PHOTO ABOVE:  Jeffrey Miller (left) and Jeffrey Miller, Sr., (right)  from the Catoosa WMA, both bagged two nice bucks within minutes of each other something the father-son duo has done several times.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Jeffrey Miller (VERY TOP PHOTO) was selected this year as one of the participants in the Elk Hunt, and his first response was “This is honestly to me like winning the lottery.”  He adds, “This was a dream come true.”

Miller has been an avid hunter since an early age and follows in the footsteps of his late papaw, Walter “Sam” Miller and father Jeff, Sr. along with uncles and cousins.  His whole family are outdoorsmen with a love and tradition of hunting that runs deep within all of them.

He called having a chance to tag a bull elk on Tackett Creek a blessing.  That’s because that area of his native Campbell County is where he harvested his biggest white tail buck.  Needless to say, Tackett Creek is one of Miller’s favorite hunting grounds.  He said, “I feel fortunate to get an area I’m familiar with and getting the opportunity to harvest one, and from what they’re telling me the first Campbell Countian to participate in the hunt which I think is so cool.”

A text from a friend saying “you lucky dog” tipped off Miller that something was up.  He’d forgotten about the recent announcement of the TWRA winners and responded with a “do what?”  The return text told him he’d won.

However, there was about a half-hour of uncertainty, because Miller’s father’s name is also Jeffrey Miller.  Once he verified that he was the Jeffrey Miller chosen and not his dad, it was “what a feeling.”

Miller said, “ I love and cherish the outdoors and hunting. It’s a tradition and part of our culture in this community, and I’m so proud and humbled for this awesome opportunity. I hope to bring one home!”

Good luck, Jeffrey!  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/22/2019-6AM – PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFFREY MILLER)

Here is the release from the TWRA:

2019 ELK HUNT PARTICIPANTS ANNOUNCED AT AUGUST TFWC MEETING

 GREENEVILLE, Tenn.  — The 15 persons who will participate in the 2019 Tennessee Elk Hunts were announced Friday during the August meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission held at the General Morgan Inn. One of the participants includes the winner of Tennessee elk raffle permit.

A total of 8,201 persons registered for the opportunity to participate in this year’s hunts. Tennessee began its elk hunt in 2009 with the participants selected from a computer draw. The elk tag raffle saw 56,405 tickets sold an increase of 33,921 from last year’s inaugural raffle. The raffle grossed more than $677,000, almost doubling last year’s total.

TWRA Elk Program Leader Brad Miller announced this year’s drawing winners at the meeting. The Tennessee Resources Wildlife Foundation’s Joey Woodward announced the elk raffle winners.

Selected to participate in the archery-only hunt Sept. 28-Oct. 4 are Jacob Dwayne Swafford (Knoxville), Hunter Eugene Luna (Charlotte), Johnathon Paul Sullivan (Hilham), Lennon Gregory Haggard (Lexington), Matthew Vinton Smith (Whitwell), Charles Glenn Lambert (Nolensville), and Daniel Tracy Webb (Bells).

The gun, muzzleloader, or archery equipment will be held Oct. 12-18. Selected to participate are John Wilhoyte Barron (Lewisburg), Josepth Scott Bumpus (Dickson), Tyson James Weller (Henning), Kevin Wayne Pebley (Rocky Top), Jeffrey Lynn Miller (La Follette), and John Bradley Combs (Harrison).

The seventh permit was presented to a non-governmental organizational, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. Dennis Freidline (Frankfort, Ind.) is the grand prize winner and will participate in the Oct. 12-18 hunt. Four other persons had their names drawn in the raffle and will receive prize packages. The other raffle winners are Conner Campbell (Centerville), DeWayne Raines (Knoxville), Gregory James (Pleasant View), and Philip Jacobs (Dickson).

The youth tag permit winner is Jacob R. Clark (Dayton).  This will be the eighth year for the tag which is designated for youth ages 13-16. There were 341 applicants for the youth hunt which will be held Oct. 5-11.

All hunt permits are valid on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and can also be used on private lands (with landowner permission) within the Elk Restoration Zone in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan and Scott counties. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/22/2019-6AM)

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