Three hunters make kills the first morning
Historic Elk Hunt a Success
NORTH CUMBERLAND WMA, Tenn. --- It did not take long for history to be made on a
frosty morning after the first elk hunt began in Tennessee in almost 150 years as three
hunters recorded their respective places in the history book.
Charles “Chuck” Flynn from the Rockford community in Blount County has been
confirmed as the first person to legally harvest an elk in Tennessee since
documentation from Obion County in 1865. Flynn’s Bull Weighed in at 750 pounds. Two
other hunters, Craig Gardner of Parrottsville, and Ronald Woodard of Oak Ridge
quickly followed suit Monday morning.
Flynn, a life-long sportsman, made his shot from about 100 yards on his second shot
attempt shortly after 7:30 a.m. as the elk stood in an open field. He was accompanied
by long-time friends Frank Whaley and Calvin Hines. Harold Knight and David Hale from
Knight and Hale Game Calls shot video for their TV program. Eric Anderson served as
guide.
"A lot of people I talked to thought there was no way the average man was going to get
drawn for this," said Flynn. "There are a lot of people who have been involved with
bringing these elk here that deserve to hunt them more than I do. But TWRA has made
the commitment to the hunters of this state to work for the hunters. And for the average
Joe like me to have this opportunity is a real tribute to TWRA and what they're doing for
hunters in this state."
Flynn had spent the past several months making several scouting trips to his hunting
zone of more than 8,000 acres. At the zone drawing held in July, Flynn was the first
name to be drawn and made his selection, holding permit number 0001.
Woodard recorded his harvest from 236 yards and Gardner from 205 yards. All three
elk were harvested in an approximate 30-minute span.
The trio was among the four hunters who were selected June 9 in a computer drawing
from almost 13,000 entries. The fifth and final permit was presented to the high bidder
in an auction to benefit the state’s elk restoration program.
Ed Carter, Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, was on
hand at the operation base early Monday morning to receive the news. “I wouldn’t have
missed this moment for anything. Our agency personnel and partners have put so much
effort into making this possible. I’m so proud that we have a growing population of elk
not only for viewing, but one that can provide this opportunity to our hunters.” he said.
“The electricity in the air at camp last night was similar to the excitement just prior to
kickoff at Neyland Stadium.”
TWRA partnered with other conservation organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, The Tennessee Wildlife Federation, the Campbell Outdoor Recreation
Association and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation to reintroduce elk to the
state. This effort began with the first elk release held on December 19, 2000, that put
50 free ranging elk from Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada on the Royal Blue
Wildlife Management area. Since then, additional animals have been supplied from
Land Between The Lakes and Elk Island. The estimated population now stands at more
than 300.
“When we began the elk program, we had two objectives, one was to have an elk herd
to provide wildlife viewing opportunities and the second was to have a huntable
population,” said Greg Wathen, TWRA Wildlife Division Chief. “We have always
intended to have these animals be hunted. It’s been nine years since our first release
and we didn’t want to wait too long before we started hunting. We feel we have a
substantial population and believe we will be able to hunt these animals from here on out