Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Region IV - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hunt over bait in Tennessee?
70-4-113 (a) states that it is unlawful for any person at any time to make use of any pitfall, deadfall, cage, snare, trap, net, baited hooks, poison, chemicals, explosives, set guns, spotlights, electric lights or torches, bait, which includes any grain, or mixture of any ingredients, used as or for food purposes, or other devices for the purpose of killing, injuring, or capturing any birds or animals protected by the wildlife laws of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided.
It is TWRA's policy to permit the use of salt in both loose and block form, provided the majority (i.e., at least 51% by weight) of the formulation consists of salt or other minerals, then the formulation is not considered bait.
Proclamation 07-04 (7) states that hunting over a site where bait has been placed to feed wildlife is prohibited unless the bait has been removed at least 10 days prior to hunting.
Can I shoot an albino deer?
No. Hunting, trapping or possession of albino deer is prohibited. An albino deer is a deer with a lack, or significant deficiency, of pigment in the skin and hair, and has pink eyes. White deer that are not albino can be taken during deer seasons.
I lost the kill tag off my deer sometime between the time I left the field and the time I got to a checking station. What do I do?
Explain to the checking station operator what happened to the kill tag and a replacement will be issued.
If my shotgun is plugged, then can I legally hunt doves with this firearm? Not necessarily so. Federal regulations state that shotguns holding more than three shells are prohibited for hunting migratory birds (e.g., doves). Importantly, some shotguns can be plugged and still capable of holding more than three shells. We recommend testing your shotgun to determine that it can not hold more than three 2 3/4" shells before hunting migratory birds.
Do Sportsman license holders have to purchase a migratory bird permit to hunt doves? No, however, you must posses this permit when hunting any migratory birds (e.g., doves). This permit is free to Sportsman license holders, however, you must request this permit when buying your license. The following do not need to have a migratory bird permit :
- Landowners hunting own their own land
- Disabled veterans
- Tennessee residents 65 years or older
- Tennessee residents under 13 years of age
- Lifetime Sportsman license holders
- Military personnel on leave or furlough (with leave papers)
Where can I hunt feral or wild hogs in Tennessee?
Feral hogs are defined as any wild hog found in Tennessee, except on Catoosa, South Cherokee, and Foothills Wildlife Management Areas. Feral Hogs can be hunted year around on private lands except in holdings on Catoosa and South Cherokee where the season is open with the statewide deer season. Dogs prohibited. No limit and either sex.
On publicly owned lands, season is open during scheduled white-tailed deer hunts unless otherwise specified. Dogs prohibited. No limit, either sex.
Dogs may be used to hunt feral hogs in Blount, Cocke, Monroe, Polk, and Sevier counties. Check hunting guide for feral hog hunting seasons with dogs.
Wild boar is defined as any wild hog found on Catoosa, South Cherokee, and Foothills WMA's. See specific WMA's for wild boar hunting seasons.
Feral hogs are considered big game but are not required to be tagged or checked in at big game checking stations.
Legal equipment:
Big game seasons open – feral hogs may be taken by legal big game hunters with any big game equipment and ammunition that is legal for the season open.
Spring Turkey Season open – Archery equipment only.
No Big Game Seasons open – Must use big game hunting equipment. (no rimfire rifles or shotguns with shot).
Can coyotes be hunted year around with a centerfire rifle?
No they cannot.
Private land:
Season open year-round, 30-minutes before sunrise to 30-minutes after sunset.
Legal equipment:
During big game seasons, a legal big game hunter may hunt with what is legal during the particular big game season. If not licensed to big game hunt, shotguns with #4 shot or smaller, rimfire rifles, muzzleloaders, and archery is allowed.
Other than during big game seasons, all rifles (centerfire or rimfire), muzzleloaders, archery, shotguns with T (0.20 inch diameter) or smaller shot may be used.
Possession of firearms is prohibited while chasing coyotes with dogs from the first Saturday in November through the end of the deer season.
Wildlife Management Areas:
The season is open when another small game or big game season is open.
Legal equipment:
When the small game season is open – equipment legal for hunting the small game that is open.
When the big game seasons is open – coyotes may be taken by legal big game hunters with any big game equipment and ammunition that is legal for the season open.
Is it legal to use an electronic call to hunt coyotes?
Yes. It is legal to use an electronic call (during daylight hours only) for all game species except for fox, wild turkey, and waterfowl.
Is a permit required to purchase and import bobwhite quail to Tennessee?Yes, TCA 70-4-401 states that it is unlawful for any person to possess, transport, import, export, buy, sell, barter, propagate or transfer any wildlife, whether indigenous to this state or not, except as provided by rules and regulations promulgated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission. Additionally, no person shall possess Class I or Class II wildlife without having documentary evidence showing the name and address of the supplier of such wildlife and date of acquisition. Importation Permits can be purchased from:
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Agency Sales
PO box 41729
Nashville, TN 37204
615-781-6647
Is a permit required to raise and/or sale bobwhite quail in Tennessee?
