Sportsman License Request

The Hunting for Heroes Act (SB 2238 / HB 2550) is a Tennessee law that provides free annual sportsman licenses to eligible members of the Tennessee Army and Air Force National Guard

What It Does

  • Creates the Tennessee National Guard Sportsman License, which is a no-cost license in the same way as the standard Annual Sportsman License for residents which entitles eligible Guardsmen to hunt, fish, and trap in Tennessee without paying the annual license fee (currently $168 for residents).

Eligibility

  • Be a resident and member of the Tennessee Army or Air Force National Guard.
  • Be in good standing with the Guard.
  • Have a valid U.S. military ID card.
  • Have your Tennessee National Guard membership information provided to TWRA by the Adjutant General of the Tennessee Department of Military / Tennessee General Assembly.

How to Apply

  1. Fill out the online vetting form below. This will provide the your information to the Tennessee National Guard's G1 and A1in order to be vetted and then sent to TWRA. 
  2. Download the printable application from the National Guard Association of Tennessee or TWRA’s website www.ngatn.org.
  3. Complete the form with all required information.
  4. Submit by mail or email using the instructions on the form 
  5. Once approved, your no-cost sportsman license will be issued.

Key Points

  • The program does not apply to Tennessee State Guard members / Tennessee General Assembly.
  • The license is valid for one year and can be used for hunting, fishing, and trapping in Tennessee.
  • TWRA and the National Guard Association of Tennessee provide application guidance and support www.ngatn.org.

DON'T SEE THE ONLINE FORM?  Registration for the no-cost Sportsman License will only be available between March 15 - May 15 and September 15 - November 15 each year.  You may not see the form due to firewall restrictions.  Only use NON-RCAS COMPUTERS to fill out the online vetting form.

ABOUT THE PROCESS: All Officer and Warrant Officer personnel requesting a license plate must order your plate(s) ON THIS WEB PAGE, NO LATER THAN 30 APRIL 2026. The information will be submitted by the Joint Public Affairs Office to the State of Tennessee for production of plates.  Those failing to meet the 30 April 2026 deadline will not get a specially numbered Officer plate in September. Further information will be provided as events warrant. Acknowledgment of your Officer Plate Request will be returned within two business days to the email you provided in the form.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL after submitting the online form:

First, check your Spam and Junk email folders. If you still do not see a confirmation email do not submit another request, please contact the Joint Public Affairs Office, Tennessee Military Department at (629) 332-6244 to confirm that your request was processed.

For more details visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's website or contact the TWRA License Section at (615) 781-5270.