License Fees

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 (does not include 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 ([email protected]), mail (address on application), fax (615-837-4262), or to TWRA regional offices.

The licenses below are only available via application. Applications are available at regional offices or at www.tnwildlife.org

These do not include WMA, or quota hunt permits. See WMA Non-quota Big Game in Wildlife Management Area Permits below.

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 requirement 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.

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.

Federal law requires each waterfowl hunter, age 16 and over, to 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 GoOutdoors
Tennessee.com from July 1 to Feb. 11 or at the Post Office. You immediately get a temporary stamp and a physical stamp arrives in the mail within 30 days.

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. Expires on June 30 of each year. The following individuals do not need but are encouraged to acquire this permit:

• Landowners hunting on their own land;
• Disabled veterans;
• Tennessee residents 65 years or older;
• Tennessee residents under 13 years of age;
• Lifetime Sportsman license holders; or
• Military personnel on leave or furlough (with leave papers).

Everyone who hunts on Wildlife Management Areas is required to have a WMA permit except Lifetime or 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 WMA Non-quota Big Game permit for WMA big game seasons.

All hunters 16 years and older are required to purchase a Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit.

This permit is required for Tennessee NWR and Cross Creeks NWR hunters including lifetime and annual sportsman license holders.

Required for all users of Reelfoot WMA except those under 16 years of age, residents 65 years or older, Annual Sportsman license holder and Lifetime Sportsman license holder. Permit cost is the same for residents and nonresidents.

A High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is required for riding hooved animals, bicycling, and off-highway vehicles (OHV) 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 13 are exempt. At least one occupant of an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on roads/trails as designated. OHVs 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, and Yanahli. Refer to the individual listing for each WMA for more specific information on which activities are permitted.

Required for anyone 16 years of age and older using a TWRA Firing Range. Refer to tnwildlife.org for more details and specific range information. Tier 1 Permits not required for any annual license holders.