HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1445
By Doggett
A RESOLUTION to honor Ryne Goats on being named 2023
Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should recognize a wildlife officer who has gone far beyond the call of duty to provide outdoor opportunities for the youth of his community; and WHEREAS, Ryne Goats was recently honored as the 2023 Tennessee Wildlife Officer of
the Year in recognition of his superior job performance, his positive attitude, and his ongoing commitment to improvement in all aspects of his job and his life; and WHEREAS, he represented the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) at the annual conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; and WHEREAS, Ryne Goats maintains a lawful and safe hunting environment in Maury County; over the past year, he has not only issued 125 citations for violations and fifty-seven warnings, he has also conducted 530 hunting-related field checks and 606 boating- and paddle-
sport-related checks; and WHEREAS, during this time, he conducted more than twenty-one public outreach and educational events, which allowed him to interact with more than 11,000 people; and WHEREAS, Mr. Goats has been innovative in creating more outdoor opportunities for the youth in his area; and WHEREAS, he teamed up with local landowners, Tennessee First Shot Group, and Hunters for the Hungry to hold two large youth hunts in Maury County, matching inexperienced youth hunters with experienced mentors; the first was the Tennessee First Shot Youth Turkey Hunt, and the second was an end-of-season hunt that resulted in nine deer being donated to
Hunters for the Hungry; and WHEREAS, Officer Goats also instituted a fishing pole check-out program at the Maury County Public Library to assist and encourage novice fishermen and partnered with Redneck HJR1445
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Blinds and United Farm and Home Co-op to construct two handicap mobile hunting blinds, thus increasing accessibility for youth requiring wheelchairs; and WHEREAS, Ryne Goats has met and worked with the Columbia Rotary Club, focusing on TWRA's role in wildlife management; the Columbia Police Department, educating guests on
local wildlife issues during the department's community appreciation night; and a local high school class and industrial company, helping them build wood duck boxes as part of their wildlife management plan; and WHEREAS, he is currently hard at work on a new project, outfitting an enclosed trailer with youth archery equipment and targets to further TWRA's initiative of recruiting, reactivating,
and retaining hunters; and WHEREAS, most importantly, Ryne Goats has earned the respect and trust of the citizens of Maury County and grown into a community leader on whom they can rely absolutely;
and WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly find it appropriate to acknowledge and applaud this excellent wildlife officer; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we hereby honor and congratulate Ryne Goats on being named 2023
Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year, salute his many contributions to wildlife management and the TWRA, and extend to him our best wishes for every future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear without House or Senate designation.
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