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TN 2023-2024 DEER SEASON
By Steve McCadams
SEASON HAS BEEN GOOD TO AREA DEER HUNTERS…KIDS GET LAST SHOT
Hitting the home stretch this week were Tennessee deer hunters who have
been the beneficiaries of a pretty good season across the Volunteer
State.
Both bow hunters and muzzleloader enthusiasts chalked up good numbers
this year. The regular gun segment showed impressive numbers and by next
weekend the Young Sportsman’s Hunt will add more numbers to the state’s
already hefty harvest.
Last week the statewide harvest had already exceeded 140,000 deer so
that number will swell once Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency tallies
the total harvest from all 95 counties.
Locally, Henry County Sheriff’s Department reported a significant
increase in their Deputies for the Hungry Program, according to officer
Daniel Powell. “Hunters donated 174 deer this year, which is a
significant increase over last year’s total of only 99.”
“Last year the threat and concern over discovery of a Henry County deer
testing positive for Chronic Wasting Disease no doubt had a powerful
influence on participation and harvest,” said officer Powell when asked
to comment on this year’s significant increase.
The HCSD was busy processing deer last week and will soon distribute
meat to needy families. Watch for dates to be announced soon.
Meanwhile, Henry County was maintaining its reputation as one of the top
counties across the state as hunters here had already checked in just
over 3,100. As of last week Henry County was ranked third in the state!
Only two counties exceeded local totals as Giles County was ranked first
with 3,435, followed by Sumner with 3,157. After the upcoming Young
Sportsman’s Hunt the total harvest will see a significant increase and
Henry County would very well climb higher in the ranks.
Several factors may have influenced this year’s season totals and
weather was no doubt one of the big ones.
Although the bow season got off to a slow start in late September due to
extended hot and dry weather, things began to pick up by late October.
Once cooler fall weather entered the picture the hunting improved thanks
to an extended spell of mild temperatures that lingered for quite a
spell.
Not much rain fell and while the drought wasn’t expected to last as long
as it has, nice weather sent scores of hunters to their stands all the
way to the end of the regular season.
Data was still being compiled by TWRA but local observation seemed to
show good numbers of hefty bucks taken this season. Several trophy deer
showed up not only in Henry County but adjoining counties as well.
It’s clear more hunters responded favorably to a reduced buck bag limit.
More restraint was exercised by hunters the last few years, resulting in
some larger deer showing up across the countryside.
As the regular season came to a close on Sunday, a bit of nasty weather
entered the picture. Those participating in the Private Lands Only
January 8-12 had to button up their shirts and don their best raingear a
few days.
More rain and winter weather appear to be ahead as the long range
forecast could get interesting by the time young deer hunters climb into
their stands for the season finale.
Deer hunters across the state can’t complain. It has been a good one!
DEER SEASON WINDING DOWN
It’s about to hit the home stretch. Deer season that is.
Tennessee deer hunters have had a long stretch of season again this
year. It started way back on the fourth Saturday in September with the
traditional opener for archery season kicking things off.
Now Tennessee’s long and liberal season is drawing to a close but
overall it has been a pretty good one.
As of last week the total harvest across the state had already exceeded
130,000 deer and it was still increasing daily.
Regular gun, archery and muzzleloader season draws to a close on January
7. After that, there’s more opportunity as a special hunt will be held
on private lands only January 8-12.
After the private lands only hunt youngsters are in the 6-16 year age
bracket get another shot at hunting when the second and final Young
Sportsman’s Hunt returns on the weekend of January 13-14.
Meanwhile, harvest figures as of last week indicated over 130,000 deer
have been taken this year so far. So, it has been a pretty good season
overall.
Leader among the state’s 95 counties is Giles where hunters there have
checked in over 3,100 thus far. Henry County hunters have checked in
2,811.
HUNTER INPUT SOUGHT
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is now soliciting comments on
the 2024-25 hunting season dates and regulations. The comment period is
open Dec. 15 through Jan. 15, 2024.
This is an opportunity for the public to share ideas and opinions about
hunting seasons and regulations with TWRA. Public comments will be
considered by Agency staff and may be included in proposed regulations.
Comments can be made by accessing the website: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/wildlife-survey.html.
A preview of the Agency’s recommendations for the hunting seasons will
be made at the March meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife
Commission and the final recommendations made at the April meeting.
TWRA SEEKS INPUT ON CWD STRATEGIC PLAN
A 30-day public comment period is now open for the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency’s new five-year chronic wasting disease (CWD) strategic
plan. The CWD Response and Management plan will serve as a guiding
document for TWRA staff and ensure the best science is applied in
efforts to control the disease.
The new plan includes five main overarching goals:
1. Prevent the introduction or spread of CWD to new areas.
2. Surveillance and monitoring to improve early detection of the disease
and better track the number and location of cases.
3. Activate management and responses to minimize the impacts of CWD
where the disease has been detected and proactively respond to any new
cases.
