Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency news

 State wildlife commission welcomes new members

The 2011 appointees to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission were at the Nashville Office of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for orientation. From left to right: Harold Cannon, Jim Bledsoe, Trey Teague.   

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Jim Bledsoe of Jamestown, Harold Cannon of Lenoir City and Trey Teague of Jackson are the three new members of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission (TWRC). The new appointees, who received their confirmations to the commission in late spring, attended an orientation session last week at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) state office.

The three new commissioners are part of the 13-member governing body of the TWRA. All three appointments are for six years (2011-17).

Bledsoe works as a farmer in Fentress County, where he is active in his community. He will serve as a commissioner for District 3, which includes Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren and White counties.

He serves as president of the Fentress County Farm Bureau and treasurer of the Fentress County Soil Conservation District. Bledsoe is an advocate for youth wildlife-related programs and wildlife habitat. He enjoys any type of hunting and fishing along with camping and riding motorcycles.

Bledsoe participates in smallmouth tournaments and has introduced his children to hunting and fishing. He is a Lifetime Sportsman License holder and lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He attended Clarkrange High School, Tennessee Tech University and Haywood College. He and his wife Sonya have two children: a son, Ethan, and a daughter, Ali.

Cannon will represent District 2, which is comprised of Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Cumberland, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union counties.

He is president of Cannon & Cannon, Inc. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association and the National Society of Professional Engineers.

He enjoys duck hunting, time in the outdoors, working on the farm and travel. He is a member of Ducks Unlimited. Cannon looks forward to learning more about Tennessee’s wildlife, fish and land resources, and the effort needed to care for and protect them.

As a commissioner, Cannon plans to actively participate in conserving, maintaining and enhancing these resources for future generations. He and his wife Angie are residents of Lenoir City and have three daughters — Lauren, Crissy and Jessica — and two granddaughters.

Teague is a self-employed businessman in Jackson. He will represent the District 8 counties of Chester, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Madison, Obion and Weakley.

An avid outdoorsman, he is a member of several organizations including the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association, Tennessee Wildlife Federation, Quality Deer Management Association and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. He is on the pro staff of Mossy Oak Brand Camo. He enjoys introducing young people to the outdoors. He also volunteers for youth hunting and fishing charities.

He is a board member for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. A graduate of the University School of Jackson, he attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship and earned his degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science.

Teague served as a team captain and was the starting center on UT’s 1997 Southeastern Conference championship team, earning All-SEC and third team All-America honors. The Denver Broncos for whom he played four seasons and was a member of the 1998 Super Bowl Championship team drafted him. He played in Buffalo (2001-05) and served as team captain and ended his career following the 2006 season with the New York Jets. He retired to his hometown following a nine-year career in the National Football League. He and his wife Ashley have two children: a daughter, Lilly, and a son, Everette.

Kingsport to host TWRC in August

After taking the month of July off from their meeting schedule, members of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission (TWRC) will gather Aug. 24-25 in Kingsport at the Meadowview Conference Resort and Convention Center.

The TWRC will return to Kingsport for the first time since Oct. 2009. Committee meetings will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, while the formal session starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25. The TWRC serves as the governing body of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

Among the items on the agenda will be the establishment of 2011-12 waterfowl hunting seasons. The public is invited to attend.

Middle Tennessee man is high bidder for elk permit

LaVergne resident Arthur Moreland is the successful high bidder for the final permit to participate in the 2011 Tennessee Elk Hunt, Oct. 17-21, at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area.

The 72-year old retired grocery store owner made a bid of $9,200 to secure the final special take permit. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF) conducted the auction, which concluded late Sunday night, July 24.

Moreland operated the Community Market on Trinity Lane in Nashville for a number of years. A life-long sportsman, he had submitted his name all three years in the TWRA’s computer drawing that determines the four recipients of permits to participate in the hunt. Moreland is a lifetime Tennessee Sportsman License holder and has been a member of the Davidson County Sportsman’s Club for more than 30 years.

“I am excited and looking forward to participating in this year’s elk hunt,” said Moreland, who has hunted throughout Tennessee and more than half of the other states, including Alaska. He also has made overseas hunting trips to Africa and New Zealand. 

“I plan to go on a scouting trip soon to the area.”

By being the high bidder for the final bull elk tag, Moreland will participate in the state’s third managed elk hunt along with Richard R. Rutherford of Walland, Terrell S. Holt of Columbia, John Mark Alston of Knoxville and Jody A. Moore of Loudon, who were announced as winners of the drawing during the June meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission.

Five elk hunting zones have been established on the Royal Blue Unit of the North Cumberland WMA. Each hunter will be designated a zone in a drawing to be conducted at a later date. Proceeds from the auction will go to the elk restoration program.

Hunter education class set Aug. 16 at Cove Lake

Ken Cutsinger will teach a Tennessee Hunter Education Course beginning Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at Cove Lake State Park.

State law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 — beginning at age 10 — possess proof of satisfactory completion of an approved hunter education course before hunting in Tennessee.

In order to enroll in a hunter education class, students must be at least 9 years old. Persons age 6-9 may participate in Young Sportsman and wildlife management area hunts without hunter education, but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old.

Participants need to bring a pencil and their Social Security number to class.