General Hunting & Trapping Regulations

Legal Hunting Devices


All firearms, hunting devices, and ammunition listed in the below table are legal for hunting purposes according to the individual species listed. If a firearm, hunting device, or ammunition is not listed in the below table. it is illegal to hunt within the State of Tennessee. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) may have additional restrictions on some legal hunting devices.

 

Big Game

Small Game

 

FIREARM, HUNTING DEVICE, AND AMMUNITION

  DEER 

BEAR 

ELK     

TURKEY  

MIGRATORY BIRDS

FURBEARERS AND CROW

All Other Small Game

Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with Number Four (4) or smaller shot

No

No

No

Yes

Yes 3

Yes

Yes

Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with T shot (0.20-inch diameter) or smaller

No

No

No

No

Yes 3,6

Yes

No

Shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using ammunition loaded with a single solid ball or slugs

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes 1,11

No

Rifles and handguns using rimfire ammunition and air guns (.25 caliber or smaller)

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition
(full metal jacketed ammunition prohibited)

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes 1,5,11

No

Muzzleloading firearms (rifles and handguns) .36 caliber or larger

Yes 7

Yes 7

Yes 7

No

No

Yes 1,7,11

Yes 1,7
Muzzleloading firearms (rifles and handguns) less than .36 caliber

No

No

No

No

No

Yes 7,11

Yes 7

Air guns .35 caliber or larger

Yes 8

Yes 8

Yes 8

No

No

Yes 1,8,11

No

Pre-charged pneumatic gun which shoots an arrow (special conditions apply)

Yes 9,10

Yes 9,10

Yes 9,10

Yes 9,10

No

Yes 1,9,11

No

Archery equipment (longbows, recurves, compounds, and crossbows)

Yes 2 

Yes 2 

Yes 2 

Yes 2

Yes

Yes 11

Yes

Raptors that are legally possessed under a valid falconry permit

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes 11

Yes

*Only muzzleloading firearms may be used during the muzzleloader season. There are no changes to the muzzleloader season.

1. If using this equipment while hunting during deer, elk or bear season you must be a legal big game hunter.

2. Hunting arrows and bolts must be equipped with sharpened broadheads.

3. Waterfowl and sandhill cranes may only be hunted with non-toxic shot of T size or smaller.

4. Furbearers are defined as beaver, bobcat, coyote, fox, groundhog, mink, muskrat, opossum, river otter, raccoon, skunk, and weasel.

5. It is illegal to use rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

6. Migratory birds, except waterfowl and sandhill cranes, may only be hunted with ammunition loaded with Number 4 or smaller shot size.

7. Muzzleloading firearms are defined as those firearms in which a projectile (rifle) or projectiles (shotgun) must be loaded from the muzzle (front) end of the barrel and the firearm being of design and manufacture that prevents the projectile(s) from being loaded from the breech (rear) end.

8. Must use a pre-charged pneumatic firing mechanism; in addition, the air gun must be equipped with a built-in manometer (air pressure gauge).

9. Persons possessing a permanent disabled license (Annual Resident Hunting & Fishing Disabled Under 18, Permanent Resident Hunting & Fishing Intellectually Disabled, Permanent Wheelchair Hunting and Fishing, Permanent DAV Hunting and Fishing) may use a pre-charged pneumatic gun which shoots an arrow during the archery, deer, bear and elk season as an accommodation for their disability.

10. A pre-charged pneumatic gun which shoots an arrow is legal for all hunters to use during modern gun season for deer, bear, elk and turkey.

11. Except hunting devices and ammunition are not allowed during the night-time coyote and bobcat only season. Buckshot and smaller shot is allowed.

Legal Trapping Devices and Definitions


1. For trapping purposes, "water set" is defined to mean traps set in water adjacent to and part of streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands, or other water courses and includes floating sets.

