TWRA Hosts Hunting And Fishing Day

TWRA will give new hunters and anglers the chance to enjoy the Upper Cumberland’s outdoors Saturday, celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day.

TWRA Wildlife Information Specialist Mime Barnes said the event will be a statewide celebration with many public and private landowners allowing people to hunt and fish on their property for a day to learn and grow the sport. Barnes said recruiting is essential to conserving the environment across the state.

“Conservation really rests on the shoulders of hunters and anglers,” Barnes said. “Conservation is paid for in this great state through license sales and that is all of our hunters and anglers across the state. Conservation in this way would not exist in the United States if it were not for hunters and anglers.”

Barnes said the celebration will also recognize generations of men and women for their contributions to the tradition. Barnes said the bigger picture is for people to understand how important wildlife is to the state.

“It’s a great way to get folks outdoors,” Barnes said. “And just to remind them of that heritage that we hold as a nation and as a beautiful state.”

Barnes said hunting and fishing have provided so much economic opportunity for Tennessee. Barnes said even though today most people do not rely on hunting and fishing to survive it is important to keep the tradition going.

“It’s also a great way to invite people into that fold and allow them to understand what it means to provide for themselves through hunting and angling,” Barnes said. “And just to be outdoors enjoying so much public land and what Tennessee has to offer.”

The celebration will run all day on Saturday.