting is a true Tennessee Tradition that has been around a long while and at one point had to be closed to help reestablish the population. Join us this week as look into a little history and this years hunting opportunities with Dan Gibbs, TWRA’s Black Bear Program Leader.

This week we are in Gatlinburg with Dan Gibbs, Black Bear Program Leader, Sgt. David Sexton of Sevier County, and Information Specialist Matt Cameron. We will discuss the challenges of co-existing with black bears and how you can be prepared when visiting Gatlinburg.

Thanks to Gatlinburg Chateau for a great shooting location with a beautiful view.

#tnwildlife

The TWRA has a total of four regional office to assist the public and provide office space for the field staff and law enforcement. Today we are visiting our Morristown office and chatting with Administrative Secretary, Becky Hensley and Regional Administrator, Shelia Dalton. They are on the front lines of the Region 4 office and make sure the day to day operations go smooth. Public Information Officer Matt Cameron will help me host and we thank you for joining us for this edition of Tennessee WildCast!

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission recently met and was presented with the TWRA’s recommendations for fishing regulations. Topics concerning sport fishing, commercial fishing and bait were presented for review. This week on Tennessee WildCast we have Assistant Chief Of Fisheries, Jason Henegar. He is going to highlight the Agencies recommendations and let you know how you can voice your concerns for the fishing seasons.

The TWRA is seeking public input regarding deer management in Tennessee at three public meetings early September. Meetings will be held in West, Middle, and East Tennessee on the evenings of Sept. 4, 5, and 6, from 7-9pm. The public is encouraged to attend and provide input. Information received at the meeting will be used in the development of a 5-year strategic plan for TWRA’s Deer Management Program. Join us this week on Tennessee WildCast as talk with Deer Program Leader James Kelly to get all the details.

Whether you hunt deer and or just enjoy watching them, you should be aware of a disease known among wildlife professionals by the abbreviation CWD. They stand for chronic wasting disease, a deadly and contagious neurological disorder that can destroy populations of deer, elk, and other animals classified as members of the deer family known as cervids. In Tennessee, deer and elk are the wildlife we trying to protect from this disease. Joining us today on Tennessee WildCast is our new Wildlife Veterinarian, Daniel Grove and Special Assistant to the Director, Greg Wathen. We will learn about the disease, why we don’t want it and what happens if we get it.

We get a lot of question everyday in all of our offices across the state. Today we are visiting our Region 3 office in Crossville to chat with Admin Secretary Cara Dishman and Information Specialist Mime Barnes about some of the most frequently asked questions. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast.

A new opportunity for sportsmen and women is right around the corner. Tennessee's first velvet antlered deer hunt will be on August 24-26. We will cover the hunt, special opportunities on that weekend, and all you need to know to be legal, right here this week on Tennessee WildCast.

Join in as we discuss the up coming migratory bird hunting seasons and draw opportunities across Tennessee. All this and more on Tennessee WildCast.

Catfish Grabblin’ on the Hatchie River with Jonathan Sain and Blake Tranum. These guys are great at what they do. They will give us a few tips and share some stories on this episode of Tennessee WildCast.