Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Temporary Road Closure at North Cumberland WMA

The TWRA has temporarily closed a portion of Montgomery Fork Road within the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area after recent rain events caused significant erosion and a hazardous road washout.

WMA staff determined that the damaged section of roadway is no longer safe for public travel, particularly because the area is normally open for use both day and night. The rapid deterioration follows several rounds of heavy rainfall that accelerated existing erosion issues.

“We recognize that this closure is an inconvenience for many who rely on this route,” said Area Manager Keith Thomas. “But the safety of all users is our top priority. We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we work toward a long-term solution.”

TWRA will provide updates as repair plans progress and will notify the public when the roadway is safe to reopen.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Wilderness Day in the Glade at Cedars of Lebanon State Park this weekend!

Visitors enjoyed hands-on outdoor activities including fly casting, archery, shooting sports, hiking and camping skills, and wildlife education from TWRA, Tennessee State Parks, and our conservation partners.

We appreciate everyone who came out to learn new skills and celebrate Tennessee’s outdoors!

The 2026 Wild Turkey Summer Observation Survey is now open through Aug. 31, and we’re asking Tennesseans and visitors to report wild turkey sightings across the state.

Your observations help TWRA track turkey reproduction, population trends, and overall wild turkey health in Tennessee. Last year, participants submitted observations from 94 of 95 counties — let’s make it all 95 in 2026!

Participate in the study by clicking here: www.tn.gov/twra/turkeyobs

Photo credit: Angela Lannom

Low water. Hidden hazards. Unseen dangers near dams.

In the latest TN WildCast episode, we take a closer look at boating safety, including:
- The hidden risks around dams
- How drought and low water expose dangerous obstacles
- Why outdated navigation tracks can lead you into trouble
- The life-saving habit too many boaters still skip

Hear real-world insights from professionals who’ve seen firsthand how fast a normal day on the water can turn tragic.

Whether you're fishing, boating with family, or exploring unfamiliar water, this is information that could save a life.

Click here to learn more: https://youtu.be/qWw8IdMJOUg

Students building habitat for Tennessee wildlife!

Through a TWRA Watchable Wildlife grant, students in the Oakland High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) program constructed more than 50 wildlife habitat structures for nongame species, including bluebird houses, bat houses, and barn owl nesting boxes.

These structures provide important nesting and roosting habitat for wildlife, while giving students valuable hands-on construction experience and workforce development opportunities.

A great example of education and conservation working together to benefit Tennessee wildlife!

Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day returns June 6!

On Saturday, June 6, all Tennessee residents and visitors of any age may fish for free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters.

Plus, youth ages 15 and younger may fish for free without a license all week long — from June 6 through June 12.

TWRA, communities, and partner organizations have planned special fishing events across the state. Visit the TWRA Events Page for event locations and details — just type “free fishing” in the search bar. https://license.gooutdoorstennessee.com/Event/EventsHome.aspx

Free Fishing Day and Free Fishing Week apply to Tennessee public waters, TWRA-owned and operated lakes, and state park facilities.

This time of year, we receive many calls about seemingly “abandoned” fawns. In most cases, these fawns are not abandoned — they’re simply waiting for their mothers to return.

It’s completely normal for a doe to leave her fawn alone for several hours at a time. She does this to avoid attracting predators.

Fawns are born with very little scent and instinctively stay still, helping them remain hidden and safe.

What should you do if you find a fawn?
- Leave it alone.
- Only move it if it is in immediate danger for example, if it is lying near a busy road or in a high-traffic area.
- If necessary, gently move it to a nearby safe, shaded spot close to where you found it.
- Do not feed or attempt to care for it yourself.
- TWRA does not rehab or relocate fawns.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post.

A season to remember.

At just 12 years old, Paisley has been hunting since she was six. After spotting a particular gobbler last year, she nicknamed him Bandito because of his distinctive markings.

She harvested a bird on opening morning this season, but told her dad she wasn’t interested in taking another turkey unless it was him. After many hunts, passed-up opportunities, and plenty of patience, the hunt for Bandito finally came to an end.

The story is a reminder that sometimes the memories, time spent together outdoors, and the stories made along the way mean just as much as the harvest.

Freshwater mussels are true ecological engineers.

These remarkable animals help stabilize the streambed by holding themselves in place and burrowing into the substrate, preventing instability and promoting overall stream health. They also serve as habitat for insects and fish.

And that’s not all — freshwater mussels are powerful natural filters, cleaning about 8–15 gallons of water each day. Through this process, they not only help clean the water but also process nutrients, making them more bioavailable for other organisms to consume.

Black bear sightings can become more common in late spring and early summer. Bears just over a year old leave their mothers and often move into new areas in search of food, water, and shelter. Increased outdoor activities like hiking and camping can also increase the chance of spotting a bear.

If you see a bear, remember these tips:
- Never follow a black bear. Give wildlife plenty of room to leave the area. Following wildlife for photos can unintentionally put people and animals at risk.
- Never intentionally feed bears and look for unintentional food sources around your home. Trash, bird feeders, outside pet food, greasy grills, and garden vegetables can attract bears.
- Secure food, garbage, recycling, and grills in areas not accessible to wildlife. Put trash out the morning of pickup when possible.
- Alert neighbors to bear activity and make noise when exiting your home to give wildlife time to move away.

A few simple steps can help reduce negative interactions and support the safety of people, pets, and wildlife.

Click here to learn more about living and recreating in bear country: bearwise.org

Photo credit: Colleen Heffernen