Nursery Notes: Animal damage control procedures
Joey Wray, one of Warren County’s local Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agents, spoke briefly during the Middle Tennessee Nursery Association meeting last week. He can be reached at 931-686-8972 or wray@blomand.net.
Roy Cannon, can be reached at 931-815-2600 or lorren@blomand.net.
When contacting by e-mail, type “animal damage” as the subject.
Procedures for small game (rabbits)
Once damage has been noticed, the nursery may take care of any rabbit problems without a permit, provided owners or workers of the nursery are the ones doing the shooting.
If owners or workers are not capable of shooting problem rabbits, a permit will be needed for others not connected with the nursery to control the rabbit problem.
No shooting is to be done across, or from, any public road. Control of rabbits by shooting should only be done on the nursery experiencing the problem.
Procedure for big game (deer)
As soon as first damage appears, contact a TWRA wildlife officer to receive a permit. A wildlife officer will inspect damage and will issue a permit for a specified period of time.
If an officer cannot investigate damage immediately, temporary approval may be given over the phone so the nursery may begin immediately to control damage.
Individuals not working at the nursery may be listed on the permit with approval of the officer. Deer killed may be kept or given to someone who will benefit.
A wildlife officer must be notified when deer are killed. No shooting is to be done across, or from, any public road. Control of deer by shooting should only be done on the nursery experiencing the problem.
Individuals who may be hired for a fee that will assist with damage control: Dwayne Jaco (rabbits, deer, beaver) 931-506-8954 (home); 931-409-0169 (cell). Elbert Grissom (coyote) 931-474-3332.Clint Locklear (beaver) 423-949-5273.
TWRA is undertaking several steps to help alleviate wildlife damage in nurseries. Increased length of the permit. Increased the number of deer allowed to be killed. Liberalized requirements as to who may be placed on permit. Allow deer or rabbits to be used or donated instead of left laying.
If an officer cannot investigate damage immediately, temporary approval may be given over the phone so the nursery may begin immediately to control damage.
Initiated a 300-hunter quota antlerless hunt in early December for five days for Warren County. Landowners are capable of hunting on land they own during this special hunt without a quota permit.
TWRA’s office in Crossville is 1-800-262-6704.