Hunting in Tennessee
Big Game Drone Recovery: What’s Allowed
Drones may be used only to recover a deer that is reasonably believed to be mortally wounded. Drone operation is limited to 30 minutes after sunset through 3:00 AM and must occur only over private property with full landowner permission.
Quota elk hunters may utilize a drone on North Cumberland WMA to recover elk with manager approval.
All pilots must hold a current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, and drones must be equipped with thermal imaging capability. Neither the pilot nor the hunter may possess a hunting weapon during drone use.
These rules apply only to recovery— drones may not be used to hunt wildlife nor to provide an unfair advantage.
Commercial Operators Requirements
Commercial drone recovery operators must complete a one-time, no-fee registration using the ReadyOp TWRA Drone Operator Registration Form. Registration includes:
• Contact information
• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate number
• Region(s) of operation or statewide designation
Before each recovery attempt, commercial operators must submit:
• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate number
• Drone registration number
• Hunter name and/or TWRA ID
• Recovery address
Commercial operators must also submit post-attempt reporting.
Private Landowners & Non-Commercial Hunters
Those using drones for non-commercial purposes do not have to report through ReadyOp. They must still follow all other drone recovery regulations, including certification, time restrictions, and landowner permission.
Hunting Leases on Private Land
Leases for hunting rights can provide multiple benefits for both the landowner and the hunter or hunter group leasing the land.
Leasing land for hunting can certainly be a more affordable way to secure exclusive hunting access than purchasing land. Many hunters choose this route rather than face the uncertainties involved with hunting public lands or seeking permission on other private lands where the landowner may also allow others to hunt.
From a landowner’s perspective, leasing the hunting rights on your land can provide additional income. Since the leasing party is paying for the hunting rights, they have a vested interest in making sure trespassing and/or vandalism is not incurred by others. Oftentimes, the person or group leasing the land may also be willing to perform land management operations, maintenance of gates and fences, or other actions of value as specified in the contract.
Having a detailed legal contract is in the best interest of both parties.
Antler Points by County | Harvest Biological Data Report | Deer Harvest by County or WMA | Harvest by Species by County or WMA | Harvest by Species and County | harvest by Weapon Type | Turkey Harvest Report by County or WMA | Harvest reporting by Day-unit | Hunter Success by County | Statewide Hunter Success | Unit hunter Success | Harvest Map Graph | Harvest Biological Data Report Graph | Harvest Count by Antler Points Graph | Harvest Reporting by Day Graph | Historical Deer Harvest Graph Report
Hunters for the Hungry
Hunters for the Hungry is a program administered and funded by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation is one of the largest and oldest independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation in Tennessee. The TWF oversees the Hunters for the Hungry program to feed hungry Tennesseans and better manage the state’s deer herd.
Hunters can donate all the deer that are processed for free or at a reduced rate at participating processors and then provide them directly to food banks in the area.
Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry webpage
