Information on Hunting in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to a diverse array of wildlife and topography. The Great Smoky Mountains in the east, river country in the west, and fertile land in the middle of the state hold many sought-after species for hunters, and hunting laws and restrictions are reasonable. ESPN.com's Outdoor Hunting section ranked Tennessee 7th in America's top 10 turkey hunting states.
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Licenses
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All Tennessee hunters must possess a hunting license. Options include annual licenses, which must be renewed on February 18 of the next year; big game or small game licenses; fishing/hunting combination licenses; and trapping licenses. There are also options for senior citizens and hunters under 16. The Lifetime Sportsman hunting license is also available, and prices vary by age.
Types of Game
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There are several species to hunt in Tennessee. Small game include beaver, coyote, bobcat, gray fox, grouse, quail, grouse, bullfrog, mink, muskrat, otter, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, armadillo and red fox. Big game include deer, elk, black bear, hog and turkey. Migratory birds include dove, woodcock and waterfowl.
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Methods
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Hunters can use bow and arrow, shotguns, handguns, rifles, dogs and traps. Ammunition must be number 4 or smaller. For big game hunting, guns must have a minimum caliber of .40. Spring activated snare traps are not allowed.
Timeframe
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Seasons and bag limits vary by species and region. For example, deer season is divided into three regions, each of which has specific date ranges for bow hunting, muzzleloader and gun hunting. Small game hunting, migratory bird hunting and large game also have variations. There are open seasons for several species, including armadillo, coyote, beaver, pigeon and groundhog, and most of these also have no bag limit. Check the latest issue of the Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide for more information, available for download at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Website.
Wildlife Management Areas
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Tennessee has more than 100 Wildlife Management Areas, many of which allow hunting of various species as well as fishing and camping with required permits. These areas require special permits and have their own seasons and bag limits. See the Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide for more information about hunting in Wildlife Management Areas.
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References
- Photo Credit steeplechase,clouds,mountain,nashville,tennessee,t image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
