2009-10 Gun Season for Deer Resumes

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee’s gun season for deer hunters resumes Saturday, Dec. 19 and will continue through Jan. 10, 2010. Historically, the doe harvest numbers see an increase during this upcoming segment of gun season.

 

"The second gun season is traditionally the time to harvest does," said Daryl Ratajczak, TWRA's Deer Coordinator. Most Unit A and B counties save their antlerless hunts towards the end of the season so we should see a significant rise in the number of does harvested statewide. "If you have your quota permits or your county is scheduled for a non-quota hunt, now is the time to be in the woods. These late December hunts are a great time to fill your freezer with does and who knows, you may stumble upon that wary old buck that eluded you earlier in the season."

 

Since archery season opened in late September, more than 124,300 deer have been harvested. During the first gun season segment (Nov. 21-Dec. 6) 55,135 deer were reported. Henry County is the overall top county for harvest with 3,764 deer reported since late September. Hardeman County had 2,184 whitetails reported harvested during the first gun segment with neighboring Fayette County close behind with 2,083.

 

The state’s 2009-10 deer hunting seasons will conclude with the second Young Sportsman Deer Hunt to be held the weekend of Jan. 16-17. Only youth, ages 6-16 may participate in the Young Sportsman Hunt.

 

For more information about Tennessee’s deer hunting seasons, refer to the Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all license agents or on the TWRA Web site at www.tnwildlife.org. Harvest information is also updated on the For Hunters section of the Web site.

---TWRA---