TN Birders,
I have some good news regarding the access to Fort Campbell Military
Installation for bird watching activities. The Fort Campbell Fish and Wildlife
Program has implemented a new web-based portal system (iSportman) to allow
easier access to the training areas for hunting, fishing, and outdoor
recreation. Birders will be able to purchase a one day ($10.00) or annual
outdoor recreation permit ($40.00) through iSportsman for accessing the
training areas of the installation. Permits are free for seniors 65 and older,
for youth 17 years and younger, and for 100% Disabled American Veterans. Annual
permits begin March 1st and expire at the end of February.
Here is the link where you can register for your iSportsman account:
https://ftcampbell.isportsman.net
You will first need to create an account by going to My Account and then
clicking on Register to fill in the necessary information. Once you create your
account you will need to go to gate 4 for a criminal background check (DoD
cardholders do not need the background check). Bring your proof of background
check, valid driver’s license, and signed Hold Harmless Agreement form
(available under Forms & Regulations tab) to the Fish & Wildlife Program
building (#6645 at corner of Lafayette Rd and 101st Airborne Division Rd)
during office hours to be validated. Once you are validated in our office you
will be able to go into your iSportsman account and purchase your outdoor
recreation permit. Print your permit and keep that with you. The permit allows
you to access both the Tennessee and Kentucky sides of the base. Everyone who
purchases a permit must read the Fort Campbell Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor
Recreation regulations posted on the iSportman website.
After you have purchased and printed your permit you are then eligible to sign
into training areas if they are available. In order to check areas available
click on the Areas tab on the iSportsman home page and you will see training
areas open to activities broken down by activity types. Available areas are
updated weekly on Wednesdays. If General Recreation is available for that day,
then you can sign in to your account and go to the Checkin/Checkout tab to
checkin to the available area for bird watching. Once you confirm your checkin
then you will need to print your area assignment to be displayed in your
vehicle dash, so that law enforcement can see it. You will need to checkout in
iSportsman once you have departed your area or your account will be suspended.
Photos and videos are prohibited on the installation. Spotting scope is
acceptable as long as it doesn’t have a camera.
As many birders from the region know Fort Campbell contains unique native
grasslands burned on a consistent basis, which provides habitat for many
grassland birds. Many rare and/or declining grassland and shrub species occur
within these fields including Northern Bobwhite, Northern Harrier, Short-eared
Owl, Bell’s Vireo, Sedge Wren, Dickcissel, Blue-winged Warbler, Bachman’s
Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Henslow’s Sparrow. Accidental
and irregular bird species make appearances on occasion as well.
I know that many of these rare species are targets for those keeping checklists
or attempting Big Years. I will be more than happy to assist individuals in
locating the target species (as I have been doing for many years leading field
trips on the base). I will post specific directions for any rarities on our
Fort Campbell Fish & Wildlife Facebook page. If you enter your data in eBird,
then please post your data under the Fort Campbell (Restricted Access) marker
at the county level. Fort Campbell spans 4 counties: 2 in Tennessee (Montgomery
& Stewart) and 2 in Kentucky (Christian & Trigg).
As a cautionary note, I have been asked by the Fort Campbell Conservation
Branch to remind folks that it is extremely important to follow the Fort
Campbell rules and regulations, and the ABA Code of Birding Ethics, as well.
Unfortunately, some birders have unlawfully entered the base, been cited for
infractions, or have taken photos in recent years. This threatens the access of
other birders onto the installation, reflects poorly on the birding community,
and most importantly jeopardizes our ability to manage for the species at-risk
nesting on the base. I know that the majority of birders are very
conscientious, law abiding citizens and it’s regretful that those incidents
occurred.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to call our Fish and Wildlife Program
office at 270-798-9824, or call me directly at the number below.
Thanks,
Daniel
Daniel Moss
Avian Ecologist
Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, CSU
Building 6645, 101st Airborne Division Rd
Fort Campbell, KY 42223
(270)798-7226
edwin.d.moss.ctr@xxxxxxxx
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