Tennessee Wildcast

This week, Turkey Program Coordinator, Roger Shields and University of Tennessee Ph.D. Student, Lindsey Phillips brings us an update on the Middle TN Turkey Study. A lot has been accomplished in the last 3 years and they have learned so much. Lindsey will give us an inside look at some of the progress. We will learn about the processes of the study and some of the struggles they face while collecting data. Learn all this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

For some, it may be hard to believe how much is accomplished at the Tellico Fish Hatchery. This facility has been in operation for decades, providing quality angling for the sportsmen and women of Tennessee. It has a small crew, but they do amazing work producing and providing fish for anglers to catch on many different streams across the state. Learn about this hatchery and so much more, right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week, Jamie Feddersen, the TWRA Waterfowl Program Coordinator, joins us to discuss ducks in Tennessee. He will give us some updates on how bird populations are looking for this season. He will also be introducing a new joint mallard study with Tennessee Tech University. PhD students are capturing mallards in West Tennessee and placing GPS backpacks on them to track and better understand movements and habitat preferences of these birds in Tennessee and elsewhere.  We are excited about what this data will tell us moving forward. Hunters, If you harvest a bird with a backpack please contact the research team using the contact info on the transmitter. These transmitters can be redeployed and they want them back. The team will be happy to make a map of the harvested bird's movements and give you a replica transmitter for your mount or for those hunters who might want it as a keepsake. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Partners are very important when it comes to managing fish and wildlife in our great state. There are many times the TWRA needs assistance from other groups, like the Tennessee Valley Authority, to help fund programs and improvement projects through grants. Today we are visiting with TWRA Fisheries Program Manager Mark Thurman and TVA Water Resource Specialist Shannon O’Quinn at the Tellico Trout Hatchery to learn about a grant we recently received from TVA to improve trout production, specifically our Native Brook Trout. You don’t want to miss this episode of Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

From the top of Rocky Top to the mighty Mississippi River, Tennessee has it all. This week we invite TWRA’s Pandy Upchurch to breakdown the unbelievable biodiversity of Tennessee. We will learn about snakes, mussels, bats and so much more right here on Tennessee WildCast. Don’t miss it! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

In this episode, we explore an amazing salamander know as the Hellbender. The Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative (SEHCI) is a collaboration between Defenders of Wildlife, NRCS, The Nashville Zoo, and other conservation partners to support farmers using conservation practices on their lands that help restore hellbender habitat. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working to address recovery of the hellbender in three states: North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Priority watersheds have been identified in a 35-county range of the Upper Cumberland, the Lower Tennessee system, and the western watersheds of North Carolina.  These priority counties are home to some of the last known existing hellbender populations in these systems. Learn about this program and how the TWRA, SEHCI, and The Nashville Zoo team up to work with this amazing animal. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week we are coming to you once again from the Crossville Shooting Sports Park. Shooting Sports Park President, Kenny Carey, will bring us up to speed on all that folks can expect when visiting the park. We will also be chatting with shooters Carey Garrison and Gavin Threet. They have competed on many levels including Junior Olympics, All-State Rifle Teams and All-State Pistol Teams. Carey and Gavin are great young men and fun to talk with. Don’t miss this episode of #TennesseeWildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

When we think of the “TWRA Greats”, Jack Murrey is always at the top of the list. Jack dedicated over 30 years of his life to wild turkeys in #Tennessee. He was instrumental in restocking more than 10,000 wild turkeys and returning the thunderous gobble of the wild #turkey for Tennessee’s #outdoor enthusiasts. Join us this week as we meet up with Jack’s son, Sam Murrey, and dive into some of that history and learn what it was like going up in the Murrey home. Sam followed in his father's footsteps and now serves as a Wildlife Manager at Bartlett Range. You don’t want to miss the #TennesseeWildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

When we met up with Chris Ogle a few weeks ago, Matt and I had no idea we were speaking with the future TWRA Wildlife Biologist of the Year! This week we will explore some of the non-game and endangered species we have in Tennessee. Chris knows so much about these critters and works hard managing these species so they can be enjoyed by future generations. From bats to snake to green salamanders, you don’t want to miss this episode of #TennesseeWildCast! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

You may have seen her viral video parody of, “All About That Bass”

Today we visit with Commissioner Brian McLerran and his daughter Ella. Ella will give us an inside look at what it takes to be a #championship shooter and juggle everything else that’s happening in her life. Commissioner McLerran has been by Ella’s side as a coach, father, and cheerleader. He is very proud of her accomplishments. Brian will share his excitement for the #shootingsports and also tell us what it is like to be a Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. All this and more right here on #TennesseeWildCast. #tnwildlife

Live from “It’s All About Me”, Admiral Greg Boles invites us abroad for a look inside the #VOLNavy. Don’t miss this episode as we go #sailgating with the Admiral and Boating Officer Jeff Webb to learn how the #TWRA is a crucial part of a Tennessee Football weekend. #tnwildlife #govols

The Crossville Shooting Sports Park, located just north of I-40 on Albert Frye Road, is now OPEN. This shooting park was a joint effort between the #TWRA and the #CrossvilleShootingSportsPark, a nonprofit organization promoting shooting sports for all ages. Join us this week as we visit the park and chat with Cumberland County Mayor, Kenneth Carey, and Regional Captain, Matt Clarey, TWRA Hunter Education and Boating Safety Coordinator. They both played an important part in this project and are passionate about introducing folks to the shooting sports. Park hours of operations, range fees and more information can be found Crossville Shooting Sports Park. Thanks for tuning in!

