Tennessee WildCast

Dive into the fascinating world of falconry on this episode of Tennessee WildCast! Recorded live from the Region 3 office in Crossville, surrounded by impressive wildlife mounts, hosts Don King and Jason Harmon visit with Vincent Pontello, TWRA’s Region 3 Wildlife Program Manager and passionate falconer.

Vincent takes us on a journey through one of the oldest hunting sports known to humanity. In Tennessee, falconers partner with majestic birds of prey like red-tailed hawks, Harris hawks, Cooper’s hawks, kestrels, and even peregrine falcons to pursue small game such as squirrels, rabbits, doves, ducks, and more.

Learn about the intricate equipment, the permitting process, and the mandatory two-year apprenticeship under an experienced sponsor. Vincent even brings his trusty 14-year-old Harris hawk, “Gaylord,” into the studio—a remarkably social and seasoned hunter who’s become part of the family.

From the thrill of watching a hawk soar through the woods to the deep bond formed between falconer and bird, this episode reveals why falconry isn’t just a sport—it’s an art form and the ultimate partnership with nature.

Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or simply curious about Tennessee’s outdoor heritage, this conversation will leave you captivated. Want to learn more? Visit the tnwildlife.org or join the Tennessee Falconers Association Facebook group.

Don’t miss this unique look at one of Tennessee’s most intriguing wildlife traditions—perfect for ringing in the new year with a fresh appreciation for our wild spaces! To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Join us on this special episode of Tennessee WildCast as we celebrate Darrell "Bones" Bernd and his well-deserved TWRA Fisheries Division Lifetime Achievement Award. With retirement just days away on December 31, Bones stops by to reflect on more than 40 years of service with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

From his start in 1984 mowing grass at Bedford Lake to building early electrofishing equipment and working on the streams and reservoirs of Middle Tennessee, Bones shares stories of a career dedicated to fisheries management. He discusses the remarkable biodiversity of Tennessee waters—home to over 300 fish species, with the Duck River system among the most diverse in the world—and how the state has changed from rural to increasingly urban landscapes.

Bones touches on advancements in technology, from basic generators to modern tools using DNA and data, and how these help TWRA adapt to growing challenges like development and water use. Along the way, he offers insights into the agency's evolution and the teamwork that has always defined it.

This thoughtful conversation is a tribute to Bones' contributions and a look at the ongoing efforts to protect Tennessee's aquatic resources.

Tune in to hear his experiences and perspectives. Whether you're an angler, outdoor enthusiast, or interested in conservation, this episode offers something for everyone. We hope you'll join us! To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Tune in to the latest Tennessee WildCast episode for a candid, eye-opening conversation with TWRA bear experts Dan Gibbs and Janelle Musser, recorded right after the recent commission meeting.

From historic bears roaming all the way to Memphis, to today’s thriving population of around 6,000, this is the real story of one of Tennessee’s greatest wildlife comeback successes – and the growing challenges that come with it.

You’ll discover why bear conflicts are rising even when the population is stable, why it’s almost always about human behavior (trash, bird feeders, deer corn, chicken coops), and how simple changes like bear-resistant cans and electric fencing can prevent most issues. They also share what really happened when Gatlinburg went bear-proof, why “moving the problem bear” rarely works, and what the new deer baiting rules could mean next fall.

Whether you’re seeing your first backyard bear or you’ve lived here forever, this episode is packed with practical advice for keeping bears wild and people safe. Plus, get a look at the brand-new “Tennessee is Bear Country” license plate and the one website every Tennessean needs: BearWise.org.

Don’t miss it – grab your coffee and tune in now! To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

It’s a heartfelt farewell to Assistant Chief of Wildlife Wally Akins this week on Tennessee WildCast, as he steps into retirement after an incredible career with TWRA.

Join us for a bittersweet, story-filled episode as we look back on Wally’s journey—from his first post as a wildlife officer in wide-open Hancock County, to managing the legendary Hiwassee Refuge during the early days of the Sandhill Crane comeback (from 28 birds to over 10,000!), to helping build the private lands program and helping lead the Wildlife Division.

