Michael and Alicia Muncy shown with three stripers caught on the Hiwassee River. The three fish weighed a total of 120 pounds,
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2010
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What many consider the "King of American Game Birds", the wild turkey is quite vocal during the spring breeding season. The call (gobble) of the wild turkey in the mountains of east Tennessee is an unforgettable sound.
What's that sound, was it
thunder?To many outdoor
enthusiasts the call of the male wild turkey may sound like rolling
thunder.What many consider the
"King of American Game Birds", the wild turkey is quite vocal during
the spring breeding season.The
call (gobble) of the wild turkey in the mountains of east Tennessee is an
unforgettable sound.
Male turkeys (Tom or gobbler) usually begin
attracting female (hen) turkeys by gobbling in late winter and early
spring.This thunderous sound is a
sure sign that spring is in the air. Gobblers are very competitive and become
quite vocal at times.
Turkeys can be found
throughout the Cherokee National Forest, but that has not always been the
case.At the beginning of the 20th
century, unregulated hunting, human encroachment and poor land management
practices greatly reduced wild turkey populations throughout the nation.Nationwide, only 30,000 turkeys
remained in isolated flocks.Today, the wild turkey population is estimated to be over seven million
birds in 49 States.This
achievement is a tribute to the support and dedication of State and Federal
agencies and countless individuals and organizations such as the National Wild
Turkey Federation (NWTF.)Through continuing partnerships the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
(TWRA) and organizations including the NWTF, and the Forest Service,
considerable effort has been made to create, improve and protect wildlife
populations and habitat in the Cherokee National Forest (Forest).The majority of the 650,000 acre Forest
is open to hunting and is managed jointly between the Forest Service and TWRA
as a wildlife management area (WMA.)
The 2010 Tennessee
statewide spring wild turkey season opens April 3rd .Many outdoor enthusiasts believe the
Cherokee National Forest offers the ultimate turkey hunting challenge.The steep rugged terrain and remoteness
of much of this area makes it a unique place to hunt.Although turkeys can be found throughout the Forest,
they can be difficult to hunt. Much of the Forest is rugged and steep with
elevations ranging from 1,200' to 5,000'.Experienced hunters must rely on topographical maps
and a compass or a global positioning system unit to make the most of their
hunts.Approximately 50% of the
roads within the Forest are closed to vehicular traffic, but are open to foot
travel unless posted otherwise.Many of the closed roads are maintained as linear wildlife openings that
provide food for a variety of wildlife and “bugging" areas for poults
(young turkeys.)Insects are an
important source of protein for young birds.
Doing
pre-season scouting, knowing how to read a map, knowledge of turkey habitat and
habits, physical stamina and determination are keys to a successful turkey
season in the Forest. Hunters often walk ridge tops and closed roads in hopes
of hearing a turkey gobble.That's
the easy part.When a hunter hears
a turkey gobble it often requires a cross-country trek to get into position
closer to the bird.This sometimes
forces hunters to hike into deep hollows and climb steep rugged slopes.Once a hunter hears a turkey gobble it
is not uncommon to hike an hour or more to get close to the bird.
For
the determined hunter a typical morning hunt in the Forest covers from three to
six miles.Experienced hunters say
there's just no easy way around it - you have to be willing to work hard at
turkey hunting in the mountains.
Many people hunt the
Forest because of the challenges it offers.Many believe that if it was easy it wouldn't be as
rewarding.Harvesting a turkey is
only one aspect of a hunt.Using
your map reading skills, going into places that most other hunters do not, and
enjoying the sights and sounds of the spring woods are all part of why many
people hunt the Cherokee National Forest.
With the Tennessee spring
turkey season just around the corner Forest Service officials remind hunters to
check with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for specific hunting
regulation information.The
TWRA is responsible for setting seasons and bag limits, and for
licenses/regulations.TWRA
offices in Crossville (1-800-262 6704) and in Morristown (1-800-332-0900) can
provide this type of information, or visit the web site:
www.tnwildlife.org.
General national forest
information and maps are available at Forest Service offices in Greeneville
(423-638-4109,) Unicoi (423-735-1500,) Tellico Plains (423-253-8400,) Benton
(423-338-3300,) and in Cleveland at (423) 476-9700, or visit the web site:
www.fs.fed.us/r8/cherokee.
The next time you visit
the Cherokee National Forest in the spring be on the lookout for the King of
Game Birds, and listen for the thunder!
The governor’s proposal to increase class sizes in the elementary schools, and to base the state’s payments on those maximums, could mean a significant loss of revenue for teaching positions in Polk County.
At the Jan. 19 meeting, commissioners were told that the Library Board would like to move the library from the lower level of the Courthouse to the building soon to be vacated by the Benton Family Health Care Center.
Teachers across the state, still reeling from last year’s loss of negotiating rights and a complicated evaluation system, now face a loss of a guaranteed salary schedule based on longevity and education.
The Library Board will be asking the County Commission for approval to move the library from the Courthouse to what is currently home to the Benton Family Health Care Center.
Video surveillance has been installed at the county’s convenience centers to identify people leaving garbage outside the fence at the convenience centers or throwing it over the fence when the centers are closed.
The collision happened around 6:45 a.m. Dec. 28 when a westbound truck carrying around 20 tons of calcine lost control coming around a curve on Hwy. 64 and flipped on its side.
Board members spent a majority of the meeting listening to a laundry list of ranging from mold issues to the proper wording on “no smoking” signs on the outside bleachers.
The IBMA Leadership Bluegrass, now in its 13th year, is an intensive three-day program that brings together the most progressive leaders to collaboratively challenge issues facing the professional music industry.
Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has a new line up of specially-designed mini-courses for the spring.
Horse Trainer and owner of Double S. Stables, Randy Speegle of Benton took second place in the Legends division at the Mustang Challenge in Murphreesboro on October 21st – 23rd.
Local residents got their first look at potential routes for a Copperhill-McCaysville Bypass, at a public information open house held last Thursday by Project Engineers for the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson has authorized a statewide referendum for cattle producers to vote on a $0.50 per head increase in the assessment to fund the in-state promotion of beef.
While some students may be nervous about how the upcoming exams could affect their college options, the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) has the tools they need to succeed.
Principal Mrs. Patricia Smith proudly announces the Copper Basin Elementary 1st and 2nd honor students. Students must have a 93 or higher average in all classes for the 1st honor roll.
Mrs. Deborah Swafford of Old Fort, was chosen by Northwest Elementary Faculty in Murray Co, Georgia to be Teacher of the Year for the 2011-2012 School year.
On Oct. 7, with the help of Vice Principal Turner, who kept her out of class for a few minutes to get it set-up, The Senior English 12 Class threw a Surprise party for Mrs. Ellen Carr.
Virginia Deloris Brown Trantham, affectionately known to family, friends and coworkers as “Sally”, age 77, of Copperhill, TN passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012.
I just wanted to say a big “Thank You” to Cheryl Maxwell, Mayor Stephens, Linda Caldwell, and others who planned and carried out a very successful 2nd Annual Heritage Days festival in Benton.
There is an old saying, which many credit to Native Americans as advising, “You can’t really understand someone else, unless you live their life or walk in their shoes (so to speak).
Photo from 1910 provided by Bill Lillard shows the family of Calvin Higdon, who built the Higdon Hotel in Reliance. Calvin (1836-1919) and Amanda Linderman Higdon (1845-1926) were married in 1860.
From Polk County News, 9/13/34
Famous Monroe County Hotel Is Now No More
People from All Over South Visited the “Saratoga of the South” in the Good Old Days.
The Museum Center at 5ive Points will host a presentation on Learning to Care and Maintain Your Featherweight Sewing Machine by Stan Pegram on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 - noon.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is offering a Cherokee language class in Vonore, TN on the following Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Each day kids will create their own holiday spirit by making decorations, learning games and trying foods from the past. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch.
“It was like seeing a freight train coming down the tracks 90 miles an hour and trying to stop it by stepping in front of it”, Coach Danny Rogers said.
The Copper Basin Medical Center’s District Board honored Dr. William E. Lee last week. Dr. Lee, 85, has spent a lifetime in service, not only to the community but to the world through his medical mission trips.
EPA is proposing actions to improve the water quality of the Ocoee from Copperhill to Dam No. 3, at Dam No. 3, and at the upper reach of Parksville Dam.
The Ocoee River Outfitters Association will conduct a stream cleanup with the help of approximately 130 volunteers on Friday, May 27, 2011 starting at 9:00 am.
Beginning in mid-January culverts will be replaced on Sina Branch Road where it crosses Sawmill Branch in the Ocoee Ranger District in Polk County, TN.
Drawdown is underway at Apalachia Lake, according to David Bowling with River Operations at TVA. He said the lake will drop 18-20 feet for routine maintenance work.
Trout stocking will be reduced about 20% in the coming fiscal year and could be reduced 85% after that, according to Frank Fiss, Assistant Chief of Fisheries at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
TVA has created a smartphone app for those wanting to check on reservoir elevations, water release schedules and more. The information has been available online, but the new app will allow access by cell phone.
Unseasonably high temperatures -- in the 90s -- are sending folks to the water. The Ocoee Whitewater Center is a popular place when the river isn't flowing, and the Hiwassee and Ocoee are popular when it is.
People come from near and far to experience a variety of outdoor recreation activities including camping, picnicking, hiking, bike riding, water play, fishing and much more.
VEC was recently notified by a neighboring utility that they have been receiving complaints from customers who have been visited by scam artists posing as energy evaluators.
The Tennessee Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for its Certificate of Merit Awards to honor individuals or groups that have worked to preserve Tennessee’s cultural heritage during 2011.
The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine offers personalized support for Tennessee residents who want to quit smoking by connecting them with trained quit coaches to guide them through the quitting process.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Consumer Affairs division is urging consumers to be wary of emails that request participation in a survey and that promise a gift card in return.
While many job placement firms may be legitimate and helpful, others may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings and charge high fees in advance for services that may not lead to a job.
The annual campaign has enrolled tens of thousands of children in the low-cost health insurance plan, which provides coverage for everything from physician visits to hospitalization to dental and vision care.
The Tennessee Department of State has launched a campaign to educate citizens about the new photo identification requirement that will go into effect for elections held in the state after Jan. 1, 2012.
All of the legislation approved this year, during the first session of the 107th General Assembly, is now available online at the Office of Secretary of State web site.
Applications for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) are available online at www.e-rebates.org/teearp or by phone at 1-877-741-4304 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Individuals who have received LIHEAP assistance since July 2010 must wait until October 1 for the new program year to begin before they can re-apply for benefits.
“Kids Fishing Day” event in Cherokee National Forest’s Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District is scheduled for May 21, 2011 at McCamy Lake. Anglers 15 years and under are invited to try their luck.
Ducktown resident Jack Suites and his partner Bitt Ledford of Murphy, N.C. took home the $700 second place prize at the Tri-County Community College Foundation Fishing for Scholarships Bass tournament on April 2.
More than four months after a spotted bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces was caught on the Ocoee River in Polk County, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed the fish as a new state record
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