I just sent this email to the TWRA Commission Chair and Vice Chair inquiring if current Lifetime Sportsman's License holders will be grandfathered in. If so its a no brainer that would pay off in 5 years for TN Residents.
TWRA Commissioners,
James Granberry, Chairman
Chris Devaney, Vice-Chairman
October 16th 2024, Commissioners,
I write to you with a pertinent question regarding TN Resident Lifetime Sportsman's Permit Holders and how it may or not may be affected with the Proposed TN Resident License Fees for 2025 that you will be voting on at the December 5th & 6th Meeting in Memphis, TN.
The question is, will current Lifetime Sportsman's License holders be grandfathered in with regards to not being required to purchase additional newly proposed Resident North Cumberland OHV Riding Permit Annual at $200 per year?
I asked this question sincerely, as a retired TN resident on a fixed income that paid over $1,150 for a Lifetime Sportsman's License in an effort to support TWRA and it's conservation efforts and to hedge against future added permits and fee increases.
I cite this from the Rule 1660-01-28-03 Redline document attached in full. My concern is because of the following new proposed language in that document:
* A North Cumberland OHV Permit is required for OHV use on all trails in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. A permit is required for at least one adult occupant of each OHV and as a supplement to all other licenses and permits.
** A North Cumberland OHV Permit Guide is required if an individual accepts compensation for assisting another in OHV use while utilizing the North Cumberland trail system. The North Cumberland OHV Permit Annual is included in this permit. Annual and Lifetime Sportsman License holders are not exempt from Guide Permit Requirements
The current in effect Rules and Regulations and citations are noted below:
1660-01-28-.12 LIFETIME SPORTSMAN LICENSES.
Lifetime sportsman licenses and fees are set out as follows:
Description:
Under three (3) years of age………………………………………………………………… $320.00
Seven (7) years of age but less than thirteen (13) years of age………………………… $988.00
Thirteen (13) years of age but less than fifty-one (51) years of age………………….. $1,976.00
Fifty-one (51) years of age but less than sixty-five (65) years of age………………… $1,153.00
Sixty-five (65) years of age or older………………………………………………………… $329.00
Three (3) years of age but less than seven (7) years of age…………………………….. $659.00
Adopted Under 13 years of age within 3 years of adoption……………………………… $320.00
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 70-1-206 and 70-2-201. Administrative History: New rule filed January 26, 2021; effective April 26, 2021. Amendments filed March 21, 2023; effective June 19, 2023.
1660-01-28-.13 EXPIRATION OF LICENSES AND PERMITS.
(1) Pursuant to T.C.A. § 70-2-107, the traditional license year, beginning March 1 of each year and lasting until the last day of February the following year, is hereby abolished. An annual license system is established as set forth in paragraph (2).
(2) Each license or permit issued under these rules must be dated when issued. Each license or permit issued under these rules is valid for twelve (12) months after the date of issuance, except for the following:
(a) Lifetime sportsman license (Type 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, and adoptive lifetime license created under T.C.A. § 70-2-201), which is valid from the date of issuance until the death of the license holder;
1660-01-14-.15 IMPACT PERMITS FOR USE OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.
(1) A High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is required for riding hoofed animals, bicycling, and off highway vehicle use on designated wildlife management areas. Persons holding a valid hunting license with an appropriate permit to hunt on a wildlife management area and youths under age thirteen (13) are exempt.
(2) At least one occupant of a vehicle must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on roads/trails as designated. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR REFUGES, CHAPTER 1660-01-14 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, AND PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS (Rule 1660-01-14-.15, continued) April, 2024 (Revised) 9
(3) Off Highway Vehicle is any vehicle capable of traveling off highways within the state. The term includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, dune buggies and other four-wheeled vehicles used for off-road activities.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 70-1-206 and 70-2-225. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 5, 2002; effective October 19, 2002. Amendment filed September 16, 2003; effective November 30, 2003. Amendment filed February 10, 2005; effective April 26, 2005. Repeal and new rules filed June 3, 2008; effective August 17, 2008. Amendment filed March 27, 2015; effective June 25, 2015. A six-day stay of the effective date of the rule filed March 27, 2015; new effective date July 1, 2015.
Sincerely,
Robert Stovall
