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RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH
Dear Friends, Board Members, Regional Directors & Chapter Presidents
The Tennessee State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has graciously agreed to donate $1,000 to the "RIGHT TO HUNT & FISH" campaign that is being supported by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF). The board has also agreed to match ALL donations made by local NWTF chapters up to another $1,000. The Board hopes that ALL local Chapters will take a serious look at this legislation and consider making a donation to this worthwhile cause, as it is a critical issue at this time.
Since 2004, the TWF has been working closely with the Tennessee General Assembly and the Tennessee Attorney General's Office to secure a public referendum on the Right to Hunt and Fish in Tennessee.
As a result, a constitutional amendment will be on the general election ballot on November 2, 2010 The amendment creates a personal right of Tennesseans to hunt and fish within the proscribed laws, and without violating personal property rights. Currently, many assume we have this right but this is not the case.
This is our chance to protect our outdoor traditions in perpetuity. Today, hunting and fishing could be banned by a vote in the General Assembly or by an ill-guided lawsuit. Upon successful passage of this amendment, a ban on hunting and/or fishing would require a multi-year process and a vote of the people.
You may ask yourself why this is an important issue at this time, and this is an important question.
First, our population continues to grow, yet wildlife populations are increasing and becoming more concentrated. Meanwhile, our elected representatives are coming from more suburban areas and they typically do not understand our traditions of hunting or fishing.
Hunting and fishing represent a multi-billion dollar industry, providing thousands of jobs and the overwhelming majority of conservation funding in Tennessee.
Animal rights activists are well-funded and have been successful in some states. The constitutional amendment will offer much greater protection from frivolous lawsuits, activist judges and misguided legislation.
This is a pre-emptive strike, which will offer hunters and anglers much-needed protection from the political winds that are constantly shifting. We have an opportunity to put this issue to rest, through a vote of the people. If we wait until we need this protection, it will be too late.
In order to pass, the amendment requires 50 percent plus one vote of the votes cast in the statewide election. We need your help. Please consider donating today, and forwarding this message to your friends.
Local Chapters should make checks payable to the Tennessee State Chapter of the NWTF, indicate the Right to Hunt and Fish Education Fund in the memo and mail before July 15, 2010.
Mail to: Dr. Tim Agee
14075 South First St.
Milan, TN 38358
Should you wish to donate individually then go to http://www.tnwfhuntandfish.org/right-to-hunt-and-fish and click on the donate now button for the Right to Hunt and Fish Education Fund.
Thank you in advance for your support of our outdoor traditions in Tennessee.
Keith Hickman, President
Tennessee/NWTF
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State Board to Help Flood Victims
The Tennessee State Board is currently seeking names, addresses & phone numbers (if possible) of any NWTF members that were affected by the devastating floods of May 2010. It's the goal of the Tennessee State Board to provide these members with some type of assistance in the form of a "turkey hunting care package" once we determine exactly how many will be needed.
If you know of someone in need, please get the information to your Regional Director as soon as possible.
Your assistance with this project will be greatly appreciated.
Hope everyone is having a GREAT Day,
Keith Hickman, President
NWTF/Tennessee
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2010 Scholarship Winner Announced
I'm proud to announce that Charles "Whit" Hamilton, Jr. of Cedar Hill, Tennessee is this year's winner of our $1,000.00 State Scholarship. Whit attends Davidson Academy in Nashville and carries a 4.0 GPA. Whit's extracurricular activities include: Football, YIG youth Legislature, Student Government, National Honors Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.
Whit has held many leadership positions including President of his senior & sophomore class, Vice-president of his freshman & junior class, president of the fishing club & vice-president of the National honor Society.
Whit demonstrated community leadership by being involved with Saints Alive Community Outreach, the YMCA and Mu Alpha Theta Volunteer Tutoring.
Whit's other accolades included numerous academic awards in english, math, spanish & biology. He was also chosen to attend Boys State.
Whit loves the outdoors. He spends a large part of his spare time hunting/fishing and helps implement numerous conservation practices on the family farm. In his essay he calls turkey hunting the noblest of all hunting & considers himself part of Col. Tom Kelly's Tenth legion.
I know Whit & his family are extremely proud of Whit & all his accomplishments.
From The Tennessee State Board..
CONGRATULATIONS!! to Whit & his family
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NWTF Honors TWRA Officer 2010
EDGEFIELD, S.C. - Wildlife Officer Jake Yoes with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for his efforts in conserving America's wildlife.
Yoes, of Covington, Tenn., will be recognized as the NWTF's Tennessee Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during its 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by MidwayUSA, to be held Feb. 18 to Feb. 21 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
The NWTF initiated the State Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in 2000 to acknowledge top officers such as Yoes across North America.
"Jake is a courteous and well-respected officer who continually seeks to educate the public about the importance of conserving our natural resources. He is a great asset to the state of Tennessee," Keith Hickman, NWTF Tennessee State Chapter president said.
By earning the State Wildlife Officer of the Year award, Yoes and other state winners are eligible for the NWTF's National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, which will be presented during the NWTF's Awards Banquet Saturday, Feb. 20, during the convention.
