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.

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 acage 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. 

Mirgatory 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. 

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

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

8. Use or possession of the following equipmentis 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 prohibited.

    g. Electronic calls or live decoys while hunting wild turkey, foxes, and waterfowl (except electronic calls are legal during the Conservation Season for Blue, Snow, and Ross' 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 cervidurine 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 importation of livecervids:

        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.

Genral Opening Dates