TWRA has cut its budget by 10% each of th last two years. Staffing is probably at its lowest level in years. TWRA is being asked to cut positions in the agency as an example to other agencies, despite the fact that little of its staffing budget comes directly from the Tennessee state budget. I'm not sure where it presently stands, but there is a legislative measure under way to allow TWRA to set license fees independent of the State legislative process. Many are fighting the measure as a claimed "backdoor" taxing measure. There are few substantial sources of revenue for state wildlife agencies: license fees, boating registration fees, Pittman-Robertson federal funds, and Dingle-Johnson federal funds. PR funds are raised as an exise tax on archery equipment, sporting arms, and ammunition. DJ funds are raised as an exise tax on fishing equipment. Non-game programs have had minimal effect via private fund raising efforts for purely "non-game" efforts. What helps? Private organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy. Personally, I donate considerably through the PR program (I shoot recreationally :-). Next time you see a hunter afield, a boater (whether it be a ski boat, bass boat, or the dreaded jet ski), a trap-shooter with a shotgun, or someone with a fly rod in hand, don't forget why it is important that we support each other. Ramblings from an old wildlifer. Ken Hale Bristol, TN =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s) endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ========================================================