Quota Hunts
About Quota Hunts
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency realizes that in some areas of Tennessee, the number of hunters needs to be restricted so as not to cause a major impact on the resource. In these areas, the Agency utilizes a quota hunt system. There are bear, deer, elk, sandhill crane, turkey, and waterfowl hunts.
QUOTA HUNT APPLICATIONS can be submitted or viewed in the following ways (applications cannot be accepted by mail)
You can log into the quota hunt module to apply for a quota hunt. You will also be able to edit a quota hunt application that you have submitted up until the deadline for that hunt. You will be able to see members that are in your quota hunt party.
Transaction ID numbers are issued for all transactions that are completed in the REAL system. That number is your assurance that your application has been accepted into the system. If you have a valid email address on your account, an email is sent immediately after your transaction is complete. If you do not have a valid email address, you can screenshot the "CHECKOUT COMPLETE" page to retain your Transaction ID number or you may click the "Print Application" button located in the top, right corner of the page. If you have questions about your quota hunt application, you MUST have your Transaction ID number.
You will also be able to see the results of your quota hunt drawing as soon as we finish the drawing validation process and release the results to the public. ALL from your customer account.
Tennessee has a priority point system in place for several of its quota hunts. An applicant is awarded one point for each year he/she applies and is not drawn. Each point system is unique and separate for the different quota hunts, i.e., WMA Big Game, Spring Turkey, WMA, etc. Applicants with the highest priority are more likely to be drawn first.
PRIORITY FACTS:
- If applicants in a party have varying priority points, the points will be averaged, except for Waterfowl If applicants in a segmented WMA Waterfowl party have varying priority points, the party will assume the point status of the member with the highest priority.
- Each applicant’s priority is individual; it is only in the drawing that an applicant’s party priority is considered. When a party is unsuccessful, each applicant’s actual current priority points balance will increase by one point.
- Priority points only apply to the hunt category in which they were earned, i.e., WMA Big Game, Spring Turkey Waterfowl, etc.
- When a person is drawn for a hunt, their priority points will be reset to “0” the following year.
- Spring Turkey WMA: No limit.
- Youth Spring Turkey WMA: No limit
- Elk and Youth Elk: No priority. An applicant successfully drawn may not reapply for 10 years.
- WMA Big Game: No limit.
- Youth WMA Big Game: No limit.
- Cherokee Bear Party-Dog Hunts: No priority.
- WMA Season Long Waterfowl: No priority.
- WMA Early Season Waterfowl: No limit.
- WMA Mid-Season Waterfowl: No limit.
- WMA Late Season Waterfowl: No limit.
- Sandhill Crane: No limit.
- Bobwhite Quail: No priority.
Cost of Application
A $12 non-refundable application fee is required for each drawing requested, except for individuals possessing a valid Annual, Lifetime, or Senior Sportsman License.
Example: The “Maximum Awarded Permits” for WMA Big Game is two, meaning two drawings are held for the same pool of applicants. You may choose to enter one drawing, where you will only be eligible for one permit that will cost $12.00 plus any applicable fees. If you enter two drawings, you will be eligible for two permits and the cost will be $24.00, plus any fees. You must choose the number of drawings, party information, and hunt choices on one application.
Application Information Needed
- A $12 non-refundable fee is required to submit an application, except for individuals possessing a valid Annual, Lifetime, or Senior Sportsman License. Receipt and deposit of application fee(s) do not constitute permission to participate in the hunt.
- There is a vendor fee assessed for each application that varies depending on the submission method. Application fee(s) are non-refundable.
- Applicants should review their application prior to submission and verify all information (name, hunt choices, etc.) upon completion to confirm accuracy.
- Ensure that you have a valid, accurate email address on your www.gooutdoorstennessee.com account. A receipt, which serves as proof of application and hunt choices, will be sent to the email address on the applicant’s account.
- Once your application is complete, you may review your application (including party members) by logging into www.quotahunt.gooutdoorstennessee.com. Applications may be edited until the deadline.
- No applications will be accepted or edited after the deadline.
- No person may apply more than once. Any person violating this rule and regulation is subject to having their permit and/or hunting privileges revoked and may be subject to prosecution.
- Permits are not transferable
Cherokee Bear Party-Dog Hunts
The application period for these hunts will be from June 11 – July 23, 2025.
• Cherokee Bear Party-Dog Hunt Instructions
This is a party hunt. In order to be a qualifying party, there must be 50 members in the party before the deadline.
Cherokee Bear Party-Dog hunts can have up to a maximum of 75 permits per party. One party is permitted in each of the following areas: Upper Tellico, Lower Tellico, Upper Bald River, and Lower Bald River.
The bag limit is one bear, either sex
Party-Dog Area is closed during scheduled quota party dog hunts.
You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent, or at a Regional Office.
Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Bear Hunting page.
