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Commission rejects wildlife‑committee amendment and keeps strict Cheatham Lake rest‑day closure
Summary
After debate about disturbance and blind access, the commission voted to reject a wildlife‑committee amendment that would have allowed public access from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Cheatham Lake rest days and reverted to the agency recommendation to prohibit all activity in the impoundment on those days.
The Tennessee Wildlife Commission on Thursday rejected a wildlife‑committee amendment that would have allowed limited public access to Cheatham Lake during waterfowl rest days, instead adopting the agency’s recommendation to prohibit activity in the lake’s impoundments on designated closed days.
Background and agency position - TWRA proposed language to prohibit all activities in the Cheatham Lake impoundments during duck rest days (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays) to prevent disturbance that could reduce hunter success on open days. The agency said other waterfowl WMAs statewide already prohibit activity on rest days and recommended consistency.
Wildlife committee amendment and debate - The wildlife committee had amended the proclamation to allow public access from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on rest days, an exception sought by a small group of blind permit holders and local users who said short access windows would reduce theft and allow equipment checks. Commissioners questioned how many blind permit holders the amendment represented and noted that Cheatham has 35 blinds. - TWRA staff warned that allowing a timed access window could lead to broader requests across the state and might undermine intended rest‑day benefits. The agency signaled concern that limited access periods with multiple people coming in and out could be functionally equivalent to extending hunting pressure.
Commission action and commitments - Commissioner Butch moved (motion to reject the committee amendment) and Commissioner Jones seconded; the commission voted to reject the amendment and reverted to the agency’s suggested closure language. The full proclamation (25-07) was then approved by voice vote with the agency language in place. - TWRA committed to additional on‑the‑ground steps: more signage, manager attention and enforcement to address local concerns about theft, disturbance and user confusion.
Why it matters: Rest days are intended to provide undisturbed recovery time for waterfowl and preserve hunter opportunity. The commission’s choice preserves a strict closure on rest days at Cheatham Lake to be consistent with other waterfowl WMAs, while agency staff will pursue signage and management actions to alleviate local equipment and disturbance concerns.