4. More research to optimize all of TWRA’s CWD programs.
5. Outreach and Communications to ensure the public and our hunters have
the information they need about CWD.
Hunters have an important role in helping manage CWD. The complete plan
can be found on the Public Notice section of the TWRA website. Comments
may be submitted by mail to: Wildlife Public Comments, TWRA, Wildlife
Division, 5107 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 or emailed to
Twra.huntingcomments@tn.gov. The comment period is open through Jan. 29.
Since December 2018, the TWRA and its partners have been responding to
the discovery of CWD in Tennessee. During the 2021-22 fiscal year, TWRA
sampled more than 16,000 deer, with 631 returning positive results.
Management of CWD is complex and requires numerous long-term techniques
to be applied, monitored, and adjusted over time.
Development of the new strategic plan has been an 18-month process for
the TWRA with the help of the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture with additional
input from a wide range of stakeholders.
DEER HARVEST TOTALS
2021-2022
Last weekend saw the final Youth Deer Hunt of the season bring the
statewide deer season to a close.
The total deer harvest for Tennessee stood at 131,385 as of midweek
according to the tally from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Locally, Henry County deer hunters checked in 2,347 this season. The
leader among the state’s 95 counties was Giles as its total was 3,539.
Giles had been leading the state for several consecutive weeks and its
top rank in the Volunteer State comes as no surprise this year.
A check of neighboring counties show Benton with 1,468; Carroll 2,377;
Stewart 2,168 and Weakley 1,938.
RECENT MEETING CASTS DARK CLOUD FOR DEER HUNTERS
After last week’s meeting by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at
Henry County Fairgrounds hunters and wildlife enthusiasts are better
informed about the ramifications of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the
state’s herd but most in the crowd now find themselves in a deer
dilemma.
Many in attendance gained a batter understanding and perception of what
this mysterious disease is about.
Said one hunter at the conclusion of the presentation: “we’re sick but
the doctor can’t do anything for us!”
A crowd of some 125 people attended, soaking up information presented by
Dan Grove, a veterinarian and wildlife health specialist working with
both TWRA and UT Extension Service. Also presenting was Jeremy Dennison,
CWD Field Coordinator with TWRA.
If those attending came to the event hoping to hear some good news of
progress or cures from the front lines of the war on CWD they left
disappointed. What they learned is that CWD is a formidable opponent to
the future of deer hunting here in Tennessee and Henry County.
Grove provided a pictorial presentation supported by graphs and several
years of data giving attendees some history of the disease that first
surfaced in western states in the 1960’s but was first discovered in
Tennessee in 2018.
In summary, Grove says:
(1) CWD is a significant threat to the state’s white-tail deer herd (2)
TWRA has the goal of keeping CWD from spreading and keeping the number
of diseased deer in areas to a minimum and reducing disease rates where
possible.
(3) Biologists want to increase the harvest in affected counties while
the agency increases its sampling as it attempts to better understand
the disease (4) bucks are twice more likely than does to have CWD and
older bucks are three times more likely to have it than younger ones (5)
CWD isn’t known to affect cattle, horses, sheep or goats (6) Long term
effects on the state’s herd are unknown (7) CWD is 100 percent
fatal…once deer have it they are unable to breed and die within 18
months. In the early stages cosmetic signs are thin hair, drooling,
walking in circles and allowing humans to approach them.
(8) It has never been known to infect humans (9) It’s a prion type
disease brought on by abnormal, pathogenic agents that throw off the
balance of proteins especially in the brain of deer, lymphatic system,
etc… (10) CWD management is not a one-man band. It is a partnership
between TWRA, partners, hunters, landowners, and you. Your engagement
and support is needed. Please, harvest more deer in Unit CWD. Abide by
carcass transportation and feeding restrictions in CWD-positive and
high-risk counties.
Meanwhile, there’s a lot of uncertainty among the ranks of hunters as to
the future of deer hunting not only here in Henry County but across the
state.
There’s some unknowns as to how to address and stop CWD. There are some
knowns too and that information is quite disturbing.
Henry County has been one of the top counties in the state as to harvest
numbers for decades. From leases to hunters by landowners and farmers to
the tourism generated by legions of hunters who travel here for the
excellent deer hunting opportunities; there’s insecurity as to what lies
ahead.
Same goes for the sporting goods industry both locally and statewide.
Meanwhile, hunters can help their own cause by following TWRA
guidelines.
For additional information and more details of CWD the agency has
established a website: CWDinTennessee.com that will provide specifics of
transportation and the overall scenario of the situation at hand.
Stay tuned as the future has a lot of chapters ahead that haven’t been
written on this saga. An uncertain future awaits deer hunting wherever
this ugly disease shows up!
DEER HARVEST TOTALS
2020-2021
The statewide deer season across the Volunteer State culminated last
Sunday with the final Young Sportsman’s Deer Hunt.
