By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Big Sandy, Tenn.—Illegal baiting in the Big Sandy Wildlife Management Area prompted an ongoing investigation and closure of the area to hunting until further notice.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The TWRA announced Saturday night that waterfowl blind numbers 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are closed until further notice.
Henry County Wildlife Officer Greg Barker provided more information to WENK/WTPR Sunday afternoon on the closures.
“The investigation so far has shown this is a baited area. The entire area is baited. In other words, someone put something out other than crops in that area and that’s an illegal enticement for the waterfowl,” Barker said.
No arrests have been made in the case yet, Barker said.
TWRA has placed signs on the blinds and on the entrance to that area, informing hunters and the public that that area is shut down to hunting, Barker said.
The area affected is in the Waterfowl Management Area located along Hwy. 69 as you enter Big Sandy. “It’s in the Henry County portion,” Barker said.
Anyone with questions is asked to call the TWRA office in Jackson at 1-800-372-3928.