Tennessee Wildcast

This week we will chat with Wildlife Diversity Coordinator Chris Simpson, while visiting the Hiwassee WMA. Chris’s focus is on the Cumberland Plateau where a lot of work is taking place. From eagles to bats, he knows a lot about that. Chris will fill us in on some of the great work he is a part of and we will also hear from two of the Hiwassee WMA Technicians. They work hard to make the WMA a great place to hunt, fish and watch wildlife. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife  #itswhatwedo

Today we are hanging out with Brandon Wear. He is the WMA manager on the South Cherokee and Tellico Lake WMAs. We will learn a little bit about Brandon and his history with the agency. He will fill us in on what he and his crew do to improve hunting and fishing on these properties. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife  #itswhatwedo

Tennessee WildCast is in Knoxville this week, live from Calhoun’s on the River. Fisheries biologists, John Hammonds and Shaun Ramsey, will join us to chat about fishing in East Tennessee. We will also cover the Bassmaster Classic, which is coming to Knoxville in just a few days. Thanks to Calhoun’s on the River for hosting us and thanks for tuning in. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

This week we will learn about a non-profit group called the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Maintaining access to public hunting and angling opportunities around the country is the group’s main objective, but Tennessee State Chair Joey Bell will fill us in on the efforts on a local level and how you can get involved. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.backcountryhunters.org www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Today we welcome our new Communication and Outreach Chief, Jenifer Wisniewski, to Tennessee. Jenifer is no stranger to the outdoors and comes to us from our friends at Georgia DNR where she served as the Communications Chief for a number of years. We are happy to have her on our team now and she bings a lot of great ideas and strengths to the table. Chris Anderson representing Pro Shop Partner the McEwen Group joins us as well with insight on land only purchases. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

This week we venture into the mountains and visit Tellico Fish Hatchery where will meet up with Hatchery Manager John Ellis and Regional Rivers & Stream Coordinator Travis Scott. Together they will bring us some of the history surrounding the hatchery, the species of trout raised here and the efforts taken to help improve trout fishing in the area. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. Thanks for tuning in. tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

We are live today at the Tennessee Boat and Fish Expo in Wilson County. Join us in Humphreys County’s booth while we chat with Karin Landers from VisitHumphreys.com. They will be around all weekend so come say hi. Jeff Smith from Trout Magnet and Crappie Guide, Mark Travis will also join us to chat about their products, services and crappie fishing in Tennessee. tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Our Tennessee Hunter Education instructors are very special individuals. The Hunter Education Program would not be as successful today without the time sacrifice, extensive knowledge and expertise of our instructors. We are happy to have one of our top instructors, John Torchick, and Hunter Education Coordinator & Officer, Matt Clarey, with us today. Together they will help us understand what it takes to become a volunteer instructor, what all goes into holding a class and how you can join this team of true Tennessee Volunteers. Special thanks to the Highland Sportsman’s Club for hosting us. Club member and Hunter Education Instructor, Keith Watson, will share information and history on the club. All this and more will be covered right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Days are getting colder in Tennessee but things are heating up at the TWRA. Today we have a smorgasbord of topics to cover with you today. Chronic Wasting Disease Coordinator, Chuck Yoest, will join us with a quick update on the the current CWD findings and how sportsmen can continue to help. We have about two months left in the winter trout stocking season and will highlight those remaining opportunities. Lastly we will get the details on annual magazine calendar contest and the updates of TWRA ’s On The Go mobile app. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

From the mighty Mississippi to the streams of upper East Tennessee, we are blessed with great fishing across Tennessee. Today we are going to focus our attention on the Cumberland Plateau. Region 3 Fisheries Biologist, Will Collier will update us on winter trout stockings, educate us on the stocking efforts & surveys of the TWRA and remind us about an awesome fish to go after, the Muskie, which attracts a lot of folk to Tennessee this time of year! All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

