Young Sportsman Deer Harvest Sees Increase; Muzzleloader Season Begins Nov. 6

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee’s youth hunters had a busy weekend of deer hunting across the state in the Young Sportsman Hunt and the harvest numbers show an increase over the 2009 weekend hunt.

 

The youth hunters (ages 6-16) harvested 8,818 deer, an increase of 616 over the 2009 totals as reported by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

 

Giles County was the top county for the youth hunt with 271 deer harvested. Border counties Weakley and Henry tied for second with 210 each, followed by Fayette 201, Lincoln 197, Hardeman 185, Maury 168, Cumberland 167, Carroll 160, and Hawkins 156. The second designated Young Sportsman Hunt will be Jan. 15-16, 2011.

 

Tennessee’s Muzzleloader Deer Season opens on Saturday, Nov. 6 and goes through Friday, Nov. 19 in all three of Tennessee’s deer hunting units, according to the TWRA.

 

For Unit B (East Tennessee) counties, the dates for antlerless deer hunting depend on the county hunted. Blount, Campbell, Carter, Cocke, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Monroe, Sevier, Unicoi, Union, and Washington counties are Nov. 6-10. Anderson, Claiborne, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Knox, Morgan, Pickett, Polk, Scott, and Sullivan counties are Nov. 6-19. Only one antlerless deer may be taken during this season, however, any of the three antlered deer not already taken may be harvested during this season as well.

 

The statewide bag limit for antlered bucks is three. No more than one antlered deer may be taken per day. Hunters are allowed the following antlerless bag limit during this segment of muzzleloader season: Unit A -4 antlerless deer; Unit L-3 antlerless deer per day and Unit B-1 antlerless deer.

 

For the exact boundaries of the different deer units, hunters can refer to the 2010 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide, available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at all TWRA offices. The guide can also be viewed at TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org.

 

Muzzleloading firearms of .40 caliber minimum plus long bows, compound bows and crossbows are legal hunting equipment for this season. 

 

Resident hunters, ages 16 through 64 must possess in addition to other appropriate licenses, an annual big game license for the equipment used. Lifetime Sportsman license, Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish, Adult Sportsman license and Permanent Senior Citizens license holders are not required to purchase supplemental big game licenses.

 

In addition to private lands, including public hunting areas, several wildlife management areas (WMAs) will be open to hunters during this muzzleloader season. Hunters need to refer to the 2010 Hunting and Trapping Guide for a listing of these WMAs or go to TWRA’s website.

 

---TWRA---