The new Deer Bait Privilege License will be available on GoOutdoorsTennessee.com and in the TWRA On the Go App, starting July 22, 2026. The cost will be $50 for a resident of Tennessee and $100 for a non-resident. Public Chapter No. 444, allowing hunting over bait for white-tailed deer, was initiated by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee in the 2025 Legislative Session.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is informing the public that all hunters wishing to hunt white-tailed deer over bait, are required to purchase this license regardless of exemptions, lifetime licenses, and age. It is valid only on private property (owned or leased), across all private properties the hunter may have access to and is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Under the new law, deer baiting is not allowed on Wildlife Management Areas, in the CWD Management Zone, or any CWD-positive county. For a list of counties in the CWD Management Zone and other positive counties, visit the website here. There are specific types and amounts of bait that are authorized and other bait site rules that are in effect. A full list of the regulations for hunting over bait are listed on the website here.

Feeding and baiting wildlife are regulated to protect both wildlife populations and the public. Concentrating animals increases the risk of spreading serious diseases such as CWD, bovine tuberculosis, and brucellosis, which can affect wildlife, livestock, and pets. Poor‑quality or improperly stored grains may contain aflatoxins that are highly toxic to species like turkeys and quail. Grain overload, or acidosis, can occur with sudden shifts to carbohydrate-rich diets (like corn) during winter, creating a disruption in normal digestive processes, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes.

Additionally, feed/bait can unintentionally attract raccoons, feral hogs, and growing black bear populations, increasing the likelihood of predation, nuisance issues, and habitat and property damage. Hunters should consider these issues when placing and leaving bait on the landscape.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF) has compiled outstanding prize packages for its annual Wildlife Conservation Raffle. This year’s raffle has increased from 10 to 15 packages. The TWRF is a partner of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and proceeds from the raffle fund important conservation projects such as public land acquisition and habitat management.

           The 2026 Wildlife Conservation Raffle includes prize packages, totaling more than $200,000 in value. This year’s packages range from outdoor gear and equipment to experiences, including a Caymas CX 19 Pro, $50,000 Ford Voucher, Forest River FSX Camper, Trophy Deer Hunting Package, Waterfowl Hunting Package and more.

Tickets are on sale now through Sunday, Nov. 8, and are available as single tickets for $20, three tickets for $50, and 10 for $100. There is no limit to the number of raffle tickets that can be purchased, and the more tickets purchased, the better opportunity there is of winning one of the packages. Raffle tickets may be purchased online directly at https://wildliferaffle.com/.

The 15 winning ticket numbers will be drawn on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The lucky winners will have the opportunity to select their prize in the order that they are drawn. The winners will be announced Nov. 12 via email and on the TWRF website.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation is a non-profit organization and, as a partner of the TWRA, is dedicated to promoting habitat conservation, responsible land stewardship, and Tennessee’s hunting and fishing heritage for the benefit of Tennessee sportsmen and women.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

Mix together a batch of fruitcakes, three dozen Christmas trees, 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights, a chicken pox epidemic, two southern spinsters, an estranged old man, a lost cat named Tutti Frutti and a Christmas hog named Buster and you’ve got the recipe for a fun-filled and touching evening of holiday cheer. Into this world comes Jamie, a kid who has run away from home and come as far as his money will take him. At first, he thinks this town’s inhabitants are “nuttier than fruitcakes,” but soon he comes to admire, appreciate and adore this nutty little town. A moving story of alienation, understanding and reconciliation, FrUiTCaKeS provides audiences with a heaping helping of holiday warmth and Christmas cheer.

Characters needed: 4 men, 4 Woman, 6 Boys, 7 Girls, extra children for Christmas Pageant

Mack Morgan: Makes whirligigs for a living, at Christmas time he also sells Christmas Trees, takes Jamie in.

Jamie: a runaway teenage boy from a nearby city

Beebo Dantzler: the town’s only policeman

Betty Jane: Beebo’s Wife-directs the town’s annual Christmas Pageant

Little Beebo: their son (preteen)

Sally : their Daughter (8-10 years old)

Miss Sarah: a grouchy spinner, who, with her sister Alice, makes hundreds of fruitcakes each Christmas (middle age-mid 80’s)

Miss Alice: Miss Sarah’s younger sister, more gentle and caring (middle age to early 80’s)

Skeeter: a local fisherman and lover of poetry

Mattie Sue: a neighbor, who has been married six times

Rick Morgan: Mack’s son (late 20’s, early 30’s)

James : Rick’s son, Mack’s Grandson (8-10 years old)

Children in the Pageant: (speaking roles) 2nd grade-5th grade

Meredith (Mary)

Sammy (Joseph)

Laura (Sheep)

Joanie (Sheep)

Amy (Angel)

MaryBeth (Angel)

Frances (Narrator)

Little Skeeter (Innkeeper)

Little Larry (Wise man)

Little Billy (Wise Man)

You do not need to prepare anything. We will have Scripts at auditions for you to do cold reads. We look forward to seeing everyone from our community come out and audition.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is seeking public comments on the 2027-28 fishing regulations. This comment period, open from Wednesday, July 15, through Thursday, August 16, 2026, allows anglers and stakeholders to share feedback and suggestions with TWRA staff. Proposed regulation changes will be presented at the December meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC).

