TWRA recommends new public hunting areas and updates WMA rules; committee adds limited access on closed waterfowl days

The TWRA wildlife committee on April 16 recommended several new public hunting areas and adjustments to Wildlife Management Area (WMA) rules, and it added a narrowly drawn amendment to allow limited access during specified off‑days at certain waterfowl impoundments after public comment.

New public hunting areas

- Proclamation 25‑05: Scotts Gulf Centennial State Park Public Hunting Area (approximately 6,500 acres bordering Bridgestone Firestone WMA in White and Van Buren counties). Assistant Chief Wally Akins presented the recommendation; the committee voted to refer the proclamation to the full commission.

- Proclamation 25‑06: Wolf River State Forest Public Hunting Area (about 5,500 acres in Fayette County, formerly part of Ames Plantation). The committee recommended referring the proclamation to the full commission.

WMA proclamation changes and public comment

Assistant Chief Wally Akins reviewed a set of statewide and site‑level WMA regulation changes compiled since the March preview. Proposed statewide clarifications included adding "fluorescent pink" as acceptable hunter apparel (consistent with state statute) and a uniform requirement that small‑game hunters wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink while big‑game seasons are occurring. Staff also proposed a visibility requirement for hunters hunting from blinds.

Region‑level changes covered dozens of site‑specific adjustments. Staff told the committee they had received 44 comments on statewide WMA rules and 56 comments about individual WMAs. The Cheatham Lake recommendation drew multiple public speakers. Cheatham Lake hunters said the proposal to prohibit "all activities" on non‑hunting days would prevent routine access to check equipment such as generators and ice aerators and that signage and enforcement were inconsistent. Ron Carrier and Brad Carrier, both speaking for Cheatham Lake hunters, asked the commission to retain practical access for gear checks. Wally Akins said the proposal was intended to limit disturbance to waterfowl from non‑hunting public use on the refuge's off‑days.

Amendment: limited access on closed waterfowl days

After public comment and commissioner discussion, Commissioner Bill Box moved to amend the WMA proclamation to allow limited access on the previously closed non‑hunting days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for purpose of checking equipment and blinds; Commissioner Steve Jones seconded. The wildlife committee approved the amendment and then voted to refer the amended Proclamation 25‑07 (WMA regulations and hunting areas) to the full commission.

Other items

- Fall Creek Falls: staff described partner requests to adjust quota archery hunts and to manage certain dog training periods.

- Otis Mills (North Cumberland): staff recommended increasing acreage and establishing quota archery hunts with a modest quota to manage for larger deer.

Ending

Proclamation 25‑05, 25‑06 and amended 25‑07 were recommended to the full commission for final action. Staff said it will provide a written rationale and implementation detail on the Cheatham Lake access change before the full commission meets.