NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is seeking public comments on the 2027-28 fishing regulations. This comment period, open from Wednesday, July 15, through Thursday, August 16, 2026, allows anglers and stakeholders to share feedback and suggestions with TWRA staff. Proposed regulation changes will be presented at the December meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC).
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is pleased to report there were no boating-related fatalities over the Operation Dry Water (ODW)-July 4th holiday weekend. The TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division compiled the holiday statistics after receiving reports from the Agency’s four regions.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is once again participating in Operation Dry Water (ODW), a year-round boating under the influence (BUI) and enforcement campaign. ODW’s heightened awareness and enforcement annually takes place around the July 4th holiday, and this year is July 3-5 (Friday-Sunday).
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is informing off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders on North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (NCWMA) of important updates taking effect July 1, 2026, following the enactment of Public Chapter No. 1120, an amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 70, Chapter 9, related to OHV use on NCWMA.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) are announcing that ABR will resume rehabilitation of orphaned black bear cubs from Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. Initially, ABR will have capacity to accept six black bear cubs in newly constructed pens at their facility in Townsend, TN. As the Agency responsible for management of wild bears in Tennessee, TWRA will continue to determine which cubs are viable candidates for rehabilitation at ABR.
NASHVILLE --- The winning entries for the 2026-27 Tennessee Wildlife magazine photo contest have been selected by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and will appear in the annual calendar, starting in August.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) reports the state’s spring turkey hunting season resulted in a harvest of 34,990 birds, the fourth-highest reported harvest on record. It is the best harvest since the 2020 COVID record season and ranks behind only the 2006 and 2010 seasons overall.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced the second annual Tennessee Biodiversity Summit will take place on October 21, 2026, at Middle Tennessee State University. All wildlife enthusiasts, including experts, birdwatchers, hunters, and anyone interested in nature, are invited to participate in this experience packed with opportunities to learn about wildlife diversity, habitats, and conservation in Tennessee.
NASHVILLE --- The application period for the 2026 Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Big Game quota hunts for deer, turkey, and the Cherokee party hunts for bears is June 10 through July 22. Mailed applications will not be accepted. Entries must be submitted before midnight (CDT) July 22.
SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced the temporary closure of a portion of Montgomery Fork Road within the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA) after recent rain events caused significant erosion and a hazardous road washout.
SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced the temporary closure of a portion of Montgomery Fork Road within the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA) after recent rain events caused significant erosion and a hazardous road washout.
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is inviting Tennesseans and visitors to take part in the Agency’s 2026 wild turkey summer observation survey. The survey is open to the public and will continue through Aug 31.
NASHVILLE --- For the second consecutive year, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is pleased to report there were no boating-related fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
NASHVILLE --- Tennessee’s 2026 Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day is set for Saturday, June 6. All state residents and visitors of any age may fish for free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters. Additionally, youth ages 15 or younger may fish for free the entire week, beginning on Free Fishing Day, continuing through the following Friday, June 12.
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Tennessee State Parks (TSP) are partnering to host Wilderness Day in the Glade on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.