Elk in Tennessee

This week Dawson and Clint talk all things elk with Brad Miller and Jason Finnell. Brad serves as the Elk Program Coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Jason is an avid outdoor adventurer and hunter. The elk population in Tennessee is estimated to be between 400-500 and the ERZ (Elk Restoration Zone) covers 670,000 acres centered around the North Cumberland Plateau. They discuss how and why elk were introduced back into Tennessee, keeping the population healthy, the relationship between residents and the elk, why controlled hunts are important, the strategic plan moving forward, and much more!

Brad Miller serves as the Elk Program Coordinator based out of the North Cumberland WMA work center. Brad came to TWRA in 2016 from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) where he worked as the Regional Biologist for Tennessee and North Carolina. Prior to working for the NWTF, Brad was the Assistant Chief of Wildlife at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission where he also served as the Deer Program Coordinator and supervised the elk program.

Brad is from Knoxville and received his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee. His master’s topic examined silvicultural and prescribed fire techniques for improving wildlife habitat. Brad attended the University of Georgia and received a Ph.D. in Forest Resources.

Jason Finnell was born and raised in Chattanooga Tennessee. Jason is the mountain bike program director for the Schejola Foundation and helps open mountain bike programs for the Boys & Girls Clubs across the southeast.
Jason’s hobbies include mountain biking, snowboarding, hunting, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He has competed in numerous adventure races with his team Adventure Capitalists/BDAR.

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