Final Segment of Bear Season Scheduled December 4-17

The season is open in Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Jefferson (east of Highway 411), Johnson, Monroe, Polk (east of Highway 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. Dogs are permitted to be used for hunting during this season.

 

Hunters have harvested a total of 228 bears during the early bear hunting seasons this year. Harvest by county has been: Blount 22, Carter 30, Cocke 12, Greene 16, Jefferson 1, Johnson 30, Monroe 32, Polk 25, Sevier 23, Sullivan 11, Unicoi 22 and Washington 4.

 

In addition to the private lands in these counties, there are several hundred thousand acres of public land open to bear hunters during this season. These lands are included in the Cherokee and Foothills wildlife management areas (WMAs). There are portions of the Cherokee WMA that are set aside as bear reserves where no bear hunting is allowed. Hunters should check for descriptions of these restricted areas on pages 67-68 of the 2008 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide.

 

Hunters should be aware of the following regulations when hunting black bears in Tennessee:

·        The limit on bear for any person participating in statewide or WMA hunts or both shall not exceed one bear per calendar year.

·        Cubs or female bears with cubs at side may not be taken at any time. A cub is defined as a bear weighing 75 pounds or less.

·        Bears may be whole or field dressed but must weigh 75 pounds or greater when checked out.

·        The reproductive (sex) organs must remain attached to each bear harvested until the bear has been officially checked out at an official TWRA checking station.

 

For detailed information about black bear hunting in Tennessee refer to the 2008 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide or the TWRA web page at www.tnwildlife.org.

 

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