Tennessee Hunting
TN Deer Hunting License Information Consult your “Official Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Regulations” pamphlet or contact the “Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency” for verification of all license fees and required permits before you hunt. General Information Hunting and fishing licenses go on sale February 18 each year, the beginning of prime fishing, and are valid through the last day of February the following year. Note: According to federal law, a Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.
Lifetime Sportsman | |
| Age determines the cost. An all-inclusive lifetime license is available only to Tennessee residents and valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing without any TWRA supplemental licenses or permits (not including the Tennessee Guide License). It allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. This license is available via application only and must be sent in with the required documentation. Applications must be submitted by email (lifetime.license@tn.gov), mail (address on application), fax (615-837-4262), or to TWRA regional offices. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Type 401 (Under 3 years) | $200.00 |
| Type 406 (Ages 3–6) | $659.00 |
| Type 402 (Ages 7–12) | $988.00 |
| Type 403 (Ages 13–50) | $1,976.00 |
| Type 404 (Ages 51–64) | $1,153.00 |
| Type 405 (Ages 65 & over) | $329.00 |
| Hunting and Fishing Combination (Type 001) Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game statewide | $34.00 |
| Supplemental Licenses (Types 005, 009, 010, 011 or 015) are required and must be purchased, in addition to the Type 001 license, in order to hunt deer, elk, bear, turkey and waterfowl. The type of hunting equipment to be used determines which supplemental license is necessary. | |
| Waterfowl (Type 005) | $38.00 |
| Annual Big Game Gun (Type 009) | $34.00 |
| Annual Big Game Archery (Type 010) | $34.00 |
| Annual Big Game Muzzleloader (Type 011) | $34.00 |
| Resident Elk License (Type 015) | $34.00 |
| This permit is required after successfully being drawn for the annual elk quota hunt. Annual Sportsman and Lifetime License holders are exempt from having to purchase the Elk Permit. | |
| Annual Sportsman (Type 004) | $166.00 |
| An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any TWRA supplemental licenses or non-quota permits; allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Annual Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all license agents. | |
| Junior Hunt/Fish/Trap (Type 002) | $10.00 |
| Ages 13-15. Good for hunting all game, fishing and trapping. Must be purchased prior to 16th birthday. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA big game permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits as well as “left over” permits. | |
| Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap (Type 166) | $50.00 |
| Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of age and residency is required. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits as well as “left over” permits. | |
| Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap (Type 164) | $5.00 |
| Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of age and residency is required. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits as well as “left over” permits. | |
| Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman Permit (Type 167) | $50.00 |
| An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any TWRA supplemental licenses or non-quota permits and allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached. | |
| Trapping (Type 019) | $34.00 |
| The licenses below are only available via application. Applications are available at regional offices or at www.tnwildlife.org | |
| Annual Resident Hunting & Fishing Disabled Under 18 (Type 168) | $5.00 |
| Available to Tennessee residents under the age of 18 who meet the requirements of TCA 70-2-104 as amended. The certification of the total and permanent disability issued by a physician licensed to practice in Tennessee must accompany this application. Renewable annually with current fee. Permits where required. | |
| Permanent Resident Hunting & Fishing Intellectually Disabled (Type 169) | $10.00 |
| Tennessee residents over the age of 10 years may purchase by providing a certification by a physician licensed to practice in Tennessee as having an intellectual disability as described in TCA 33-1-101. Applicant will be required to complete the Hunter Education Course as provided in TCA 70-2-108. Additional restrictions are listed on the back of the license card. | |
| Permanent Wheelchair Hunting and Fishing (Type 189) | $10.00 |
| Available only by application to the TWRA Regional Offices. Application must be accompanied by a doctor’s statement stating that the applicant is permanently confined to a wheelchair. Covers all license requirements to hunt and fish but holder must purchase any applicable permits. | |
