Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-14-.13 - HUNTING AND MISCELLANEOUS USES OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS AND OTHER TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY CONTROLLED LANDS
(1) General.
(a) On management areas, the hunter (except
raccoon, opossum, and turkey hunters) may not enter prior to two (2) hours
before sunrise, and he must be out of the area by one (1) hour after sunset or
legal closing time. Raccoon and opossum hunters must be out of the area one (1)
hour after sunrise, except on the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area.
(b) Only guides approved by the hunt manager
will be allowed on managed hunts and these may not carry guns while guiding
unless they possess a valid hunting license, big game stamp and area hunt
permit. When compartments are assigned by the hunt manager, hunters must remain
in the compartment assigned.
(c)
Unauthorized persons are prohibited from being in the wildlife management area
during deer, bear, and turkey hunts, except on the Cherokee and Land Between
the Lakes Wildlife Management Areas, or as otherwise specified by rule or
proclamation.
(2) Safety
Rules.
(a) No person shall be in possession or
under the influence of any narcotic drug, barbiturate, or marijuana while on
any Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources Agency
controlled lands.
(b) No person
shall be in possession or under the influence of any alcoholic beverage while
on Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources Agency
controlled lands except:
1. In campgrounds
that are designated and maintained by the Wildlife Resources Agency;
or
2. On public waters bordering or
contained in Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources
Agency controlled lands so long as that person is not engaged in
hunting.
(c) Target
practice is prohibited except at ranges provided by the Wildlife Resources
Agency or the USDA Forest Service. Safety Zones may be designated and posted by
the Area Manager. Safety Zones are defined as an area of protection which may
have restricted hunting activities around dwellings, recreation areas, firing
and archery ranges and roads.
(3) Dogs.
(a) Use or possession of dogs is prohibited
on wildlife management areas or on other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled
lands except when authorized by Commission proclamation or
regulation.
(b) These rules and
regulations shall not be construed to conflict with rules and regulations
promulgated by any State or Federal Agency with whom the Wildlife Resources
Agency manages any area under terms of a cooperative agreement.
(c) Any dog found on Wildlife Resources
Agency controlled lands shall be impounded and disposed of according to the
procedures outlined in T.C.A. § 70-4-118.
(4) Camping And Picnicking.
(a) Camping is specifically prohibited at
State fish hatcheries. Visiting prohibited between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.
(b) Overnight camping may be permitted on
designated areas by permission from the Area Manager, except on non-Agency
lands where legally promulgated rules specify otherwise. Camping shall not
exceed 3 weeks in length from the beginning to the end of the camping stay.
Owner's contact information (name, phone number, address) or TWRA ID number and
date of arrival must be displayed on camper, tent, vehicle, etc., at all
times.
(c) Houseboats, floats and
other watercraft are permitted to anchor and/or moor along the shoreline of
Chuck Swan and Cove Creek WMAs from the third Thursday of May through the
second Tuesday of September. Houseboats, floats and other watercraft are
prohibited from blocking access to coves. In addition, mooring lines cannot be
placed to prevent cove access or create a boating hazard. Anchoring and/or
mooring shall not exceed 21 consecutive days in length from the beginning to
the end of the anchoring and/or mooring stay.
(d) Picnicking is permitted on designated
areas.
(5)
Miscellaneous.
(a) Other use of wildlife
management areas and other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands is
subject to approval of the Executive Director, Regional Manager, Park
Superintendent, State Forest Supervisor, National Forest Supervisor, or Forest
Service National Recreation Area Supervisor.
(b) All motorized vehicles must be muffler
equipped to suppress noise and be spark arrestor equipped to prevent fires.
Operation of motorized vehicles is confined to roads and trails not designated
as closed or as authorized by the Area Manager. On LBL, motorized vehicles are
prohibited on all roads and trails not designated as open by signs and/or other
appropriate methods. Driving off road into woods, fields, or on foot trails or
utility right-of-way is prohibited on all agency-owned wildlife management
areas. Motorized vehicles may be prohibited on any agency-owned wildlife
management area if deemed necessary to protect wildlife, vegetation, and/or
properties.
(c) Vehicles shall not
be parked in any manner that will block or deny access to any road or
trail.
(d) In addition to the
above, the following apply to the use of trail bikes, mini-bikes, and other off
highway vehicles:
1. Off Highway Vehicles
(OHVs) are restricted to use on roads open to other motorized traffic, except
where prohibited by state or federal statute, and designated trails only. Roads
shall be posted if closed.
2. OHVs
may be prohibited from certain high use areas and at certain times when there
is a threat to public safety or wildlife as indicated by signs.
3. Driving off roads and designated trails
into woods, fields, and utility rights of way is prohibited unless otherwise
provided.
4. OHVs may be operated
during daylight hours and at other times when participating in authorized
activities.
5. OHVs must be
equipped with properly functioning mufflers and spark arresters.
6. OHVs may not be operated in a reckless or
otherwise unsafe manner. No harassment or disturbance of people or wildlife is
permitted.
