Paris, Tenn.–Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, has introduced legislation to address the TWRA’s proposed changes on how it allocates public duck hunting blinds.
The following is a press release from Rep. Griffey:
“Earlier in the month of February, the TWRA released proposed changes in how it allocates public duck hunting blinds. On most public waterfowl hunting areas in West and Middle Tennessee, TWRA has traditionally hosted annual hand-held drawings for public blinds. The TWRA is now proposing to reduce the number of season-long blinds to provide shorter term hunting locations that will be drawn for through the quota system. The TWRA’s proposed changes will be put to a vote before the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission (“TFWC”), which consists of 13 members all of whom are selected by political appointment – 9 appointed by the Governor, 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House and 2 appointed by the Speaker of the Senate.
“Duck hunters not only in my district, but across West Tennessee have been contacting me about the proposed changes and virtually all are vehemently opposed to them. Moreover, the hand-held drawings, which attract thousands of hunters, have a significant economic impact on small, rural towns in West Tennessee. For this reason, I filed House Bill 1094, which John Stevens is sponsoring in the Senate as Senate Bill 999. This legislation calls for 6 of the 13 TFWC members to be elected by Tennesseans holding a valid, current hunting license or permit instead of being appointed by the Governor. It also halts any change to the procedure to conduct drawings for duck blinds until an election can be held for TFWC members,” Rep. Bruce Griffey (R-Paris) stated.
“Having a number of the TFWC members elected instead of sitting on the Commission by political appointment provides a stronger voice to hunters and greater accountability by Commission members to hunters in Tennessee. The United States is a democratic society and my legislation essentially expands the democratic process into the arena of hunting and fishing rules and regulations,” explained Griffey.
Griffey’s bill is set to be heard and voted upon by the House Agricultural & Natural Resources Subcommittee this coming Tuesday, March 2, at 10:30 am at the Capitol in House Hearing Room III. Griffey is encouraging West Tennessee duck hunters to attend and testify at the hearing to vocalize their opinion.”