Unofficial numbers for the statewide harvest this season stood at
159,082. There were twelve counties among the state’s 95 that showed a
harvest total exceeding 3,000 deer this year.
Henry County was again among the ranks of the top ten counties across
the state. Hunters in Henry county checked in 3,287 this year, which
ranked 11th in the statewide harvest.
Giles County had the top harvest this year as hunters there checked in
4,087. Henry County was only three deer away from making the top ten
list.
TN 2019-2020 DEER SEASON
STATE DEER HARVEST ECLIPSES 134,000
Tennessee deer hunters harvested just over 134,000 deer this year
according to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s data base. Season ended
last Sunday at the culmination of the two-day Young Sportsmen’s Deer Hunt.
A breakdown of the counties unofficially shows Giles taking the top spot
as hunters there checked in 1,721 this year.
The tally for the season was 134.090 according to the agency’s website.
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GUN DEER SEASON OPENS…FOURTH SATURDAY IN NOVEMBER IS A TRADITION
It’s billed as the opener of gun deer season in Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency literature. Yet a big number of deer hunters across the
Volunteer State have already been in the woods and fields for quite some
time with a muzzleloader or bow.
Tennessee’s long-standing annual outdoors traditions
begins with the opening of the gun hunting season for
deer. Deer gun season has the permanent opening date of the Saturday
prior to Thanksgiving.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency divides the state into three
deer hunting units, A, B and & L. No more than one antlered deer may be
taken per day toward the bag limit.
For antlerless deer hunting in Units A and B during this season, refer
to the list of hunts on page 26 of TWRA’s 2015-16. The bag limit for
antlerless deer in Unit L is three per day. An antlerless deer is
defined as those deer with no antlers or deer with both antlers less
than three inches in length.
A Type 94 permit is required to harvest antlerless deer during this
season on all non-quota hunts in Units A, B, & L, except for holders of
an Annual Sportsman, Lifetime Sportsman, Senior Citizen License Type 167
Permit, or landowners hunting under the landowner exemption. A Type 94
permit is required for all ages.
TWRA personnel will be collecting data at selected check-in stations and
deer processors across the state on opening day. Antlered bucks will be
measured and aged for management purposes.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1969 is required to carry proof of
satisfactory completion of a hunter education class or be in possession
of the Apprentice Hunting License (along with other required licenses)
while hunting any species in Tennessee.
For more information about Tennessee’s 2015-16 deer hunting seasons,
refer to the 2015-16 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available at
all license agents or log onto the agency’s website at
www.tnwildlife.org.
NATIONAL HUNT/FISH DAY
Over 100 years ago, hunters and anglers were the earliest and most vocal
supporters of conservation and scientific wildlife management. They were
the first to recognize that rapid development and unregulated uses of
wildlife were threatening the future of many species.
Led by fellow sportsman President Theodore Roosevelt, these early
conservationists called for the first laws restricting the commercial
slaughter of wildlife. They urged sustainable use of fish and game,
created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for taxes on sporting
equipment to provide funds for state conservation agencies. These actions
were the foundation of the North American wildlife conservation model, a
science-based, user-pay system that would foster the most dramatic
conservation successes of all time.
Populations of white-tailed deer, elk, antelope, wild turkey, wood ducks
and many other species began to recover from decades of unregulated
exploitation.
During the next half-century, in addition to the funds they contributed
for conservation and their diligent watch over the returning health of
America’s outdoors, sportsmen worked countless hours to protect and
improve millions of acres of vital habitat—lands and waters for the use
and enjoyment of everyone.
In the 1960s, hunters and anglers embraced the era's heightened
environmental awareness but were discouraged that many people didn't
understand the crucial role that sportsmen had played-and continue to
play-in the conservation movement.
On May 2, 1972, President Nixon signed the first proclamation of National
Hunting and Fishing Day, writing, "I urge all citizens to join with
outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring
their proper management for the benefit of future generations."
By late summer, all 50 governors and over 600 mayors had joined in by
proclaiming state and local versions of National Hunting and Fishing Day.
The response was dramatic.
National, regional, state and local organizations staged some 3,000 "open
house" hunting- and fishing-related events everywhere from shooting ranges
to suburban frog ponds, providing an estimated four million Americans with
a chance to experience, understand and appreciate traditional outdoor
sports.
Over the years, National Hunting and Fishing Day boasted many more public
relations successes, assisted by celebrities who volunteered to help
spotlight the conservation accomplishments of sportsmen and women.
Honorary chairs have included George Bush, Tom Seaver, Hank Williams Jr.,
Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw, George Brett, Robert Urich, Ward Burton,
Louise Mandrell, Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, Jeff Foxworthy and many other
sports and entertainment figures.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, celebrated the fourth Saturday of every
September, remains the most effective grassroots efforts ever undertaken
to promote the outdoor sports and conservation.
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