2010-11 Deer Seasons Drawing to a Close

Nashville, TN (2011-01-07) Tennessee’s 2010-11 deer hunting seasons are drawing to a close. The statewide season for gun, muzzleloader and archery will conclude January 9, 2011 while the Young Sportsman Hunt will be held the weekend of January 15-16, 2011.

The second segment of gun season for deer began December 18, 2010. A total of 27,050 deer have been harvested in the second segment with Franklin County leading the way with 1,143 deer reported. Lincoln County is second with 1,111 deer followed by Giles County 1,106, Fayette County 1,083, and Henry County 1,001.

Since archery season began in late September, 151,449 deer have been harvested statewide, which totals 933 less over the same period from last year. However, this year’s second segment total surpasses last year’s mark of 26,179 deer heading down the stretch. The top five overall counties heading down the stretch and their harvest for this year are Giles County (4,788), Henry County (4,543), Fayette County (4,235), Hardeman County (4,192), and Lincoln County (3,964).

For the Young Sportsman Hunt, only youth ages 6-16 may participate regardless of whether they possess a junior or adult license. Each youth must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years or older, who does not need a license but must also wear 500 square inches of fluorescent orange.

Youth hunters, ages 10-16 need a hunter education card along with the appropriate license(s) and/or permits. Those hunters, ages 6-9, are not required to possess a hunter education card or license. These hunters are required to have their Social Security number to check in a deer.

For those youth hunters, ages 10 and older, who have not taken the hunter education course, the Apprentice License is available. The Apprentice License exempts a hunter, age 10 or older who falls within the hunter education requirement, from having to complete the mandatory Hunter Education Course for one year.

For more information about Tennessee’s deer hunting seasons, refer to the 2010 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide available at all license agents or on the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org.