Tennessee Law Question
- Thread starter NewDog
- Start date
Hidalgo
Well-known member
I have researched this for hours......no make that DAYS, and here's the best advice I can give you. Directly fron our local wardens here.............
Wardens operate by the law. However, according to them, there is sometimes a "gray" area. That's where you can get into trouble if you aren't careful.
If there is a season in progress, I was advised to be legal for THAT season. In other words, if it is deer season, be a legal deer hunter. If it is squirrel season, be a legal squirrel hunter. It matters NOT whether it is public or private land. You need the appropriate licenses and permits for whatever season is open in order to avoid a problem. Is that fair? No. Could you beat it in court? Maybe. Is it worth the hassle to find out? Not to me!
Remember, if squirrel season is open, you gotta hunt with a rimfire. If deer season is open, you have to abide by big game regs. Blaze orange, big game stamps, etc. Even if you aren't deer or squirrel hunting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
They told me that to be PERFECTLY safe from having a potential problem, I needed to just pretend that there was NO open sesaon on coyotes IF there was another season open at the time. Just be legal for the open season, and then go hunt coyotes. Make sense?
Wardens operate by the law. However, according to them, there is sometimes a "gray" area. That's where you can get into trouble if you aren't careful.
If there is a season in progress, I was advised to be legal for THAT season. In other words, if it is deer season, be a legal deer hunter. If it is squirrel season, be a legal squirrel hunter. It matters NOT whether it is public or private land. You need the appropriate licenses and permits for whatever season is open in order to avoid a problem. Is that fair? No. Could you beat it in court? Maybe. Is it worth the hassle to find out? Not to me!
Remember, if squirrel season is open, you gotta hunt with a rimfire. If deer season is open, you have to abide by big game regs. Blaze orange, big game stamps, etc. Even if you aren't deer or squirrel hunting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
They told me that to be PERFECTLY safe from having a potential problem, I needed to just pretend that there was NO open sesaon on coyotes IF there was another season open at the time. Just be legal for the open season, and then go hunt coyotes. Make sense?
The Tennessee Hunting guide is not that clear, so here are my thoughts about the subject. A center-fire weapon is legal for coyote except during deer season as per the hunting guide. Then the hunter must have the necessary license or permits for deer hunting and only during the true rifle season. Rimfire rifles are legal for all small game except migratory birds, so since any small game that is in season that overlaps the deer seasons, a rimfire rifle is legal. Just be sure to have the blaze orange on when hunting during the muzzleloader and rifle for ones safety. Just my opinions from reading the hunting guide and from other members on this forum.
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Quote:
Ok, I am strait with that. I did not see anything about hunting cats or coyotes at night, and with an electric caller. Any thoughts on that?
No night hunting in TN for bobs or dogs. E-callers are legal in the daytime. Download the hunting guide off TWRA's website, or pick one up at WalMart. Our regs are so silly and complicated, that I actually carry one in my pack with me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Ok, I am strait with that. I did not see anything about hunting cats or coyotes at night, and with an electric caller. Any thoughts on that?
No night hunting in TN for bobs or dogs. E-callers are legal in the daytime. Download the hunting guide off TWRA's website, or pick one up at WalMart. Our regs are so silly and complicated, that I actually carry one in my pack with me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Hidalgo
Well-known member
Quote:
I actually have a copy of the rules, I am just so confused by them.
You're confused??? Really?? Over THOSE simple regulations??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think that Tennessee has the most complicated game laws in the Nation. The whole problem is that the TWRA doesn't recognize the fact that there ARE a number of coyote and bobcat hunters here. Not just the deer hunters that take advantage of the opportunity to shoot one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyway....be careful and I'm glad you got the info you needed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
I actually have a copy of the rules, I am just so confused by them.
You're confused??? Really?? Over THOSE simple regulations??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think that Tennessee has the most complicated game laws in the Nation. The whole problem is that the TWRA doesn't recognize the fact that there ARE a number of coyote and bobcat hunters here. Not just the deer hunters that take advantage of the opportunity to shoot one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyway....be careful and I'm glad you got the info you needed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
NewDog
New member
I think that is one of those gray areas. It does not list coyote as a species with special hours ie. the fox, coon... It also states that you can not use a predator call at night or a light of any kind, including headlight. So I think I will just play it safe and hunt during the day.