We’re talking cherished Cherokee National Forest deer camps, epic Thanksgiving pies that never lasted 24 hours, taking that first Cherokee deer at age 21 after a decade of hard hunting, running bird dogs for grouse and woodcock, and the excitement of Tennessee’s first quail quota hunt in decades on Bridgestone-Firestone WMA. Wally reminds us why small-game hunting with family and friends creates memories that last a lifetime—and why habitat on private lands remains the key to bringing quail and other species back.

Whether you’ve known Wally for years or are just meeting him, this episode is pure Tennessee outdoors heart and soul. Pull up a campfire chair, grab a slice of pie, and join us as we send off a true wildlife professional with stories, laughs, and one last “thank you” for a lifetime of service. To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Imagine a snowy morning 25 years ago when 50 elk from Canada stepped onto Tennessee soil for the first time in over 150 years. Fast-forward to today: roughly 700 elk roam the mountains, and one young hunter just lived a story most of us only dream about.

This special episode of Tennessee WildCast was recorded live at Thlete Outdoors with a packed house. We look back at the historic elk restoration, then bring it full circle with 15-year-old Gavin Wood and the unforgettable youth hunt that capped the 25th anniversary season.

From the original release in snow-covered Royal Blue, to the very first modern elk harvest in 2009, to Gavin’s week this fall: passing multiple bulls, holding out for the one he nicknamed “Red October,” and finally connecting on a beautiful afternoon with family and friends cheering him on.

It’s a celebration of conservation success, passing the tradition to the next generation, and the kind of hunt that reminds us why we do this. Real people, real emotion, and a Tennessee wildlife comeback story that still gives chills.

Grab some coffee, settle in, and join us for a feel-good episode you’ll want to share with every hunter you know. To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Join us on Tennessee WildCast as we tour Flintville Hatchery – the state’s oldest operating trout hatchery – just days before the 2025-26 winter stocking season begins.

Hatchery Manager Steven Day walks us through the raceways filled with rainbow trout (including some 16-20” trophies and golden palomino rainbows) that will soon be headed to lakes and streams across Tennessee. We see newly hatched fry, learn about the year-round work of raising 120,000–130,000 adult trout, and discover the technology and teamwork that keep the fish healthy 365 days a year.

Region 3 Streams Biologist Connor Ballard explains the winter trout program: 42 stocking locations, roughly 75,000 rainbow trout released from late November through February, and three new waters added this year. He shares why most stockings happen in Middle and West Tennessee, how to read the schedule at tnwildlife.org, and tips for families wanting to fish close to home.

From the hatchery building to the stocking trucks, this episode shows exactly how Tennessee delivers catchable trout to neighborhood ponds, city parks, and small streams every winter. Whether you’re chasing a quick limit of seven fish or just looking for a fun outing with kids, the winter trout season is one of Tennessee’s best outdoor traditions.

Grab your orange gear and join host Jason Harmon for an unforgettable episode at the Feather to Fork event! Co-host Don King welcomes Tennessee football icons Coach Phillip Fulmer and Carl Johnson – freshman dorm rivals turned lifelong hunting buddies and SEC champions.

Relive epic gridiron tales: From beating Bear Bryant’s Alabama three out of four years, to the nail-biting 14-13 Liberty Bowl upset over Arkansas, and that miraculous 95-yard fumble return against Kentucky that still has Wildcat fans fuming! Coach Fulmer shares his fresh Paul Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award honor.

Then pivot to the wild side: Hear about Alaska adventures, 14-hour horseback elk hunts, chukar and hungarian partridge in the Frank Church Wilderness, fishing adventures, and duck blinds in West Tennessee. These Vols legends pass the torch at Feather to Fork, mentoring York Institute students in bird hunting and conservation.

