License and Permit Information
Purchasing Online
Hunting and fishing licenses will be valid for one year from date of purchase. Seasons are subject to change & license fees are subject to change. The exceptions to the change are Captive Wildlife Permits, Migratory Bird Permit, Federal Duck Stamp will expire on June 30 of each year. Beginning in 2023 Slat Basket Tags will also expire on June 30 of each year.
Most licenses, except the Lifetime Sportsman License and specialty licenses, such as Wheelchair, Disabled Veteran, Intellectually disabled, and Blind Fishing licenses, are available online, at most county clerks, sporting goods stores, hardware stores, boat docks, and from all TWRA offices.
The Lifetime Sportsman License cannot be purchased at general license agents. Applications for this license may be obtained by calling the TWRA Nashville Office (615-781-6500), any of the four regional offices, or you can learn more about Tennessee's Lifetime Sportsman's License by clicking here.
Information About Resident & Non-Resident License
Special Licenses & Permits
- Hunting & Fishing Licenses For Guides
- Farmland License Exemption Card
- High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit
- Reelfoot Preservation Permit
- Application for Resident Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License
- Application for Senior Commercial Fish License and Slat Basket Tag
- Application for Taxidermist Permit
- Application for Blind, Wheelchair Restricted, SSI and Intellect Disability Licenses
- Application For Native Tennesseans License
- Commercial Fishing License Application
- Guide License
- Persons who possess a valid Tennessee driver's license or Tennessee state ID issued by the Department of Safety. Tennessee state law requires drivers to obtain a Tennessee driver's license within 30 days of residency. Out-of-state drivers license only accepted for Military Personnel and Students meeting the criteria below:
- Military personnel on active duty in this state and dependents under age 16, who reside with them, regardless of resident status.
- Students who are enrolled in a Tennessee school, college, or university for at least six months (must present a student ID card or other proof of enrollment
- Persons who do not drive or do not possess a valid driver’s license from another state, but who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home, may prove residency by presenting to a TWRA license agent any two of the following documents:
- Current Tennessee voter registration card
- Current Tennessee vehicle registration or title
- Form I-94 issued by the US Citizenship & Immigration Service
- Current rental/mortgage contract or receipt including deed of sale for property or receipt for payment of Tennessee real estate taxes within last year
A Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.
Resident Hunting Licenses
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Hunting and Fishing Combination* Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game *Supplemental Licenses (Types 005, 009, 010, or 011) is required and must be purchased, in addition to a Type 001 license, in order to hunt deer, bear, boar (feral hog), turkey, and waterfowl. The type of hunting equipment to be used determines which supplemental license is necessary. |
$33.00 |
| 005 | Waterfowl Supplemental License *Purchase with Hunting & Fishing Combination License |
$37.00 |
| 009 | Annual Big Game Gun Supplemental License *Purchase with Hunting & Fishing Combination License |
$33.00 |
| 010 | Annual Big Game Archery Supplemental License *Purchase with Hunting & Fishing Combination License |
$33.00 |
| 011 | Annual Big Game Muzzleloader Supplemental License *Purchase with Hunting & Fishing Combination License |
$33.00 |
| 019 | Trapping | $33.00 |
| 004 | Annual Sportsman An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits and allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Annual Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all license agents. |
$165.00 |
| 002 | Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish Ages 13-15. Good for hunting all game, fishing, and trapping. Must be purchased prior to 16th birthday. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits and "leftover" permits. |
$9.00 |
| 166 | Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when the 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of age and residency is required. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits as well as “leftover” permits. |
$49.00 |
| 164 | Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when the 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver's license or proof of age and residency is required. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits and "leftover" permits. |
$4.00 |
| 167 | Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits and allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Annual Senior Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all license agents. |
$49.00 |
| The following licenses are available only by application from the TWRA Sales Office located in Nashville. They are available for a one-time fee and are valid for the rest of the license holder's life. They are not Lifetime Sportsman Licenses. Additional permits may be required. A trout license is not required. |
