BOYCOTT the TWRA

[Safari Hunt]

Yep, I mean it. Stay legal, but any support for the TWRA should be stopped in any way possible. They have never really done anything conservation wise.
There are barely any food plots anywhere, our fisheries are being destroyed every single day year round and state wide. You can call, take pictures and videos, report violations, etc. and every single day fish laws are being broken, mainly people keeping every single fish they catch.

This duck hunting proposal is just plain stupid.

I think politicians are horrible, but maybe it is time things are changed in the state of Tennessee. I think we are the only state in the country, there may be one or two others, that the conservation laws are setup how they are.

Interesting. How many city law officers are in your county? How many deputies are in the county? How many TWRA officers are there in your county? I have worked with TWRA for almost 21 years. Hard to be in 18 places at one time. Triple the license fees to pay for extra officers? You can hunt or fish. Just don't buy a license. TWRA is 100% self-funded and gets nothing from the general funds of the state. Politicians have nothing to do with game laws, it is wholly in the hands of the commission. Watch the website and you will see the commission meeting listed plus you can respond by email or letter or phone call. Meetings are open to the public.

 

[Hduke86]

I understand the frustrations and both sides of the argument but it's the COMMISSION or "COMMISSIONER" that are pulling the strings. Let's go back to the heated turkey debate that just happen not so long ago that set the season limits and crazy zones for the "study". When it was finally said and done WHO did the voting. I'll tell ya it surely wasn't THE TWRA it was the COMMISSION. I honestly wished it wouldn't be THEIR choice but rather put it out there for a vote and how dare me use common sense but not THEIR vote but a PUBLIC VOTE about PUBLIC LAND. Just like in everyday life police officers or in this case twra agents/officers don't make the rules and regulations they swear to UPHOLD the laws and regulations that are set. I do think this is going to be a cluster as I have dubbed this PROJECT CLUSTER DUCK but the heat should be on the commissioners not your twra or your local wildlife officers

 

[RUGER]

I do think this is going to be a cluster as I have dubbed this PROJECT CLUSTER DUCK but the heat should be on the commissioners not your twra or your local wildlife officers

Yep.

 

[scn]

That has always been the "benefit" of TWRA.
I am convinced that the politicians that would be involved are not any worse than what we have now.
I have seen it several times over the years where a single commissioner had laws changed for their own benefit or the benefit of someone in their family.

White deer
Lock V
Blind grab

Just another notch in their belt.

The albino deer (white deer) was changed by statute by a legislator and not the Commission.

The other two fit.

 

[RUGER]

The albino deer (white deer) was changed by statute by a legislator and not the Commission.

The other two fit.

That's right I remember now. I was thinking it was a commissioners wife, but I remember it was the legislator's wife.
Thanks.

 

[CBU93]

That's right I remember now. I was thinking it was a commissioners wife, but I remember it was the legislator's wife.
Thanks.

So if the argument against the general fund $$ is that it keeps politics out of game management, how did this happen?

 

[scn]

So if the argument against the general fund $$ is that it keeps politics out of game management, how did this happen?

The answer to your question goes back decades to the TN Game and Fish Commission and later TWRA. Concerned sportsmen largely affiliated with the TN Conservation League (now TN Wildlife Federation) had seen how leaving laws and seasons to politicians was detrimental to modern wildlife management. They lobbied for a system where the Commission set the seasons and bag limits. And, at the same time, they set it up that the Agency would be self funded through license fees and applicable federal aid monies.

And, as a whole, it has been wildly successful. If you have lived through the decades of having almost no deer and turkey in this state to where we are now, you would greatly understand the benefit of this system.

From my observations on what happens in other states where politics take the forefront on most major decisions for those wildlife agencies, I have ZERO doubt that the TCL was on the money.

Is the current system perfect? No. But, I can about guarantee that you won't like the result of it being changed back to where politicians control the purse strings and make all of the decisions.

