March 11, 2019

Tennessee: Sportsmen’s Caucus Holds First Meeting of 2019

By Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Senior Director

On February 26, the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted its first Caucus meeting of the year. In addition to electing new Caucus leadership, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) provided an update on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to more than 20 legislators during the meeting.

The 2019-2020 Co-Chairmen for the Caucus are National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses Executive Council Member Senator Mike Bell and Representative Jeremy Faison.

Sen. Bell remarked on the growth of the Caucus in recent years and the importance of a strong sportsmen’s caucus. “It is an honor to be reelected to serve as the Co-Chairman of the sportsmen’s caucus here in Tennessee as well as to serve on the NASC Executive Council. I am proud of the work we have accomplished in the state on behalf of sportsmen and women in Tennessee, and I look forward to continuing in our mission of protecting and advancing the interests of sportsmen and women in the Volunteer State.”

The TWRA updated attendees on the recent discovery of CWD in the southwest portion of the state as well as detailed efforts concerning their response plan. CWD, a fatal disease in cervids, was first detected in the state in December 2018. CWD poses a major threat to hunting traditions and conservation in Tennessee and the United States.

In response to the confirmed cases of CWD in Fayette and Hardeman Counties, the TWRA acted in December to enact its Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan. On December 20, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission issued a number of regulations by proclamation aimed to contain the spread of the disease:

The High-Risk Area of the CMZ is currently relegated to the southwestern part of the state, including Fayette, Hardeman, and McNairy Counties, although more counties may be at risk. The CWD Response Plan also bans supplemental feeding – with exceptions – in these counties. 

Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?

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