| 168 | Annual Resident Hunting & Fishing Disabled Under 18 Available to Tennessee residents under the age of 18 who meet the requirements of TCA 70-2-104 as amended. The certification of the total and permanent disability issued by a physician licensed to practice in Tennessee must accompany this application. Renewable annually with the current fee. Permits where required. |
$5.00 |
| 169 | Hunt & Fish Intellect Disabled Resident Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt statewide - Additional supplemental licenses may be required. This license is only valid as long as the license holder is a resident of the state of Tennessee. Tennessee residents over the age of 10 years may purchase by providing a certification by a physician licensed to practice in Tennessee as having an intellectual disability as described in TCA 33-1-101. The applicant will be required to complete the Hunter Education Course as provided in TCA 70-2-108. |
$10.00 |
| 189 | Permanent Wheelchair Hunting and Fishing The application must be accompanied by a doctor's statement stating that the applicant is permanently confined to a wheelchair. Covers all license requirements to hunt and fish but holder must purchase any applicable permits. |
$10.00 |
| 198 | Permanent DAV Hunting and Fishing Available only by application to the TWRA License Regional Offices for resident veterans certified by the VA as 30 percent disabled by reason of war service or 100 percent service-connected. Covers all license requirements to hunt and fish but holders must purchase any applicable permits. Must provide DD214 form and Veterans Administration letter showing the percent of disability. Base License and Supplemental Licenses are included. WMA Permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. |
$10.00 |
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 070 | Junior Hunt/Fish - No Big Game Required for nonresidents ages 13-15 to fish or hunt small game. A Type 085 or 086 is required to hunt big game. |
$10.00 |
| 085 | 7-Day Junior Hunt - All Game | $26.00 |
| 086 | Annual Junior Hunt - All Game | $41.00 |
| 072 | 7-Day Hunt-Small Game/Waterfowl - No Big Game | $61.00 |
| 071 | Hunt-Small Game/Waterfowl - No Big Game | $110.00 |
| 074 | 7-Day Hunting - All Game | $214.00 |
| 073 | Annual Hunting - All Game | $305.00 |
| 120 | Trapping | $200.00 |
| 075 | Nonresident Elk License (Type 075) | $301.00 |
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 012 | Apprentice License This is a supplemental license in lieu of a hunter education certificate. All other applicable hunting licenses and/or permits are required. This license is available to all hunters 10 years of age or older who have not completed the mandatory hunter education course. It exempts the hunter from the mandatory hunter education requirement for one year from the date of purchase, but may only be purchased for up to three consecutive years during the lifetime of the hunter. Hunters who possess this license must be accompanied by an adult, 21 years of age or older, who must meet the hunter education requirements and be able to take immediate control of the hunting device. |
$11.00 |
A guide is an individual who accepts compensation for providing assistance to another in any act of hunting, fishing, and/or trapping and shall be required to possess a guide license in addition to any other required licenses. Entities employing individuals as guides may purchase such resident and non-resident guide licenses as may be necessary for its employees. Use the Miscellaneous Application to apply for a Guide License
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 450 | Resident Guide License | $151.00 |
| 455 | Non-Resident Guide License | $650.00 |
Federal Duck Stamp
Federal law requires each waterfowl hunter, age 16 and over, to carry on his/her person, in addition to a hunting license and state migratory bird permit, a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) signed in ink across the face. These can be purchased at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com from July 1 to January 17 or at the Post Office. You immediately get a temporary stamp and a physical stamp arrives in the mail within 30 days.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Duck Stamp Federal law requires that each waterfowl hunter, age 16 and over carry on his/her person, in addition to a hunting license and permit, a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, (federal duck stamp), signed in ink across the face. These can be obtained through the Post Office, National Wildlife Refuge offices, and some discount and sporting goods stores. |
$25.00 |
Resident and nonresident hunters must possess a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit to hunt waterfowl and other migratory birds, available anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Expires on June 30 of each year. The following do not need this permit but are encouraged to acquire this permit:
- Landowners hunting on their own land
- Disabled veterans
- Tennessee residents 65 years of age or older
- Tennessee residents under 13 years of age
- Lifetime Sportsman license holders
- Military personnel on leave or furlough (with leave papers).
