Tennessee Wildcast

There are so many moving parts to an agency the size of TWRA. One department that might sometimes be overlooked is our Engineering crews. They do amazing work to provide sportsmen and women access to the outdoors. Today we meet up with crew member, Robert Hawkins, to talk about recent projects and learn more about the job. We will also visit with his son Eric Lowery to talk hunting and so much more. This is a great episode. Don’t miss it! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Tournament bass fishing is big in Tennessee. Over the past couple of years, youth bass fishing has exploded in Tennessee. This week, TWRA’s R3 Coordinator David Lowrie and Tournament Director for the Bassmaster College, High School and Junior Series, Hank Weldon joins us to break down youth fishing in Tennessee. We will learn how to start a team, become a mentor in the program and the impact it has on young sportsmen and women across the state. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week's episode covers mowing and food plot management. This time of year is prime nesting season and Wildlife Habitat Biologist, Clint Borum, joins us to discuss how mowing on your farm can impact wildlife. We will also learn what early successional cover is and why it is so important. Clint will explain how to manage and keep that early successional habitat, share his favorite perennial food plot mixture, explain the importance of food, water and cover, and how you can get help implementing good habitat practices on your property. Visit tnwildlife-habitat.com for a direct link to a list of biologists in your area. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This years Conservation Raffle is better than ever. You won’t believe what all you could win! For all the turkey hunters out there, the Turkey Hunt Package is one you will want to buy some chances for. This week World Champion Caller, turkey call designer, professional hunter and personal guide for this package, Preston Pittman, joins us to talk turkey hunting and what all you will get if you win this package. Preston is always a great interview and you will be amazed at his turkey calling abilities! Don’t miss it! To purchase raffle tickets visit www.raffle.twrf.net. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

The 2020-21 Hunting seasons are set and with that comes new regulations for Unit CWD. This week Chronic Wasting Disease Coordinator, Chuck Yoest, joins us to discuss the changes approved by the Commission. More counties were added to the unit, additional opportunities for Earn-A-Buck and replacement bucks, and mandatory physical check station requirements have been discontinued in the unit. Remember for all things CWD in Tennessee visit CWDinTN.com. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week on Tennessee WildCast, Turkey Program Coordinator, Roger Shields joins us to recap the 2020 spring turkey season. There were a lot of hunters in the field this year and a lot of birds harvested. Roger will share some numbers with us and how staff has adjusted during this pandemic to keep working for you and Tennessee wildlife. He will also update us on upcoming changes for the 2020/21 turkey seasons. Don’t miss it! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Join us this week as we learn about Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and how you can join the mission by purchasing a t-shirt and other cool gear. This bill would provide $1.3 billion per year for state fish and wildlife agencies, like TWRA, to help protect non-game species across the state. The Alliance For America’s Fish And Wildlife is helping lead this charge and they are partnering with all American’s to conserve our natural resources for future generations. We will hear from Sean Saville, Alliance Campaign Manager to get all the details. Also, our very own Pandy Upchurch, Assistant Chief of Biological Diversity, joins us to help us understand just how important this bill is for Tennessee. Learn more at @OurNatureUSA and purchase gear at RecoverWildlife.com. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

The 2020 Tennessee Conservation Raffle is live! Previously known as the Tennessee Elk Raffle, this year's Conservation Raffle hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF) offers seven priceless, outdoor experience packages that are better than ever. They include so much more than just an elk hunt. On this week's show, TWRF Development Director, Johnny Allred joins us to introduce each package. You don’t want to miss your chance to win. Visit raffle.twrf.net to purchase tickets. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

There is a new program available to teach both young and old the skills they need for a successful hunting or fishing trip. It’s the Hunting and Fishing Academy and it is hosted by our friends at the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. This week we will chat with Taylor Martin and he will tell us all about the program and how to get involved. We will also learn who the Federation is and their mission. Catch all this and so much right here on Tennessee WildCast! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week we bring you another episode about bears in Tennessee. Appalachian Bear Rescue Executive Director, Dana Dodd, and Curator, Coy Blair will be joining us. They will help us understand the mission of the ABR, what a day at the facility looks like, how they are funded and so much more. These guys do amazing work and are great at what they do. Check out ABR online at appalachianbearrescue.org and follow on Facebook @Appalachian Bear Rescue. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

