Tennessee WildCast

A few weeks ago we had a chance to visit with the 2019 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Ott DeFoe. Ott takes us through each day of the Classic, his ups, downs and challenges on that final day of the tournament. Also, get the inside scoop during a new segment we like to call “According to Ott DeFoe”. Learn what you ‘Ott’ to do and where you ‘Ott’ to go when fishing in Tennessee. We will also be giving away some Ott DeFoe autographed ge... Read more

Join us this week as we meet One Eyed Willie and Captain Jack, two well know residents on the campus of Union University in Jackson, TN.  These little guys are great examples of the wildlife rehabilitation work being done by Dr. Huggins, Dr. Kerfoot, and their biology students at Union.  Tune in to learn about rehab centers, how they operate and some of the hardest parts of maintaining a wildlife rehabilitation facility that focuse... Read more

Mom, wife, photographer, archery coach and huntress Amy Hall joins us this week for an episode of Tennessee WildCast. Amy has a great perspective on hunting and being outdoors. With only three years of hunting behind her, she has a passion like none other to share her experiences with her kids, friends and anyone she comes in contact with. This past season she encountered an albino buck while in the stand. She will share this ex... Read more

Join us as we meet the new TWRA Wild Turkey Program Coordinator, Roger Shields. Roger has focused his whole professional career to studying wild turkeys. Tennessee is excited to have him on our wildlife team. We know his knowledge and expertise will be very valuable as we continue to study our turkey populations. Roger was happy to report an increase in turkey harvests for the 2019 Spring season and feels good about the future.... Read more

Regulations have been established for the newly created Unit CWD. Join us this week as we dive into these new regulations with TWRA Chronic Wasting Disease Coordinator, Chuck Yoest, and Wildlife Health Specialist with UT Extension and TWRA Veterinarian, Dr. Dan Grove. Both have worked very hard, along with many others in the Wildlife Division, to come with regulations that are science-based and data-driven. We hope this conversa... Read more

This week on Tennessee WildCast we will highlight some of the family fishing events hosted on Free Fishing Day, which is June 8th. On this day anyone can fish without a license and kids can fish for free the following week. This is a great time to introduce family and friends to the sport of fishing! Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Tennessee WildCast and we hope to see you on Free Fishing Day! www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildl... Read more

TWRA is excited to announce we now have a Moment Of Freedom fishing pier on the Tellico River in the shadows of the Tellico Hatchery. This week we are hanging out with Mime Barnes, Regional Information Specialist, Mark Thurman, Regional Fisheries Program Manager, and Philip Earhart, Cherokee National Forest Biologist. We will chat about this new pier and how this project came to life, partnerships with the National Forest Service... Read more

A lot of work goes into TWRA Wildlife Management Areas across the state. Our guests today, James Douglas and Wally Akins, have devoted their careers to wildlife management and land enhancement in Tennessee. James has been the manger of Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area for about 20 years. He loves history and always has a story to tell. He will provide an update and some history about the work... Read more

This week we are excited to chat with Region 3 Wildlife Diversity Survey Manger Daniel Istvanko and Wildlife Diversity Coordinator Chris Simpson. These guys work with some amazing critters and work hard to protect them everyday. White Nose Syndrome, Snake Fungal Disease and the hard to find Spotted Skunk are just a few of the things we will cover today. Stay tuned and we hope you enjoy this episode of Tennessee WildCast. www.... Read more

Join us this week as we visit Normandy Reservoir in Middle Tennessee and discuss all things fishing. Former TWRA Communications Manager and WildCast Host, Doug Markham, returns to the show and shares a few fishing stories and tips. Fisheries Biologist Todd St. John also stops by to bring us up to speed on fishing opportunities on Normandy and around middle Tennessee. We are also excited to learn about what all is going on at Nor... Read more

Today we are chatting with Andrea White from the American Canoe Association. We will cover topics related to paddlecraft regulations for life jackets and lights, ramp and river etiquette, resources available if you are on the water and you need help and training available across the state for boaters from our boating partners. TWRA Boating Education coordinator, Betsy Woods will also join us to chat about boating education in Ten... Read more

Deer season has passed, and you weren’t able to harvest that monster buck from the trail cam, well you might be able to find his antlers. Shed hunting in Tennessee is becoming more popular each year, and some folks are doing this with the help of mans best friend. Join us this week as we hang out with Greg Griffin and his best bud Tank. You will learn a few tips for your next shed hunting adventure and how you can get started in... Read more

This week we will be discussing ticks in Tennessee. This is the prime time of the year to find a tick on you after being outdoors and they can be very dangerous. The University of Tennessee is conducting research on Ames Plantation in Grand Junction TN to learn more about these pests. Dr. Allan Houston , Forestry and Wildlife Research Professor for the University of Tennessee and Ames Plantation, will fill us in on the research bei... Read more

We are excited to sit down with Hunting Mentor, Larry Proffitt, and Retired Judge, Arden Hill, to talk turkey hunting. These guys are considered some of the best turkey hunters in Tennessee. They will tell some stories of their adventures in the woods, demonstrate some turkey calls and Arden will share about his time in World War II. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. Thanks for tuning in. www.tnwildlife.org #t... Read more

This week we will chat with Kim Woods and the crew that makes it all happen for East Tennessee Youth Outdoors (ETYO). ETYO is a group of men and women in the Jonesborough, Tennessee area who share a passion for introducing today's youth to the wonders of God's great outdoors. Annually, they host a two-day event centered around the Tennessee young sportsman turkey hunt in the spring. Young hunters will make unforgettable memories wh... Read more

This week we will chat with Wildlife Diversity Coordinator Chris Simpson, while visiting the Hiwassee WMA. Chris’s focus is on the Cumberland Plateau where a lot of work is taking place. From eagles to bats, he knows a lot about that. Chris will fill us in on some of the great work he is a part of and we will also hear from two of the Hiwassee WMA Technicians. They work hard to make the WMA a great place to hunt, fish and watch ... Read more

Today we are hanging out with Brandon Wear. He is the WMA manager on the South Cherokee and Tellico Lake WMAs. We will learn a little bit about Brandon and his history with the agency. He will fill us in on what he and his crew do to improve hunting and fishing on these properties. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife  #itswhatwedo

Tennessee WildCast is in Knoxville this week, live from Calhoun’s on the River. Fisheries biologists, John Hammonds and Shaun Ramsey, will join us to chat about fishing in East Tennessee. We will also cover the Bassmaster Classic, which is coming to Knoxville in just a few days. Thanks to Calhoun’s on the River for hosting us and thanks for tuning in. www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itswhatwedo

This week we will learn about a non-profit group called the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Maintaining access to public hunting and angling opportunities around the country is the group’s main objective, but Tennessee State Chair Joey Bell will fill us in on the efforts on a local level and how you can get involved. All this and more right here on Tennessee WildCast. www.backcountryhunters.org www.tnwildlife.org #tnwildlife #itsw... Read more