Elk and Youth Elk
The Elk and Youth Elk Draw application period will be February 5-26, 2025.
Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Elk Hunting page.
Landowners are not exempt from this permit requirement and must be drawn for a quota permit to hunt. Nineteen (19) quota permits will be issued. One of the Nineteen (19) permits will be issued to a qualifying non-profit wildlife conservation organization with all proceeds benefiting the TWRA Elk Management Program. Another one of the Nineteen (19) permits will be issued to a resident Young Sportsman who is able to hunt all open elk zones.
Elk permits are valid for designated Elk Hunt Zones (EHZs) on North Cumberland WMA and on private lands in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott counties. All public land other than North Cumberland WMA is closed to elk hunting.
It is the responsibility of elk permit holders to obtain verbal or written permission to hunt on private property. TWRA does not guarantee hunters access to private lands.
Customers who are interested in applying for both the WMA quota hunt and the Elk quota hunt will have to submit two applications, one for each. The computer drawings will be handled separately. Quota Hunt applications can be conveniently submitted here, TWRA Licensed Agent locations, TWRA Regional Offices, or via the TWRA Mobile App. Applications cannot be accepted by mail.
Sandhill Crane Tag Drawing
The application period for the statewide drawing is September 3-24, 2025. These tags will be valid statewide, including the SE Crane Zone. Only individuals with a Tennessee Sandhill Crane Tag may hunt.
Sandhill Crane Tag Application: Applicants must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to compete in the drawing. Each application must be accompanied by a non-refundable handling fee, except for Sportsman License holders, Lifetime Sportsman License holders, and persons possessing an Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman License. Tags are non-transferable.
Computer Draw: A total of 2,500 tags (2 tags/hunter) will be issued for statewide use through a computerized drawing. The application period for the statewide drawing is Sept. 4 – Sept. 25, 2024. These tags will be valid statewide, including the SE Crane Zone.
Sandhill Crane Identification Test: All sandhill crane hunters must pass an internet-based crane identification test each year before hunting. All tags issued are invalid until the “Sandhill Crane Test” validation code is written on the tag. The purpose of this test is to improve the hunter’s awareness and ability to distinguish between sandhill cranes and other protected species that may be encountered while hunting. The test is available at twra.state.tn.us/SandhillCraneTest.
Be sure the bird you intend to shoot is a sandhill crane. Accidental or intentional shooting of a whooping crane is considered a dual violation and is subject to state and federal laws. Don’t shoot unless you’re sure.
Harvest Reporting: Each harvested crane must be accompanied by a completed kill tag (each tag allows harvest of one (1) crane) and be checked in by the end of the calendar day of harvest by any TWRA-approved check-in method. Also, hunters issued sandhill crane tags MUST fill out and submit a post-season survey before Feb. 10, regardless of whether they hunted or harvested a sandhill crane. Failure to submit the post-season survey results in hunters not being eligible to apply for a sandhill crane tag in future draws.
Hunting Hours: Hunting hours for sandhill cranes are from sunrise until 3:00 pm local time.
Federal Regulations: No shotguns larger than 10 gauge or capable of holding over 3 shot shells. A federally approved non-toxic shot is required.
Hunters May Apply:
You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent, or at a Regional Office,
Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Sandhill Crane Hunting page.
Spring Turkey Hunt
The application period for the Spring Turkey Quota hunts will be December 17, 2025 - January 7, 2026.
You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent, or at a Regional Office.
WMA Big Game
The WMA Big Game Quota Hunts application period is June 11 – July 23, 2025.
You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent, or at a Regional Office,
WMA Maps - Big Game WMA General Regulations
Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Big Game page.
Application Periods
The application periods for Waterfowl Sites drawing will be:
- The application period for Season Long Waterfowl sites is June 25 - July 16, 2025. Awarded permits must be claimed by August 11, 2025. You can find more information in our Season Long WMA Waterfowl Hunts Instruction Flyer.
- The application period for Early Season Waterfowl sites is September 24 – October 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm. CDT. The deadline to claim awarded permits is October 27, 2025. If any permits remain, a leftover drawing will be held on November 10, 2025.
- The application period for Mid-Season Waterfowl sites is October 22 – November 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The deadline to claim awarded permits is November 24, 2025. If any permits remain, a leftover drawing will be held on December 8, 2025.
- The application period for Late Season Waterfowl sites is November 13 – December 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The deadline to claim awarded permits is December 15, 2024. If any permits remain, a leftover drawing will be held on December 30, 2025.
- The application period for Youth/Military Waterfowl sites is November 13 – December 3, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The deadline to claim awarded permits is December 16, 2024. If any permits remain, a leftover drawing will be held on December 30, 2024.
How to Apply
- You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent or at a Regional Office,
- Learn how to claim your waterfowl quota hunt permit in our instruction pamphlet.
