Originally Posted By: Beekeeper
I don't trust the legislature on this. I believe they will try to make major changes to the TWRC and TWRA. Look for the deer farming bill to resurface after the changes are made. Also look for the legislature to take more of an active hand in the management of the TWRA and their budget.

We shouldn't let this happen if there is any way we can stop it.


I totally agree that we need to continue watching this situation and any related moves to interfere with the Agency's legitimate operations. My approach at this point in the game has been to email the Speaker and (1) thank her for her promise to extend the TWRC in January 2012 - she deserves a thank you for the public promise; (2) casually mention that this fiasco should not have happened in the first place and it upset a lot of us - and we sure want to see her promise put into action; (3) ask her to take steps to avert future fiascoes of this nature and to improve the committees' memberships for those that deal with the Agency by replacing a few less productive, less objective members with some who are objective and sincerely want to improve the Agency's conservation efforts.

Look, the majority of these Legislators do try to do the right thing most of the time, even tho we hate to admit it! They have a really tough job; one I certainly would not want. Working with them outside of the Sessions is very important, IMO - there's just so much going on during a Session that it's hard to do more than have a quick conversation on any topic, and we're just another part of all the "noise" surrounding them.

When they do what's right, then thank 'em for it, just like we let'em know when they're off-base. A little "love" could go a long way in bringing them more to our side and away from those few who continue to harbor vendettas against the Agency. And, quite frankly, I think there is room for improving communications between the Agency, Commission, and Legislature with some mutual giving in and legitimate effort on all sides.

Finally, there are two threads dealing with this same subject: this one and Ruger's "Any one that hunts in TN needs to read this." I suggest we continue this topic under Ruger's thread to consolidate and continue discussions.
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"What is man without the beasts? For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected." (Chief Seattle)