Fox hunting - Training of hunting dogs - Penalty

(a) (1) Foxes may be chased with dogs the entire year, except during such periods as may be fixed by the fish and wildlife commission for the protection of the species. (2) Notwithstanding any private act to the contrary, the commission shall have the authority to regulate the taking or killing of foxes in this state. (3) Any person who hunts and kills a fox in a manner other than as permitted by this subsection (a) commits a Class C misdemeanor. (b) Fox hounds, rabbit dogs and bird dogs may be trained the entire year, except during such periods as may be fixed by the commission for the protection of the species, but any person accompanying the dogs or training them shall not possess any firearm, bow and arrow, or any other such device, except during the regular open season; except that, a person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a handgun may carry a handgun as defined in § 39-11-106 , so long as the handgun is not used for the taking of game. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 218, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 235, s 1, eff. 4/21/2015. Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 31; 1953, ch. 145, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1953, ch. 198 (Williams, § 5178.60); Acts 1957, ch. 382, § 2; 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1978, ch. 792, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-403; Acts 1985, ch. 331, § 1; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 2012 , ch. 993, § 13.

(a) (1) Foxes may be chased with dogs the entire year, except during such periods as may be fixed by the fish and wildlife commission for the protection of the species. (2) Notwithstanding any private act to the contrary, the commission shall have the authority to regulate the taking or killing of foxes in this state. (3) Any person who hunts and kills a fox in a manner other than as permitted by this subsection (a) commits a Class C misdemeanor.

(1) Foxes may be chased with dogs the entire year, except during such periods as may be fixed by the fish and wildlife commission for the protection of the species.

(2) Notwithstanding any private act to the contrary, the commission shall have the authority to regulate the taking or killing of foxes in this state.

(3) Any person who hunts and kills a fox in a manner other than as permitted by this subsection (a) commits a Class C misdemeanor.

(b) Fox hounds, rabbit dogs and bird dogs may be trained the entire year, except during such periods as may be fixed by the commission for the protection of the species, but any person accompanying the dogs or training them shall not possess any firearm, bow and arrow, or any other such device, except during the regular open season; except that, a person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a handgun may carry a handgun as defined in § 39-11-106 , so long as the handgun is not used for the taking of game.

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 218, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.

Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 235, s 1, eff. 4/21/2015.

Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 31; 1953, ch. 145, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1953, ch. 198 (Williams, § 5178.60); Acts 1957, ch. 382, § 2; 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1978, ch. 792, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-403; Acts 1985, ch. 331, § 1; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 2012 , ch. 993, § 13.