NASHVILLE — Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 24, which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season.
Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions. The day serves as an excellent opportunity for people to experience the enjoyment of the sport.
The TWRA encourages regular hunters to introduce friends and family members (young and old) to the outdoor sport. It is also an excellent opportunity for people who have not tried hunting in a while to be reintroduced to the sport.
Hunters can harvest up to 10 squirrels a day from the opening day of squirrel season through March 15, 2025. Each hunting day begins a half hour before sunrise and ends a half hour after sunset.
In addition to opening of squirrel season, the three-day archery only for antlered deer hunt on private lands and selected wildlife management areas (WMAs) is set for Aug. 23-25. Check individual WMAs for regulations. Due to the removal of Unit CWD, guns and muzzleloaders will no longer be allowed during the August season.
On Free Hunting Day, state resident hunters are exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements. Many of the WMAs are open to hunters seeking public access on Aug. 24. Hunters are asked to check the information for specific WMAs in the 2024-25 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. Sportsmen are required to ask for permission to hunt on private lands they do not own.
The TWRA offers a reminder that hunter education requirements are not waived for Free Hunting Day. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, is required to have successfully completed a hunter education course. An apprentice license is required for those born on or after Jan. 1, 1969, if the hunter education course has not been completed. This license exempts the hunter from the mandatory hunter education law 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. Those under 10 years of age do not need a hunter education certificate but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.
Visit TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org or contact your nearest TWRA regional office for more details.
TWRA seeks public input for fishing regulations
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is accepting comments for its 2025-26 fishing regulations. This is an opportunity for the public to share ideas and concerns about fishing regulations with TWRA staff.
TWRA fisheries personnel use a variety of techniques to manage fish populations and gather data about fish population size structure, recruitment, growth, density and mortality. In addition, fisheries personnel work to improve habitat to benefit fish species along with propagating and stocking numerous species of fish to ensure anglers have the best fishing opportunities possible.
TWRA also conducts angler surveys to gain a better understanding of fisheries including effort, catch, preferences, demographics and economics. The information is taken into consideration during the regulation process.
The public comment period is another opportunity for anglers to provide feedback on TWRA’s fisheries management. Public comments will be considered with fishery independent assessments to select the best strategies and regulations to manage Tennessee’s resources while accommodating the widest variety of anglers.
The comment period concerning fishing regulations is open through Monday, Sept. 16. Any proposed fishing regulation changes will be previewed at a meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission in early 2025.
There will be a public comment period on the proposed regulations after the TWRA presentation to the commission. Any approved regulations will go into effect Aug. 1, 2025. To submit your comments, visit https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2024fishingregcomments.
Visit Bays Mountain for free on Aug. 25
KINGSPORT — Entrance to Bays Mountain Park will be free to everyone on Sunday, Aug. 25 thanks to the generosity of the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors.
Go for a leisurely walk around the lake, take a short hike up the mountain, visit with the animals or maybe just sit on a bench, read a book and enjoy the beauty of Bays Mountain.
Park hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The nature center will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day.
The gate fees will be waived for everyone all day on Aug. 25. However, program fees (planetarium show, barge ride) will still be in effect and guests will have to pay those to participate.
Learn more about Bays Mountain Park online at www.baysmountain.com.
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