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Stones River Chapter JAKES Day 2009
JAKES DOVE SHOOT
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Stones River Chapter of Rutherford County, TN did a JAKES dove shoot in September for there JAKES members in Rutherford County. It was a JAKES only hunt but each JAKE member had to be accompanied by a parent or guardian that did not hunt. Everybody had a good time and had hot dogs, chips, drinks and alot of powder was burnt. I think there were even a few doves taken.
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Clinch Mtn. Longbeards Host Jakes Day
Committee Member Helps Kids With Turkey Shoot
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Clinch Mountain Longbeards Jakes Day 2008 was held on Sept 20th 2008. There was events for kids of all ages. The event started out with a talk about the history of the wild turkey and how to hunt wild turkey by Allen Ricks of the Three Rivers Longbeads Chapter. There was a turkey shoot for the kids, TWRA Chad Gann held trap shooting for the kids, there was a shooting gallery set up with BB Guns, a fishing area with back yard bass and a bean bag throw and lawn rockets (magnetic jarts) for the little ones. we finished off the day with door prizes, raffles and lunch.
There was displays there from our community businesses & local Fire & EMS. Our home town radio station did a live broadcast.
Ed Avery (President)
Clinch Mountain Longbeards
Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
P.o Box 699
Rogersville TN 37857
(423) 293-4442
visit us @ http://nwtf-clinhmountainlongbeards.org
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Little T Longbeards Host Jakes Event
On Saturday, June 7, 2008 the Blount Count chapter of the NWTF, The Little T Longbeards, along with Blount County Parks and Recreation, and the TWRA sponsored the Annual Fishing Derby at the Alcoa Duck Pond. The pond was stocked with good size catfish by the TWRA and over 200 children between the age of 2 and 16 were turned loose with fishing gear and a great place to fish. The fishing started at 8:00 and was over by 11:00. Just in time for a great Catfish lunch.
Over 1,200 pounds of Catfish were stocked into the pond and the children managed to catch over 500 pounds back out. Door prizes donated by the sponsors and other area businesses were given out to all in attendance. The grand prize of a brand new bicycle that was donated to the days events by the Little T Longbeards chapter of the NWTF was given out at the end of the day in a random drawing, The children were also all given JAKES memberships in the NWTF by the Little T Longbeards.
The Little T Longbeards chapter of the NWTF enjoyed their day of fun in the sun with the children and hoped to bring a little bit of the great outdoors and the recreation offered by nature to some area kids.
By Ben Crisp & Little T Longbeards
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NWTF Event Raises Money For Disaster
Tornado Destruction in Macon County TN
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People from all over the state of Tennessee came to an area devastated by a February tornado to help a neighbor in need. Members of many chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) came together to try and contribute to communities hit by a category F-4 tornado. Over 200 homes were severely damaged and 18 people killed in a swath almost 22 miles long.
Many times all we hear about hunters and outdoorsmen and women are the bad things. The poaching or illegal trapping of game or trespassing by someone being somewhere they aren’t supposed to be. Members of the NWTF in the state of Tennessee aggressively tried to break that stereotype. On April 6th these activists came to give back to communities which had been giving to the NWTF’s conservation effort for the past 6 years.
People gathered at the Macon County Junior High School for the fundraiser. On one of the prettiest and warmest days of the turkey season thus far, all three TN regional directors of the NWTF brought in table after table of 100% donated merchandise. There were a total of nine guns which were donated to raise money. A Gibson acoustic guitar signed by Loretta Lynn, Lorrie Morgan, Jeanette Rudy, Rob Keck, and Trace Atkins, just to name a few, was auctioned. Famous Dave’s BBQ provided a complete meal for everyone at no charge. Once everything was totaled, a little over $ 12,000 was raised to help aid tornado disaster victims in Macon and Trousdale counties in Tennessee.
One Hendersonville, TN couple bought a Thomas Kincade print at a neighboring auction and immediately announced that they wanted to donate the print to the disaster benefit. When that print sold on April 6th, guess who bought it? The same couple paid the same price a second time for the same print. Bet you couldn’t have guessed that one half of the couple grew up in one of the devastated communities.
Yet another local NWTF member just had to do something. After viewing firsthand in his own community what this tornado had done, he donated a Knight black-powder shotgun he had won just the previous year. He mentioned to me that he “knew there were people out there hurting” and the “least he could do was donate something that he had had the good fortune to win”. Sometimes some of us just want to try and make omelets out of busted eggs.
There are many more stories I could relate about the true spirit of these turkey hunters. They want to give. They want to ease someone’s burden. They want to be good stewards. I would love to tell you all about it, but I will wait until you and I can walk out in the turkey woods in my native Macon County. At daybreak, with all the wonder and beauty that God has created, we will listen for that elusive, “GOOOOUUUUBBBBBBLLLEEEE!!!!!”