Public input is an important part of TWRA’s fisheries management process. Comments are reviewed alongside scientific assessments to help determine effective strategies for managing Tennessee’s aquatic resources while serving a diverse angling community.

TWRA Fisheries personnel collect data on fish populations, habitat conditions, and angler use through various monitoring techniques and surveys. These efforts support decisions on habitat improvements, fish propagation and stocking, and other management actions. All collected information is considered during the regulation development process.

An additional public comment period will follow TWRA’s presentation to the Commission. Approved regulations will take effect August 1, 2027.

To submit comments, please click the link or scan the QR code to submit your comments:  https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2027_fishing_reg_public_comment.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for conserving the state’s fish and wildlife resources and promoting public safety through law enforcement and boating education.

Another great Fair on the River is complete. Thank you to all the volunteers for helping make this a success. Especially, thanks for all your help registering entries and caring for the exhibits during the week.

Thanks to all the Smith County residents who exhibited their goods. Both the residents and the Family and Community Education (FCE) members showed their talent by all the awards they won. A special congratulations to Night Owls FCE club for winning the Hallie Mai Clemons FCE award of $100 for the FCE club with the most entries. There were 11 Best of Show Awards presented.

Family and Consumer Sciences, FCS exhibits Best of Show winners were:

Photography- Paul Massey

Heirlooms- Barbara Rollins

Floriculture- Lisa Gibbs

Canning- Sherri Reece

Cooking- Kaylee McDonald

Sewing- Katie McDonald

Fine Arts Amateur- Jennifer Martin

Fine Arts Professional- Betty Lankford

Crafts- Myra Fisher

Quilts- Dorothy Moyers

Needlecraft- Dorothy Moyers

In addition to Best of Show Prizes, a $10 premium check was given. Thanks to our wonderful FCS exhibit sponsors: Granville Bed & Breakfast (Randall and Peggy Clemons) (3); Nancy Malone in memory of Barbara Cantrell; Stan Webster in memory of Edith Stanton Webster; Carol Webster in memory of Beatrice Webster (2); The Holliman Children in memory of Mack and Dot Holliman; Anne Towns in memory of Grandmother Hackett and Grandmother West (2); and Kathy Wilkerson in memory of June Perrigo. I hope everyone will start planning now on what they want to enter in next year’s fair!

Avocado Salad

3 peeled and chopped avocados

½ red onion, sliced very thin

1 jar ripe olives, drained

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

Four Seasons Salad Dressing or Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Combine all ingredients. Chill and season if desired.

Submitted by Anne Towns, Carthage FCE Club

Local journalism and information bring communities together. Local journalism provides a trusted understanding of what’s happening in our communities. Local journalism keeps our institutions honest. Local news and information need our support.

Attached is the Tennessee license plate designed by Knoxville’s own Raylee Kirby. It’s available in the coming months when 1,000 plates are ordered. Requesting this plate will support local journalism and scholarships for journalism and communication students across Tennessee. There’s no better way to support the future of our industry than educating the next generation of journalism and communication students. Requesting the plate will add an additional $35 to the cost of your yearly registration. The state keeps half and half will go directly to these scholarships.

The Front Page Foundation, based in Knoxville, is a 501- (c) (3) organization. We are a branch of the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists. Our primary goal is to raise scholarship funds for journalism and communication students across Tennessee. The Foundation board is made up of 10 journalists from all areas of media. Our mission is to support journalism through our state education systems and build support for localmedia. We’re asking for your assistance. You can show your interest by filling out this short form or by scanning the below QR code.

You’ll be notified to pick up your plate at your local county clerk’s office once it’s ready. About Front Page Foundation: https://www.frontpagefoundation.org/

The Foundation Supports Local Students and Journalists

The Front Page Foundation is a nonprofit corporation chartered in 2015 to raise funds benefiting journalism in all news media – print, electronic, and digital – through scholarships, professional development activities, and educational programs for the public on vital issues in journalism. Chartered with the support of the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists, the Front Page Foundation partners with ETSPJ in supporting programs that educate the providers and consumers of news, encouraging professional excellence and public understanding of the role of the press.

The Foundation considers journalism ethics, diversity, freedom of information, open records and meetings, and government transparency to be essential for a functioning and thriving democracy. A free press and well-informed public are vital to democracy.

“Our primary goal is to raise scholarship funds for journalism students across Tennessee,” the foundation said in a statement. “The mission to support journalism through our state education systems and build backing for local media. We’re asking for your support.”