 

[BigRed1080]

All Commissioners are appointed. Most are appointed by the Governor. A few are appointed by the TN Speaker of the House and Speaker of the Senate.

Thanks for the explanation. Do they have a term like the governor, or are they until the next governor appoints someone else?

 

[scn]

Check out my post in the TWRA section for how the Commissioners are appointed.

 

[CBU93]

The answer to your question goes back decades to the TN Game and Fish Commission and later TWRA. Concerned sportsmen largely affiliated with the TN Conservation League (now TN Wildlife Federation) had seen how leaving laws and seasons to politicians was detrimental to modern wildlife management. They lobbied for a system where the Commission set the seasons and bag limits. And, at the same time, they set it up that the Agency would be self funded through license fees and applicable federal aid monies.

And, as a whole, it has been wildly successful. If you have lived through the decades of having almost no deer and turkey in this state to where we are now, you would greatly understand the benefit of this system.

From my observations on what happens in other states where politics take the forefront on most major decisions for those wildlife agencies, I have ZERO doubt that the TCL was on the money.

Is the current system perfect? No. But, I can about guarantee that you won't like the result of it being changed back to where politicians control the purse strings and make all of the decisions.

SCN, I appreciate your answers here and the benefit of your experience. I can also respect your stance on many topics. And after several online discussions, I suspect you of all people know my stance, no need to restate it....obviously, I disagree.

 

[WilcoKen]

The answer to your question goes back decades to the TN Game and Fish Commission and later TWRA. Concerned sportsmen largely affiliated with the TN Conservation League (now TN Wildlife Federation) had seen how leaving laws and seasons to politicians was detrimental to modern wildlife management. They lobbied for a system where the Commission set the seasons and bag limits. And, at the same time, they set it up that the Agency would be self funded through license fees and applicable federal aid monies.

And, as a whole, it has been wildly successful. If you have lived through the decades of having almost no deer and turkey in this state to where we are now, you would greatly understand the benefit of this system.

From my observations on what happens in other states where politics take the forefront on most major decisions for those wildlife agencies, I have ZERO doubt that the TCL was on the money.

Is the current system perfect? No. But, I can about guarantee that you won't like the result of it being changed back to where politicians control the purse strings and make all of the decisions.

I don't think politicians are right for the task at hand in any way shape or form. But in this case it also doesn't look like the commission or the agency is doing much better. I put it out there yesterday in a reply—would privatization of waterfowl management and WMAs be a better option? The current situation does beg the question. Look at prisons and healthcare as examples.

 

[WilcoKen]

The answer to your question goes back decades to the TN Game and Fish Commission and later TWRA. Concerned sportsmen largely affiliated with the TN Conservation League (now TN Wildlife Federation) had seen how leaving laws and seasons to politicians was detrimental to modern wildlife management. They lobbied for a system where the Commission set the seasons and bag limits. And, at the same time, they set it up that the Agency would be self funded through license fees and applicable federal aid monies.

And, as a whole, it has been wildly successful. If you have lived through the decades of having almost no deer and turkey in this state to where we are now, you would greatly understand the benefit of this system.

From my observations on what happens in other states where politics take the forefront on most major decisions for those wildlife agencies, I have ZERO doubt that the TCL was on the money.

Is the current system perfect? No. But, I can about guarantee that you won't like the result of it being changed back to where politicians control the purse strings and make all of the decisions.

I don't think politicians are right for the task at hand in any way shape or form. But in this case it also doesn't look like the commission or the agency is doing much better. I put it out there yesterday in a reply—would privatization of waterfowl management and WMAs be a better option? The current situation does beg the question. Look at prisons and healthcare

 

[scn]

Interesting. How many city law officers are in your county? How many deputies are in the county? How many TWRA officers are there in your county? I have worked with TWRA for almost 21 years. Hard to be in 18 places at one time. Triple the license fees to pay for extra officers? You can hunt or fish. Just don't buy a license. TWRA is 100% self-funded and gets nothing from the general funds of the state. Politicians have nothing to do with game laws, it is wholly in the hands of the commission. Watch the website and you will see the commission meeting listed plus you can respond by email or letter or phone call. Meetings are open to the public.