| Permanent DAV Hunting and Fishing (Type 198) | $10.00 |
| Available only by application to the TWRA License Regional Offices for resident veterans certified by the VA as 30 percent disabled by reason of war service or 100 percent service connected. Covers all license requirements to hunt and fish but holder must purchase any applicable permits. Must provide DD214 form and Veterans Administration letter showing percent of disability. | |
Nonresident Licenses | |
| These do not include WMA, special season permits, or quota hunt permits. See Type 094 in next column. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Junior Hunt/Fish (Type 070) | $11.00 |
| Required for nonresidents ages 13–15 to fish or hunt small game. A Type 085 or 086 is required to hunt big game. | |
| 7-Day Junior ALL Game (Type 085) | $26.50 |
| Junior ALL Game Annual (Type 086) | $42.00 |
| 7-Day Hunt-Small Game/Waterfowl (Type 072) | $61.50 |
| Annual Hunt-Small Game/Waterfowl (Type 071) | $111.00 |
| 7-Day All Game (Type 074) | $214.50 |
| Annual All Game (Type 073) | $306.00 |
| Annual Trapping (Type 120) | $201.00 |
| Nonresident Elk License (Type 075) This permit is required after successfully being drawn for the annual elk quota hunt. | $301.00 |
Apprentice Hunting License | |
| This is a supplemental license in lieu of a hunter education certificate. All other applicable hunting licenses and/or permits are required. This license is available to all hunters 10 years of age or older who have not completed the mandatory hunter education course. It exempts the hunter from the mandatory hunter education law for one year from the date of purchase, but may only be purchased for up to three consecutive years during the lifetime of the hunter. Hunters who possess this license must be accompanied by an adult, 21 years of age or older, who must meet the hunter education requirements and be able to take immediate control of the hunting device. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Apprentice Hunting License (Type 012) | $12.00 |
Guide License | |
| This license is required for anyone who accepts compensation for providing assistance to another in any act of hunting, fishing, and/or trapping and is only available via application | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Resident Guide License (Type 450) | $151.00 |
| Nonresident Guide License (Type 455) | $651.00 |
Federal Duck Stamp | |
| Federal law requires that each waterfowl hunter, age 16 and over, carry on his/her person, in addition to a hunting license and state migratory bird permit, a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. These can be purchased at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or at the Post Office. You immediately get a temporary stamp and a physical stamp arrives in the mail. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25.00 |
Migratory Bird Permit Required | |
Resident and nonresident hunters must possess a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit to hunt waterfowl and other migratory birds in Tennessee, available anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. The following do not need but are encouraged to acquire this permit:
| |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Migratory Bird Permit (Type 006) | $2.00 |
| Migratory Bird Permit (Type 007) Only available to Sportsman license holders. | no fee |
Tennessee Hunting License Out Of State
Hunter Education Replacement Card | |
| To replace a Hunter Education card at a TWRA license agent location, first contact your TWRA Regional Office during normal business hours. Verify that your Hunter Education number has been updated in the TWRA license system. Then you may go to a TWRA license agent and purchase a Type 500 Hunter Education Card Replacement. See Youth Hunts & Information and online for Hunter Education requirements to hunt in Tennessee. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Hunter Education Replacement Card | $8.00 |
Wildlife Management Area Permits | |
| Everyone who hunts on Wildlife Management Areas is required to have a WMA permit except Sportsman License holders and youths under age 16 hunting small game and waterfowl. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult with a valid WMA small game permit. Youths under 6 may not hunt big game on a WMA. All ages need a Type 094 for statewide antlerless deer gun season and Unit L antlerless private lands hunts. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| WMA Small Game and Waterfowl (Type 091) | $62.00 |
| 1-Day Small Game and Waterfowl (Type 092) | $12.50 |
| WMA Small Game only (Type 093) | $21.00 |