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 006 | Migratory Bird Permit | $1.00 |
| 007 | Migratory Bird Permit available only to Sportsman License holders |
No Fee |
Hunter Education Replacement Card
To replace a Hunter Education card at a TWRA license agent location, first, contact your TWRA Regional Office during normal business hours and verify that your Hunter Education number has been updated in the TWRA license system. Then you may go to a TWRA license agent and purchase a Type 500 Hunter Education Card Replacement.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Education Replacement Card | $8.00 |
Everyone who hunts on Wildlife Management Areas is required to have a WMA permit except Lifetime or Sportsman License holders and youths under age 16 hunting small game and waterfowl. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult with a valid WMA small game permit. Youths under 6 may not hunt big game on a WMA. All ages need a Type 094 for WMA big game seasons.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 091 | WMA Small Game and Waterfowl | $61.00 |
| 092 | 1-Day Small Game and Waterfowl | $12.00 |
| 093 | WMA Small Game Only | $20.00 |
| 094 | Special Season/WMA Nonquota Big Game Required for WMA nonquota big game hunts, including Cherokee. |
$24.00 |
| 095 | Cherokee WMA Big Game Nonquota Valid only for Cherokee WMA non-quota big game hunts. |
$18.00 |
Land Between the Lakes
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 060 | Annual Hunter Use Permit All Hunters 16 years and older are required to purchase Land Between the Lakes Hunter Use Permit. |
$25.00 |
Reelfoot Preservation Permit
Required for all users of Reelfoot WMA except those under 16 years of age, residents 65 years or older and Sportsman license holders. Permit cost is the same for residents and nonresidents.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 090 | 1-Day Reelfoot Preservation Permit | $3.00 |
| 088 | 3-day Reelfoot Preservation Permit | $10.00 |
| 089 | Annual Reelfoot Preservation Permit | $16.00 |
High Impact Habitat Conservation Permits
A High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit is required for riding hooved animals, bicycling, and off-highway vehicles (OHV) used in designated wildlife management areas. Persons holding a valid hunting license with an appropriate permit to hunt in a wildlife management area and youths under age thirteen (13) are exempt. At least one occupant of an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on roads/trails as designated. OHVs are any vehicles capable of traveling off highways within the state. The term includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, dune buggies, and other four-wheeled vehicles used for off-road activities.
This permit is required on the following WMAs (Note: not all activities are permitted on each WMA requiring this permit): Bear Hollow, Bridgestone Firestone - Big Bottom Unit, Catoosa, Cheatham, Forks of the River, Keyes-Harrison, Laurel Hill, Luper Mountain, Mt. Roosevelt, North Chickamauga Creek - Patton Unit, North Cumberland, Pea Ridge, Skinner Mountain, Williamsport, and Yanahli. Refer to the individual listing for each WMA for more specific information on which activities are permitted.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 035 | Resident Annual Permit | $73.00 |
| 036 | Resident Daily Permit | $15.00 |
| 037 | Non-Resident Annual Permit | $232.00 |
| 038 | Non-Resident Daily Permit | $37.00 |
Firing Range Permits
Required for anyone 16 years of age and older using a TWRA Firing Range. Tier 1 Permits are not required for annual license holders.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 220 | Tier 1 Range 2 hr | $5.00 |
| 221 | Tier 1 Range Annual | $100.00 |
| 222 | Tier 2 Range 2 hr | $7.50 |
| 223 | Tier 2 Range Annual | $150.00 |
| 224 | Tier 3 Range 1 hr | $9.50 |
| 225 | Tier 3 Range Annual | $300.00 |
- Persons who possess a valid Tennessee driver's license. Tennessee state law requires drivers to obtain a Tennessee driver's license within 30 days of residency. Out-of-state drivers license only accepted for Military Personnel and Students meeting the criteria below:
- Military personnel on active duty in this state and dependents under age 16, who reside with them, regardless of resident status.
