NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved updates to hunting seasons on federal lands, including new opportunities for deer hunters in the 202627 cycle. Meeting at the TWRA Region II headquarters, the Commission unanimously supported changes aligning refuge hunt dates with statewide calendars. Among the highlights: Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge will now host an August velvet hunt and add a second quota gun hunt in early November. Wildlife & Forestry Chief Joe Benedict presented the updates, explaining they were driven by partner requests to harmonize schedules and improve access. Commissioners also heard about TWRAs marketing campaigns aimed at recruiting and retaining hunters and anglers, with goals of raising awareness of opportunities and increasing participation statewide. The meeting also included notable recognitions. Davidson County Wildlife Officer Jonathan Mark was named Statewide Boating Officer of the Year, while Hunter Wisecarver earned Boating Educator of the Year honors. Two Valor Awards were given to officers who carried out life-saving water rescues in 2025. The PR division presented its first Employee of the Year Award to Jason Harmon, Communication Manager and host of Tennessee WildCast. General Counsel Torrey Grimes outlined naming changes for several public sites, including designating Herb Parsons Lake as Bill Dance Lake at the Herb Parsons Refuge to reduce confusion while honoring fishing legend Bill Dance.