2. Steel foothold traps used for water sets must have an exterior jaw measurement of nine (9) inches or less measured at the hinge of the trap. Steel foothold traps used for ground sets must have an exterior jaw measurement of seven (7) inches or less measured at the hinge of the trap. Steel square instant-kill traps must have an exterior jaw measurement of sixteen (16) inches or less measured at the widest point, and steel circular instant-kill traps must have an exterior measurement of twelve (12) inches or less measured at the widest point.

3. Live traps are legal for taking any species of wildlife listed as having a trapping season. Live traps are defined as those traps that act as a cage after capture.  

4. Steel cable snares having a minimum cable diameter of five sixty-fourths (5/64) of an inch and a maximum cable diameter of three thirty-seconds (3/32) of an inch are legal for all legal furbearer species during the legal trapping season. Spring activated snares other than Collarum snares are prohibited.

5. Commercially available dog-proof traps, also known as species-specific traps, are legal for trapping.

6. For ground sets, a trapper may use cushion-hold traps, laminated jaw traps, offset wide jaw traps, offset laminated jaw traps, and wide jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of seven (7) inches or less measured at the hinge point and with a minimum jaw thickness of one-fourth (1/4) of an inch. For ground sets, a trapper may also use double-jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of seven (7) inches or less of the upper and lower jaws combined and a minimum jaw thickness of one-fourth (1/4) of an inch. For water sets, a trapper may use cushion-hold traps, laminated jaw traps, offset wide jaw traps, offset laminated jaw traps, and wide jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of nine (9) inches or less measured at the hinge point. For water sets, a trapper may also use double jaw traps with an exterior jaw measurement of nine (9) inches or less of the upper and lower jaws combined.

7. Trappers shall mark all traps and snares with their name or TWRA ID number. 

8. Steel traps placed inside a hole, cave, den, hollow log, hollow stump, or any like place shall be placed at least twelve (12) inches inside the entrance of such place, and it is unlawful to place steel traps in the open, except for water sets and trap types listed in paragraph five (5) above. 

9. Lethal sets such as instant kill traps and waterset (“drowning”) traps must be inspected every seventy-two (72) hours. All other traps must be inspected every thirty-six (36) hours and any wildlife caught in the traps shall be removed.

10. For ground sets adjacent to waterways and no more than fifty (50) feet from the shoreline, a trapper may use a 110-body grip trap, or its equivalent, with a maximum exterior jaw measurement of six (6) inches wide by six (6) inches tall. Such a trap shall be a single-spring trap with a factory spring designated for that trap. The lowest point of the trap closest to the ground shall be no more than one-half (1/2) inch above the surface of the ground. The trap shall be used as a non-baited or lured set unless it is set at a minimum of twelve (12) inches inside a hole, den, or cubby. 

11. All traps shall be attached to a stake, drag, or anchor, with chain, wire at sixteen (16) gauge or larger, or cable of one-sixteenth (1/16) inch size or larger. 

Migratory Bird Regulations 


State Migratory Bird Regulations

1. Federal regulations relative to baiting, firearms, bag and possession limits, wanton waste, tagging, and methods of hunting are hereby adopted and will be applicable to hunting and/or taking of species listed.

2. No person shall hunt migratory game birds,  except crows, with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three (3) shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three (3) shells.

3. All persons who hunt migratory game birds are required to have in their possession a valid Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit in addition to other required Tennessee licenses and permits, with the following exceptions:

    » Disabled veterans;

    » Landowners hunting on their own land;

    » Lifetime license holders;

    » Residents of Tennessee under 13 years of age;

    » Residents of Tennessee who are 65 or older;

    » Military personnel on leave or furlough.

4. Refer to federal regulations 50 CFR Ch. 1 (21.41 and 21.43) for conditions and restrictions applicable to the taking of crows in certain depredation or health hazard situations outside of the crow sport hunting season.

5. Pursuant to federal regulations, during the Light Goose Conservation Season, waterfowl hunters may use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls.

Youths, ages 6–16, must be accompanied by an adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device except as otherwise noted. 