7. All incidents
resulting in the injury to persons or damage to property must be reported by
the person or persons involved as soon as possible to the district forester,
Area Manager, or Park Superintendent. This report does not relieve persons from
the responsibility of making any other accident reports which may be required
under state law.
8. Off Highway
Vehicle 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.
(e) The use of wire, nails or other metal
materials is expressly prohibited in the building or attaching of climbing
devices or hunting stands on or in trees. Hunting is prohibited from any stand
attached to a tree with these materials. Portable climbing devices or stands
that do not injure trees are excepted from this rule.
(f) Acts of disorderly, obnoxious, or
boisterous conduct, including acts that interfere with the orderly process of
hunting, are prohibited. Violators shall be removed from the area and/or
prosecuted. When an individual is convicted for a flagrant violation(s) or
repeated violations of regulations governing management areas, the Executive
Director shall at his discretion bar said individual from all management areas
for a period of up to two years of date of written notification.
(g) No person shall deface, damage, destroy
or remove any equipment, structure, trees, fruits, nuts, crops, or other
plants, dirt, gravel or sod from any wildlife management area or other Wildlife
Resources Agency controlled lands without specific authorization.
(h) No garbage, rubbish, litter or any
refuse, sewage or other material which would pollute said area or waters, or
render them unsightly or unsanitary shall be thrown, left or deposited on the
area.
(i) No warming, camping or
any type fire shall be allowed except at designated camping areas. Anyone
causing a forest fire shall be held liable for the cost of
suppression.
(j) The following
apply to the use of saddle and pack animals on Wildlife Management Areas:
1. Horses and other saddle and pack animals
are permitted on roads and trails open to motorized traffic and other trails or
routes established for their use.
2. Riding off roads into woods, fields, or on
foot trails is prohibited unless otherwise provided.
3. Horses and other saddle and pack animals
may be prohibited from certain high use areas such as campgrounds, picnic
areas, main-traveled roads, etc. as indicated by signs.
4. Horses and other saddle and pack animals
are prohibited at all times on Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness,
Foothills and Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Areas.
5. Horses and other saddle and pack animals
are prohibited during big game seasons on Cheatham, Laurel Hill, and Yanahli
Wildlife Management Areas.
(k) The following shall apply to abandoned
and unattended property:
1. Abandonment of any
vehicle or other personal property is prohibited and such property may be
impounded by the Area Manager or an authorized person.
2. Leaving any vehicle or other personal
property unattended for longer than 24 hours, without prior permission of the
Area Manager or other authorized person, is prohibited and any property so left
may be impounded by the Area Manager or an authorized person, and may be
disposed of according to state procedures. In the event unattended property
interferes with a safe and orderly management of the area, it may be impounded
at any time.
Notes
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 70-1-206 and 70-9-105.
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
(1) General.
(a) On management areas, the hunter (except raccoon, opossum, and turkey hunters) may not enter prior to two (2) hours before sunrise, and he must be out of the area by one (1) hour after sunset or legal closing time. Raccoon and opossum hunters must be out of the area one (1) hour after sunrise, except on the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area.
(b) Only guides approved by the hunt manager will be allowed on managed hunts and these may not carry guns while guiding unless they possess a valid hunting license, big game stamp and area hunt permit. When compartments are assigned by the hunt manager, hunters must remain in the compartment assigned.
(c) Unauthorized persons are prohibited from being in the wildlife management area during deer, bear, and turkey hunts, except on the Cherokee and Land Between the Lakes Wildlife Management Areas, or as otherwise specified by rule or proclamation.
(2) Safety Rules.
(a) No person shall be in possession or under the influence of any narcotic drug, barbiturate, or marijuana while on any Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands.
(b) No person shall be in possession or under the influence of any alcoholic beverage while on Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands except:
1. In campgrounds that are designated and maintained by the Wildlife Resources Agency; or
2. On public waters bordering or contained in Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges, or other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands so long as that person is not engaged in hunting.
(c) Target practice is prohibited except at ranges provided by the Wildlife Resources Agency or the USDA Forest Service. Safety Zones may be designated and posted by the Area Manager. Safety Zones are defined as an area of protection which may have restricted hunting activities around dwellings, recreation areas, firing and archery ranges and roads.
(3) Dogs.
(a) Use or possession of dogs is prohibited on wildlife management areas or on other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands except when authorized by Commission proclamation or regulation.
(b) These rules and regulations shall not be construed to conflict with rules and regulations promulgated by any State or Federal Agency with whom the Wildlife Resources Agency manages any area under terms of a cooperative agreement.
(c) Any dog found on Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands shall be impounded and disposed of according to the procedures outlined in T.C.A. § 70-4-118.
(4) Camping And Picnicking.
(a) Camping is specifically prohibited at State fish hatcheries. Visiting prohibited between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.