Yes, before anyone may propagate these species for sale, barter, or trade, he or she must obtain a permit for each animal. Propagation Permit can also be purchased from the above address.
Can I purchase, raise, sale, and/or release other non native game birds (e.g., ringneck pheasants, chukar, and etc.)?
Yes; these are classified as Class III wildlife and no permits are required. Additionally, TWRA approval is required prior to releasing any non-native game birds in Tennessee.
Can I release bobwhite quail on my property?
Yes, Rule and Regulation 1660-1-04 states that pen-reared bobwhite quail may be released for the purpose of training bird dogs.
Can I recapture bobwhite quail that I have released on my property?
Rule and Regulation 1660-1-04 states that released pen-reared bobwhite quail may be recaptured. All released birds must bear a leg band approved by TWRA. Each release and recapture pen must be identified with the name and address of the person attempting to recapture pen-reared quail. All species of wildlife other than the banded quail which may be trapped in the pens must be released unharmed immediately. All release and recapture pens must be cheeked daily to insure proper maintenance.
Can I harvest released pen-reared bobwhite quail on my property?
Shooting of released quail is allowed only during the open statewide quail season or during the shooting preserve season if released on a licensed shooting preserve.
Can I harvest bobwhite quail year around in a licensed shooting preserve?
No, Proclamation 05-10 states native wildlife species naturally occurring in a preserve must be hunted and harvested in accordance with statewide regulations, license and permit requirements.
With a handgun carry permit, can a person legally carry a weapon on a WMA at all times?
No. However, handguns can be possessed when they are legal for hunting.
When is a muzzleoader or crossbow considered to be unloaded?
A muzzleloader is considered to be unloaded if the cap is removed from the nipple. A crossbow is considered to be unloaded if the bolt is removed from the device.
Where can I ride my ATV?
Operation of any motorized vehicle is confined to roads not designated as closed. Off-road vehicles are restricted to roads open to other motorized traffic (except where prohibited by state or federal law). ATVs, dirt bikes, and other non-licensed motorized vehicles cannot legally be operated on public roads. If you have questions about specific roads on a WMA, it is best to contact the Wildlife Area Manager listed in the Hunting Guide.
Do I need to purchase a license to harvest ginseng?
No license is required to dig wild ginseng on private land in Tennessee, but the landowner’s permission must be obtained.
What is the a harvest season for ginseng?
The harvest season for wild ginseng in Tennessee is August 15 to December 31. Tennessee requires that seeds of collected wild ginseng be planted immediately in the approximate location in which plants are harvested.
Can I harvest ginseng on wildlife management areas?
Most state lands are closed to harvesting ginseng, including all state parks, natural areas, and state forests, and nearly all wildlife management areas. Collecting ginseng on state lands that are closed to harvesting is illegal and carries penalties and fines.
Persons can harvest ginseng on Royal Blue and Sunquist and will need either a North Cumberland Special Use Permit or a hunting and fishing license (Type 001) and a WMA permit (Types 91, 92, 93, or 94).
Additionally, a permit is required to collect ginseng in the Cherokee National Forest which can be obtained by contacting:
Cherokee National Forest
2800 Ocoee Street N.
Cleveland, TN 37312
(423) 476-9700
Can I fish with "Spring Lizards"?
No. Some people refer to all salamanders as "Spring Lizards." You cannot fish with all salamanders. Additionally, there is a single species of salamander commonly known as the "Spring Lizard" which is the Gyrinophilus porphyriticus. You cannot fish G. porphyriticus either. However, if you catch a Desmognathus fuscus commonly known as the "Duscky salamander" and want to call it a "Spring Lizard" then you can fish with that one. Note: Rule 1660-1-17-.01(5b) states that Dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) may be taken and sold for bait. Other amphibians may be taken for scientific purposes upon approval of the Executive Director via a scientific collection permit.
My child wants to make a pet of a box turtle (or any wild animal) we found in the woods. How do I care for it?
In Tennessee, no one is allowed to keep any animal as a pet taken from the wild, which to many people's surprise includes tadpoles, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles, baby birds, squirrels, raccoons, and young deer. If the animal is injured, call the nearest of TWRA's four Regional Offices for a list of permitted rehabilitators, who will keep the animal until it can be returned to the wild. If it cannot be returned, the rehabilitator will turn the animal over to someone with a special Educator's Permit, who may be able to use the animal in a classroom or teaching setting.
