What Should TWRA NOT Be Doing that it is Doing?

[BigGameGuy]

Interesting first question about what you want TWRA to do, just looking for some insightful and sincere feedback. Since we do not anticipate TWRA budgets expanding anytime soon we continuously operate in a give and take system. In other words, when we start a brand new project, it means something somewhere else is usually ending. From a hunter/public standpoint, what do you see us currently doing that we probably ought not to be doing or that you feel you could live without. Im just wondering how much different these answers will be from the aforementioned wish list.

 

[BSK]

Change the laws (year, right!) so that TWRA does NOT have to deal with all the endangered species crap. Make the Eco-Nazis pay for that.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Although I've listed several things that I think could be improved upon, I think TWRA is doing a good job and like what they are doing now.

If anything, I would like to know how much money they are pumping into the elk program. I would have thought by now more tags would be available in the general drawing. If all there is ever going to be is 4, maybe drop the program and write it off as a lost cause. The money could be better spent towards other resources.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Hunters Ed could be done away with or at least make persons exempt once they reach a certain age.

 

[catman529]

Hunters Ed could be done away with or at least make persons exempt once they reach a certain age.

I beg to differ, there are already a lot of idiots in the woods "hunting" to worry about

 

[stik]

Hunters Ed could be done away with or at least make persons exempt once they reach a certain age.

I beg to differ, there are already a lot of idiots in the woods "hunting" to worry about

gotta agree with catman on this one. hunters' ed is a good thing. and if you were born before a certain date, you are exempt.

 

[Andy S.]

.......and if you were born before a certain date, you are exempt.

You bring up a good point Stik. That date thing. As long as I can remember, it has been on or after January 1, 1969 as stated here:

"(a) Every person born on or after January 1, 1969, before hunting, shall possess, in addition to all other licenses and permits required, proof of satisfactory completion of an agency approved hunter education course�"

What is the basis for this date? If this date was valid in 1985 (when the Hunter's Ed requirement began), then why has this date not been adjusted over time? I do not know, maybe there is a valid reason, just asking.

 

[muddyboots]

I could live without the public dove fields. Too crowded anyway.

 

[Winchester]

How much (if any) does TWRA spend on that "wild side" I think is the name of the show. It could definitely go and not be missed, imo. Elk program?

 

[whistlinwingman]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

 

[SEC]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

No sir.

 

[cecil30-30]

I'd take a long hard look at the elk program.I don't think they are doing as good as they was thoguht they would do.We don't have the same habitat like KY does for them.

 

[timberjack86]

I would love to see baiting legalized or the entire practice of feeding wildlife made illegal. Too many gray areas with this particular law.Twra could use the extra mantime to capture the real poachers,Spotlighters and roadhunters instead of setting up over feeding stations that are not used for hunting.There would be no gray areas if its legal or illegal.

 

[bowriter]

Open season hogs anywhere, anytime, by any means as long as safe and NOT after dark with a spotlight.

 

[buckmaster 320]

Open season hogs anywhere, anytime, by any means as long as safe and NOT after dark with a spotlight.

X 2

 

[Rubberduck270]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

Nope.

If I own the property I have the right to hunt on it WITHOUT license. I do, however, observe the law and carry my exemption cards when I hunt on family owned land.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Hunters Ed could be done away with or at least make persons exempt once they reach a certain age.

I beg to differ, there are already a lot of idiots in the woods "hunting" to worry about

If a person learns to be safe and not an idiot at a class, then you have a serious problem that will never be rectified by a certification. I think hunters ed is a GREAT thing for city type folks and young kids that arent used to hunting or guns but to require an adult that has lived around that sort of thing forever is crazy. The exemption date has never been changed and that is where the problem lies. Once you are an adult, your either going to be an idiot in the woods or you arent, no class will change that. The exemption date should be based off of your age, not some year that keeps getting farther and farther away. But thats just my opinion due to my personal experiences with Hunters Ed, being forced to take my wife(girlfriend) at the time, on a 5 hr trip to the nearest online field day event so we could sit through a class geared toward 10 year olds and then shoot a BB gun when she has grown up right here in the country and shot guns for a long time. Very frustrating! But then as soon we married, hunters ed requirement went away when on my lands.Its so contradictory.

 

[buckmaster 320]

Take the money that is being taken from Catoosa from logging and put it back into habitat and food plots

And

Open the firing range on Catoosa to the public,not just the TWRA officials, that we paid for when we buy license ;)

 

[whistlinwingman]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

Nope.

If I own the property I have the right to hunt on it WITHOUT license. I do, however, observe the law and carry my exemption cards when I hunt on family owned land.

You are commended for observing the law and carrying your cards. But too many, and I mean way too many people are strictly taking advantage of this and hunting on other properties.

If you have the RIGHT to hunt on your land without a license then why do you not have the right to make and obey your own game laws on you own land too then?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

Nope.

If I own the property I have the right to hunt on it WITHOUT license. I do, however, observe the law and carry my exemption cards when I hunt on family owned land.