Your post isn't totally correct. Politicians have passed a number of statutes that deal with game laws. You can look through Title 70 of the TCA to see multiple statutes that deal with game laws.

So, it isn't, and never has been, totally in the hands of the commission.

Yes, the Commission does set the annual seasons and bag limits and certain regulations on hunting and fishing, etc.

 

[casjoker]

Some of you have completely left the reservation. Is any organization perfect, is TWRA/wildlife commission perfect, not even close but they have built back a deer and turkey population from almost zero to a situation where some areas are 3 does a day? Just in the short time, I have been in ETN (about 15 years) I have seen a dramatic improvement in deer numbers. The duck situation is a tough one and they will make mistakes in adjusting how it all works, same with any other change to game management. However, to say you are boycotting the one group that actively works to manage our wildlife resources is crazy. Hate what's going on with duck hunting but try to have a perspective of working with these people over the long term to make it better, not just quit.

 

[FTP]

Keep in mind that the TWRA is a law enforcement branch. They do not make the rules. This duck blind debacle, gross mismanagement of turkeys, and other rule and policy mistakes belong to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

And you forgot one thing Southern Sportsman,
They are appointed politically, so therefore, they are as useless as the politicians who appoint them. They serve a master other than "we the people"

 

[FTP]

And I am against the government control of wildlife, seasons, game laws, etc. but (maybe someone can educate me) Tennessee is one of the only, if not the only state, that TWRA is set up the way it it. It may be time to get hunters and fishermen together and see if that can be changed.

And I am against the government control of wildlife, seasons, game laws, etc. but (maybe someone can educate me) Tennessee is one of the only, if not the only state, that TWRA is set up the way it it. It may be time to get hunters and fishermen together and see if that can be changed.

Amen brother !!!! Preach the truth!!!

 

[PickettSFHunter]

My favorite states to hunt Public land in are all funded by the state and have way better resources than TN. We have politics controlling the TWRA now anyway through a politically appointed commission.

 

[Granddaddy]

All Commissioners are appointed. Most are appointed by the Governor. A few are appointed by the TN Speaker of the House and Speaker of the Senate.

It's strictly political appointments. Yes, those appointed generally have some outdoor interests to provide a public justification for their appointment but they are political appointments pure & simple even though those who are appointed may not be overtly political themselves. But for sure, contact your commissioner directly. Be respectful, present an educated view or plan & be persistent in presenting your opinions (hopefully well-thought-out). Don't just complaint, have a better plan.

 

[Hridge]

I am not promoting breaking any laws, but ALL support of any kind for the TWRA should be stopped until the duck hunting nonsense is stopped.

I 100% understand your frustration but we all got to take a deep breath. Defunding the TWRA is a drastic measure and would cost hard working guys a job that have nothing to do with this. This situation stinks for sure and is a result of the new administration. It will resolve itself eventually but not in the next few weeks. Just send letters and show up at meetings and make your voice heard. We are gonna be in for some fights but the rest of our country has to see it get bad first then change will happen. Wait till some boys start showing up at girls basketball games and competing because they identify that way. Hell I may tell them my son identifies as a girl and let him earn a scholarship to college playing basketball against girls. Hell he could make millions in the WNBA. He loves women and would be in heaven!!

 

[waynesworld]

I have lived in a lot of states and I think TN has one of the best systems for outdoors opportunity. I know everyone has an opinion on how it could be better but having it go to the legislatures would be a nightmare. Every interaction i have had with the TWRA has been better then any other state game warden. I also know some of them and know the work they are doing is more then what people think. But for us to have them also working to better the lakes and hunting stuff we would have to provide more funding. I am for that but i think we could also look at charging for other people who use the area's for recreation but don't buy license