Federal Migratory Bird Regulations

In addition to state regulations, the following federal rules apply to taking, possessing, shipping, transporting, and storing migratory game birds. This is only a summary. Each hunter should also consult actual regulations, which may be found in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20. 

Restrictions

No person shall take migratory game birds:

  • With a shotgun capable of holding more than three (3) shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler which cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.
  • From or with the aid or use of a car or other motor-driven vehicle, or any aircraft, except that paraplegics and single or double amputees of the legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle. “Paraplegic” means an individual afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs, usually due to disease or injury to the spinal cord.
  • From or by means of any motorboat or sailboat unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.
  • By the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame, or captive ducks and geese shall be removed for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to hunting and confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such tame birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl.
  • Using recordings of migratory bird sounds, or electronically amplified imitations of bird calls.
  • By driving, rallying, or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sailboat to put them in range of hunters.
  • By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as corn, wheat, salt, or other feed to constitute a lure or enticement), or on or over any baited areas.
  • Hunters should be aware that a baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait, and it is not necessary for the hunter to know an area is baited to be in violation.

Closed Season No person shall take migratory game birds during the closed season.

Shooting or Falconry Hours No person shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open to shooting and falconry as prescribed.

Daily Bag Limit No person shall take more than one  (1) daily bag limit per day.

Field Possession Limit No person shall possess more than one (1)  daily bag limit while in the field or while returning from the field to one’s car, hunting camp, home, etc.

Wanton Waste All migratory game birds killed or crippled shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in the custody of the hunter in the field.

Tagging No person shall give, put, or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: The hunter’s signature, address, the total number of birds involved by species and the dates such birds were killed. No person or business shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are properly tagged.

Possession of Live Birds Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be immediately killed and included in the daily bag limit.

Dual Violation Violation of state migratory bird regulations is also a violation of federal regulations.

Dressing No person shall completely field dress any migratory game bird (except doves and band-tailed pigeons) and then transport the birds from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to all such birds while being transported from the field to one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility.

Shipment No person shall ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with (a) the name and address of the person sending the birds, (b) the name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and (c) the number of birds, by species, contained in the package.

Importation For information regarding the importation of migratory birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66. One fully feathered wing must remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between a port of entry and one’s home or to a migratory bird preservation facility. No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country, except Canada, unless such birds are dressed (except as required above), drawn and the head and feet are removed. No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person.

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp The law requires that each waterfowl hunter, 16 years of age and over, must carry on his or her person a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face.

Caution More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting. For additional information on federal regulations, contact:

Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
RM 132-C, U.S. Courthouse,
801 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203.
Telephone: 615-736-5532.

Please Report Banded Birds! 

The USGS Patuxent Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) encourages hunters to report banded birds. Band reports must be submitted through the mobile-friendly website, www.reportband.gov, by persons in the US and other countries, aside from Canada. Those who call the toll-free line will hear a message announcing the change and directing them to the website.

The BBL encourages everyone reporting a band to use www.reportband.gov. A report requires only around 5 minutes to complete online. After a report is submitted, the date and location where the bird was originally banded are provided and a Certificate of Appreciation along with additional banding details (date, location of banding) will be sent via email.

Capturing and banding birds requires considerable effort, and documenting the recovery or re-sighting of banded birds is essential to profit from that effort. Band recovery data are the basis for improving the conservation and knowledge of bird populations in North America. Please help the BBL, its many partners, and the birds of North America by continuing to report your band recoveries.

To Report Recovered Duck and Goose Bands: www.reportband.gov

Attention Hunters  ***  Special Regulations ***  

Plugged Shotguns

No person shall hunt migratory game birds, except crows, with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three (3) shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three (3) shells.

Legal Shot

All federally approved non-toxic shot (bismuth-tin, steel, tungsten-bronze, tungsten-iron, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-nickel-iron,tungsten-polymer, tungsten-tin-bismuth or tungsten-tin iron-nickel) are legal for waterfowl and sandhill crane hunting. A complete list is available at www.FWS.govPossession or use of any loose shot other than a non-toxic shot or any shotgun shells other than non-toxic while hunting waterfowl, sandhill cranes, coots, gallinules, Virginia rails, and sora rails is prohibited. 

