Land Between the Lakes Bowhunting

To:  USDA Forest Service Land Between the lakes Recreation Area

To: USDA Forest Service Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area

We are concerned about the decision by the USDA Forest Service Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area (LBL) staff to reduce the number of hunting days available to archery hunters. The change from one day of no Archery Hunting prior to a Quota Gun Hunt to five days of no Archery Hunting prior to a Quota Gun Hunt eliminates 12 prime hunting days available to archery hunters. To our knowledge this decision was made without public notice nor opportunity for comment from the tax-paying citizens the USDA Forest Service was created to serve.

We are dissatisfied with this change and request a return to the old policy. We also request that you provide documentation on 1) Why this change was necessary, 2) What were the expected results from the implementation of this change, and 3) How the results of the change would have been verified to validate the removal of the 12 days of bow hunting.

In order to return to the previous policy of 1 no-hunting day prior to a quota gun hunt with short notice, we propose that the LBL administration post a revision to the current 5 no-hunting days to 1 no-hunting day (as in all previous years) at various locations of public access within LBL and on the LBL Web Page. Those who don’t see these notices will not be in danger of breaking the law if they adhere to the current policy of five days no hunting, and those who do will benefit in having what was taken from them returned.

We would also like to find methods of better communication with USDA Forest Service Staff on decisions that effect hunting seasons to prevent miscommunication and mistrust from occurring in the future. We request that the USDA Forest Service give public notice of proposed changes to hunting season, with opportunity for public comment.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Land Between the Lakes Bowhunting Petition to USDA Forest Service Land Between the lakes Recreation Area was created by Tennessee Traditional Archery Society (TTAS) and written by Bob Brundage (brundage@charter.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.