Tennessee Wildcast

After 65 years, the late D.L. Hayes smallmouth world record still stands. This week we visit with Butch Skillern, a very skilled taxidermist and good friend of Mr. Hayes, to talk about the art of taxidermy and Hayes' famous catch. Only a few people know where D.L. caught this monster smallmouth and some question if it was in Tennessee or Kentucky. We will try to get Butch to spill the beans. You don’t want to miss this episode of Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo #GoOutdoors www.tnwildlife.org

During the pandemic, folks are rediscovering the outdoors and some are new to hunting. Because of the demand for hunter education classes and limited availability, we are now providing an online class with no field day requirements to make it easier than ever to get hunter ed certified and be ready to go hunting this fall. Hunter Education Program Coordinator, Randy Huskey, joins us this week to discuss the changes and show us just how easy to can be. Don’t miss this episode of Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo #GoOutdoors www.tnwildlife.org

The long dog days of summer are getting shorter and temps are getting cooler! Fall is on its way and with that come deer season. This week Jason and Don cover many topics including the deer seasons, changes in CWD, hunter education updates, refer-a-friend, eStore and so much more. Don’t miss this episode as we gear up for the fall. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo #GoOutdoorTennessee www.tnwildlife.org

Hunter and singer/songwriter, Tyler Deaver, joins us this week to talk deer hunting! Tyler grew up hunting in Wisconsin but now calls Tennessee home, where he enjoys exploring public land. In this show, we will learn how Tyler scouts a WMA, some of his tricks for finding that perfect spot, explore his passion for archery and hear a song or two. You don’t want to miss this episode of #TennesseeWildcast as we get fired up for deer season. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo #GoOutdoorTennessee www.tnwildlife.org www.tylerdeavermusic.com

We join another Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commissioner, and her husband, for this week’s episode of Tennessee WildCast.  Commissioner Connie King and husband David, or ‘Dirt’ as most know him,  own Mid-South Shooting Supply in Clarksville Tennessee.  They have been in the shooting business a long while and now try to give back and pass on the tradition of hunting, fishing and shooting. When Connie isn’t working you will find her with a gun on her shoulder or a fishing rod in hand.  This couple is a lot of fun, and very straight shooters, so you don’t want to miss this episode. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

We are excited to visit with the Legendary Bill Dance for a social distancing episode of Tennessee WildCast. We will learn about some of Bill’s favorite fishing spots, his favorite fish to catch and who introduced him to the great sport of fishing. You never see Bill without his Power T hat. We will get the scoop on this trademark as well. Don’t miss this fun conversation with a great guy and big support of TWRA!

Join us this week as we chat with Commissioner Jimmy Granbery. He grew up in the outdoors, with some of his earliest memories being boating with his family. We will learn about some of his favorite outdoor passions and what it is like to serve as a commissioner. Don’t miss this episode of Tennessee WildCast! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

We have reached our 200th episode! This week, we invited back retired Director, Ed Carter, who was our first guest in 2016. In this episode, we will learn how retirement is going and reflect on his outstanding career. We would like to thank all our followers for tuning into the shows each week and we look forward to the next 200! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week we are coming to you from Caymas Boats in Ashland City, TN. Owner and long time supporter of the TWRA, Earl Bentz, graciously invited us to his plant to learn more about his company and all they have to offer. Mr. Bentz will share stories from his career in boat racing and boat manufacturing. He will also share about his time on the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission and role as a founding member of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. Don’t miss this episode of Tennessee WildCast! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

