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) 

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 unsuccessful.  Each point system is unique and separate for the different quota hunts.  

PRIORITY FACTS:

  • If applicants in a party have varying priority points, the points will be averaged.
  • 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 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. 

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, you will only be eligible for one permit and the cost will be $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.

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.  Any questions regarding Quota Hunts, please call (615) 781-6621.

Elk and Youth Elk

The Elk and Youth Elk Draw application period for 2024 will be February 7 - 28, 2024.    

Upcoming 2023 Elk Draw Instructions

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.  Fifteen (15) quota permits will be issued. One of the fifteen (15) 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 fifteen (15) 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.

WMA Big Game 

The WMA Big Game Quota Hunts application period:  June 14 - July 26, 2023. 

Big Game Quota Hunts Instructions  -  Big Game WMA General Regulations

You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent or at a Regional Office, 

Milan Quota Hunt Map - WMA Maps

Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Big Game page.   

Bear Party-Dog Hunts

The application period for these hunts will be from June 14 – July 26, 2023.

This is a party hunt. In order to be a qualifying party, there must be 50 members in the party before the deadline.   

Quota party dog hunts, 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.

One bear, either sex.

Party-Dog Area 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.

Spring Turkey Hunt

The application period for the 2024 Spring Turkey Quota hunts will be December 20, 2023 – at Midnight on January 10, 2024.  

You may apply via the On The Go APP, GoOutDoorsTennessee, at a TWRA Licensed Agent or at a Regional Office,  

Turkey

WMA Waterfowl Drawings

The application period for the 2023 Waterfowl Sites drawing will be:

  • The application period for Season Long sites (Tier 1) will be June 28 – Midnight July 19, 2023. Awarded permits must be claimed by August 14, 2023.   2023 Season Long Application Instructions
  • The application period for the Early Season Waterfowl sites is September 27 – Midnight October 17, 2023. The deadline to claim an awarded permit is October 30, 2023.   Left-over Draw will be November 13, 2023.
  • The application period for the Mid-Season Waterfowl sites will be October 25 – Midnight November 14, 2023. The deadline to claim an awarded permit will be November 27.   A left-over draw will be on December 12, 2023.
  • The application period for the Late-Season Waterfowl sites will be November 15 – Midnight December 5, 2023. The deadline to claim awarded permits is December 18.  A left-over draw will be on January 4, 2024.
  • The application period for the Youth/Military Waterfowl sites will be November 15 – Midnight December 5, 2023. The deadline to claim an awarded permit is December 18.   A left-over draw will be on January 4, 2024.

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. 

Leftover Tier 2 and Waterfowl Quota Hunt Permit Drawing Locations
Chickamauga Units (Candies Creek, Johnson Bottoms, Rogers Creek, Yellow Creek) 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, 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) Henry County Fairgrounds,
517 Royal Oak Drive,
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		 Eric Tummins
(615) 792-4510
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

Sandhill Crane Tag Drawing

The application period for the statewide drawing is September. 6 –September. 20, 2023.   These tags will be valid statewide, including the SE Crane Zone.  

2023 Sandhill Crane Quota Instructions

Sandhill Crane Tag Drawings:

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. 6–Sept. 20. 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.

Harvest Reporting:

Each harvested crane must be accompanied by a completed kill tag (each tag allows harvest of 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 at GoOutdoorsTN.com 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.

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.