What’s new for 2011-2012

Several important changes were made to the hunting and trapping regulations for the 2011–2012 seasons. Several of the primary changes are:

• Wild hogs have been removed as a big game animal and are now listed as a non-protected species. There is no more wild hog hunting in Tennessee on private land. Special control measures have been implemented for landowners. See Controlling Wild Hogs for details. Several East Tennessee WMAs allow incidental take during scheduled hunts, see specific WMAs for more information.
• There is now one gun season for deer running from the traditional opening date of the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 19, 2011 until January 1, 2012.
• Added Benton, Hardin, and Perry counties to Unit L for deer hunting.
• Increased antlerless deer hunting opportunities have been created in Crockett, Dyer, Lauderdale, Hamilton, and Union counties.
• WMA quota permits will be reduced from a $20 refundable fee to a $10
  non-refundable fee.
• The minimum caliber restrictions for muzzleloaders changed from .40 to .36 for big game.
• The WMA previously known as Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant in Hamilton County is now named Enterprise South Park.
• Dry Creek WMA in Region I is open to trapping, big game and small game hunting.
• A new red deer season (January 14-22, 2012) has been created for a section of Claiborne County. See page 27.
• There will be a young sportsman hunt for bear, the same weekend of the young sportsman hunt for deer, (October 29-30). See Bear Hunting.
• Fall turkey season has been moved from December to October, which increases the number of hunting days from 12 to 14. (October 15-28).
• All shotgun gauges are now legal for turkey hunting (fall/spring)
• Two new areas, Allegheny County, Maryland and Hardy County, West Virginia have been added to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) importation laws.
• Removed the requirement that broadheads must be of a barbless design.
• Quail and rabbit season will open the first Saturday in November.
• Quail season now closes the last day of January.
• Small game hunters will get almost two straight months (Jan.-Feb.) with no interruption from big game seasons.
• Chasing of rabbits during night time hours added as a legal training activity (See Small Game Hunting).
• Increased raccoon seasons in South Cherokee (includes Tellico/Ocoee bear reserves).