TWRA wildlife committee backs big-game seasons; debate over straight‑wall cartridges and turkey start date continues

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wildlife committee voted April 16 to refer the agency's recommendation for statewide big‑game hunting seasons and bag limits (Proclamation 25‑03) to the full commission, after more than an hour of staff presentation, public comment and commissioner Q&A.

Agency staff told the committee they are not proposing substantive changes to the current season structure for deer, turkey, elk or bear. Assistant Chief of Wildlife Mark McBride said the agency's recommendation keeps the spring turkey opener on the second Saturday in April and retains the existing archery, muzzleloader and gun season structure for deer and elk. "When you all vote on this proclamation, we're not going to present this in a separate slide, but you will also be voting to add fluorescent, the allowance of fluorescent pink as suitable to wear in addition to fluorescent orange," McBride told the commission.

The recommendation reflects months of staff work and public input; McBride told commissioners the agency received 384 online comments and 24 emails during the formal comment period and another roughly 40 emails since the period closed. He said the agency reviewed every comment and summarized major themes for commissioners.

Why it matters: Proclamation 25‑03 sets the multi‑species framework that governs spring turkey seasons, deer season structure and bag limits, elk zone access and bear season timing statewide. Changes to those proclamations affect hunting calendars, youth hunts and disease‑management tools such as CWD testing and county‑level antlerless rules.

Key details and public comment

- Turkey: The agency recommended keeping the season opening on the second Saturday in April (the schedule adopted last year). McBride said the later start was adopted earlier based on research suggesting benefits to nest success, and that research findings are mixed. Commissioners debated reversing to the prior recommendation (the Saturday closest to April 7). Commissioner Rhonda Moody moved an amendment to return to the Saturday closest to April 7; the amendment received a second but failed in a roll‑call in committee. Commissioner Ford Little spoke in favor of the agency compromise, saying the Saturday closest to April 7 balances traditional hunter expectations and biological uncertainty while preserving youth hunt timing.

- Deer: The agency recommended retaining the current archery/muzzleloader/gun structure and a statewide buck bag limit of two. McBride reiterated that county‑level CWD rules remain in effect: in counties with a CWD detection (18 counties were identified in the presentation), an "earn‑a‑buck" requirement applies and hunters who submit antlerless deer for testing may be eligible to take an additional buck. President's Island was discussed after a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) detection in a 3½‑year‑old buck; McBride said the agency is not recommending regulation changes for President's Island at this time and has tested 68 deer from that property since 02/2019, with prevalence described as "extremely low," but will continue intensive monitoring.

- Straight‑wall cartridges: Multiple public commenters urged the commission to allow defined straight‑wall cartridges during muzzleloader season on private lands or during the muzzleloader segment. Bill Cooksey, partnership program director for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, said his board "unanimously approved a resolution in 2018" to study the policy and that their recent survey (519 respondents) showed broad support: Cooksey reported "77.8 percent support allowing, single wall or straight wall cartridges during muzzleloader" season and said many respondents indicated they would participate if allowed. James Petrie and Ryan Bailey also testified in favor, arguing the change would lower barriers for returning or older hunters. Agency staff described solid division among stakeholders and noted that other states' experiences (Mississippi, Louisiana) show the initial allowances often broaden over time and can supplant muzzleloader use.

- Elk and bear: Staff proposed a minor boundary change to one elk zone (removing a 3,800‑acre right‑of‑way that sold) and a modest shift in some bear hunt days in Zone 2 (Sevier County/Gatlinburg area) from December into October to increase opportunities when bears are more active. Staff emphasized that hunting is not the sole solution to human–bear conflicts and said garbage and attractant management remain critical.

Committee action and next steps

- The wildlife committee moved to adopt the agency recommendation and, after the failed amendment to change the turkey opener, voted by voice to refer Proclamation 25‑03 to the full commission for final action the following day.

- Several commissioners asked staff for additional information ahead of the full‑board vote, including a clearer summary of public comments on straight‑wall cartridges and data about juvenile turkey harvest rates.

Quotations

"When you all vote on this proclamation, we're not going to present this in a separate slide, but you will also be voting to add fluorescent, the allowance of fluorescent pink as suitable to wear in addition to fluorescent orange," Assistant Chief Mark McBride said.

"Our board of directors unanimously approved a resolution in 2018 instructing us to take a look at possibly introducing straight walled cartridges into the muzzleloader season in Tennessee," Bill Cooksey of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation said during public comment.

"Allowing private landowners to hunt with straight walled cartridge farms following a conclusion of archery season represents a balanced responsible policy shift," James Petrie told commissioners.

Ending

Proclamation 25‑03 will be considered by the full TWRA commission at its next session. The committee record shows a divided public and commission on firearm authorizations and a narrowly split view on turkey season timing; staff said they will provide additional documentation of public comment and CWD surveillance to inform the full commission vote.