The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reminding customers that as of July 1, guide licenses are required. In addition, a “high impact” user permit is now required on designated Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) owned by the TWRA for hooved riders, off-road vehicle users, and bicyclists.
GUIDE LICENSES
A guide is any individual who accepts compensation for providing assistance to another person(s) in any act of hunting, fishing, and trapping. The individual will be required to possess a guide license.
Tennessee Residents:
Annual Guide License $150
Non-Tennessee Residents:
Annual Guide License $650
Entities employing individuals as guides may purchase such resident and non-resident licenses as may be necessary for their employees.
HIGH IMPACT USER PERMITS
The new permit is designed to have persons, but not necessarily sportsmen, to help pay for the maintenance of the WMAs. The “high impact” permit is not required of sportsmen who purchase the required licenses and permits to hunt on WMAs.
Tennessee Residents:
*High Impact Habitat Conservation Annual Permit (Type 035) $74
*High Impact Habitat Conservation Daily Permit (Type 036) $15.50
Non-Tennessee Residents:
*High Impact Habitat Conservation Annual Permit (Type 037) $233
*High Impact Habitat Conservation Daily Permit (Type 038) $37.50
Youngsters age 12 or younger are exempt from permit requirements. Anyone older than age 12 must either purchase the new high impact permit or have the proper annual licenses and permits required for WMAs.
The high impact permits may be purchased at any location that sells hunting and fishing licenses, online at the TWRA website, or from any of the TWRA’s four regional offices.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS TO REQUIRE HIGH IMPACT USER PERMITS
Region I:
Wolf River WMA
Region II:
Laurel Hill WMA, Yanahli WMA, Williamsport WMA, Bear Hollow WMA
Region III:
Bridgestone Firestone WMA (Big Bottom Unit), Catoosa WMA, Keyes-Harrison WMA, Luper Mountain WMA, Mt. Roosevelt WMA, North Chickamauga Creek (Patton Unit), Pea Ridge, Skinner Mountain WMA
Region IV:
Forks of the River WMA (Greenway Trail and Whaley Trail exempt to bicyclists), North Cumberland WMA