victorcharlie

I think the TWRA has way to much authority.

Yep, clear as mud now. Anyone think laws will ever be written where the average guy can understand them without consulting an attorney?

Re-reading the bill, the way I see it, if it's a multi-use wma, like the Cherokee National Forest, then carry is legal. If the WMA is closed to all uses other than hunting then carry would illegal, except during a hunt. Am I interpreting the bill correctly?

So this would still apply? 70-4-117. Possession of weapons in areas inhabited by big game — Penalty. — (a) It is unlawful for any person to be in possession of any firearm, bow and arrow, shotgun or rifle in, on, or while traversing any refuge, public hunting area or wildlife management area frequented or inhabited by big game, except during specified or lawful open seasons on these areas. Any person violating this section is guilty of hunting big game and shall be punished as provided for in subsections ( and ©. ( (1) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor. (2) It is mandatory upon the court to impose the prison sentence, upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, and the prison sentence is not subject to suspension. © In the prosecution of a second or subsequent offense, the indictment or presentment must allege the prior conviction for violating any of the provisions of this section, setting forth the time and place of each such prior conviction. The court shall prohibit such convicted person, either a first or subsequent offender, from hunting, fishing or trapping in this state for a period of one (1) year. [Acts 1951, ch. 115, §§ 44, 47 (Williams, §§ 5178.73, 5178.76); Acts 1957, ch. 382, § 7; 1957, ch. 384, § 2; 1961, ch. 198, § 3; 1976, ch. 681, § 1; 1982, ch. 701, §§ 4-6; 1982, ch. 738, § 21; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 51-427, 51-429; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 981, § 3.] previous document next document

Coyote season is not open year round in many WMA's. Special rules apply. Yep, I've tried that arguement with a TWRA leo at the local sportsman's warehouse and was made aware of the special provisions for a wma.

Exactly, that would exclude center fire rilfles or handguns in amost all cases except during a specific season that allows it. I'm also having a bit of a problem with the possession law in regard to HB0961. From the current twra webpage: Firearms Use, possession or transportation of firearms, bows and arrows or other arms and ammunition is expressly prohibited except when authorized. Firearms loaded with ammunition in either the chamber or magazine may not be transported in vehicles. This from the WMA web page: Firearms: Use, possession or transportation of firearms, bows and arrows or other arms and ammunition is expressly prohibited except when authorized. Firearms loaded with ammunition in either the chamber or magazine may not be transported in vehicles, see page 13. Individuals authorized to carry handguns (those with handgun permits) may not carry their sidearms within wildlife management areas except on authorized hunts and then only during specified hunting hours.

I emailed the commissioners and voiced my displeasure.

Hunting season year round in most WMA's? Are you serious? WMA's fall under there own set of rules, and most WMA's are seldom open to hunting big game, which under current rules is the only time one can possess center fire rifles or handguns. Most of the year, WMA's are closed to hunting. Those are the kings animals ya know? In the case of E. Tn, it locks up a lot of public land. I can't wait for this to become law.

IMO, carry in the Cherokee isn't about hunting as there are only a few days that big game hunting is allowed. I backpack and would like to provide for my family's security while enjoying the forest.

The House vote on this bill today. Passed H., as am., Ayes 89, Nays 3 I haven't seen an update on the senate.

Sorry Jay, but the wma was stripped out of the parks bill and is now a seperate bill. You may want to have another look at the bill.

E. Tennessee has huge wildlife management areas. The Cherokee National forest is some 640,000 acres spanning from the Georgia state line to the Great Smokey Mountains. The Cherokee has less than 12 leo's to patrol the forest. A similar situation exist north of the Smokeys. So, there is no security other than what you carry. Anyone with a firearm is a poacher. If the bill passes, we will no longer be treated as poachers, but only as potential poachers. (Those are the kings animals you know, that's what they got Robin Hood for). This train of thought would be similar to treating all men like rapist yet is is tolerated for animals. Animal rights are now more important than individual liberty, at least to the liberals. Of all the bills that went through this session, the WMA bill is the one I personally wanted passed.

Yea, I'd chip in a few bucks myself. Not being allowed to carry in the national forest is just so, so wrong.

Placed on s/c cal Budget of FW&M for 06/16/2009 Okay, what exactly does this mean?

Which is today. Anyone heard anything?

Any word yet?

I see the senate has it on the calendar for tomorrow, so I'm hoping for the best. We'll see.....

No, the argument is that poaching might increase. Now, with carry prohibited, everyone with a firearm in a wma is a poacher. If the bill passes, everyone with a firearm will be a potential poacher. I don't get it, I can carry in a bar, but not in the forest.

I line space between paragraphs but when I post I lose the spacing. What am I doing wrong?

I too spend a fair amount of time backpacking in the Cherokee National Forest but lately I've been spending more time in the Cohutta's of N. Georgia, mostly because carry is legal there. Of all the bills, one to carry in the forest seems to be the biggest no-brainer of them all. I guess a deer or bear's life is more important than a humans?

This is really the bill I would like to see passed. It's on the calender for June 9th. What's the buzz on this bill? Will it become law this year? Tennessee General Assembly Legislation

Chicago Law Banning Handguns in City Upheld by Court (Update3) - Bloomberg.com I don't know what to say about this.

People don't break in to do you good, so, of course you would be in fear of your life IMO.

Is that bill(WMA) still alive? Think we'll get it passed this year? What's the bill number?

So, is carry in WMA's included in this bill? Will we finally be allowed to carry in WMA's?