- An interactive map of the waterfowl blind sites can be found at Waterfowl Blind Site Map
- Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Waterfowl & Migratory Birds Hunting page.
Tier Designations on WMAs
All waterfowl drawings require a party application of 4 persons minimum, 8 persons maximum.
|
TIER 1 |
TIER 2 |
TIER 4 |
QUOTA PERMIT AREA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blind Type |
Permanent Blind built and maintained by permit holder(s). |
Permanent Blind built and maintained by TWRA. |
Temporary blinds only* |
Temporary blinds only. |
Permit duration |
Entire regular waterfowl season 60 days. |
1-4 day hunt period. Closure days on specific WMAs may apply. |
No permit needed, first-come, first-served. |
1-4 day hunt period. Closure days on specific WMAs may apply. |
Hunt Location Permit Required |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Application Deadlines Minimum of 4 people, maximum of 8. |
Opens - June 26, 2024 Closes - July 17, 2024 Claim permit by August 7, 2024. |
Early Segment Opens - Sept. 25 |
First come-First Served. |
Early Segment Opens - Sept. 25 |
Mid Segment Opens - Oct. 23 |
Mid Segment Opens - Oct. 23 |
|||
Late Segment Opens - Nov. 13 |
Late Segment Opens - Nov. 13 |
|||
Equipment Removal (Decoys, trash, blind material) |
15 days post season. |
End of Hunt period. |
Daily |
End of Hunt period. |
Youth/Military Hunt |
Available to permit holders/ hopping. |
Apply during Late segment. |
First-come, first-served. |
Apply during Late segment. Chickamauga Units open on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Hopping |
Yes |
No |
Yes, first-come, first-served. |
No |
Hunting Distance from Stake |
Blinds Constructed within 5 ft. of location. |
Must be in blind. |
25 ft. |
Must be in designated unit. |
Left-Over Drawing |
Yes, after claim permit deadline; No, after blind construction deadline. |
Yes |
N/A |
Yes |
Post Season Survey |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Priority Points |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Blind Construction Deadline |
Fourth Monday in October. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Number of Hunters | Max 8 adults, No limit for youth hunters. | Max 8 hunters, no limit for youth hunters, must include permit holder. | Max 8 adults, no limit for youth hunters. | Max 8 hunters, must include permit holder |
| *except where there is a blind remaining from the previous season. No new blinds may be constructed. | ||||
| Tier 1 sites forfeited during the permitting process will be available for reallocation at the respective regional office on August 22, 2024, at 9:00 am. In-person attendance required. | ||||
Leftover Tier 2 and Waterfowl Quota Hunt Permit Drawing Locations
| AREA | SEGMENT< DRAWING DATE & TIME | LOCATION | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chickamauga Units (Candies Creek, Johnson Bottoms, Rogers Creek, Yellow Creek) | Early Segment, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, 6 p.m. local time
Middle Segment, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, 6 p.m. local time
Late Segment, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, 6 p.m. local time |
Hiwasee Refuge, 525 Priddy Lane, Birchwood |
Region 3 Office (931) 484-9571 |
| Meeman-Shelby Forest SP | Covington Civic Center, 100 West Washington Ave. Covington |
Chris Park (731) 738-0233 |
|
| Gooch (Units A and E) | Kenton Gym, 206 West College St., Kenton |
Rob Lewis (731) 749-5587 |
|
| John Tully - Fig Field Unit | Covington Civic Center, 100 West Washington Ave. Covington |
Chris Park (731) 738-0233 |
|
| White Oak (Lebanon Pond) | Morris Chapel Community Center/Fire Dept., 8695 Coffee Landing Rd., Morris Chapel |
Office (731) 687-3444 |
|
| Bogota and Thorny Cypress | Dyersburg Work Base, 355 Menzies Rd., Dyersburg |
Josh Emerson (731) 285-6124 |
|
| Reelfoot | Reelfoot State Park, 2595 St. Rt. 21E, Tiptonville |
Chase Taylor (731) 253-7343 |
|
| Kentucky Lake Units (Barkley, Big Sandy, Camden, Gin Creek, West Sandy) | Holly Fork Shooting Complex, 6133 Hwy. 79 North Paris |
Evan Gaskin (731) 593-0588 |
|
| Tigrett | Dyersburg Work Base, 355 Menzies Rd., Dyersburg |
Andy Rutherford (731) 345-9992 |
|
| Haynes Bottom and Cheatham | Cheatham WMA Work Base, 1299 Headquarters Rd., Ashland City |
Office 615-781-6622 |
|
| Old Hickory Units 1 and 2 | Old Hickory WMA Work Base, 4050 Canoe Branch Rd., Lebanon |
Michael Bobel (615) 444-6673 |
|
| Woods Reservoir | Capitol Hill Community Center, 5601 AEDC Rd., Winchester |
Region 2 (931) 967-6101 |
|