# Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-102: Illegal taking, possession or destruction of wildlife - Penalty for violations

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-102

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-102
- **Heading:** Illegal taking, possession or destruction of wildlife - Penalty for violations
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 70 / Chapter 4 / Section 70-4-102

## Text

(a) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, kill, trap, ensnare, or destroy, or to attempt to hunt, kill, trap, ensnare, or destroy, or to have in such person's possession, any form of wildlife except subject to the restrictions and by the means and devices and at the time prescribed by this title. (b) Any violations of the proclamations and rules and regulations proclaimed by the fish and wildlife commission are punishable as provided in this title, and the illegal taking or possession of each bird, animal or fish constitutes a separate offense. (c) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor. Acts 1951, ch. 115, §§ 1, 4 (Williams, §§ 5178.30, 5178.33); Acts 1961, ch. 198, § 2; Acts 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1982, ch. 738, § 15; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 51-405, 51-412; Acts 1998, ch. 909, § 1; 2003, ch. 61, § 2; 2012, ch. 993, § 13.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, kill, trap, ensnare, or destroy, or to attempt to hunt, kill, trap, ensnare, or destroy, or to have in such person's possession, any form of wildlife except subject to the restrictions and by the means and devices and at the time prescribed by this title.
(b) Any violations of the proclamations and rules and regulations proclaimed by the fish and wildlife commission are punishable as provided in this title, and the illegal taking or possession of each bird, animal or fish constitutes a separate offense.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
Acts 1951, ch. 115, §§ 1, 4 (Williams, §§ 5178.30, 5178.33); Acts 1961, ch. 198, § 2; Acts 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1982, ch. 738, § 15; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 51-405, 51-412; Acts 1998, ch. 909, § 1; 2003, ch. 61, § 2; 2012, ch. 993, § 13.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-101 Ownership and title to wildlife vested in the state](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-102 Illegal taking, possession or destruction of wildlife - Penalty for violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-103 Fox hunting - Training of hunting dogs - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-104 Catching or killing fish - Fishing regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-105 Lawful possession of wildlife by legal license holders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-106 Permission of owner of land to take wildlife or big game required - Penalty for violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-107 Hunting and fishing seasons - Bag and creel limits - Nonprotected wildlife](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-108 Hunting from or across public road or near dwelling - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-109 Hunting from aircraft, watercraft or motor vehicles unlawful - Exception for persons confined to wheelchairs - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-110 Spotlighting deer - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-111 Hunting or killing any big game during closed season - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-112 Hunting and chasing raccoons regulated - Training season - Violations - Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-113 Use of bait, pitfalls and certain other devices in taking birds and animals prohibited - Penalty - Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-114 Destruction of dens or nests - Spotlighting - Use of spears, explosives, chemicals or other devices unlawful - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-114.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.