From Neyland Stadium roars to sunrise fields, this is brotherhood, tradition, and the outdoors at its finest. Whether you bleed orange or not, you’ll laugh, learn, and leave inspired. To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Join host Jason Harmon and co-host Don King from the Feather to Fork event at The Sawbriar near Jamestown, Tennessee. John Bush, Director of Schools at Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute, shares his 28-year journey in education and why York is the most fulfilling chapter. Students don’t just learn—they work. From raising pheasants to operating backhoes, every CTE student spends three hours exploring hands-on booths: fly casting, drone flying, skeet, and more.

Student Gabriela helped catch pheasants and set up vendors at 6:30 a.m. The pheasants are raised from day-old chicks by York Institute students on the school’s 400-acre working farm. What began as a simple pitch—“Let us supply Sawbriar’s hunt birds”—quickly grew into Feather to Fork, Tennessee’s ultimate outdoor-ag celebration.

Founded in 1926 by World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York, the school became a state-operated special district in 1937. Today, it stands alone: the only comprehensive high school run directly by the Tennessee Department of Education and home to the largest high school campus in America by acreage.

York students earn associate’s degrees on campus—no extra cost, no transportation hurdles—graduating college two weeks before high school. They dominate in sports, lead in FFA, and process free-range Thanksgiving turkeys ($60—email to reserve - Visit www.yaidragons.com).

TWRA is here with casting demos and fisheries in action. This is Tennessee education at its best: hands-on, high-achieving, and rooted in legacy. Listen now on Tennessee WildCast. To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Buckle up, outdoor lovers! Hosts Jason Harmon and Don King dive knee-deep into the electrifying Feather to Fork event at The Sawbriar, where high schoolers from York Institute transform from classroom to field in Tennessee’s ultimate outdoor classroom.

Meet Fred & Rhonda Moody - They’re not just raising pheasants; they’re raising the next generation of hunters, farmers, and leaders.

From chicks to shotgun blasts, students earn their wings through summer farm duty, gun safety, and one-on-one mentorship with drone pilots, knife forgers, and even a certain legendary Vols coach snapping selfies and hunting with the kids.

Hear Rhonda, a proud TWRA Commissioner, champion women in the woods: “It’s okay to shoot a gun!” Watch ag enrollment explode as kids beg to join the program that’s literally feather to fork.

Fred’s purple “Make Agriculture Great Again” hat says it all—this is Sergeant York’s vision reborn.

 Coming Soon on Tennessee WildCast: The school director, a star student, and a secret celebrity episode!

If you’ve ever dreamed of a career fair with live birds, fly rods, and zero lectures—this is your wake-up call.

To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.

Get ready for an episode of Tennessee WildCast that’s buzzing with excitement! Host Jason Harmon and co-host Mime Barnes bring you the scoop on a groundbreaking conservation triumph: the reintroduction of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) to Tennessee! 

Join us as we dive into this inspiring project with experts Sam King, Natural Areas Program Manager at TDEC, and David Haney, a Bird Conservation Coordinator with TWRA. Together, they unravel the story of how a project to save the rare white fringeless orchid sparked a bold mission to bring back this iconic woodpecker, absent from Tennessee since the 1980s.

Discover the RCW’s unique charm—its striking white cheek patches, vibrant red crest, and fascinating clan-like family dynamics. Learn why the ancient shortleaf pines of Savage Gulf’s 16,000-acre wilderness are the perfect home for this threatened species, and how meticulous habitat restoration, prescribed burns, and artificial nest cavities are setting the stage for their return by Fall 2028. This isn’t just about one bird—it’s a ripple effect, boosting species like the Bachman’s sparrow, bobwhite quail, and even deer and turkey, all thriving in this revitalized ecosystem.

Sam and David share their passion for this once-in-a-lifetime project, from hand-clearing understory to navigating complex permitting processes. Feel the thrill of rebuilding a “collapsed house” for Tennessee’s wildlife! Want to help? Visit TNSwap.com or TNWildlife.org to support this historic effort. Tune in and join the movement to bring back a piece of Tennessee’s natural heritage. Don’t miss this episode—it’s conservation in action! 

To purchase a license for great hunting and fishing adventures in Tennessee, visit gooutdoorstennessee.com.