Hunting and Trapping on Private Land


In Tennessee, state wildlife laws require hunters and trappers to obtain permission from landowners to hunt or trap on private property. In fact, it is advisable to get written permission to hunt and is required to trap. With the passage of TCA 70-4-106 in 1990, a “Hunting By Written Permission” law went into effect. Simply, the law states that if private land has been properly posted by the owner with signs that include his or her name and address plus the wording “HUNTING BY WRITTEN PERMISSION ONLY,” a hunter or trapper must carry the owner’s written permission.  If a hunter or trapper is found without that written permission, that hunter or trapper is subject to prosecution.  Find out more here and download a blank sample form.

Prohibited Acts


1.  Possession of ammunition except what is specifically authorized is prohibited while hunting. 

2.  The use or possession and/or the accompanying of anyone using or possessing raccoon calls, squallers, weapons, ammunition, or climbers while training dogs is prohibited during training season, except raccoon calls may be used during authorized field trials.

3.  The use of dogs in taking or attempting to take deer or elk is prohibited. Taking or attempting to take deer being pursued by dog, or dogs, is prohibited.

4.  Juveniles under the age of eighteen (18) are prohibited from using handguns for the purpose of hunting.

5. No person shall make use of bait to hunt wildlife unless the bait has been removed and any electronic feeder disabled at least 10 days prior to hunting.

6. Possession of firearms is prohibited while chasing coyotes, foxes, and bobcats with dogs from the first Saturday in November through the end of the deer season. Chasing coyotes and bobcats with dogs during the night-time coyote and bobcat-only season is prohibited.

7. UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) commonly referred to as drones, cannot be used to hunt any wildlife.

8. Use or possession of the following equipment is prohibited:

    a. Predator calls while night hunting except during the night-time coyote and bobcat-only season.

    b. Pod arrows (any pod-type device for holding drugs or chemicals on an arrow) or any drugs or chemicals used in pod arrows while archery hunting.

    c. Explosive arrowheads and explosive broadheads are strictly prohibited.

    d. Firearms capable of fully automatic fire.

    e. Firearms or archery equipment with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife except for shotguns during the night-time coyote and bobcat-only season.

    f. Any electronic light amplifying night vision scope, thermal imaging device, or other similar devices while in possession of a firearm or archery tackle between sunset and sunrise except for shotguns during the night-time coyote and bobcat-only season (lights cannot be from or attached to a mechanized/motorized vehicle or cast from a public road). Hunting with dogs is prohibited.

    g. Electronic calls or live decoys while hunting wild turkeys, foxes, and waterfowl (except electronic calls are legal during the Conservation Season for Blue, Snow, and Ross's geese).

    h. Rifles or handguns with full metal jacketed ammunition.

    i. Rifles or handguns with centerfire ammunition between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise except for shotguns during the night-time coyote and bobcat-only season.

    j. Any loose shot other than non-toxic (as approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) or any shotgun shell loaded with shot other than non-toxic while hunting waterfowl, sandhill cranes, coots, gallinules, Virginia rails,     and sora rails.

    k. Tracer ammunition.

    l. Centerfire or muzzleloading rifles possessed by an individual 17 years of age or older for the purpose of hunting furbearers during the young sportsman deer and bear hunts.

    m. The use or possession of natural cervid urine while hunting is prohibited unless the product is clearly labeled bearing certification from the manufacturer that the urine was produced in a facility that:

        i. Complies with a federal or a federally approved chronic wasting disease herd certification program and any federal chronic wasting disease protocols and record requirements:

        ii. Does not allow the importation of live cervids:

        iii. Requires that all cervids exported from the facility be tested for chronic wasting disease upon death and the results are reported to the facility.

        iv. Is inspected annually by an accredited veterinarian, including inspection of the herd and applicable Federal and State records.

        v. Maintains a fence at least 8 feet high around the facility and, if the facility is located within 30 miles of a confirmed positive occurrence of chronic wasting disease, is double-fenced to prevent direct         contact between captive and wild cervids.

        vi. Requires an accredited veterinarian to conduct a 100% herd inspection at a minimum of every 3 years: and

        vii. Prior to distribution, tests each lot/batch of cervid collected urine used in a scent product via the Real Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QulC) assay for the presence of chronic wasting disease prions.

