The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced that the state’s Free Hunting Day this year will be today- coinciding with the opening day of squirrel season.
The Volunteer State’s Free Hunting Day is a yearly event by the TWRA with the goal of increasing interest in hunting and “for people to experience the enjoyment of the sport.”
A number of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are open to hunters seeking public access on Free Hunting Day. The TWRA also reminds sportsmen that they must ask permission to hunt on private lands they do not own.
On Free Hunting Day this Saturday, Tennessee resident hunters are “exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements,” according to the TWRA. Hunter education requirements, however, are not waived for Free Hunting Day.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969, is still required to have successfully completed a hunter education course, according to the TWRA. An apprentice license is required for those born on or after January 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 hunter’s lifetime.
Additionally, as noted by the TWRA, children 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.
During squirrel season, which opens on Saturday, hunters can harvest up to 10 squirrels a day through March 15, 2024.
In addition to the opening of the squirrel season, the three-day archery-only on private lands for only antlered deer hunt began on Friday through Sunday.
Each hunting day begins a half hour before sunrise and ends a half hour after sunset, the TWRA notes.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