You are commended for observing the law and carrying your cards. But too many, and I mean way too many people are strictly taking advantage of this and hunting on other properties.

If you have the RIGHT to hunt on your land without a license then why do you not have the right to make and obey your own game laws on you own land too then?

My view on it (right or wrong) is this... private landowners in TN own 90% of the land that hunting takes place on, therefore owning 90% of the lands that game resides on. In other words, private landowners are "footing the bill" for wildlife in TN. Not to mention paying the property taxes that get you to your hunting place on a decent road, get your kids in school, etc.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I'd take a long hard look at the elk program.I don't think they are doing as good as they was thoguht they would do.We don't have the same habitat like KY does for them.

Agreed. The last report I read showed alot of deaths due to starvation and lots of emaciated animals.

 

[RUGER]

And make the "hunting guide" a guide not a magazine.....Thats why it takes so long to come out ?

The ads in the hunting guide are what keeps the cost of printing it down.... I think.

 

[cecil30-30]

Take the money that is being taken from Catoosa from logging and put it back into habitat and food plots

And

Open the firing range on Catoosa to the public,not just the TWRA officials, that we paid for when we buy license ;)

They are open to the public..

 

[buckmaster 320]

Take the money that is being taken from Catoosa from logging and put it back into habitat and food plots

And

Open the firing range on Catoosa to the public,not just the TWRA officials, that we paid for when we buy license ;)

They are open to the public..

The ones across from the camping areas are open to the public...
Not many people know about the really nice one turn left at Genesis checking station and about 2 or 3 miles on the right built on Catoosa that the public cannot participate at..

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

I am going to have COMPLETELY disagree with this. The laws are right where they need to be on this issue. There is ALOT of money going into this from the landowner and they should have that right

 

[ImThere]

Ammo tax hike? Isnt that a step in to gun control? No lets not go down this road

 

[whistlinwingman]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

Spoken like a true non-landowner! :crazy:

There's "NOTHING CHEAP" about owning your own hunting land and the overall economic impact we landowners have on our states economy far exceeds any contributions by the remaining non-landowning hunting population.

Now as far as what can TWRA do that they aren't doing? Well my biggest fear has always been that the eco-nazi, leaflicking, PETAhead types would get a larger and larger vote in wildlife mgmt, funding decisions, expenditures and overall "say" in the TWRA. Hunters/fishermen have pretty much "pulled the cart" (with regards to TWRA revenue sources) since the beginning of the TWRA. I hope that stays as such, even if it means we must tax ourselves more, for starters I personally think the decades old .10c ammo tax should be raised to .25c! We DON'T WANT and in fact simply CANNOT AFFORD to let the enemies into our ranks. We fight enough politicians and idiots as it is, we certainly don't need owl lovers and park joggers calling the shots for the TWRA in Nashville!!!

I personally wish the TWRA could put more teeth in their poaching and roadhunting enforcement but I realize their hands are tied because in the end it's really up to the local judge and they rarely like to throw the book on local folks. (Unless it's the JUDGES land the poacher is caught on! :mad: )

Overall I'm pretty happy with the TWRA, I mean we could have a game dept like MS!!! :o :eek: :D
HL

Wrong. I am landowner. Just one that buys my license as to the fact I hunt other places than my own place. My father hunts ONLY his farm and he buys his license also. We just look at it the we are fortunate enough for the TWRA to set rules and regulations so we all can enjoy the great outdoors and the least we can do is purchase a license.

I am totally satisfied with the TWRA and don't really care if they change anything. The whole landowner, spouse, and children deal just gets taken advantage of IMO.

 

[whistlinwingman]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

Nope.

If I own the property I have the right to hunt on it WITHOUT license. I do, however, observe the law and carry my exemption cards when I hunt on family owned land.

You are commended for observing the law and carrying your cards. But too many, and I mean way too many people are strictly taking advantage of this and hunting on other properties.

If you have the RIGHT to hunt on your land without a license then why do you not have the right to make and obey your own game laws on you own land too then?

My view on it (right or wrong) is this... private landowners in TN own 90% of the land that hunting takes place on, therefore owning 90% of the lands that game resides on. In other words, private landowners are "footing the bill" for wildlife in TN. Not to mention paying the property taxes that get you to your hunting place on a decent road, get your kids in school, etc.

Point very well stated and understood.

 

[whistlinwingman]

Eliminate the landowner's license exemption.

I am going to have COMPLETELY disagree with this. The laws are right where they need to be on this issue. There is ALOT of money going into this from the landowner and they should have that right

I agree totally the landowner puts in ALOT of money and should have that right. But when the poaching, spotlighting, trespassing, etc. are happening on the landowners property or on neighboring properties everyone expects to the TWRA to do something about it ASAP. However the one Game Warden is tied up on the other end of the county and everyone gets aggrevated. The budget is tight enough for our agency. The least we can do is buy a license.

 

[stik]

If you have the RIGHT to hunt on your land without a license then why do you not have the right to make and obey your own game laws on you own land too then?

because while you do own the land, you do not own the wildlife.