Wildlife officials are planning massive killings of barred owls

U.S. wildlife officials are planning a massive cull of barred owls in the Northwest, wiping out about 450,000 of the raptors that are protected in most states, including Tennessee.

They say the measure is necessary to reduce an overpopulation of predatory owls, which place a heavy burden on other bird species in addition to frogs and salamanders.

The program has been running on an “experimental” basis for some time and recently attracted attention with its announced plan to significantly increase the number of owls eradicated.

It is not uncommon for wildlife managers to reduce the numbers of one species to protect another.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has been killing destructive, overpopulated feral hogs for years to protect habitat for other wildlife.

Still, critics of the killings of barred owls in the northwest say the measure is too extreme.

Barred owls are sometimes confused with barn owls, a different species. Barn owls do not pose the same predator problems and feed primarily on mice, shrews and insects.

Comments on the license increase: The TWRA is seeking comments on a proposed price increase for hunting and fishing licenses and boat registration fees. They can be submitted on the tnwildlife.org website, under public notice, until November 30th.

The comments and suggestions will be considered when the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission votes on the proposed increases at its December meeting.

The Commission says the increases are necessary to keep pace with inflation-related operating costs. The TWRA receives no tax money and is financed primarily through license sales and other usage fees.

Boater drowns under dam: A Lewisburg man drowned when his boat's engine wouldn't start and the boat got caught in the generators below Wheeler Dam in Alabama.

According to investigators, two other passengers aboard the boat survived despite not wearing life jackets.

In Tennessee, life jackets are required for boaters underwater under dams because sudden outflows create dangerous turbulent currents.

Hunter Ed Classes: Anyone born after January 1, 1969 must complete a TWRA certified Hunter Education Class to obtain a hunting license.

The courses teach firearm safety and hunting ethics and can be completed online. Information can be found on the TWRA website. tnwildlife.org.

Someone who fails to attend the course may receive an apprentice license, which comes with restrictions including hunting with an adult license holder.

Contact information: Send an email to field sales [email protected]. Please provide a phone number for verification.