Latest news with #TennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tennessee & Virginia announce free fishing days
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Fishing in Tennessee and Virginia typically requires a license issued by each state's respective wildlife agency. However, to kickstart fishing in the summer, free fishing days for everyone are set aside in both states. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced that the Volunteer State's free fishing day will take place on Saturday, June 7. Anyone can fish on the state's public waters without a license. The TWRA is also hosting numerous fishing events on June 7 to help introduce new anglers to the activity. A full list of free fishing day events can be found on the TWRA's website. While Tennessee sets free fishing aside for one day, Virginia allows free fishing for three days in June. Virginians can fish without a license on public waters from Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8. The free fishing applies to Virginia's trout-stocked waters as well. Other fishing regulations regarding size, season, catch limit and gear restrictions will remain in place during the free fishing days. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources fee fishing areas will still require a fee June 6-8. More information on Virginia's free fishing days can be found online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tennessee Legalizes Baiting During Deer Season — for an Extra $50 Fee
Tennessee deer hunters will be able to hunt over bait on private land starting this coming season, thanks to a new law signed by the governor earlier this month. The legislation, which received strong support from state politicians, creates a baiting privilege license for deer hunters in the Volunteer State. The new law drops at a time when other states, like Washington, are banning baiting to attempt to reduce the spread of CWD. House Bill 938, which was introduced by Kip Capley in the House and Joey Hensley in the Senate, establishes a bait privilege license, which will be issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The license fee, which essentially requires hunters to pay extra if they want to put out corn piles, will cost $50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents. All hunters in a party using bait are required to possess a permit — including those who are ordinarily exempt from purchasing a hunting license, including landowners and children under 13. TWRA will have the authority to suspend the baiting privilege (without a refund of fees) on a county, regional, or statewide basis to prevent the spread of wildlife diseases like CWD. Hunting over bait is currently prohibited in the state of Tennessee. Although hunters can put out corn or other food attractants, they cannot legally hunt within 250 yards of it until at least 10 days after the bait has been removed. The new law, which takes effect before the 2025 hunting season, makes an exception for deer hunting with the designated license. The original draft of the bill included wild hogs in the bait privilege license, but it was removed in an amendment to focus the legislation on whitetail deer. Violating the law could result in a class C misdemeanor. More than 22 states currently allow deer baiting in some form, including five of Tennessee's neighbors: Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. 'A lot of other states allow hunting over bait anyway, like Texas and several other states, so that's my reason for supporting it,' state senator Joey Hensley, a primary sponsor of the bill, told Fox Chattanooga. 'I just don't think that people should be penalized because they're hunting over bait, especially on their property. That's what this bill does, but it requires people to get a license that would generate additional revenue.' The new baiting license requirement has drawn some backlash from hunters across the state. Some critics argue that the requirement is government overreach and that landowners shouldn't have to pay for privileges exercised on their own property. 'If baiting deer on your own land is going to be legal, why should landowners and hunters have to pay extra for that right?' Tennessee resident John Baker told Outdoor Hub. Read Next: Deer and Elk Hunters in Washington State Can No Longer Hunt Over Bait Other critics of the bill are concerned that baiting could speed the spread of CWD by concentrating deer in certain areas. Chronic wasting disease was first discovered in the Volunteer State in 2018 and has since been found in whitetails in 18 counties. TWRA is expected to release specific regulations ahead of the 2025 deer season.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Does Memphis have venomous snakes? What to know about the four found in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to some 32 different species of snakes, but only a few are dangerous to humans. Most snakes in the Memphis area will join Memphians in their quest for fun outdoors as summer approaches. Snakes, which are a part of the reptile family, are most active during the spring and summer months as temperatures increase, according to A-Z Animals. Only four of the 32 different species of snakes in Tennessee are venomous. Those four snakes are the copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake and pygmy rattlesnake. Here is what to know about them. The copperhead, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, causes the most bites in Tennessee. The bites, while venomous, are not very potent and rarely do they cause fatalities, according to the state agency. There are two subspecies of copperhead snakes found in Tennessee, the southern copperhead occurs in 'extreme West Tennessee,' and the northern copperhead occurs in the rest of the state. Large, triangular-shaped copper-red head and distinctive dark brown hourglass crossbands give it camouflage in its preferred environment. Its habitat is mainly forested or rocky areas with 'abundant logs, leaf litter, or rocks for cover,' according to the state agency. The cottonmouth or 'water moccasin' is found mainly in the western part of the state, getting its name from its white mouth. The snake, which is venomous, opens its mouth as a 'defensive posture' when feeling threatened. The rumor that the cottonmouth is aggressive is 'greatly exaggerated,' the state agency states. 