I actually exchanged several emails with Dr. Chamberlain last year before the TN's commission meeting setting seasons for the next two years. He was uncommonly responsive, friendly, and helpful. He told me directly that he would love the opportunity to give a presentation to the TN commission, he would do it at no cost to the state even for travel and boarding, and he has a presentation already prepared that he has given for various state wildlife boards/commissions that has been very well received. All he needed was an invitation and he would be there, or he would do it via zoom given the covid situation. Apparently the TN Commission previously worked with him as a consultant, but they had not contacted him since the previous Wild Turkey Program Coordinator took over (before Shields)
Then I contacted my district commissioner (Box) who was completely on board. Then I called Chairman Holbert who was anything but on board. He openly opposed the idea, told me that not everyone agrees with Chamberlains theories (emphasizing that "they are just theories")—including UT biologist Craig Harper who is overseeing the middle TN study— and he reminded me that turkeys many places are doing fine, including his farms around Decatur County. Side note—Harper is well respected but he is most notably a deer biologist.
I acknowledged that there can be professional disagreement about best management practices, but wouldn't it be better for the commissioners to hear both sides before making a big decision at a critical time for wild turkeys—especially when the presentation would come from one of, if not the, leading authorities in the world, and would be offered FOR FREE? We ended the call with him reluctantly saying that he would invite Chamberlain to give the presentation if a majority of Commissioners wanted to do it.
Then I sent a group email to all of the commissioners explaining Chamberlain's willingness to give the presentation, and Holbert's "agreement" to invite him if a majority wanted to.
I wasn't copied on whatever internal discussions followed, but they never invited Chamberlain. Unofficially, it is my understanding that they didn't want to bring in an outside voice that would disagree with Harper's opinions since they have spent millions of dollars on this middle TN study with Harper at the helm. Personally, I think if Harper already has preconceived opinions that are in such need of protection, he shouldn't be leading the study. But I digress.
Ultimately, the commission made the conscious decision to proceed with less information rather than receiving more information from an exceptionally qualified source. Above all else (including turkeys themselves) protect the study.
