Ok, guys. Here is her response via email. Let me know what you all think my next step should be. Sounds to me that they mean it is illegal to take a turtle from the wild, not own one bought at a pet store etc. What do you all think?
"Hello, Sonja.
I got my information from Rachel Carrigan at the Wilderness Station of Barfield Crescent Park and the Tennessee Conservationist magazine. I left a message with Rachel, but, because of our schedules, we will not be able to speak again until Monday. I also left a message with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and I am waiting on a call back.
If you would like to try to contact Rachel, she said she will be available around 5 o’clock today. Her number is 217-3017. If you would like to contact the TWF, their number is 353-1133. If you would like to access the magazine online, it is located at
www.state.tn.us/environment/tn_consv/
But, as soon as someone calls me back, I’ll send you more information in an email. When I interviewed her for the article, Rachel told me it was a Tennessee law, not a federal one. The federal law states that you can own a turtle under four inches, but you cannot sell one. In Tennessee, however, it is illegal to collect a turtle from the wild in any way, according to the Tennessee Conservationist magazine.
The magazine, printed 6 times a year through the TN government, lists “pet collecting” as one of the top three reasons for the decline in the turtle population. By collecting them for pets, people are endangering their species. Not to mention the fact that captivity stresses a turtle and compromises their immune system.
I assure you the information in the article is not false.
Colleen Johnson"
Maybe we should have a party for our little guys, huh, Steve? Possible? You could provide the party favors! 
