NASHVILLE -- Tennessee’s 2017 spring hunting season for gray, fox and red squirrels opens Saturday, May 13 and will continue through Sunday, June 11. The daily bag limit is 10, the same for the fall/winter squirrel season which is held from late August to the end of February... more

NASHVILLE— The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is now accepting urban forestry tree planting project proposals through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). “Trees are vitally important to our state,” Commissioner Jai Templeton said. ... more

The Old Man was ready. He felt comfortable sitting against the massive fallen oak and the old double-barreled shotgun was rock-steady, resting softly on the moss that covered the fallen tree. It would not be long now. Only seconds before he had heard the turkey leave the tree in its fearless descent to the calling hen below. The morning birds were singing loudly and the Old Man’s heart beat faster and... more

NASHVILLE --- Boaters may have noticed recently that there is a large number of fish dying along the shoreline throughout Kentucky and Barkley lakes, an occurrence that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is aware of and investigating. The dead fish are silver carp, an invasive species that can negatively impact native fish and recreational boating. Because of these threats, the TWRA has been working to stem their expansion into new waters... more

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency presented its 2017-18 hunting seasons’ proposals to its commission Wednesday, offering few recommended changes to its regulations. Members of the TWRA Wildlife and Forestry Division made the presentations in regard to deer, turkey, and bear seasons. In addition, a history of the TWRA’s elk restoration efforts was presented for benefit of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s recently appointed five commissioners... more

As I netted the final Caney Fork rainbow trout of the day in near total darkness, I wondered if anyone realized what a positive impact the TVA has had on cold water fishing in Tennessee. In 1933, President Roosevelt as part of his New Deal initiative, signed a bill creating the Tennessee Valley Authority. ... more

In today’s world of high tech optics the myriad of choices presented to the consumer are endless. Hopefully this article can make things a bit “clearer,” pardon the pun, for the average hunter. Rifle scopes A good quality scope has been the key to many successful hunts yet most hunters don’t know where quality ends and “fluff” begins. ... more

The golden-red oak leaf fell in uncontrolled tumbles, resting fatefully upon other leaves that had not yet released, until the wind or the ground’s beckoning would send it tumbling again. Sometimes it circled as it fell, sometimes it glided or slipped sideways, until it rested delicately upon the quilt of a million other leaves that had already made the journey... more

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Central Magnet High School repeated as champion of its division while Stewarts Creek Middle School and East Lincoln Elementary School claimed their first championships in their respective division at the Tennessee National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championships... more

The new Barricade Rust Protection Dauber Pen from Birchwood Casey allows hunters and shooters to carry outstanding rust protection in a pocket, pack or shooting bag. The Barricade Rust Protection Dauber Pen rapidly drives out moisture from the pores of metals and deposits a transparent protective coating, which seals the surface and prevents rust... more

Since the introduction of the Black Label 1911-380, Browning has continued to add new offerings to this popular line of handy pistols. For 2017 Browning will offer five new models of the Black Label 1911-380 pistol. The new Black Label 1911-380 Medallion Pro will be available in Full Size and Compact versions. ... more

You’ve spent countless hours getting ready for turkey season. You’ve scouted a great location with plenty of gobblers. But what about your turkey gun? There are some very important aspects of shooting a turkey gun accurately that need your attention before pulling the trigger on a tom. After you’ve found a load that patterns well -- one that will put more than 100 pellets in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards -- it’s time to do some fine tuning... more

The Land It was dawn first light. The Old Man sleepily opened the door and made his way to the nearest porch column. First light was still very dark, thought the Old Man. He had many times pondered on the first moments of dawn; those initial seconds when one realizes that the blackness is a bit grayer; that slash in time when whispered silence becomes filled with unrestrained bird songs, guaranteeing a man that full light is not far away. ... more

Progeny Elizabeth McKensie touched her toe to the wall and gently started the wicker swing in motion. Sometimes, when the mood struck her, she would slowly swing for hours gazing over the sloping pastures which fell gradually to the meandering creek that lay against the distant grey blue bluffs. ... more

Once you understand the information contained in a map margin you can then get down to the information on the map itself. Next are the colors you will see on a topographic map. There are numerous colors used but here are the basics and what they represent... more

Many years ago, when I devoted my time to making a living in sales, a book written by Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich, was popular for putting salesmen in the right frame of mind. Another use of positive mental imagery is when Olympic athletes are in trance like thought devoted to imagining their success. ... more

The Old Man eased himself into the camp chair and rested his feet on the large, ashen-gray rocks that had contained the fires of the last fourteen days. He had finally found the remedy for the truck’s refusal to start. A wire from the ignition had worn so badly that it had shorted, and while the Old Man loved that truck like a member of his family, it was beginning to irritate him with its frequency of needed attention... more

by Jay Langston Editor As turkey hunters, we owe it to this great sport to make solid ethical choices throughout the hunt. A wild turkey is a tough animal to bring down, so you’ve got to pick your shot carefully. Getting into proper position and being prepared for a shot is a key element of success. ... more