Date: July 24, 2017
Contact: Randy Scoggins, (423) 569-9778
Contact: Gary Shreffler
Two Knoxville-area men pleaded guilty in federal court in Knoxville on July 20, 2017, for a hunting incident that occurred in October 2016. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area law enforcement rangers, with assistance from U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agents, conducted an investigation into an illegal all-terrain vehicle trail and discovered several illegal bait sites that were actively being hunted.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement personnel discovered that one man had shot a bear illegally within the park. According to the plea agreement, both men will lose hunting privileges for one year in the state of Tennessee. One man will also pay $10,000 in fines and restitution for the violations that occurred.
Hunters are reminded that it is the individual’s responsibility to know all applicable rules and regulations that apply when hunting within Big South Fork NRRA. Hunters are encouraged to read both the Tennessee game laws and Big South Fork NRRA rules and regulations.
Visitors or hunters who observe illegal hunting activity within Big South Fork NRRA should immediately notify the park at (423) 569-9778.
For more information on Tennessee hunting regulations, please use the following link: http://tn.gov/twra/section/hunting-in-tennessee.
Information on park rules and regulations are found at https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/management/superintendents-compendium.htm.
