TWRA: Hunting season not suspended, despite viral prank post
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JACKSON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says despite a viral social media post, deer hunting season is not canceled. “Just because it’s on the Internet doesn’t mean it’s true,” said Maj. Brian Thompson with the TWRA. Thompson said the agency received several calls asking about the season after a link to a prank site, using the TWRA logo, claimed the 2015 season is suspended. “It’s too much of a revenue stream for the state of Tennessee — it would not be believable,” hunter Bob Smith said. Thompson said this is the first large-scale prank to victimize the state organization. “Absolutely ridiculous for anybody to believe it,” avid hunter Patty Williams said. “It would have to be something catastrophic to stop hunting seasons,” Thompson said. Officials said they would turn to mainstream media to notify of major changes. “We would by no means put it on Facebook,” Thompson said. According to the prank link, more than 140,000 people have been fooled. The archery portion of the 2015 season starts later this month, with guns and muzzle loader seasons opening in November.