(b) Overnight camping may be permitted on designated areas by permission from the Area Manager, except on non-Agency lands where legally promulgated rules specify otherwise. Camping shall not exceed 3 weeks in length from the beginning to the end of the camping stay. Owner's contact information (name, phone number, address) or TWRA ID number and date of arrival must be displayed on camper, tent, vehicle, etc., at all times.
(c) Houseboats, floats and other watercraft are permitted to anchor and/or moor along the shoreline of Chuck Swan and Cove Creek WMAs from the third Thursday of May through the second Tuesday of September. Houseboats, floats and other watercraft are prohibited from blocking access to coves. In addition, mooring lines cannot be placed to prevent cove access or create a boating hazard. Anchoring and/or mooring shall not exceed 21 consecutive days in length from the beginning to the end of the anchoring and/or mooring stay.
(d) Picnicking is permitted on designated areas.
(5) Miscellaneous.
(a) Other use of wildlife management areas and other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands is subject to approval of the Executive Director, Regional Manager, Park Superintendent, State Forest Supervisor, National Forest Supervisor, or Forest Service National Recreation Area Supervisor.
(b) All motorized vehicles must be muffler equipped to suppress noise and be spark arrestor equipped to prevent fires. Operation of motorized vehicles is confined to roads and trails not designated as closed or as authorized by the Area Manager. On LBL, motorized vehicles are prohibited on all roads and trails not designated as open by signs and/or other appropriate methods. Driving off road into woods, fields, or on foot trails or utility right-of-way is prohibited on all agency-owned wildlife management areas. Motorized vehicles may be prohibited on any agency-owned wildlife management area if deemed necessary to protect wildlife, vegetation, and/or properties.
(c) Vehicles shall not be parked in any manner that will block or deny access to any road or trail.
(d) In addition to the above, the following apply to the use of trail bikes, mini-bikes, and other off highway vehicles:
1. Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are restricted to use on roads open to other motorized traffic, except where prohibited by state or federal statute, and designated trails only. Roads shall be posted if closed.
2. OHVs may be prohibited from certain high use areas and at certain times when there is a threat to public safety or wildlife as indicated by signs.
3. Driving off roads and designated trails into woods, fields, and utility rights of way is prohibited unless otherwise provided.
4. OHVs may be operated during daylight hours and at other times when participating in authorized activities.
5. OHVs must be equipped with properly functioning mufflers and spark arresters.
6. OHVs may not be operated in a reckless or otherwise unsafe manner. No harassment or disturbance of people or wildlife is permitted.
7. All incidents resulting in the injury to persons or damage to property must be reported by the person or persons involved as soon as possible to the district forester, Area Manager, or Park Superintendent. This report does not relieve persons from the responsibility of making any other accident reports which may be required under state law.
8. Off Highway Vehicle 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.
(e) The use of wire, nails or other metal materials is expressly prohibited in the building or attaching of climbing devices or hunting stands on or in trees. Hunting is prohibited from any stand attached to a tree with these materials. Portable climbing devices or stands that do not injure trees are excepted from this rule.
(f) Acts of disorderly, obnoxious, or boisterous conduct, including acts that interfere with the orderly process of hunting, are prohibited. Violators shall be removed from the area and/or prosecuted. When an individual is convicted for a flagrant violation(s) or repeated violations of regulations governing management areas, the Executive Director shall at his discretion bar said individual from all management areas for a period of up to two years of date of written notification.
(g) No person shall deface, damage, destroy or remove any equipment, structure, trees, fruits, nuts, crops, or other plants, dirt, gravel or sod from any wildlife management area or other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands without specific authorization.
(h) No garbage, rubbish, litter or any refuse, sewage or other material which would pollute said area or waters, or render them unsightly or unsanitary shall be thrown, left or deposited on the area.
(i) No warming, camping or any type fire shall be allowed except at designated camping areas. Anyone causing a forest fire shall be held liable for the cost of suppression.
(j) The following apply to the use of saddle and pack animals on Wildlife Management Areas:
1. Horses and other saddle and pack animals are permitted on roads and trails open to motorized traffic and other trails or routes established for their use.
2. Riding off roads into woods, fields, or on foot trails is prohibited unless otherwise provided.
3. Horses and other saddle and pack animals may be prohibited from certain high use areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, main-traveled roads, etc. as indicated by signs.
4. Horses and other saddle and pack animals are prohibited at all times on Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, Foothills and Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Areas.
5. Horses and other saddle and pack animals are prohibited during big game seasons on Cheatham, Laurel Hill, and Yanahli Wildlife Management Areas.
(k) The following shall apply to abandoned and unattended property:
1. Abandonment of any vehicle or other personal property is prohibited and such property may be impounded by the Area Manager or an authorized person.
2. Leaving any vehicle or other personal property unattended for longer than 24 hours, without prior permission of the Area Manager or other authorized person, is prohibited and any property so left may be impounded by the Area Manager or an authorized person, and may be disposed of according to state procedures. In the event unattended property interferes with a safe and orderly management of the area, it may be impounded at any time.
Notes
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 70-1-206 and 70-9-105.