HUNTING EQUIPMENT and METHODS

LEGAL EQUIPMENT

Turkey Hunting

• Shotguns 28 gauge or larger using ammunition loaded with number 4 shot or smaller. No restriction on number of rounds in magazine.
• Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
• Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.

Deer, Bear, Boar and Feral Hog Hunting

• Shotguns using ammunition loaded with single solid ball or rifled slugs. No restriction on number of rounds in magazine.
• Rifles, except those utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife, using center-fire ammunition, in all counties except where regulated by legislative acts.
• Muzzleloading percussion cap or flintlock rifles, handguns or shotguns of .40 caliber (.40-inches) minimum. These muzzleloading firearms are legal during any gun season or hunt unless otherwise specified. Muzzleloading firearms are defined as those firearms which are incapable of being loaded from the breech.
• Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
• Hunting arrows and bolts shall be of a barbless design and shall have sharpened blades.
• Handguns using any centerfire ammunition, except those with multiple shot, and having a barrel length of four inches or more, in all counties except where regulated by legislative acts.
• Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices using an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.

Small Game Hunting

• Shotguns and handguns using ammunition loaded with Number 4 or smaller shot are legal for all small game hunting.
• Shotguns using ammunition loaded with T (0.20 inch diameter) or smaller shot are legal for hunting coyotes and beaver except during big game seasons.
• Shotguns loaded with nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are legal for hunting waterfowl.
• Rifles and handguns using rim-fire ammunition and air rifles are legal for hunting small game except migratory birds.
• Rifles and handguns using center-fire ammunition are legal for hunting beaver, bobcat, coyotes, feral hogs, fox, groundhogs, and crows, except during deer, bear, or boar seasons.
• Muzzleloading firearms (rifles, handguns, shotguns).
• Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
• Falcons and Falconry subject to TCA Section 70-4-414.
• Gigs and angling equipment are also legal for taking bullfrogs.
• Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.
  

• Possession of ammunition except that as specifically authorized is prohibited on all wildlife management areas, state refuges, and public hunting areas.
• Possession of shotgun ammunition loaded with more than one solid ball, such as buckshot, is specifically prohibited while hunting deer, bear, boar, or feral hogs except in those counties where authorized by Private Act.
• Possession of shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited when hunting all wildlife except waterfowl, coyotes, and beaver.
• Possession of rifled slugs is prohibited except while hunting deer, bear, boar, and feral hogs.
• Possession or use of any loose shot other that nontoxic (as approved by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service) or any shotgun shell loaded with shot other than nontoxic is prohibited while hunting waterfowl, coots, gallinules, Virginia rails, and sora rails.
• There is no restriction on the number of rounds in a shotgun except when hunting migratory birds. While hunting migratory birds, the shotgun must be incapable of holding more than three rounds.

HUNTING FROM A STATIONARY VEHICLE
On private properry, hunting while in or on a vehicle that cannot be legally licensed to operate on public highways in Tennessee (ORV, ATV) is permitted providing 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.

BAG LIMIT
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 HUNTING EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

Illegal Weapons

• Shotguns using ammunition loaded with shot larger than Number Four (4) are prohibited for hunting all wildlife except beavers, coyotes, and waterfowl.
• 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.
• Rifles or handguns loaded with military or other full metal jacketed type of ammunition are prohibited.
• Rifles or handguns loaded with center-fire ammunition are prohibited for all hunting between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Rifles or handguns loaded with center-fire 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 weapon or ammunition.
• Any arrow with poisoned or chemically treated tip or explosive head is illegal for hunting.
• Weapons capable of fully automatic fire are prohibited for hunting of all wildlife.
• Firearms or archery equipment with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.
• Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells when hunting migratory birds (doves, ducks, geese, and woodcock, etc.).

Prohibited Acts

• The use or possession of predator calls while night hunting of any species is prohibited.
• 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.
• The use of dogs in taking or attempting to take deer is prohibited. Taking or attempting to take deer being pursued by dog, or dogs, is prohibited.
• The use or possession of a pod arrow, any pod-type device for holding drugs or chemicals on an arrow, or any drugs or chemicals used in pod arrows while archery hunting is prohibited.
• Quota hunt permits are not transferable. Anyone found hunting hunting on a borrowed quota permit shall be deemed guilty of hunting in closed season.
• Youths under the age of eighteen (18) are prohibited from using handguns for the purpose of hunting.
• Hunting is prohibited over a site where bait has been placed to feed or attract wildlife unless the bait has been removed at least ten (10) days prior to hunting.
• Evidence of species or sex of big game animals shall not be destroyed or removed prior to a permanent kill tag being issued at a checking station. (Normal field dressing is permitted).
• Possession of firearms is prohibited while chasing coyote, fox, and bobcat with dogs from the first Saturday in November through the end of deer season.
• Use or possession of electronic light amplifying night vision scopes is prohibited when in possession of a firearm or archery tackle between sunset and sunrise.
• On WMAs and PHAs all guns must be unloaded while being transported. A muzzleloader is considered to be unloaded if the cap is removed from the nipple. A crossbow is considered to be unloaded if the bolt is removed from the device.
• It is unlawful to hunt, shoot at, chase, or kill any wild animal, wild bird, or wildfowl on public lands and waters within 100 yards of a visible dwelling house, whether or not such a dwelling is on public or private lands, without the owner's permission.
• It is unlawful for any person, or one or more of a group of persons together, to willfully throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light in an apparent attempt or intent to locate deer by the use of such light.
• Persons with archery tackle may not carry firearms or be accompanied by a person possessing firearms during the archery-only season.
• Use or possession of electronic calls for fox, turkey, and waterfowl is prohibited.
• It is illegal to hunt, shoot at, chase, or kill any wild animal, wild bird, or wildfowl from a public road right-of-way, or from any motorized vehicle, or to shoot any firearms across or from any public road or vehicle.

All hunting seasons are closed unless opened by specific Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission proclamation.