| WMA Nonquota Big Game/Special Antlerless Seasons (Type 094) Required for residents and non-residents to hunt the statewide antlerless deer gun season, unit L antlerless private lands hunt and WMA nonquota big game hunts, including Cherokee. | $25.00 |
| Cherokee WMA Big Game Nonquota (Type 095) Valid for Cherokee WMA nonquota big game hunts. | $19.00 |
Land Between the Lakes | |
| All Hunters 16 years and older are required to purchase a Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Annual Hunter Use Permit (type 060) | $25.00 |
| Basic/Hunter Use and Camping permit (type 061) | $35.00 |
Federal Refuges | |
| This permit is required for Cross Creeks and Tennessee National Refuge for all hunters including lifetime and annual sportsman license holders. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Federal Refuges (Type 064) | $15.00 |
Reelfoot Preservation Permit | |
| Required for all users of Reelfoot WMA except those under 16 years of age, residents 65 years or older and Sportsman license holders. Permit cost is the same for residents and nonresidents. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| 1-Day Reelfoot Preserv. Permit (Type 090) | $3.50 |
| 3-Day Reelfoot Preserv. Permit (Type 088) | $10.50 |
| Annual Reelfoot Preserv. Permit (Type 089) | $17.00 |
High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit | |
| A High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is required for riding hooved animals, bicycling, and off-highway vehicle use on designated wildlife management areas. Persons holding a valid hunting license with an appropriate permit to hunt on a wildlife management area and youths under age thirteen (13) are exempt. At least one occupant of a Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on roads/trails as designated. Off-Highway Vehicle is any vehicle capable of traveling off highways within the state. The term includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, dune buggies and other four-wheeled vehicles used for off-road activities. This permit is required on the following WMAs (Note: not all activities are permitted on each WMA requiring this permit): Bear Hollow, Bridgestone Firestone – Big Bottom Unit, Catoosa, Cheatham, Forks of the River, Keyes-Harrison, Laurel Hill, Luper Mountain, Mt. Roosevelt, North Chickamauga Creek – Patton Unit, North Cumberland, Pea Ridge, Skinner Mountain, Williamsport, Yanahli. Refer to the individual listing for each WMA for more specific information on which activities are permitted. | |
LICENSE | FEE |
| Resident Annual Permit (Type 035) | $74.00 |
| Resident Daily Permit (Type 036) | $15.50 |
| Nonresident Annual Permit (Type 037) | $233.00 |
| Nonresident Daily Permit (Type 038) | $37.50 |
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Who Must Have a Tennessee Hunting License?
If you hunt game or attempt to hunt game by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid hunting license. There are some exceptions:
- Residents born before March 1, 1926 (with proof of age and residency).
- Military personnel on leave carrying leave papers.
- Landowners, their spouses, and children who hunt on farmland which is owned by said landowners. The aforementioned must be residents of Tennessee but need not reside on the land. This license exemption does not apply if the farmland is owned jointly or in common by unrelated persons.
- Resident grandchildren (under the age of 16) and resident great-grandchildren (under the age of 16) who hunt on farmland which is owned by their resident grandparents or great-grandparents.
- Tenants, their spouses, and their dependent children who hunt on farmland owned by an individual or family. The aforementioned must be residents of Tennessee and must actually reside on the land and have the permission of the landowner to hunt. A tenant is a person who, for money, free rent, or other consideration, cares for farmland. The tenancy must be agricultural in nature.
- First cousins who own farmland jointly or in common may fish and hunt small game on the farmland. Their children may fish and hunt small game as well.
- Resident and nonresident youths under 13. Hunters ages 10-12 need only a hunter education certificate to hunt. However, youths 6-16 hunting big game on a WMA must have a valid Type 094 or Type 095 permit or quota permit, as applicable.
Farmland Owner License Exemption
Tennessee Hunting License Fees
Tennessee Hunting Regulations
Persons hunting without a license under a resident farmland owner exemption must complete and sign a statement, attesting where the property is located and how this land qualifies for a landowner exemption. Persons may complete the form in advance and carry it with them while hunting or they may complete the form when requested in the field by a TWRA official or when checking game. Resident landowners and their children hunting on their parent's land under this exemption are also exempt from Hunter Education Certification requirements.