License Fees

Resident licenses can be purchased by:

• Persons who possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license or Tennessee state ID issued by the Department of Safety. Tennessee state law requires drivers to obtain a Tennessee drivers license within 30 days of residency. Out-of-state driver's license only accepted for Military Personnel and Students meeting the criteria below.
• Persons who do not drive or do not possess a valid driver's license from another state, but who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home, may prove residency by presenting to a TWRA license agent any two of the following documents:
  • Current Tennessee voter registration card;
  • Current Tennessee vehicle registration or title;
  • Form I-94 issued by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service
  • Current rental/mortgage contract or receipt including deed of sale for property or receipt for payment of Tennessee real estate taxes within last year
• Military personnel on active duty in this state and children under 16 years of age who reside with them, regardless of Tennessee resident status.
• Students who are enrolled in a Tennessee school, college or university for at least six (6) months, with an appropriate student ID.
• Nonresidents that were born in the State of Tennessee, upon completion of an application for a Native Tennessean license. See License Information for details.

NOTE: A Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license. No license is required for ages 12 and under, some permits may still apply.

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

Ages 12 and under, no license required.

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 (1) year from the date of purchase, but may only be purchased for up to three (3) 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.

To purchase a Hunter Education card at a TWRA license agent location, first contact your TWRA Regional Office during normal business hours and 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 Hunter Education Card. See Hunter Education and online for Hunter Education requirements to hunt in Tennessee.

This license is required for anyone who accepts compensation for providing assistance to another in any act of hunting, fishing, and/or trapping. Available by application only which can be found at tnwildlife.org

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). The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 modifies provisions regarding the Duck Stamp, now allowing an individual to carry their E-stamp certification for the entire waterfowl hunting season rather than for just 45 days post-purchase. These can be purchased at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com from July 1 to Feb. 11 or at the Post Office. You immediately get a temporary stamp and the physical stamp will be sent after March 10.

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).

If you purchase one (1) of the following special permits, you must also have all applicable licenses. Holders of a Lifetime, Annual, or Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman’s License do not need to purchase the permits below. Resident anglers 65 years of age and older do not need a permit, but are required to have a fishing license. Anglers under the age of 16 do not need a lake permit but anglers ages 13 to 15 are required to have a Junior Fish/Hunt license.

Everyone who hunts on Wildlife Management Areas is required to have a WMA permit except Lifetime or Annual 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 and Cross Creek National Wildlife Refuge hunters including lifetime and annual sportsman license holders.

A High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is required for riding hooved animals, bicycling, and off-highway vehicle (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 (1) occupant of an OHV must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on roads/trails as designated. OHVs are 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.