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TWRA proposes Wolf River, Scotts Gulf hunting areas and WMA rule changes; cites safety and consistency goals
Summary
The commission heard proposed proclamations to add two public hunting areas and multiple Wildlife Management Area (WMA) rule changes aimed at safety, consistency and reduced complexity; staff highlighted a safety problem at Gin Creek and recommended temporary limits.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency proposed new public hunting areas and a set of Wildlife Management Area rule changes at Thursday’s Tennessee Wildlife Commission meeting, citing public-safety concerns, a desire for consistent regulations and partner requests.
Assistant Chief for Habitat Wally Akins told commissioners the agency proposes two new public hunting areas: Wolf River State Forest in Fayette County (about 5,500 acres) and Scotts Gulf Centennial State Park on the Van Buren/White County line (about 6,500 acres). For each area, staff recommended aligning hunting rules with adjacent WMAs and noted partner requests such as quota turkey hunts and limits on dog training or safety buffer zones near trails.
Why it matters: WMA proclamations determine public access, permitted activities, season dates and local safety rules. Changes can affect hunter opportunity and public use in specific counties.
Notable WMA proposals and safety items - Wolf River State Forest (Fayette County): proposed to align seasons with Wolf River WMA, open small‑game, big‑game and trapping seasons with exceptions (no fall turkey season) and offer quota spring turkey hunts (1,500 quota per week across multiple hunts). - Scotts Gulf Centennial State Park (Van Buren/White Counties): staff recommended aligning rules with Bridgestone‑Firestone WMA; partner requests included no dog training and a 100‑foot safety zone around popular trails and viewing areas. - Gin Creek (Region 1): staff described severe overcrowding at a 1/3‑acre boat ramp during late waterfowl segments, reports of vehicles blocking access and at least one hunting injury; TWRA recommended disallowing temporary, boat‑in hunting access on the first two days of each late‑season segment while preserving tiered blind holders’ access, and excluding youth and veteran hunts from the restriction. - Other clarifications proposed included aligning refuge and WMA rules, restricting dog‑training seasons in select WMAs to protect ground‑nesting birds, and clarifying quota schedules to coincide with statewide gun openers.
Public comment and next steps - Akins reminded the commission that the public comment period opened at the meeting and runs through April; the agency provided web and form links for written input. Final proclamations will be included in the packet for the April meeting, with proposed edits shown in red line format.
Ending - Commissioners asked procedural questions (for example, how to reclassify small or remote WMAs to public hunting areas), and staff said they would follow up with legal counsel and include details in the April packet.
