Chattanooga’s connection to the outdoors is more than a point of pride — it’s a defining economic advantage. The Tennessee River and the public lands surrounding our region fuel a thriving culture of fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking and water recreation. These natural assets draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, supporting local businesses and making Chattanooga an exceptional place to live and work, and are predominantly managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
As someone who has spent a lifetime in the outdoors — as a sportsman, longtime radio host, former wildlife commissioner and CPA — I’ve seen firsthand how critical wildlife management is to our communities (as well as how much it costs to manage). Strong fish and wildlife populations don’t just sustain traditions; they sustain jobs, local economies and public safety.
Statewide, Tennessee’s fish and wildlife resources generate a multibillion-dollar outdoor economy and more than 100,000 jobs. In Chattanooga, this economic engine powers tourism, hospitality, retail and other service industries. When those resources thrive, the benefits ripple far beyond the outdoors.
› A Funding Model Out of Balance: Despite the broad public benefits wildlife provides, Tennessee’s funding model relies overwhelmingly on hunters and anglers, who currently supply about 81% of the agency’s revenue through license fees and federal excise taxes — even though most Tennesseans who enjoy wildlife do not hunt or fish.
Sportsmen have supported conservation for generations, but the system is no longer sustainable. They also contribute tens of millions of dollars in state sales taxes, yet none of that revenue is returned to support wildlife resources. Dedicated general fund support would correct this imbalance, protect access to hunting and fishing, prevent repeated license increases and ensure stable management of the resources that power our outdoor economy.