9. On WMA lands the practice of fanning or reaping is prohibited. Fanning/reaping is defined as hunting or stalking wild turkeys while holding or using for hunter concealment any of the following items: a tail fan, a partial or full decoy with a tail fan, or a tail fan mounted to a firearm. Tail fans include those made of real or synthetic feathers or an image or likeness of a tail fan applied to any material.

10. During the night-time coyote and bobcat-only season, only shotguns can be used and single projectile ammunition is prohibited.

Hunting from a Stationary Vehicle


On private property, it is legal to hunt from any motorized vehicle (to include ATVs, golf carts, etc.), provided the vehicle is stationary (engine may be running). Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing hunting from a vessel, automobile or other motor vehicle while under power. Nothing in this subsection permits hunting from or across a public road or right-of-way.

Possession of Live Animals


No person shall, at any time or by any means, possess or transport live animals taken under the authority of the hunting and trapping season proclamations. No native species may be taken out of the wild and kept as pets.

Protected Species


The taking, killing and/or illegal possession of hawks, owls, songbirds, endangered species or any other species (i.e. snakes) for which a season is not set is prohibited. There is evidence cougars and alligators are expanding their territories into Tennessee. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting season is proclaimed. Alligators and cougars are protected by state laws in Tennessee.

Roadkill Law


TCA 70-4-115 allows wild game animals, except for non-game and federally protected wildlife species, accidentally killed by a motor vehicle to be possessed for personal use and consumption. However, possession of a deer killed by a motor vehicle is permitted only if the person notifies the TWRA or any law enforcement officer and supplies his/her name within 48 hours. Personal possession of bear accidentally killed by a motor vehicle is only lawful once a TWRA enforcement officer issues a possession tag for it.

Assisting Hunters


Hunters who have filled their seasonal or daily bag limit for any species may continue to accompany other hunters provided they are not in possession of any ammunition or any firearm or archery equipment. This person must also comply with all other legal requirements.

Handgun Carry Regulations


A person may possess a handgun at any time while lawfully on the premises of any TWRA refuge, public hunting area, state owned wildlife management area, or, to the extent permitted by federal law, national forest land maintained by the state. For other federally managed properties hunters should contact that specific facility or location. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize a person to use any handgun to hunt unless such person is in full compliance with all wildlife laws, rules, and regulations.

Legal Hunting Hours


1. All big game and small game species (except bullfrogs, raccoons, opossums, the chasing of foxes and rabbits, and coyote and bobcat during the night-time season) are daylight hours only (30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset) except turkey and migratory birds which ends at official sunset. Exceptions under the migratory birds are sandhill cranes, which end at 3 p.m., along with opening day of dove season, which opens at noon.

2. Hunting of bullfrogs, raccoons, opossums, the chasing of foxes and rabbits, and the trapping of furbearers is permitted day or night unless restricted by proclamation. No foxes or rabbits may be shot while  chasing/training at night. 

3. Hunting of migratory birds is to comply with federal regulations for migratory birds, unless restricted by proclamation.

Miscellaneous


1. Where hunting is allowed from vessels, it is legal to hunt from any vessel, so long as the vessel is not under forward motion from any influence of mechanical means or sail. On private property, it is legal to hunt from any motorized vehicle (to include ATVs, golf carts, etc.), provided the vehicle is stationary (engine may be running). Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed as authorizing hunting from a vessel, automobile or other motor vehicle while under power. Nothing in this subsection permits hunting from or across a public road or right-of-way.

