Fifty adults and kids attended the Ribbon Cutting and Science Activities for the new Carthage Storybook Trail, a project of the Carthage Rotary Club on Thursday, April 16 at Noon. The kids participated in sending Morse Code messages, tested propulsion with the stomp rocket, experienced the solar system rotation and orbit, and tested their reflexes with a hand speed challenge.  The storybook along the Carthage Walking Trail at 350 Industrial Drive is based on Ethan’s Space Adventure written by a local author and retired engineer, Larry Puhl. 

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission set the state’s 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons at its two-day April meeting, which concluded Friday at the UT Institute of Agriculture Plant Biotechnology Building. To watch both days of the meeting, visit the TWRA YouTube Channel.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s (TWRA) Wildlife and Forestry Division previewed the Agency recommendations for the 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons at the TFWC’s March meeting. A year long-process, these recommendations are formed from biological data collection, public input, and compilation and analysis of data (3-and-5-year averages). A public comment period was held following the March meeting, which resulted in 103 emails and 1,785 online comments.

The TWRA presented no changes to big game hunting seasons and bag limits. The Commission did amend the regulation regarding the start of spring turkey hunting season. The season will start one week earlier in 2027 on April 3, with the young sportsman hunt set for weekend prior.

In addition, the Commission voted to approve a 7-day straight wall cartridge season on private lands only. This season will start the second weekend of the muzzleloader season and run until the Friday before the gun season opener. Season dates for 2026 will be Nov. 14-20. The season will be for private lands only; muzzleloader season bag limits apply.

Rifles using straight wall cartridge ammunition must be single shot and .35 caliber or larger. A straight wall cartridge is defined as a centerfire metallic cartridge that does not substantially taper from base to mouth. Straight wall cartridges include such cartridges as .45-70 Government, .450 Bushmaster and .350 Legend, but do not include shotgun shells.

The Commission voted to approve seven additional days for bear dog training on private lands only in Bear Hunt Zones 1, 2, and 3. This will allow training for 21 consecutive days beginning on the Monday after turkey season ends.

The Commission voted to align the CWD Management Zone and Deer Management 1 by removing Wayne and Lewis County from the Zone. In any CWD-positive county east of the CWD Management Zone, baiting and feeding are now prohibited. However, transportation of carcasses out of those counties will be allowed to help facilitate hunters getting their deer to processors and taxidermists.

Furthermore, during the North Cumberland WMA OHV (off-highway vehicle) rulemaking hearing, the Commission voted to adopt a license and fee structure for OHV users on North Cumberland WMA. There is current legislation going through the General Assembly that could potentially impact the OHV permit. The TFWC considered rules aligned with that proposed legislation. More information will be available soon.

To open the Thursday meeting, Dr. Scott Schlarbaum, Professor and Director of the UT School of Natural Resources, was a guest. He delivered a presentation on the UT Tree Improvement Program.

Award presentations took place on Friday with Tom Beasley being honored as the 2026 Legacy Award winner. A longtime supporter of TWRA and its youth outreach programs. Due to Beasley’s involvement, thousands of individuals have participated in Agency outreach efforts on his properties in Humphreys and Smith counties. These events include Young Sportsman hunts, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, and Wounded Warriors.

The recipient of the 2026 Wally Childress TWRA R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) Outstanding Leadership Award was the Quail Forever–Smoky Mountain Chapter. The chapter has been dedicated to continuing quail conservation and organizing numerous youth projects.

TWRA Chief Budget Director Ken Tarkington was honored by State Representative Jeremy Fiason with a Resolution from the Tennessee House of Representatives, recognizing Mr. Tarkington’s 55 years of service to the state.

Additionally, TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon presented a special Courageous Award. Clayton Pinner, a 13-year old Haywood County resident, received the Director’s award for his display of courage. Clayton has overcome a rare form of leukemia and holds the state record for deer harvest for his age at a total of 61 deer.

Chase Rich, who was named the 2025 TWRA Wildlife Officer of the Year, was also honored in front of the Commission. He serves in TWRA District 42.

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.

The Tennessee General Assembly has secured funding to reinstate Summer EBT beginning in 2027, restoring a critical source of summer nutrition assistance for families statewide. The $7 million state investment will provide critical summer nutrition for over 700,000 eligible children, unlocking over $84 million in federal drawdown for Tennessee families.

Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, provides eligible families with $120 per school-aged child to help purchase foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein during the summer months when school meals are not available.

 In 2024, the program reached more than 700,000 children across all 95 Tennessee counties and generated over $84 million in benefits. Those benefits produced an estimated $134 million in economic activity statewide, with spending concentrated at grocery stores, farmers markets and small businesses. With the program’s return, that impact is projected to increase to approximately $151 million.

 “No Kid Hungry Tennessee is grateful to Representative Michael Hale, Senator Paul Bailey and the co-sponsors of SB1911/HB1835 for their work to restore this program for families,” said Marissa Spady, Senior Manager, No Kid Hungry Tennessee campaign. “Summer EBT helps fill a critical gap when school is out and children lose access to regular school meals.”

The need for summer nutrition support remains significant. An estimated 1 in 6 children in Tennessee faces food insecurity. Summer is one of the most challenging periods for consistent access to meals, and studies show that 62% of Tennessee families report difficulty providing enough nutritious food for their children during the summer months. Following Tennessee’s decision to opt out of the federally funded Summer EBT program, participation in the state alternative fell to approximately 18,000 children in 15 counties.

Summer EBT is designed to complement existing summer meal programs by providing flexible grocery benefits that can be used at participating retailers.

“Traditional summer meal sites play an important role, but they cannot reach every family due to transportation barriers, work schedules and limited availability in some rural communities,” said Spady. “Summer EBT allows families to shop where they already buy food.”

Kids who have access to healthy meals during the school year and over the summer focus better, perform better academically, stay healthier and come back to school ready to learn.

For summer 2026, families are encouraged to check with their local schools and community partners to get the latest information on the availability of summer meals programs in their area. Information is also available on the Summer Resource Hub at NoKidHungry.org/Help or /Ayuda. 

About No Kid Hungry

No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. Join us at nokidhungry.org.