The western pygmy rattlesnake is Tennessee’s smallest and least know venomous snake in Tennessee. Western pygmy rattlesnakes are listed as threatened by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, considered rare to very rare and imperiled by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. These snakes are found in a narrow range of habitat following the Tennessee River in west Tennessee. Tennessee State University graduate student Shawn Snider is studying these snakes because very little is know about this species, and they are not very abundant in Tennessee. Learn about this study and more on this episode of Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Join us today as we talk with David Hanni, Bird Conservation Coordinator, and Nancy Williams with the Cherokee Removal Memorial. There is so much going on around the Hiwassee Refuge. We will learn about the upcoming Sandhill Crane Festival , work happening in the world of birds and history surrounding the Cherokee Removal Memorial. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Asian Carp have been on our radar for more than 20 years. Most of these fish are found in the Mississippi River and other parts of West Tennessee. The week we are highlighting the Asian Carp Harvest Incentive Program (ACHIP) developed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. This program provides commercial fisherman with TWRA-supplied gillnets and a higher rate of return to hopefully slow the spread of this fish in Tennessee waters. ACHIP was implemented on Sept. 18, 2018 and has reimbursed ACHIP-contracted wholesale fish dealers for 262,333 pounds of Asian carp.  www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Chronic Wasting Disease has been confirmed in two counties in west Tennessee. Today on Tennessee WildCast we will be discussing the next steps in managing this disease. We will be joined by Joe Benedict, Chief of Wildlife and Dr. Dan Grove, Wildlife Veterinarian, University of Tennessee Extension. They will fill us in on the steps taken by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, help us learn more about what we have found and what happens moving forward. CWDinTennessee.com #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Today we will visit with Wildlife Habitat Biologist Clint Borum to learn about the job of a wildlife biologist and how they assist landowners with land improvements for wildlife. Clint serves 26 counties in Middle TN and has also work closely with this weeks Pro Shop Partner, The McEwen Group. We have a lot to discuss this week so stay tuned and thanks for tuning in. To learn more about private land management visit tnwildlife.org. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

Today we are on location in Fall Creek Falls State Park for the Jim Hall Hunt For Warriors. This hunt is a great partnership between the TWRA and many other partners. We will be talking with our very own Ben Layton and Hero Hunt Inc. President, Joe Towers. This hunt provides Men of Service an opportunity to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. We will cover all the details right here on Tennessee WildCast. Thanks for watching.  #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo  tnwildlife.org

Today we are talking all things waterfowl with Statewide Waterfowl Coordinator Jamie Feddersen. The season is in “full choke” and we are excited about this weekend. For all things waterfowl visit tnwildlife.org. #tnwildlife

This week we welcome Pro Bass Angler Michael Neal in to talk about his new tour and support efforts with the TWRA. Michael has been helping our fisheries division get the word out about Aquatic Nuisance Species, like Asian Carp, and how we can help stop the spread. Fisheries Chief Frank Fiss will also join us to offer up a little insight on the step the Agency is taking to try and slow the movement and spread of Asian Carp. For more info and the latest on ANS visit www.tnwildlife.org. #tnwildlife

Deer season is in full swing and we have TWRA’s Lead Deer Biologist, James Kelly, joining us today to discuss the upcoming rifle season and also TWRA’s efforts in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling and research. We have crews out each week sampling and folks working around the clock learning all they can about this disease. We are developing plans and procedures just in case we detect this disease here in Tennessee. We want to keep Tennessee CWD Free. You can help by following the cervid importation restriction. Remember to check you Hunting Guide online at www.tnwildlife.org for the latest information. #tnwildlife

The Winter Trout stockings are in full swing and we are excited about the opportunities available to Tennessee sportsmen and women. Today we will here from River and Stream Coordinator, Brandon Simcox. He has been updating the schedule and resources on our website to make it easier for you to keep up with the stocking schedule. David Daniel from Humphreys County will also be with us to fill us in the happening around his neck of the woods. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife