Tennessee Wildcast

Join us for show number 52 as we invite back Director Ed Carter back on air to discuss his 40 plus years of TWRA experience and talk about a new book that was a dream of his and shows the beauty of Tennessee’s outdoors through the photographic artistry of retired TWRA Major Tom Wood. Director Carter is always enjoyable to listen to and we are proud he shared our 1 year anniversary with us and with you.

Okay, that sounds a bit odd, but Joy Sweaney understands it all. Joy is the agency’s program manager for wild turkey and cougars (what few there are). She will explain and important study underway to understand turkey populations in the post-restoration era, give you an update on the  upcoming spring season. She will also discuss the recent confirmation of cougars in Tennessee and how the agency is working to keep an eye on the expansion of cougars back into a state they once inhabited.

You know that TWRA wildlife officers work the woods and the water, and we will discuss that a bit with the agency's Colonel Darren Rider. But, we will also discuss those many things they do that you weren't likely aware of, and we'll discuss what it takes to become an officer in an agency with its "multipurpose" enforcement staff. Did you know for instance, that some of our officer's have K-9 partners?

Harold Cannon will soon chair his last meeting and wrap up his 6-year tenure as a Tennessee Fish Wildlife Commissioner, what he has to say about successes, the state of today’s TWRA, and the future of fish and wildlife management is something all should hear. In a nutshell, we are in good shape in the chairman’s eyes, but there are challenges looming and the state’s fish and wildlife agency and its commission needs the continued support of our hunters and anglers.

What is It like to hunt sandhill cranes one week a measure a world record Tennessee buck another week?  We will ask that and much more as we speak with TWRA Commissioner Bill Swan from Dunlap, TN. Commissioner Swan has traveled the world hunting, but whitetail deer is a passion and so is hunting Sandhill Crane. A Master Scorer for Safari Club International, Commissioner Swan put his hands on the Tennessee Tucker Buck and helped deem it SCI’s top whitetail of all time. He also has been crane hunting in Tennessee and as our state prepares to offer additional crane permits next year, you will enjoy picking up a few tips from a seasoned sportsman.

Join Dr. Brad Miller, TWRA’s elk biologist, as he describes what it is like to be an elk biologist, where elk can be found in Tennessee, and a special “tower”  built just so you can watch or photograph them. For hunters, there is also a fall season if you are lucky enough to be among the few names drawn for this highly sought after adventure.

Tune into this week's Tennessee WildCast to see the world record rack and hear Mr. Tucker discuss the "Tennessee Tucker Buck". Also joining us will be Harold Thompson with a #1 buck of his own taken 20 minutes away from the Tucker Buck.

We still have quite a few days left to get out and  hunt, including excellent days to chase deer. Learn from TWRA’s Chief of Wildlife and Forestry Mark Gudlin about a an antlerless only season taking place next week and then enjoy his conversation about big and small game seasons this past year pertaining changes that were made in deer seasons, but also opportunities available, and work being done, for small game hunters.

Don’t let cold or the potential thought of it, slow you down, keep you inside. From the moment the calendar loses 2016, the action begins (or continues) into 2017. Doug Markham and Jason Harmon will discuss a long list of things to do for big game hunters, small game hunters, anglers, and watchable wildlife lovers. Happy New Year from Tennessee WildCast and may this year be your best every OUTSIDE!

With Christmas and New Year seasons right around the corner, now is great time to get outside with family and friends to enjoy everything Tennessee has to offer.  Whether it’s small game, deer or waterfowl, there is a season open for you.  Consider buying a  license and get outside during one of the best times of the year.  If you still need to do some shopping, the TWRA has you covered there, too.  Surprise someone you love with a lifetime license, or maybe a Tennessee Wildlife magazine subscription, or our "just off the presses" coffee table book  “Tennessee Wildness”.  Learn more about all of these ideas and more during our Christmas edition of Tennessee WildCast.

Deer season seems to be going well right now and there have been some huge bucks reported this year with still several weeks left in the gun season. Join Chuck Yoest, an assistant chief in of agency's wildlife and forestry division, as he discusses thoughts on big bucks being taken this year, the potential for future hunting in Tennessee and future deer management, and how a deadly disease could really mess things up and why the help of sportsmen is so important to helping TWRA manage deer and keep our state free of the most dreaded of deer diseases.

Join Jamie Feddersen, our statewide waterfowl program leader, as he discusses impressive numbers of waterfowl in this year's population (the good ole days are here right now, says Jamie). However, will we get the weather that brings big migrating flocks to Tennessee. Remember. Waterfowl season is now in full swing through late January. Learn some of what is on the mind of our enthusiastic waterfowl program leader and then get outside!

Captain Dale Grandstaff is back to talk about his favorite subject, one in which you can say he is a huge fan. That is deer, of course. Capt. Grandstaff will will discuss hunting deer in the middle to latter part of the season, how to find those antler sheds during and after the deer season, and give an update on the potential world record non-typical "Tennessee Tucker Buck" bagged earlier this year in Sumner County, TN.

In this week’s Tennessee WildCast Lynn Barrett of our Geographic Information Division does a great job explaining how the all important wildlife management area hunts map works. Give Lynn a few minutes and she will have you searching our interactive map like a professional. There is much more to it than you think, but none of it is hard to do after you hear Lynn navigate you through our maps, which in turn will help you navigate through our WMAs. We are in the future with our maps and we hope you come along with us. It will benefit your future hunting on TWRA WMAs.

Millions of sportsmen across the country are wanting to know about the Tennessee Tucker Buck that stands a chance of becoming a world record non-typical deer taken by a young hunter in Gallatin, Tennessee. TWRA’s Captain Dale Grandstaff has had his hands on this special antlered rack and as an official scorer for the Boone & Crockett Club he knows or sure this the Tucker Buck will be among the most special of free-ranging deer ever bagged by a a hunter. You will will enjoy hearing Dale describe what he saw and why he scored this deer the way he did. It’s not official yet, but this deer from Tennessee is special.

Started more than a decade ago, the winter trout program continues to offer sportsmen a reason to get outside even during the coldest of winter days. The TWRA will begin this put-and-take stocking program in just a few weeks. For the duration of winter, tens of thousands of rainbow trout will be stocked in waters normally too warm for these fish. Great time to get outside, catch a limit of seven, and go home with a trout dinner. Join River and Streams Biologist Brandon Simcox as he discusses the winter trout program, and also gives you a few excellent trout fishing tips.

He is a dynamo and she is the determination that helps make Tennessee Uncharted work. Eric Baker and Taylor Walters are this week’s guest and will discuss the upcoming season of Tennessee Uncharted and the many shows they plan to spend working with TWRA in the field and spending time with sportsmen and women across the state. If you love the outdoors, but perhaps aren’t comfortable with it yet, this episode and the coming season of Tennessee Uncharted will make you want to get outside and take the entire family with you.

Every TWRA region is proud of the wildlife management areas where the public has access to beautiful property and the potential for memorable big and small game hunts. Toss in waterfowl hunting on a few of these WMAs, too, and you always have somewhere to spend a few hours during hunt seasons. Every WMA is different and many are managed differently for various reasons. Learn about WMAs in Middle Tennessee from Region II’s Richard Kirk and then start making plans for the fall if you haven’t already.

Jim Stroud has been helping teach hunting basics for more than 30 years as a volunteer working with TWRA. From hunter education to serving as mentors on countless hunts, Jim is one of the agency’s most valuable sources as are hundreds of others who find ways to help volunteer to spread the word of the outdoors. In addition, he is an excellent sportsman. Learn from Jim about how to volunteer for TWRA, pick up a few hunting tips, and just enjoy the all around person that Jim Stroud is.

The TWRA will soon change its license vendor, which might seem a bland issue to most. But, it’s a big change for sportsmen. You might even say historic. Your licenses will soon look different and your shopping experience much easier than ever with this change coming Halloween Day. TWRA’s Michael May and Alicia Cheasty do an excellent job explaining why the change in license vendors has them excited  and why you and our 1,200 license agents across Tennessee should enjoy the change that comes with advanced technology.