There are so many moving parts to an agency the size of TWRA. One department that might sometimes be overlooked is our Engineering crews. They do amazing work to provide sportsmen and women access to the outdoors. Today we meet up with crew member, Robert Hawkins, to talk about recent projects and learn more about the job. We will also visit with his son Eric Lowery to talk hunting and so much more. This is a great episode. Don’t miss it! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Tournament bass fishing is big in Tennessee. Over the past couple of years, youth bass fishing has exploded in Tennessee. This week, TWRA’s R3 Coordinator David Lowrie and Tournament Director for the Bassmaster College, High School and Junior Series, Hank Weldon joins us to break down youth fishing in Tennessee. We will learn how to start a team, become a mentor in the program and the impact it has on young sportsmen and women across the state. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week's episode covers mowing and food plot management. This time of year is prime nesting season and Wildlife Habitat Biologist, Clint Borum, joins us to discuss how mowing on your farm can impact wildlife. We will also learn what early successional cover is and why it is so important. Clint will explain how to manage and keep that early successional habitat, share his favorite perennial food plot mixture, explain the importance of food, water and cover, and how you can get help implementing good habitat practices on your property. Visit tnwildlife-habitat.com for a direct link to a list of biologists in your area. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This years Conservation Raffle is better than ever. You won’t believe what all you could win! For all the turkey hunters out there, the Turkey Hunt Package is one you will want to buy some chances for. This week World Champion Caller, turkey call designer, professional hunter and personal guide for this package, Preston Pittman, joins us to talk turkey hunting and what all you will get if you win this package. Preston is always a great interview and you will be amazed at his turkey calling abilities! Don’t miss it! To purchase raffle tickets visit www.raffle.twrf.net. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

The 2020-21 Hunting seasons are set and with that comes new regulations for Unit CWD. This week Chronic Wasting Disease Coordinator, Chuck Yoest, joins us to discuss the changes approved by the Commission. More counties were added to the unit, additional opportunities for Earn-A-Buck and replacement bucks, and mandatory physical check station requirements have been discontinued in the unit. Remember for all things CWD in Tennessee visit CWDinTN.com. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week on Tennessee WildCast, Turkey Program Coordinator, Roger Shields joins us to recap the 2020 spring turkey season. There were a lot of hunters in the field this year and a lot of birds harvested. Roger will share some numbers with us and how staff has adjusted during this pandemic to keep working for you and Tennessee wildlife. He will also update us on upcoming changes for the 2020/21 turkey seasons. Don’t miss it! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Join us this week as we learn about Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and how you can join the mission by purchasing a t-shirt and other cool gear. This bill would provide $1.3 billion per year for state fish and wildlife agencies, like TWRA, to help protect non-game species across the state. The Alliance For America’s Fish And Wildlife is helping lead this charge and they are partnering with all American’s to conserve our natural resources for future generations. We will hear from Sean Saville, Alliance Campaign Manager to get all the details. Also, our very own Pandy Upchurch, Assistant Chief of Biological Diversity, joins us to help us understand just how important this bill is for Tennessee. Learn more at @OurNatureUSA and purchase gear at RecoverWildlife.com. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

The 2020 Tennessee Conservation Raffle is live! Previously known as the Tennessee Elk Raffle, this year's Conservation Raffle hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF) offers seven priceless, outdoor experience packages that are better than ever. They include so much more than just an elk hunt. On this week's show, TWRF Development Director, Johnny Allred joins us to introduce each package. You don’t want to miss your chance to win. Visit raffle.twrf.net to purchase tickets. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

There is a new program available to teach both young and old the skills they need for a successful hunting or fishing trip. It’s the Hunting and Fishing Academy and it is hosted by our friends at the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. This week we will chat with Taylor Martin and he will tell us all about the program and how to get involved. We will also learn who the Federation is and their mission. Catch all this and so much right here on Tennessee WildCast! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week we bring you another episode about bears in Tennessee. Appalachian Bear Rescue Executive Director, Dana Dodd, and Curator, Coy Blair will be joining us. They will help us understand the mission of the ABR, what a day at the facility looks like, how they are funded and so much more. These guys do amazing work and are great at what they do. Check out ABR online at appalachianbearrescue.org and follow on Facebook @Appalachian Bear Rescue. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

It’s springtime and black bear activity is in high gear.  Sightings, nuisance calls and bear/human interactions are increasing and TWRA has recently taken reports of bears entering vehicles and even a home. With us today are statewide black bear coordinator Dan Gibbs and Sevier Co. Wildlife Officer David Sexton to discuss these issues and offer advice on how to help prevent them. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org