As a manager of public lands (TVA), I deal with the potential conflicts of
public use on a regular basis. The biggest issues with posting property with
hunting season dates is that the dates can change annually and they vary
regionally (west, middle and east TN). Hunting seasons and bag limits are set
to help manage game species populations. Placing signage with opening/closing
dates would potentially require annual sign replacement...a significant cost of
time and materials. On TVA lands, we are trying to install signage that warns
users that hunting is allowed on the property (or posts the property as no
hunting, i.e. dam reservations) and to be aware when using the property for all
activities (even hunters must be aware that other hunters may be on the
property). When I go birding on lands open for hunting, during hunting
seasons, I wear something blaze orange so (hopefully) hunters will see me. I
have walked under occupied tree stands before, not good for me or the hunter.
That's just part of sharing the small islands of public lands amid the vast sea
of private properties. The general rule to remember, there is usually some
game animal with an open season from early fall (dove) through spring (turkey),
and some species can be hunted year round (coyote).
Damien J. Simbeck
Natural Resource Management - West Operations
256-386-2543
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Bill Pulliam
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 9:31 AM
To: Melinda Welton
Cc: tn-bird
Subject: [TN-Bird] Re: WMAs and birding
TVA External Message. Please use caution when opening.
I am all in favor of a non-game use permit for TWRA lands. I know in other
areas you must have a "parking permit" to have your vehicle on public open
space. Such a permit could be given to those who either buy a hunt/fish permit
or a recreational permit.
BUT there is the big issue of enforcement. I know people who have fished in
Tennessee public waters for years without ever buying a license or ever having
been asked to show one. It depends on where you are, of course. And this really
gets to the core issue of funding and staffing. Posting and updating hunting
seasons would require person power. Which requires money. And that money would
be diverted from other activities like acquisition, maintenance, and
enforcement.
Politically, adding a recreational fee might be a hard sell, too.
Bill Pulliam
Hohenwald TN
On Sep 11, 2016, at 10:53 PM, Melinda Welton wrote:
I know this is a difficult subject, but I think we're going to have to address
it sometime.
As more and more people are seeking openspace and good birding places, more and
more people will be visiting WMAs. Hunting schedule signs really do need to be
posted for both safety and visitor expectations. And then there is the subject
of how non-consultive wildlife enthusiasts can contribute to the management and
acquisition of land for WMAs.
An idea that has been floating around for years is to have a specific Wildlife
Watcher's license for visiting WMAs, like hunters have to have hunting
licenses. Personally, I'd like to see a license like this rather than be
counted as a hunter. I've bought hunting licenses in the past when I wanted to
voice my opinion about TWRA practices, like starting a Sandhill Crane hunting
season.
What do folks think about this idea? Has the time come?
Melinda Welton
Nashville, TN