- Students who are enrolled in a Tennessee school, college, or university for at least six months (must present a student ID card or other proof of enrollment
- Persons who do not drive or do not possess a valid driver’s license from another state, but who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home, may prove residency by presenting to a TWRA license agent any two of the following documents:
- Current Tennessee voter registration card
- Current Tennessee vehicle registration or title
- Form I-94 issued by the US Citizenship & Immigration Service
- Current rental/mortgage contract or receipt including deed of sale for property or receipt for payment of Tennessee real estate taxes within last year
A Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license
If you take fish or attempt to take fish (including crayfish) by any method or if you assist someone else to do so, you must have a valid fishing license.
There are some exceptions:
No Fishing License Needed If:
- You are under 13 years of age (resident or nonresident).
- Landowners, their spouses, and children, who fish on their farmland which is owned by an individual or a family. Landowners, their spouses, and children must be residents of Tennessee but need not reside on the land.
- Tenants, their spouses, and dependent children fish on farmland owned by an individual or a family. Tenants, their spouses, and dependent children must be residents of Tennessee and must actually reside on the land and have the permission of the landowner to fish. A tenant is a person who, for money or free rent, or other consideration, cares for farmland. The tenancy must be agricultural in nature.
- Resident grandchildren (under 16) and resident great-grandchildren (under 16) who fish on farmland which is owned by their resident grandparents or great-grandparents.
- First cousins who own farmland jointly or in common may fish on the farmland. Their children may fish as well.
- You are on military leave, carrying a copy of your leave orders. A pass does not meet this requirement.
- You are a resident who was born before March 1, 1926. (To qualify for this exemption, you must carry proof of your age and residency to show to a wildlife officer, if requested.)
- It's Free Fishing Day!
- It's Free Fishing Week! Children all ages 15 and younger can fish free during the free fishing week.
Farmland Owner License Exemption
Persons hunting without a license under a resident farmland owner exemption must complete and sign a statement, attesting where the property is located and how this land qualifies for a landowner exemption. Persons may complete the form in advance and carry it with them while hunting or they may complete the form when requested in the field by a TWRA official or when checking game. Resident landowners and their children hunting on their parent's land under this exemption are also exempt from Hunter Education Certification requirements.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Annual Hunting & Fishing Combination Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt small game |
$33.00 |
| 002 | Jr. Hunt, Fish & Trap (Ages 13-15) Good for hunting all game, fishing, and trapping. Must be purchased prior to 16th birthday. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. |
$9.00 |
| 020 | County of Residence Fishing This license allows an angler to fish in his/her county of residence with natural bait (worms, crickets, corn, etc.), but not minnows. No artificial lures can be used. A supplemental license (Type 022) is required to fish for trout. |
$10.00 |
| 021 | One-Day Fishing | $6.00 |
| 022 | Annual Trout (Type 22 is a supplemental license that is required in addition to Type 001, Type 020 or Type 021) |
$22.00 |
| 023 | One-Day Fishing - All Species |
$11.00 |
| 063 | South Holston Lake Permit |
$20.00 |
| 004 | Sportsman An all inclusive license, valid for hunting, trapping and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all TWRA license agents. |
$165.00 |
| 401 | Lifetime Sportsman (under 3 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$320.00 |
| 406 | Lifetime Sportsman (3-6 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$659.00 |
| 402 | Lifetime Sportsman (7-12 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$988.00 |
| 403 | Lifetime Sportsman (13-50 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$1,976.00 |
| 404 | Lifetime Sportsman (51-64 years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$1,153.00 |
| 405 | Lifetime Sportsman (65+ years old) An all inclusive lifetime license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any supplemental state licenses or permits. Allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Call your local TWRA office for an application or download an application to apply. |
$329.00 |
| 164 | Annual Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver’s license or proof of age and residency is required. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits as well as “left over” permits. |
$4.00 |
