The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced a temporary closure of a slice of the Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area. The reason behind the shutdown: the Music City HRC Grand International dog trial is gearing up to set the stage for some of the nation's top hunting retrievers. Specifically, Unit 1 of the WMA will be off-limits to the public starting from October 14 through October 23 to facilitate event setup and the actual competition, which is scheduled to run from October 18–22, according to an announcement on the TWRA website.
The closure might inconvenience some, but it's for a highlight event on the hunting dog calendar. The Music City HRC Grand International, both hosted by the Hunting Retriever Club and licensed by the United Kennel Club, is an exclusive showcase. It welcomes over 750 furry champs from across the United States, all vying for top honors in a setting ripe for such a showcase, blending open fields with aquatic challenges. The event is elite, restricted to dogs who have the Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) title under their collars.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is tasked with the stewardship of fish and wildlife in the state, and this event falls snugly into their mission to manage wildlife populations and public enjoyment of these resources. The agency extends its thanks for the public's patience and cooperation during this period. Percy Priest Unit 1, known for its multi-use facilities, is touted as an ideal venue for such prominent retriever performance evaluations.
While the Percy Priest Unit 1's terrain features will provide an excellent backdrop for the dog trials, regular visitors of the WMA should make alternative arrangements for their outdoor activities during the stated dates. The TWRA made a point of expressing appreciation to the public in the press release, noting that the support of the community is integral to the success of nationally recognized events such as these.