You don’t want to miss this one! This week we are visiting the Jackson Kayak plant in Sparta Tennessee to meet Jaeger and his master Damon Bungard, Product and Brand Manager for Jackson Kayak, Orion Coolers and Kennels. Barrett (Jaeger) vom Mountain Creek is a 'teckel’, a hunting dachshund, trained to assist in the ethical recovery of big game. Damon and Jaeger are always on an adventure and have many stories to tell. Hear those stories, learn about Damon's passion for the outdoors and the training and preparation this team goes through to track big game. #tnwildlife #gooutdoorstennessee

With #deer season quickly approaching, the #TWRA wants you to be in the know about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). A new unit, Unit CWD, is in place this year and it has some special regulations and additional harvest opportunities. We will be chatting with Jeremy Dennison, Regional Deer Biologist, and Daniel Stanfield, Regional Biodiversity Manager, to review the new #CWD regulations for Unit CWD. These guys, along with everyone at the TWRA, are working hard to contain this disease and we do not want it to spread. Watch this week’s #WildCast to learn everything you need to know before hunting in Unit CWD. #tnwildlife #FightCWD

Tune in this week as we chat with Dr. Books Tiller about Nature Deficit Disorder, learn about some of his outdoor adventures and get tips on being physically ready for the upcoming deer season. Dr. Tiller combines faith in God, outdoor survival and hunting wisdom passed down for generations, along with his expertise in human movement, medical knowledge of the human body, and a champion’s mindset to help men become the full real man that God needs them to be. To dig deep and help each man find their true self and live out their purpose! Dr. Brooks Tiller has not only trained and rehabbed athletes of the highest caliber but is himself a competitive athlete. Brooks has been blessed to be sought out and work with Olympic medal winners, World Series Champs, MVP’s, NFL Pro-Bowl players, CrossFit champions, and American Ninja Warrior elite. He has also be known to hang out around the circus. Find out what that is all about right here, this week on Tennessee Wildcast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo #PassItOn

Songwriter and #CountryMusic Superstar Bryan White joins us for this episode of #TennesseeWildCast. Bryan is known for some of his hits like, “God Gave Me You”, “Someone Else’s Star”, and duet with Shania Twain titled “From This Moment On”. He loves music but he also loves the outdoors. Bryan has a cool new contest call Tennessee Giants that will be happening this year and has also started an online community to connect people and share the passion of the outdoors. Also joining us is Johnny Allred, Development Director for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. Johnny and Bryan have hunted together for many years and have some stories to share! Don’t miss this interview and be sure to visit tnoutdoorcommunity.com for all the details from todays show. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

MeatEater personality and Director of Conservation, Ryan Callaghan “Cal”, joins us this week to chat about conservation, hunting, fishing and so much more. We will hear stories from MeatEater, learn about his new podcast “Cal’s Week In Review” and chat about his recent visit to Tennessee to learn about the problems we are facing with Asian Carp. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo #meateater

Lynne McCoy is a hero to both #wildlife and the wildlife professional. Lynne cares for wildlife like none other and it shows in her knowledge and enthusiasm. Join us this week as we learn about and meet a few special critters Lynne has helped along the way. Wildlife rehabilitators, like Lynne, are invaluable by giving #TWRA and the public a place to take sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals for a second chance. If you would like to help Lynne in anyway, you can reach her on Facebook @Lynne McCoy. To find a rehabilitator near you visit https://www.tn.gov/twra/law-enforcement#rehabilitators. Thanks for tuning in! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

What is Meet The Mountains? This free festival serves as an annual coming together of Northeast Tennessee's outdoor recreation community. It’s a one-stop shop to experience all of our region’s outdoor opportunities. By increasing awareness of our natural assets and encouraging residents to live healthy lifestyles, the Meet the Mountains Committee hopes this festival increases opportunities for growth of our outdoor recreation economy. The committee invites you to come be a part of making a positive impact in our region by participating in some or all of the activities bundled together for this event. Their mission is to enrich the region’s quality of life, health, and well-being by increasing awareness and use of our outdoor recreation resources. The TWRA will have a booth at the festival. Make sure to stop by to chat and take aim in our shooting booths. We are happy to have Kayla Carter with us this week to chat about the festival and partner organization, like guest Jonathan Simerly’s with The Backcountry