| 166 | Permanent Senior Citizen Hunt/Fish/Trap Available at all license agents and can only be purchased when the 65th birthday is reached. A valid Tennessee driver's license or proof of age and residency is required. No supplemental licenses are required, but special season and WMA permits will need to be purchased in addition to this license. Fees apply when applying for quota hunt permits and "leftover" permits. |
$49.00 |
| 167 | Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman An all-inclusive license valid for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing without any state supplemental licenses or non-quota permits and allows holders to apply for quota permits at no additional fee. Annual Senior Sportsman licenses can be purchased from all license agents. |
$49.00 |
| Resident Permanent Fishing Licenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| The following licenses are available only by application from the TWRA Sales Office located in Nashville. They are available for a one-time fee and are valid for the rest of the license holder's life. They are not Lifetime Sportsman Licenses. Additional permits may be required. A trout license is not required. |
| 168 | Annual Resident Hunting & Fishing Disabled Under 18 Available to Tennessee residents under the age of 18 who meet the requirements of TCA 70-2-104 as amended. The certification of the total and permanent disability issued by a physician licensed to practice in Tennessee must accompany this application. Renewable annually with the current fee. Permits where required. |
|
| 169 | Hunt & Fish Intellect Disabled Resident Minimum license required to fish and/or hunt statewide - Additional supplemental licenses may be required. This license is only valid as long as the license holder is a resident of the state of Tennessee. Tennessee residents over the age of 10 years may purchase by providing a certification by a physician licensed to practice in Tennessee as having an intellectual disability as described in TCA 33-1-101. Applicants will be required to complete the Hunter Education Course as provided in TCA 70-2-108. |
$10.00 |
| 197 | Permanent Sport Fishing License for the Blind | $10.00 |
| 189 | Permanent Wheelchair Hunting and Fishing In accordance with TCA 70-2-104(a)(4)(a) a permanent sport combination hunting and fishing license is available to residents who are permanently restricted to wheelchairs or who have suffered an amputation of seventy-five percent (75%) or more of a lower limb. A certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee is required. The certificate must state that the applicant is permanently restricted to a wheelchair or suffered an amputation of 75% or more of a lower limb. |
$10.00 |
| 198 | Permanent DAV Hunting and Fishing Available to resident veterans certified by the VA as 30 percent disabled by reason of war service or 100% service-connected. |
$10.00 |
| 199 | Permanent Mentally Challenged Must be receiving SSI benefits due to intellectual disability |
$10.00 |
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 070 | Jr. Hunt/Fish |
$10.00 |
| 076 | Annual Fishing - No Trout | $49.00 |
| 077 | Three-Day Fishing - No Trout | $20.00 |
| 078 | Three-Day Fishing - All Species | $40.00 |
| 079 | Ten-Day Fishing - No Trout | $30.00 |
| 080 | Ten-Day Fishing - All Species | $61.00 |
| 081 | Annual Fishing - All Species |
$98.00 |
If you purchase one of the following special permits, you must also have all applicable licenses.
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 097 | Resident or Nonresident Gatlinburg 1-Day Trout Permit Only requirement, ages 13 and up, to fish in Gatlinburg for one day. |
$11.00 |
| 099 | Gatlinburg Trout - Daily Required for both residents and nonresident ages 13-64 in addition to the appropriate fishing licenses except for nonresidents who purchase the Type 097 license. |
$3.00 |
| 096 | Gatlinburg 3-Day Trout Permit Required for both residents and nonresidents ages 13-64 in addition to the appropriate fishing licenses except for nonresidents who purchase the (Type 097) permit. |
$9.00 |
| 098 | Tellico-Citico Trout-Daily Required for all ages. Tellico-Citico Permit is required seasonally to fish Tellico River, Citico Creek and year-round on Green Cove Pond. |
$6.00 |
| 191 | Agency Lake - Daily Permit Required to fish Agency Fishing Lakes, except those under 16 years of age and residents 65 years or older. |
$6.00 |
| 193 | Agency Lake - Annual Permit Valid on all Agency lakes, this permit is sold at Agency Lake offices. |
$48.00 |
| 065 | Bedford Lake Daily Permit | $6.00 |
General Resident License Requirements
Resident licenses can be purchased by:
Persons who possess a valid Tennessee driver's license. Tennessee state law requires drivers to obtain a Tennessee driver's license within 30 days of residency. Out-of-state drivers license are only accepted for Military Personnel and Students meeting the criteria below:
- Military personnel on active duty in this state and their immediate families, who reside with them, regardless of resident status.
- Students who are enrolled in a Tennessee school, college, or university for at least six months.
