Bear Season Opens November 29

Tennessee’s 2007 black bear hunting season opens on November 29 and continues through December 12, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

This season is open in Blount, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Monroe, Polk (east of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties. Dogs are permitted to be used for hunting during this season.

Hunters have harvested a total of 126 bears during the early bear hunting seasons this year. Harvest by county has been: Blount 10, Carter 8, Cocke 15, Greene 8, Johnson 7, Monroe 28, Polk 16, Sevier 15, Sullivan 5, Unicoi 10 and Washington 4.

In addition to the private lands in these counties, there are several hundred thousand acres of public land open to bear hunters during this season. These lands are included in the Cherokee and Foothills wildlife management areas (WMA). There are portions of the Cherokee WMA that are set aside as bear reserves where no bear hunting is allowed. Hunters should check for descriptions of these restricted areas on pages 64 & 65 of the hunting guide.

Hunters should be aware of the following regulations when hunting black bears in Tennessee:

• The limit on bear for any person participating in statewide or WMA hunts or both shall not exceed one bear per calendar year.
• Cubs or female bears with cubs at side may not be taken at any time. A cub is defined as a bear weighing 75 pounds or less.
• Bears may be whole or field dressed but must weigh 75 pounds or greater when checked out.
• The reproductive (sex) organs must remain attached to each bear harvested until the bear has been officially checked out at an official TWRA checking station.

For detailed information about black bear hunting in Tennessee refer to the 2007 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide.