License Exemptions
License Exemptions
- Residents born before March 1, 1926 (with proof of age and residency).
- Military personnel on leave carrying leave papers.
- Landowners, their spouses, children, and children's spouses who hunt on their own farmland. 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. (See below, Farmland Owner License Exemption.)
- Tenants, their spouses and their dependent children who hunt on farmland which is owned by an individual or a family. The aforementioned must be residents of Tennessee and must actually reside on the land and have 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.
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. Additional forms are available at TWRA offices and TWRA’s website (