2. Hunters who have filled their seasonal or daily bag limit for any species may continue to accompany other hunters provided they are not in possession of any ammunition or any hunting device. This person must also comply with all other legal requirements. Access for hunters accompanying may be limited on some WMAs. A bear hunter who has filled the daily or seasonal limit may continue to carry a firearm and take hogs where incidental taking is allowed. 

3. Every game animal, wounded or unwounded by hunting and/or trapping and taken into possession by the hunter or trapper shall be immediately slain and become part of the daily bag limit. No person shall, at any time, or by any means, possess or transport live animals taken under the authority of hunting season proclamations.

4. Gigs, angling equipment, archery, rimfire and air firearms are legal for taking bullfrogs. 

5. Archery equipment is permitted during the archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons. Muzzleloader equipment is permitted during the muzzleloader and gun seasons.

6. In accordance with state and federal law, persons may possess handguns in addition to legal weapons used for hunting the entire year while on the premises of any TWRA refuge, public hunting area, state owned wildlife management area or, to the extent permitted by federal law, national forest land maintained by the state, and private land. For other federally managed properties hunters should contact that specific facility or location. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize a person to use any handgun to hunt unless such person is in full compliance with all wildlife laws, rules and regulations.

7. During a deer archery only season, a fall turkey hunter may not be in possession of both archery equipment and shotguns and/or rifles. 

8. During archery deer/bear seasons a properly licensed big game hunter may use air guns .25 caliber or smaller to hunt small game while archery hunting for deer/bear. During the muzzleloader and gun deer/bear season, a legal deer or bear hunter may use rimfire or airguns .25 caliber or smaller to hunt small game.

9. During an archery only or muzzleloader/archery only deer, bear or elk season, furbearers may not be taken with rifles and handguns using centerfire ammunition. During the gun/muzzleloader/archery seasons, furbearers may be taken by legal big game hunters licensed for the hunting device they are using.

10. The use of suppressors/silencers is legal for persons possessing the required federal license from the United States Department of Treasury. Hunters using these devices must have proof of such license on their person.

11. A falconry permittee who is hunting raptor accidentally kills wildlife out of season, or the wrong species or sex, shall leave the dead wildlife where it lies; except that the raptor may feed upon the wildlife prior to leaving the site of the kill.

General Opening Dates


SPECIE S

DATE

Free Hunting Day

Fourth Sat. in Aug.

Squirrel

Fourth Sat. in Aug.

Grouse

Second Sat. in Oct.

Quail

First Sat. in Nov.

Rabbit

First Sat. in Nov.

Deer (Aug. Hunt)

Fourth Fri. in Aug.

Deer/Archery

Fourth Sat. in Sept.

Deer/Muzzleloader

Third Sat. before Thanksgiving

Deer/Gun

Sat. before Thanksgiving

Deer/Young Sportsman

Last Sat. in Oct.

First Sat. after the close of gun season

Spring Turkey

2nd Saturday in April

Turkey/Young Sportsman

Sat. and Sun. before Spring Turkey opens

eBikes on Wildlife Management Areas


Electric Bicycles are becoming an increasingly popular tool for Tennessee Hunters. Be sure you know the rules before you ride

TCA 55-8-302 outlines the rules for operating electric bicycles in Tennessee. An electric bicycle or “ebike” is a two or three-wheel bike with fully operable pedals for human operation and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Tennessee law categorizes ebikes into three classes:

  • “Class 1 electric bicycles” are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour (20 mph)
  • “Class 2 electric bicycles” are equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle but stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour (20 mph)
  • “Class 3 electric bicycles” are equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour (28 mph)

On Tennessee WMAs, Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes are regulated the same as traditional bicycles and are not subject to motor vehicle or off-highway vehicle regulations. Class 3 ebikes are regulated as off-highway vehicles and require a high-impact conservation permit to operate on WMAs.