Persons who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home. Proof of residency is required.
- Persons who do not drive or do not possess a valid driver’s license from another state, but who have lived in Tennessee for 90 consecutive days with the genuine intent of making Tennessee their permanent home, may prove residency by presenting to a TWRA license agent any two of the following documents:
- Current Tennessee voter registration card
- Current Tennessee vehicle registration or title
- Form I-94 issued by the US Citizenship & Immigration Service
- Current rental/mortgage contract or receipt including deed of sale for property or receipt for payment of Tennessee real estate taxes within last year
Farmland Owner Exemption
TCA 70-2-204. Hunting and fishing on farm land — License exemption to owner, tenants and their spouses and children. – (a) The owners and tenants of farmlands, and their spouse and children, have the right to engage in the sport of hunting and fishing, subject to all the provisions of all laws or regulations concerning wildlife, upon such lands and waters thereon of which they or their spouses or parents are the bona fide owners or tenants with the permission of the landowner, during the season when it is lawful to do so, without procuring a hunting and sport fishing license. Tenants and their spouses and their dependent children must be bona fide residents of the state and must actually reside on the land. Owners and their spouses and children must be bona fide residents of the state. Land may qualify as farmland only if it is owned by no more than one (1) individual or a family; provided, that if land is owned jointly or in common by persons who are first cousins related by blood, then such cousins and their children may hunt small game and fish on such land under the provisions of this subsection. “Family” means any combination of kinship within the third degree including any spouse who has an interest in the property. “Tenant” means an individual who receives compensation such as free rent or money for acting either in the place of or at the direction of the landowner in tending to the requirements needed to care for the farmland. The primary purpose of the tenancy shall be agricultural in nature.
A Social Security Number is required to purchase a Tennessee hunting or fishing license.
The Lifetime Sportsman License is available to any individual who has resided in Tennessee continuously for the twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding the purchase of the Lifetime Sportsman License. Applicants under the age of three (3) years must have at least one parent or designated guardian who was a resident of Tennessee for the 12 months immediately preceding the purchase of the license.
The Lifetime Sportsman License entitles the holder to all the hunting and fishing privileges afforded holders of an Annual Sportsman License. It is non-transferable and fees are non-refundable. This license is good for the life of the holder even if the license holder moves out of state.
In addition to the Lifetime Sportsman License card applicants will receive a certificate suitable for framing, which makes this special license a natural gift for children or grandchildren.
Revenue from the sale of the Lifetime Sportsman License will be set aside in a permanent trust fund from which only the interest will be used to finance programs designed to manage wildlife and preserve the heritage of hunting and fishing in Tennessee. The fee for a Lifetime Sportsman License must be paid in full in either cash, check, or credit card.
Lifetime Sportsman License
Applicants must submit a legible copy of their current Tennessee Driver's License in existence for at least twelve (12) months or other proof of twelve (12) months of residency with this application. If the applicant is under the age of sixteen (16) and does not have a Tennessee Driver's License, you must include (1) a Legible photocopy of a parent's or guardian's Tennessee Driver's License in existence for at least twelve (12) months or other proof of twelve (12) month residency and (2) A legible photocopy of the applicant's birth certificate.
Applications for this new license may be obtained by calling the TWRA Nashville Office (615-781-6500), any of the four regional offices, or you can download the application and mail it in or fax it to (615) 837-4262. Applications cannot be processed without the Social Security of the applicant.
TWRA does accept applications through email at lifetime.license@tn.gov. Please be advised that the Lifetime License application requires personally identifiable information to be included on the application. Although the State of Tennessee and TWRA do the absolute best to keep our email environment secure, we cannot be held liable for any identity theft exposure that may occur should you choose to email the application, and the message is compromised. The email sender assumes all risks involved when submitting applications via an email service.
The Lifetime Sportsman License cannot be purchased at the online license center at this time. Fees are listed in the application form:
The TWRA is funded by two primary sources: license/permit sales and federal excise taxes (Pittman-Robertson and Wallop-Breaux). Tennessee's allocation of these federal taxes is based in part, on the number of hunters and fishermen in the state.