'These snakes generally try to escape if encountered and escape in a random direction, thus occasionally coming at you rather than away,' the agency said on its website. Cottonmouths are mainly found in swamps, sloughs, wetlands and drainage ditches, but are occasionally found along rivers and lakes. The snakes can swim, so they can be seen swimming above and sometimes below the water or hiding out on the banks and in surrounding vegetation. The snakes are dark olive-brown, nearly black and the crossbands on their back are sometimes not visible. A wide band could be visible from the snout through the eye and onto the neck of the snake. Common water snakes are often mistaken for cottonmouths due to their semi-aquatic nature and similar features. One way to tell if a snake is a harmless water snake or a cottonmouth is by looking at the shape of the head. Cottonmouths have a triangular or flattened head, while many other water snakes' heads are rounded. The timber rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous venomous snake in Tennessee. The snakes have a large triangular head, vertical pupils and have the 'rattle' at the end of the tail. Its coloring is 'highly variable,' the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said, but usually are gray with a black tail. A rust-colored stripe also occurs down the center of the back. The snakes prefer to hang out in heavily forested areas with rocky hillsides. The timber rattlesnake populations are declining across Tennessee because of habitat loss, road mortality and 'persecution,' the state agency said. The pygmy rattlesnake is the smallest venomous snake in Tennessee; they are also the rarest on the list. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation lists the pigmy rattlesnake as rare to very rare and imperiled. The snakes are similar to the timber rattlesnake but much smaller. The pigmy rattlesnake has a gray or tan body with an orangish-brown mid-dorsal stripe running down its back. It has dark blotches running along its back as well, with one or two rows on each side. The snakes are found in close proximity to water. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Snakes in Memphis: What to know about Tennessee's venomous reptiles
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WATCH: Bear spotted in Sumner County neighborhood
BETHPAGE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A rare bear sighting in Middle Tennessee over the weekend was captured on video. Casey Briley, the man behind the camera, said he and some friends were heading to dinner Sunday evening when they spotted the animal in Bethpage. Komodo dragon eats shoe thrown into Tennessee zoo exhibit 'My buddy Zach was driving and I said, 'You better watch out there's a big dog up there in the road.' He got a little bit closer, he said, 'That's a black bear!'' Briley said. He told News 2 they spotted the bear between Dollar General and Gifford Lane. 'Once I seen it was a bear, I pulled my phone out real quick, and was lucky enough to get it on camera before it kind of eased behind the trees where I couldn't see it. But it was pretty cool to be able to capture that on video,' he said. ⏩ Officials believe this is the first bear sighting in the area in over a decade. The last was reported in 2015 near Bledsoe Creek State Park. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said they intend to leave the bear alone unless it becomes a threat, which is unlikely. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
What's your float plan for Memorial Day weekend? TN agencies recommend these safety tips
The long-awaited, three-day holiday weekend held each year in May marks an unofficial start to summer and fun on the water for many. For others, Memorial Day serves as a stark reminder of the importance of boating safety. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials say four incidents have resulted in five fatalities in 2025, one of which involved a paddle craft. More: Missing 12-year-old Clarksville boy's body found in Red River after days-long search One fatality was reported over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in 2024. "We want to encourage everyone to always boat responsibly," TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division Lt. Col. Matt Majors said in a release. "Our waterways are enjoyed by all types of vessels, both small and large. Please maintain a proper lookout at all times and ensure alcohol and drugs are not part of your float plan." Tennessee offers boating enthusiasts several opportunities to enjoy its resources throughout the Volunteer State, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced in a release. In participation with the 2025 National Safe Boating Week, the agency is encouraging all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills now ahead of the summer boating season. National Safe Boating Week is held the week before Memorial Day weekend and serves as the annual kick-off for the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages responsible boating. According to the release, boating partners across the United States and Canada, including the TWRA and other local partner organizations, have teamed up to emphasize safe boating practices like wearing life jackets and educate the boating community on options that are lightweight and comfortable. The Nashville Office of Emergency Management and Nashville Fire Department say they want everyone to be safe over the holiday weekend and prioritize boating safety. "Whether you're hitting the road, spending time on our Metro Nashville Davidson County waterways, or gathering with family and friends, it's essential to stay mindful of safety," Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Community Services Manager and Public Information Officer Joseph Pleasant said in a release. "For those who plan to enjoy the beautiful waterways this weekend, boating safety is a top priority. Always wear a life jacket and ensure that all passengers do the same." Before hitting the water, officials encourage everyone to create a float plan. Here are some TWRA recommended safety tips for boaters: Boating safety courses offer valuable knowledge and on-water experience with many options for novice to experienced boaters. For more about TWRA boating safety education, visit Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration and communication equipment on board. Ensure everyone on board wears a life jacket every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency. Use an engine cut-off device, or engine cut-off switch, to stop the boat's engine if the operator unexpectedly falls overboard. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed. Don't drink and drive, a boat that is. A BUI, or boating under the influence, is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper. Stay in touch with others by having more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennesseans hit the water Memorial Day, agencies urge boater safety
