Outdoors briefs
Nominations open for 57th annual Conservation Achievement Awards
Tennessee Wildlife Federation, one of the largest and oldest nonprofits dedicated to conserving the state’s wildlife and natural resources, is taking nominations for its 57th Annual Conservation Achievement Awards.
Details and nomination materials can be found at tnwf.org/CAA. Nominations close March 4 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
The Federation’s Conservation Achievement Awards are the state’s longest-standing and inclusive conservation awards. Past winners have included senators, international companies, conservation professionals, and lifelong volunteers.
“We’re excited to recognize and celebrate those who have achieved outstanding work for our wildlife and wild lands in 2021,” said Kendall McCarter, chief development officer for the Federation.
Nominations are accepted in nearly 20 categories — from Conservationist of the Year to Youth Conservationist. Award winners will be announced in May at our Conservation Achievement Awards event and across the Federation’s digital platforms.
Registration periods set for annual state archery tournament
The Annual Tennessee National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championships will be held March 31-April 1 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency hosts the event.
Pre-registration is underway and runs through Feb. 28 Normal registration with flight selection will begin on March 1 and will end midnight (EDT) March 21. Registration may be made at https://bit.ly/3qLX8ug.
The NASP State Championships will return to the Miller Coliseum after a two-year absence. The tournament will be limited to participants and coaches with no spectators, concessions, or vendors present due to COVID-19 concerns.
There will be three divisions. Schools will compete in the elementary, middle school and high school divisions. Awards will be presented to the top team and individual finishers in each division.
Tennessee opens $40M lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park
SPENCER — Tennessee officials have opened up a new $40.4 million lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Gov. Bill Lee was among those on hand for the grand opening of the facility that includes an 85-room hotel, conference space and restaurant and lounge.
The hotel has a limited number of rooms available for reservations, while the restaurant is open with limited hours and a limited menu. The park last year opened a $2.7 million visitors center.
Fall Creek Falls includes more than 29,800 acres across the Cumberland Plateau and includes 30 cabins, 222 campsites and backcountry camping.
Reward offered for information regarding elk poaching
CLAIRFIELD — A $4,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for an elk poached on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in the Valley Creek area of Claiborne County.
Around lunchtime on Friday, Dec. 31, a local hunter reported finding a 5×5 bull elk that had been shot in the Valley Creek area of the Ed Carter Unit of NCWMA, formerly known as the Tackett Creek Unit. The elk was found dead just north of the graveyard off Valley Creek Rd., which runs through the eastern portion of the WMA. TWRA Wildlife Officer Brenden Marlow and Elk Program Coordinator Brad Miller responded to the scene and located the dead elk lying in an old coal mine road. The carcass was taken to the UT College of Veterinary Medicine where a necropsy confirmed the animal had been shot and a bullet was recovered.
The Pine Mountain Long Beards Chapter of the NWTF, Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are offering a $4,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of the poached elk.
Anyone has information about the case is encouraged to contact Wildlife Officers Brenden Marlow (615) 571-4792 or Michael Cavins (865) 318-3349, or the TWRA poaching hotline at 1(800) 831-1174. All caller information will remain anonymous.
Contributed to the Press