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JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

GeneraL huntInG reGuL atIons
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.
The taking and/or illegal possession of
hawks, owls, songbirds, endangered species
or any other species for which a season is not
set (e.g. snakes) is prohibited.
There is evidence that alligator populations
are expanding north along the Mississippi
River into Tennessee. Species which
expand their ranges into Tennessee (such
as alligators) are protected and may not be
taken until a hunting season is proclaimed.
Alligators are protected by both state and
federal laws in Tennessee.
No native species may be taken out of the
wild and kept as pets.
RoadkIll laW
TCA 70-4-115 allows that, except for nongame
and federally protected wildlife species,
wild game animals accidentally killed by a
motor vehicle may 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. A bear killed by a
motor vehicle may be possessed only upon
the issuance of a receipt from the TWRA.
HUnTIng HoURs
Crows, doves, ducks (including the early
duck season), geese, gallinules, rails, turkey,
woodcock, Wilson snipe - Shooting hours
one-half hour before legal sunrise to legal
sunset, except for dove hunting on opening
day when shooting hours will begin at
noon.
All other game species (except fox chasing
and raccoon, opossum, and bullfrogs) - Onehalf
hour before legal sunrise to one-half
hour after legal sunset. Fox chasing, furbearer
trapping, raccoon, opossum, and bullfrog
hunting may be done day or night.
HUnTIng and TRaPPIng on
PRIvaTe land
In Tennessee, state wildlife laws have
always required hunters and trappers to
obtain permission from landowners to use
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 “HUNT-
ING BY WRITTEN PERMISSION ONLY,”
a hunter or trapper must carry the owner’s
written permission. (See form on page 74)
If a hunter or trapper is found without that
written permission, that hunter or trapper is
subject to prosecution.
HUnTIng fRoM a sTaTIonaRY
veHICle
On private property, hunting while in or on a
vehicle that cannot be legally licensed to operate
on public highways in Tennessee (ORV,
ATV) is permitted providing that the vehicle
is stationary (engine may be running). Hunting
from any vehicle, stationary or otherwise,
is prohibited from a public road, right-of-way
or on public property, including WMAs.
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 weapon. This person must also comply
with all other legal requirements.
Illegal eQUIPMenT
1. Shotguns using ammunition loaded
with shot larger than No. 4 are prohibited
for hunting all wildlife except
beavers, coyotes and waterfowl.
2. Shotguns loaded with single ball or
rifled slug ammunition are prohibited
for hunting all wildlife except deer, bear,
boar and feral hogs except as follows:
Coyotes, bobcats, foxes and crows
(when those seasons are open) may be
taken by big game hunters while hunting
big game with any legal big game
weapon or ammunition.
3. Rifles or handguns loaded with military
or other full metal jacketed type of ammunition
are prohibited.
4. Rifles or handguns loaded with centerfire
ammunition are prohibited for all
hunting between 30 minutes after sunset
and 30 minutes before sunrise.
5. Rifles or handguns loaded with centerfire
ammunition are prohibited during
all deer, bear or boar seasons for hunting
any wildlife except deer, bear, or boar.
Coyotes, crows, groundhogs, beaver,
feral hogs, foxes and bobcats may be
taken by big game hunters while hunting
big game with any legal big game
equipment or ammunition.
6. Any arrow with poisoned or chemically
treated tip or explosive head is illegal
for hunting.
7. Firearms capable of fully automatic
fire are prohibited for hunting of all
wildlife.
MandatOrY
HUnter
edUCatIOn
All hunters, resident or nonresident,
born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, must
possess proof that they have successfully
completed a hunter education course.
Those under 10 years of age do not need
a Hunter Education certificate, but must
be accompanied by an adult at least 21
years of age who must remain in a position
to take immediate control of the hunting
device. Call your local TWRA office or visit
the TWRA’s Web site at www.tnwildlife.org
for a listing of scheduled Hunter Education
classes.
noTe: 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), for $7.00.
apprentICe
HUntIng LICense
This license is in lieu of a hunter education
certificate. All other applicable licenses
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 until the end of the license year but
may only be purchased once 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 is able to take immediate control of
the hunting device. Apprentice Hunting
License Type 012 $11
8. Firearms or archery equipment with any
device utilizing an artificial light capable
of locating wildlife are prohibited. Night
vision scopes are illegal.
9. Shotguns capable of holding more than
three shells when hunting migratory
birds are prohibited (doves, ducks, geese
and woodcock, etc.).
10. A short-barrel rifle or shotgun – According
to TCA 39-17-1302, a person
commits an offense who intentionally
or knowingly possesses, manufactures,
transports, repairs or sells a rifle or
shotgun with a short barrel. Therefore,
it is not legal to possess or use rifles and
shotguns with short barrels for hunting.
12 2008 Hunting & Trapping Guide