Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Migratory Bird Hunting Information
Migratory Bird Regulation
- Federal regulations relative to baiting, firearms, bag and possession limits, wanton waste, tagging, and methods of hunting are hereby adopted and will be applicable to hunting and/or taking of species listed.
- No person shall hunt migratory game birds, except crows, with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three (3) shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three (3) shells.
- All persons who hunt migratory game birds are required to have in their possession a valid Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit in addition to other required Tennessee licenses and permits, with the following exceptions:
- disabled veterans
- landowners hunting on their own land
- lifetime license holders
- residents of Tennessee under 13 years of age
- residents of Tennessee who are 65 or older
- Military personnel on leave or furlough
- Refer to federal regulations 50 CFR Ch. 1 (21.41 and 21.43) for conditions and restrictions applicable to the taking of crows in certain depredation or health hazard situations outside of crow sport hunting season.
- Pursuant to federal regulations, during the Light Goose Conservation Season, waterfowl hunters may use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls.
Youth Hunting
Wheelchair-bound hunts, zones, or blinds are open to hunters who are totally and permanently confined to a wheelchair as certified by a physician.
Certain WMAs have special blind sites established for wheelchair-bound hunters which include: Camden, Cheatham Lake, North Chickamauga Creek, Old Hickory, Reelfoot, and West Sandy. See specific WMAs for regulations
On wheelchair-bound waterfowl hunts, each wheelchair-bound hunter must be accompanied by at least one, but not more than three assistants (at least one of whom must be age 16 years or older), who may also participate in the hunt.
Applications for wheelchair-bound hunts must be received by noon on the fourth Friday of October at the Region I Office (Camden), Reelfoot Office (Reelfoot), or Region II Office (Cheatham and Old Hickory)
- Camden Wheelchair Blind Application must be received at the Region I office (731-423-5725) or Reelfoot office (731-253-7343).
- Cheatham Wheelchair Blind Application must be received at the Region II office, (615) 781-6622.
- North Chickamauga Creek (Varner Unit) Wheelchair Blind Application is available from the Region III Office, (931-484-9571).
- Old Hickory Wheelchair Blind Application must be received at the Region II office, (615) 781-6622.
- Reelfoot Wheelchair Blind Application can be turned in to the Region I office (731-423-5725) or Reelfoot office (731-253-7343).
- West Sandy Wheelchair Hunts are first-come, first-served.
Temporary Blinds & Decoys on a WMA
Temporary blinds and decoys must be removed at the end of shooting hours each day unless otherwise indicated under the individual WMA listings.
All decoys must be removed by the owner of the blind within ten days after the close of waterfowl season unless otherwise indicated under the individual WMA listing.
