The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission will return to Nashville for its final scheduled meeting of 2016, on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Region II Ray Bell Building in Nashville. The one-day meeting will begin at 9 a.m.
Brad Miller, TWRA Region IV Elk program coordinator, will present an update on elk management issues. This will include topics such as feeding, collar efforts, meetings with university researchers and possible future research proposals.
John McFadden, chief executive officer of the Tennessee Environmental Council, will give a short presentation on the council goals to plant or care for one million native trees in the state. Since 2007, the council has planted 150,000 trees. The third annual 50K Tree is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2017. The TWRA is one of the sponsors of the event.
The recipient of the inaugural Robert M. Hatcher Ornithological Scholarship will be introduced to the commission. Megan Hart, a graduate student at Austin Peay State University, was presented the honor in August. The $1,000 scholarship is named in honor of Bob Hatcher, who served the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for 38 years including serving as the Non-Game and Endangered Species Coordinator from 1987 until 2001.
A whitetail deer recently harvested in Sumner County, could turn out to be a world record for a non-typical buck. TWRA Communications Manager Doug Markham will introduce the hunter, Stephen Tucker, who is scheduled to attend the meeting. TWRA Cpt. Dale Grandstaff, who measured the deer’s antlers, will also be in attendance.
Outdoor Recreation Corporation of America (ORCA) has donated hundreds of coolers to the agency’s outreach programs and wounded soldiers events. Recently, ORCA donated more than $200,000 worth of coolers to all agency wildlife officers, boating officers, wildlife managers, technicians, environmental services, and fisheries field staff with engineering staff set to receive coolers in the near future. ORCA owner Cliff Walker will be recognized at the meeting for his contributions.
The public is invited to attend the meeting.