The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is clarifying some errors that have occurred in the printed copy of the agency’s 2017-18 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide.
On page 28 there is a chart that indicates hunters will be allowed to use dogs during the Nov. 18-21 gun/muzzleloader/archery hunt in Bear Hunt Zones 1, 2, and 3. However, dogs will NOT be allowed during that particular hunting segment.
Bear hunting takes place in the eastern portion of the state and dogs are allowed during many of the various bear zone hunts between late September and late December. However, TWRA has not usually allowed dogs during the Nov. 18-21 hunt, which coincides with the opening of gun season for white-tailed deer. “We schedule hunts with different bear-hunting interests in mind and we believe most bear hunters are aware of our traditional seasons, but we just want to make sure they know about this mistake,” noted Mark Gudlin, the chief of TWRA’s wildlife division. The agency’s digital version of the bear zone chart in the hunting guide is correct and can be read at www.tnwildlife.org.
On page 65 under the section with information about Forks of the River WMA, the sentence reading “Designated youth field closed until Sept. 3” should be omitted. WMA Manager Bill Smith said, “We took out the Sept. 3 youth only field but we will have a special field for youth/adult hunting on Sept. 1-2 and 9.” This field is open to youths who must be accompanied by a licensed adult who may also hunt this field. This field then returns to same as statewide season and is open to all hunters beginning Sept. 10.