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 hunt participant shall be in possession of any alcoholic beverage, narcotic drug, barbiturate, or marijuana while hunting within a management area or other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands. No individual may be under the influence of these substances at any time while within a management area or other Wildlife Resources Agency controlled lands.

(b) 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

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-14-.13

Amendments filed September 28, 2016; effective 12/27/2016.

Authority: T.C.A. § 70-1-206.