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Commission approves proclamation aligning hunting dates on several national wildlife refuges
Summary
The commission unanimously approved TWRA proclamation 25-11 to update hunting dates and some deer hunts on select national wildlife refuges, including changes at Hatches (Hatchee) Refuge.
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to approve proclamation 25-11, "Hunting seasons and bag limits on select national wildlife refuges and other federal areas," on Aug. 22, 2025.
Joe Benedict, chief of the wildlife and forestry division, told commissioners the proclamation updates dates for multiple national wildlife refuges to align seasons with the 2025–2027 calendar and includes three adjustments to deer hunts at the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge: adding an August hunt, adding a second gun deer hunt, and consolidating a single hunt for veterans as outlined in the agency packet.
Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the proclamation by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the public transcript. The changes were characterized as a partner request to align refuge-managed seasons with state schedules and to adjust the Hatchie deer hunts as requested by refuge managers.
The commission recorded two public comments (one for and one against) during other agenda items on naming, but on the refuge proclamation the committee recommendation was to pass 25-11 and the full commission followed that recommendation.
Votes at a glance: Proclamation 25-11 — motion approved by voice vote; tally not specified.
