NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The fifth permit for participation in Tennessee’s fourth managed elk hunt will be awarded to the highest bidder in an eBay auction to be held from July 19-29. Proceeds from the auction benefit the state’s elk restoration program.
Since the elk hunt was implemented in 2009, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has donated a permit to a nongovernmental organization to join four others who were selected from a computer drawing. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation is the recipient of this year’s donated permit.
The TWRF will award its permit to the successful high bidder through the eBay auction. The successful bidder will be a participant in the hunt, along with Tony William Fink of Crossville, Brian M. Rochelle of Franklin, William D. Marbury of Stanton and Corbin M. Moore of Rockwood.
The four winners, all Tennessee residents, were selected in a computer drawing for the elk hunt scheduled for Oct. 15-19 at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. The North Cumberland WMA will be divided into five elk hunting zones. Each hunter will be designated an EHZ in a drawing to be conducted at a later date at a TWRA Region IV location.
All proceeds from the sale of the remaining special bull elk tag will go exclusively to the elk restoration program. The TWRF is partnering with Bill Swan, an active member of the Chattanooga chapter of Safari Club International on the promotion and sale of the last elk tag.
The first year of Tennessee elk hunting, the NGO permit sold for $17,000. The bids have dropped each year since.
The auction will begin at 9:30 p.m. CDT on July 19 and will end at 9:30 p.m. CDT on July 29. The item number for the auction on eBay is 140793559156.
TWRF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting habitat conservation, responsible land stewardship, and Tennessee’s hunting and fishing heritage for the benefit of TWRA and Tennessee’s outdoor enthusiasts.
In addition to this year’s elk hunt, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission voted to establish a young sportsman elk hunt following the conclusion of the regular elk hunt. One young sportsman will be selected for the Oct. 20-21 hunt. The winner from the drawing will be announced on Saturday, Aug. 11 in conjunction with the second annual Land and Wildlife Expo at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville.
