Several new hunting laws are set to take effect across Tennessee on Tuesday, affecting how hunters should prepare for and participate in the upcoming seasons.
Three changes in particular were passed by the Tennessee General Assembly earlier this year, including updates to regulations on baiting, licensing, penalties, and the colors individuals may wear when hunting big game.
The first law, which passed the General Assembly unanimously as SB 0206, updates the state’s hunting safety requirements by allowing all individuals who hunt big game – except turkey – during designated gun hunts to wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent pink colors on the upper body and head, visible from the front and back.
Previously, only fluorescent orange was required to be worn by hunters during designated gun hunts.
The second law, which passed the General Assembly as SB 0869, revises the state’s laws regarding hunting with bait and certain trapping and control methods.
While the law reaffirms the general prohibition against using bait, traps, poisons, chemicals, explosives, artificial lights, and similar means to hunt or capture wildlife in Tennessee, it creates a significant exception for whitetail deer hunting on private land.
Under the new law, individuals may legally hunt whitetail deer over bait on privately owned or leased land if they purchase a new type of license called a “deer bait privilege license,” which costs $50 for Tennessee residents and $100 for non-residents.
Further, all hunters participating in a hunt over bait must individually hold the deer bait privilege license, regardless of whether they are otherwise exempt from purchasing a standard Tennessee hunting license, such as youth, senior citizens, or active military members.
As of Tuesday, the criminal classification for hunting on another person’s land without permission increases from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor under SB 0014.
Violations of SB 0014 are punishable by a fine only, not to exceed $500 for each violation.
Additionally, upon conviction for any violation of the law, the court may revoke the individual’s license.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Hunting” by Evgeniy Smersh.
Hunting over bait should be banished – period.