HUNTING

GENERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS
Possession of Live Animals
No person shall, at any time or by any means,
possess or transport live animals taken under
the authority of the hunting and trapping
season proclamations. No native species may be
taken out of the wild and kept as pets.
Protected Species
The taking, killing and/or illegal possession of
hawks, owls, songbirds, endangered species or
any other species (i.e. snakes) for which a season
is not set is prohibited.
There is evidence cougars and alligators are
expanding their territories into Tennessee.
Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are
protected and may not be taken until a hunting
season is proclaimed. Alligators and cougars are
protected by state laws in Tennessee.
Roadkill Law
TCA 70-4-115 allows that, except for non-game
and federally protected wildlife species, wild
game animals accidentally killed by a motor
vehicle may be possessed for personal use and
consumption. However, possession of a deer
or elk killed by a motor vehicle is permitted
only if the person notifies the TWRA or any
law enforcement officer and supplies his/
her name within 48 hours. A bear killed by a
motor vehicle may be possessed only upon the
issuance of a receipt from the TWRA.
Hunting Hours
Crows, doves, ducks (including the early
duck season), geese, gallinules, rails, turkey,
woodcock, Wilson snipe: Shooting hours are
one-half hour before legal sunrise to legal
sunset, except for dove hunting on opening day
when shooting hours will begin at noon.
For all other game species except those listed
below, legal hunting hours are one-half hour
before legal sunrise to one-half hour after
legal sunset. Fox and rabbit chasing, furbearer
trapping, raccoon, opossum and bullfrog
hunting may be done day or night.
Hunting And Trapping
On Private Land
In Tennessee, state wildlife laws have always
required hunters and trappers to obtain
permission from landowners to use private
property. In fact, it is advisable to get written
permission to hunt and is required to trap.
With the passage of TCA 70-4-106 in 1990, a
“Hunting By Written Permission” law went into
effect. Simply, the law states that if private land
has been properly posted by the owner with
signs that include his or her name and address
plus the wording “HUNTING BY WRITTEN
PERMISSION ONLY,” a hunter or trapper must
carry the owner’s written permission (form
available at www.tnwildlife.org). If a hunter or
trapper is found without that written permission,
that hunter or trapper is subject to prosecution.
Hunting From Motorized Vehicle
or Vessel
Where hunting is allowed from vessels, it is
legal to hunt from any vessel, so long as the
vessel is not under forward motion from any
influence of mechanical means or sail. On
private property, it is legal to hunt from any
motorized vehicle (to include ATVs, golf
carts, etc.), provided the vehicle is stationary.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as
authorizing hunting from a vessel, automobile,
or other motor vehicle while under power.
Nothing in this subsection permits hunting
from or across a public road or right-of-way.
Assisting Hunters
Hunters who have filled their seasonal or
daily bag limit for any species may continue to
accompany other hunters provided they are not
in possession of any ammunition or any firearm
or archery equipment. This person must also
comply with all other legal requirements.
Handgun Carry
General Regulations
Persons with a handgun carry permit pursuant
to TCA 39-17-1351 may possess a handgun
the entire year while on the premises of any
TWRA refuge, public hunting area or wildlife
management area, including the North and
South Cherokee. Nothing in this subsection
shall authorize a person to use any handgun to
hunt unless such person is in full compliance
with all wildlife laws, rules and regulations.
For all other Federally managed properties such
as refuges and military installations (example:
Oak Ridge WMA) contact that specific facility
or location.
Free Hunting Day
Squirrel
Grouse
Quail
Rabbit
Deer/Archery
Deer/Muzzleloader
Deer/Gun
Deer/Young Sportsman
Permanent Opening Dates
Mandatory
Hunter Education
All hunters, resident or nonresident,
born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, must
possess proof that they have successfully
completed a Hunter Education course.
Hunter Education certification is accepted
from all other states. Those under 10 years
of age do not need a Hunter Education
certificate, but must be accompanied by
an adult at least 21 years of age who must
remain in a position to take immediate
control of the hunting device. Call your
local TWRA office or visit the TWRA’s
website at www.tnwildlife.org for a listing
of scheduled Hunter Education classes.
Fourth Sat. in Aug.
Fourth Sat. in Aug.
Second Sat. in Oct.
First Sat. in Nov.
First Sat. in Nov.
Fourth Sat. in Sept.
Third Sat. before Thanksgiving
Sat. before Thanksgiving
Last Sat. in Oct.
Spring Turkey Sat. closest to April 1
WMA Quota Big Game Hunts
WMA Waterfowl Blind Sites
Spring Turkey
Treestands
The TWRA urges all deer hunters
hunting from treestands to use a fallrestraint
system. Most deer hunting
accidents involve hunters falling
from a treestand. Proper use of a
fall-restraint system could prevent or
lessen the severity of these accidents.
Tentative Quota Hunt Application Deadlines
Fourth Wed. in July
Last Wed. in Sept.
Third Wed. in Jan.
12 2016-2017 Hunting & Trapping Guide