TFALAC ALERT: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

[Pat McGarrity]

TENNESSEE FIREARMS ASSOCIATION, INC.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE

We have received several reports from David Borum, a TFA member, who is also
very interested in the conduct (some might say unrelenting power) of the
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Let me preface this entire message with the statement that TWRA (at least
those in control) is perceived as too eager to grow the size of the agency
on the backs and resources of hunters and fishermen across this state.
TWRA's budget comes primarily if not exclusively from license fees and other
fees it charges to hunters and fishermen in Tennessee. Those of you who
purchase these licenses probably are still in shock from the almost 35%
increase in fees that TWRA implemented as soon as the Legislature abdicated
the power and discretion over hunting and fishing licenses to TWRA. Now the
fox is in the hen house and TWRA is planning to raise the money through fees
to do pretty much whatever it wants to do and do it all without the power of
the public in even have a word in the debate (certainly not to the extent
that the public has the right to "vote" on those in control of TWRA).

One area that is being watched is the concern that TWRA may make several
changes that will costs hunters and fisherman much more money in the future.
An example is changing the current process whereby quota-hunt drawings are
handled to make the application fee non-refundable if you are not lucky
enough to get a slot in the drawing. We have understood that there has also
been talk about removing some of the exemptions on Sportsman and Lifetime
license holders for fees and permits.

This agency should never have been cut loose by the Legislature and, perhaps
they will realize that put the purse strings back onto TWRA so that then,
perhaps, the voters in this state will have at least some avenue of
complaint when TWRA goes crazy with the "public's wildlife resources"


----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 8:53 PM
Subject: TWRA Constituent Issue



Well, This proves that the TWRA Commission was knocking this idea around
about extra fees for Sportsmen and Lifetime license holders and
non-returnable quota hunt fees (which meant if you did not get drawn for
a hunt you did not get your fee money returned), all we can hope for is
the State Legislature will somehow take the free reign back from the
TWRA before these "silly" ideas do one day get implemented. For now it
looks like we are OK but we need to keep our eyes open or the sportsmen
in this state will wake up on morning with an empty wallet.


-----Original Message-----
From: Tina Still [mailto:tina.still@legislature.state.tn.us]
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 2:36 PM
To:
Subject: FW: FW: Constituent Issue
Importance: High

Mr. Borum,
Please find below the response from Mr. Allen Gebhardt with the
Tennessee Wildlife Resouces Agency regarding your concerns. Thank you
again for your e-mail. Rep. Doug Overbey

-----Original Message-----
From: Allen Gebhardt [mailto:Allen.Gebhardt@state.tn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 12:22 PM
To: Tina Still
Subject: Re: FW: Constituent Issue
Importance: High

** High Priority **

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission asked the Agency staff
several months ago for a report on the cost to hold quota hunt drawings.
They also asked for ideas on ways the drawings could be made to
"break-even." This request for information was a part of discussions on
converting the drawings to electronic applications rather than the
current paper applications.

A non-refundable drawing fee was one item mentioned, but not
proposed by the Agency. At thge TWRC meting last week, the report was
presented, and the Commission DID NOT add any new fees for lifetime
license holders. The Agency and Commission fully understand the promise
made to buyers of lifetime licenses and I am confident no new charges
will be placed on them.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond.

Allen S. Gebhardt, Asst. Director
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O Box 40747
Nashville, TN 37204
615-781-6556



John Harris
Exec. Dir - TFA

http://www.tennesseefirearms.com

http://www.tfaonline.org/memberforum