It’s springtime and black bear activity is in high gear.  Sightings, nuisance calls and bear/human interactions are increasing and TWRA has recently taken reports of bears entering vehicles and even a home. With us today are statewide black bear coordinator Dan Gibbs and Sevier Co. Wildlife Officer David Sexton to discuss these issues and offer advice on how to help prevent them. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week we meet up with Fisheries Creel Clerk, Paul Shaw, to learn about the synchronous firefly and the snappy sync. Paul’s fascination with these critters came about when he visited Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. His interest grew and he started researching other areas to see fireflies and learn more about them. We will also get a visit from Gerry Middleton, a retired TDEC consultant and biologist. Gerry will “fly” in unexpectedly and give an interesting demonstration of the mysterious firefly. You don’t want to miss it! All this and so much more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week we meet up with Logan White and Karl Klug from The Archery Den. These guys have a lot to share so don’t miss this show. We will chat about turkey hunting and the struggles of hunting the late season. Then we will learn about bow selection and being ready for the deer archery season. Of course, we will cover a little football and Titans too, since Karl is a former defensive end for the Tennessee Titans. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #titanup #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

We have made it to the halfway point of the 2020 turkey season. Is it getting harder to locate birds or get them to react to your call? We reached out to Kill and Eat TV host, Gabe Ledbetter, for a few mid-season tips and he agreed to share some of his secrets. TWRA Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Matt Cameron, joins us as well to talk about some of his struggles in the turkey woods this season. We hope this will help you finish out the season on a high note and fill the freezer. Let’s not forget the “Eat” part, Gabe also shares a few tips for cooking your harvest. All this and more on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week on Tennessee WildCast, Dr. David Aborn, Associate Professor of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science at UT Chattanooga and Captain Walter Cook, TWRA’s Captive Wildlife Coordinator join us and they have a lot of good info to share. We will be talking about birds in TN, migration and birdwatching, and injured and orphaned wildlife. What TWRA does and doesn’t do and where you can find help should you find wildlife in need. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Days are getting warmer and now is a great time to be fishing. Ian Huey joins us this week for another episode on bass fishing. We will cover how to find bass during the spring spawn, tips on the right baits and we will even dive into some crappie fishing. Don’t miss it! #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

COVID-19 has had a big impact on our state. Most everyone is trying to figure out how to work from home while taking care of family members, becoming school teachers and just trying to find a new normal. Well, this week on Tennessee WildCast we use ZOOM to talk with some of our Fisheries Biologists across the state. They have updates to share on how the Fisheries crews have adjusted to keep bringing you great fishing opportunities in Tennessee. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

Join us this week as we catch up with our new ANS Coordinator, Cole Harty. Cole joined the TWRA family recently and will be heading up everything surrounding Aquatic Nuisance Species or ANS. His main focus right now is Asian Carp. We will learn how they got here, problems associated with them and what steps we can take to help control the spread. All this right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org This show was previously recorded. The WildCast crew and everyone at TWRA are practicing social distancing at this time. We will continue to bring you relevant and up to date content each week. Look for some special remote shows in the near future and as always thanks for tuning in each week to Tennessee WildCast.

The TWRA Wildlife Officer dedicates so much to the people and wildlife of this great state. This week we are excited to visit with two officers who go above and beyond. Shawn Edgmon grew up in the outdoors and found his calling to be an officer at an early age as he watched his father in this role. Bill Moulton has served Tennessee for a while now and is about to call it a career. They will share some stories and we learn how things have changed over the years. All this right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org

This week on Tennessee WildCast we will meet up with Wildlife Forester, Luke Hadden, and Communication and Outreach Coordinator, Mime Barnes, at the Regional office in Crossville. Luke spends most of his time on TWRA's Catoosa Wildlife Management Area and sure knows his stuff. We will learn a little bit about him but then cut into the world of forestry. Luke will educate us on the job of a forester, talk about different habitat practices, and share with us some of the things happening on Catoosa WMA. All this and so much more right here on Tennessee WildCast. #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo www.tnwildlife.org