By Mark Darnell, Macon Co. TN
NWTF Chapter President
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Pine Mtn. Longbeards Support Military
The Pine Mtn. Longbeards chapter of the NWTF located in Jacksboro TN helped purchase 62 pocketknives for the 401 Special Forces Batallion. The chapter along with committee member Glen Payne purchased the knives and had 401 Special Forces Battalion engraved on one side and Friends Back Home engraved on the other side. The knives were then shipped to Tom Richey and his battalion in Iraq. The Pine Mtn. Longbeards chapter wants to extend a challenge to other chapters across the country to help in any way they can for our soldiers.
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Tennessee Turkey Hunters Hall Of Fame
The Tennessee Turkey Hunters Hall Of Fame is dedicated to those outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in the service to their local and/or the state chapters. They have excelled in the promotion of our sport, the wild turkey restoration as well as the preservation of the wild turkey and the turkey hunting tradition in our great state. These special individuals have are successful hunters, promoters and teachers who have a great love for the wild turkey and the state of Tennessee. Each of the members listed have met the requirement
guidelines for this great award.
2000 - Mr. Jack Murrey, Nashville,TN
2000 - Mr. John "Jack" Oliver, Clarksville,TN
2001 - Mr. Mike Halter, Chattanooga,TN
2002 - Mr. John Webb, Jackson,TN
2002 - Mr. Robert Cliff, Boliver,TN
2003 - Mr. Billy Minser, Maryville,TN
2003 - Mr. Sam Mars III, Harrogate,TN
2004 - Mr. Jim Arthur, Hixon,TN
2005 - No Inductee
2006 - The Turpin Family, Memphis,TN
2007 - Mr. Perry Jeter, Jackson,TN
2008 - Mrs. Janette Rudy, Hendersonville,TN
2009- Allen Ricks, Morristown, TN
2009- Wayne White, Morristown, TN
2009- Mark Warmath, Clarksville, TN
TENNESSEE TURKEY HUNTERS HALL OF FAME REQUIREMENTS:
• A Member of N.W.T.F (a minimum of 10 years)
• Serve or have served as a Local Tennessee Chapter Officer or Banquet Chairman OR
• Serve or have served as a Tennessee State Chapter Officer or State Board Member OR
• Given of their Time, Resources and/or Talents to the support of the Wild Turkey
• Continuously promotes and encourages turkey hunting traditions
• Shares the enjoyment of turkey hunting with others, especially the youth
• Supports efforts in the Conservation and Preservation of the Wild Turkey
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation must accompany the nomination
All nominations should be submitted to the Tennessee Board of Directors Awards Committee Chairman BY JUNE 1 at the following address:
Keith Hickman
21 TVA Access Rd.
Buchanan, TN 38222
Once all nominations have been received and reviewed by the Awards Committee, the Board of Directors will vote upon the candidates at the Summer Board Meeting and the chosen Individual(s) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the following January Board Meeting or Awards Banquet.
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Harpeth River Longspurs Jakes Day
The Harpeth River Longspurs The Cheatham County Chapter Of the NWTF held there 2nd annual Jake's Day Saturday May 17th at the Cheatham Wildlife Management Area. There were 22 Jake's members signed up and about 20 adults in attendance. We had 4 Learning stations. The staff of the WMA set up a archery range, shooting trailer and skeet shooting. And those attending made a slate call and used it in a calling contest, witch was won By Brooklyn Taylor of White Bluff. We also had a shooting contest at the archery range For a bow donated by local shop owner David Day., and a shooting contest at the gun range for a air rifle. We hope This event will continue to grow each year and Teach hunting heritage to the next generation.
Bob Dills Chapter President
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Tennessee Adds More Places To Hunt
The National Wild Turkey Federation and its partners have announced a land purchase in south central Tennessee as part of its More Places to Hunt initiative.
The NWTF and its Tennessee state chapter contributed $110,000 towards the purchase of the property, which is comprised of the Estelle Fork tract in Franklin County, and contains 874 acres of woodlands.
The property adjoins the 15,000-acre Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area and will enhance hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women in the Volunteer State and beyond. Upon completion of the purchase, ownership of the land will be granted to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and the acreage will be added to Tennessee's public lands for all to enjoy.
Through the More Places to Hunt initiative, the NWTF is working to increase access to hunting lands via land purchases, conservation easements, agency hunter access programs, legislative action and working with partners. To date, the Federation has spent more than $9 million and obtained more than 400,000 acres for hunting.
"Some of the best wild turkey hunting anywhere can be found in Tennessee," said NWTF Tennessee State Chapter president Mark Warmath. "The NWTF's Tennessee State Chapter is proud to help provide more places to hunt so that families and friends can enjoy the outdoors together. We will continue to work to leave a lasting conservation legacy for future generations in Tennessee."
The Federation's partners in the purchase include the TWRA, the Nature Conservancy, the Lyndhurst Foundation and the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund.
"Everyone worked together to pull this off, and it's great to see that sportsmen and women, and all people who enjoy the outdoors, will benefit from this purchase," said Dowd Bruton, NWTF regional biologist. "The Federation is always working for wildlife and for hunters, and I'm looking forward to more good news like this not only from Tennessee, but across North America."
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