In June 2025, in a surprising turn of events, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) withdrew its requested license increase package – what would have been an average 28 percent increase in the cost of hunting & fishing licenses expected to go into effect on the first of July.
But from the very beginning of the discussion at the June Legislative committee meeting, it became very clear that legislators were likely to vote “No” on the increase. Following more than one hour of discussion, and rather than suffer the indignity of a “No” vote, TWRA opted to withdraw their request completely.
Most importantly, rather than placing the funding burden solely on the shoulders of hunters & fishermen, almost unanimously legislators expressed great interest in finding a better, more sustainable funding alternative for TWRA as other states have done.
The next legislative session doesn’t begin until January 13, 2026. However, the complicated political maneuvering to get that alternative funding has been underway since the summer.
As a part of that process, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation launched what it calls the Tennessee Outdoor Business Roundtable (OBR), a new initiative bringing together outdoor-focused businesses from across the state to amplify their voice in conservation and advocate for the interests of Tennessee sportsmen and women – the primary mission now is to encourage legislators to find and pass some alternative funding sources.
For instance, the Missouri Dept. of Conservation is funded primarily through a dedicated 1/8th-cent conservation sales tax, only supplemented by the sale of hunting and fishing permits.
One of the initial steps was to send a letter, signed by 41 OBR members, to Gov. Bill Lee. The letter read in part,
As outdoor industry leaders from across the state, we write to express the Tennessee Outdoor Business Roundtable’s strong support for dedicated, sustainable funding for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Our customers – outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds from across our state – rely upon services provided by the agency to continue their outdoor pursuits. In order for the outdoor industry to continue to thrive in Tennessee, it is imperative that the Agency receive this reliable funding so that these services may continue.
A United Voice for Conservation
Outdoor businesses depend on healthy lands, waters, fish, and wildlife to thrive. Wildlife federation officials say the OBR provides these businesses with a unified platform to work together in advancing science-based conservation policies that ensure their customers—Tennessee’s outdoorsmen and women—can continue enjoying the natural resources that fuel the state’s economy.
“The outdoors is not only a way of life in Tennessee, but a cornerstone of our economy, especially in rural communities,” said Bill Cooksey, partnerships program leader at Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “By bringing these businesses together, we are making sure decision-makers understand that conservation and outdoor recreation go hand-in-hand.”
Why It Matters to Tennesseans
More than half of Tennessee residents participate in outdoor recreation and enjoy its wildlife resources, making it one of the state’s most significant economic drivers. However unless they specifically hunt or fish, they do not contribute financially to the enhancement and conservation of those wildlife resources.
By joining forces, members of the Roundtable can advocate for laws and regulations that conserve natural resources and expand outdoor access to support all of the outdoor recreational activities Tennesseans cherish – and encourage ways for all Tennesseans to contribute to the protection and enhancement of those opportunities.
The Tennessee Outdoor Business Roundtable welcomes outdoor-focused businesses who want to stand with others in advancing conservation and strengthening the outdoor economy. Learn more at this website.
(Editor’s Note: As an outdoor journalist and outdoor business owner – Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. – author Richard Simms is a member of the Tennessee Outdoor Business Roundtable and was a signatory on the letter sent to Gov. Bill Lee.)
