Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has little to do with deer management issues on private lands. The agency does provide depredation permits through a vetting process by biologists and wildlife officer wherein individual landowners must prove depredation through physical evidence and economic impact. This process has been in existence with the state for decades and decisions for depredation permits do not determine whether individual landowners decide to use permits.
In recent months, TWRA has been contacted by Kahite Community in Monroe County regarding deer populations and possible depredation within the community.
The community cited several incidents including depredation of landscape, deer vehicle collisions and human threat.
TWRA biologists and wildlife officers have assessed the area and noted depredation and economic impact caused by whitetail deer. TWRA biologists and wildlife officers met with community leaders and provided possible deer management options. TWRA also provides guidance to ensure safety of any plans a community decides to implement. The agency is not involved in the final decision of any community or individual landowner. The agency provides biological data and possible actions a community can consider for reducing deer populations.