# Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-106: Permission of owner of land to take wildlife or big game required - Penalty for violations > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-106 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-106 - **Heading:** Permission of owner of land to take wildlife or big game required - 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 70-4-106 ## Text (a) (1) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any wild animal, wild bird, wild fowl or fish, upon the land of another without having first obtained the permission or approval of the owners of the land, or of the person or persons in charge of the land and having authority from the owner to give such permission. (2) A violation of this subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (a), the court may revoke the license of the person so convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court and transmitted to the arresting officer, to be made a part of the prosecution record. (b) (1) (A) Notwithstanding subsection (a), it is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any game as defined in § 70-1-101 upon lands posted with signs approved by the wildlife resources agency bearing the language "Hunting By Written Permission Only" and bearing the name of the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands, without having first obtained the written permission of or being accompanied by the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands and having authority from the owner to give such permission. Every person who hunts, takes, chases, traps or kills any game on such lands shall have such written permission in immediate possession at all times and shall display the same upon demand of an officer of the wildlife resources agency, sheriff or other peace officer charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. Written permission shall not be required of the landowner, the landowner's dependents, the person in possession or control of such lands, or the dependents of the person in possession or control of such lands. (B) The signs posted pursuant to this subsection (b) must be posted by either of the following methods: (i) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress of the lands being posted, in such manner that the signs are reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or (ii) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress and must be accompanied by fluorescent visual markings, which markings must also be placed at fifty-yard (50 yd) intervals around the perimeter of the lands being posted. Such fluorescent visual markings must be at least one inch (1") wide and four inches (4") long. The division of forestry, in cooperation with the department of agriculture and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings. (C) Any person who posts signs pursuant to this subsection (b) without authorization from the landowner is subject to the penalties imposed by subdivision (b)(2). (2) (A) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (b), the court may revoke the license of the person convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court. (B) This subsection (b) is enforceable and may be prosecuted by all officers of the wildlife resources agency, sheriffs and other peace officers charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. (C) An affidavit from the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands stating that the property on which the violation occurred was properly posted in accordance with this section shall create an inference that such lands were properly posted. Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 51 (Williams, § 5178.80); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-407; Acts 1988, ch. 542, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 569, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1995, ch. 145, § 1; 2004, ch. 748, § 1; 2010, ch. 1143, § 1. f such lands stating that the property on which the violation occurred was properly posted in accordance with this section shall create an inference that such lands were properly posted. Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 51 (Williams, § 5178.80); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-407; Acts 1988, ch. 542, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 569, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1995, ch. 145, § 1; 2004, ch. 748, § 1; 2010, ch. 1143, § 1. (a) (1) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any wild animal, wild bird, wild fowl or fish, upon the land of another without having first obtained the permission or approval of the owners of the land, or of the person or persons in charge of the land and having authority from the owner to give such permission. (2) A violation of this subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (a), the court may revoke the license of the person so convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court and transmitted to the arresting officer, to be made a part of the prosecution record. (1) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any wild animal, wild bird, wild fowl or fish, upon the land of another without having first obtained the permission or approval of the owners of the land, or of the person or persons in charge of the land and having authority from the owner to give such permission. (2) A violation of this subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (a), the court may revoke the license of the person so convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court and transmitted to the arresting officer, to be made a part of the prosecution record. (b) (1) (A) Notwithstanding subsection (a), it is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any game as defined in § 70-1-101 upon lands posted with signs approved by the wildlife resources agency bearing the language "Hunting By Written Permission Only" and bearing the name of the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands, without having first obtained the written permission of or being accompanied by the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands and having authority from the owner to give such permission. Every person who hunts, takes, chases, traps or kills any game on such lands shall have such written permission in immediate possession at all times and shall display the same upon demand of an officer of the wildlife resources agency, sheriff or other peace officer charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. Written permission shall not be required of the landowner, the landowner's dependents, the person in possession or control of such lands, or the dependents of the person in possession or control of such lands. (B) The signs posted pursuant to this subsection (b) must be posted by either of the following methods: (i) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress of the lands being posted, in such manner that the signs are reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or (ii) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress and must be accompanied by fluorescent visual markings, which markings must also be placed at fifty-yard (50 yd) intervals around the perimeter of the lands being posted. Such fluorescent visual markings must be at least one inch (1") wide and four inches (4") long. The division of forestry, in cooperation with the department of agriculture and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings. (C) Any person who posts signs pursuant to this subsection (b) without authorization from the landowner is subject to the penalties imposed by subdivision (b)(2). (2) (A) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor e and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings. (C) Any person who posts signs pursuant to this subsection (b) without authorization from the landowner is subject to the penalties imposed by subdivision (b)(2). (2) (A) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (b), the court may revoke the license of the person convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court. (B) This subsection (b) is enforceable and may be prosecuted by all officers of the wildlife resources agency, sheriffs and other peace officers charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. (C) An affidavit from the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands stating that the property on which the violation occurred was properly posted in accordance with this section shall create an inference that such lands were properly posted. (1) (A) Notwithstanding subsection (a), it is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any game as defined in § 70-1-101 upon lands posted with signs approved by the wildlife resources agency bearing the language "Hunting By Written Permission Only" and bearing the name of the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands, without having first obtained the written permission of or being accompanied by the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands and having authority from the owner to give such permission. Every person who hunts, takes, chases, traps or kills any game on such lands shall have such written permission in immediate possession at all times and shall display the same upon demand of an officer of the wildlife resources agency, sheriff or other peace officer charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. Written permission shall not be required of the landowner, the landowner's dependents, the person in possession or control of such lands, or the dependents of the person in possession or control of such lands. (B) The signs posted pursuant to this subsection (b) must be posted by either of the following methods: (i) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress of the lands being posted, in such manner that the signs are reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or (ii) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress and must be accompanied by fluorescent visual markings, which markings must also be placed at fifty-yard (50 yd) intervals around the perimeter of the lands being posted. Such fluorescent visual markings must be at least one inch (1") wide and four inches (4") long. The division of forestry, in cooperation with the department of agriculture and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings. (C) Any person who posts signs pursuant to this subsection (b) without authorization from the landowner is subject to the penalties imposed by subdivision (b)(2). (A) Notwithstanding subsection (a), it is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any game as defined in § 70-1-101 upon lands posted with signs approved by the wildlife resources agency bearing the language "Hunting By Written Permission Only" and bearing the name of the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands, without having first obtained the written permission of or being accompanied by the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands and having authority from the owner to give such permission s approved by the wildlife resources agency bearing the language "Hunting By Written Permission Only" and bearing the name of the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands, without having first obtained the written permission of or being accompanied by the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands and having authority from the owner to give such permission. Every person who hunts, takes, chases, traps or kills any game on such lands shall have such written permission in immediate possession at all times and shall display the same upon demand of an officer of the wildlife resources agency, sheriff or other peace officer charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. Written permission shall not be required of the landowner, the landowner's dependents, the person in possession or control of such lands, or the dependents of the person in possession or control of such lands. (B) The signs posted pursuant to this subsection (b) must be posted by either of the following methods: (i) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress of the lands being posted, in such manner that the signs are reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or (ii) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress and must be accompanied by fluorescent visual markings, which markings must also be placed at fifty-yard (50 yd) intervals around the perimeter of the lands being posted. Such fluorescent visual markings must be at least one inch (1") wide and four inches (4") long. The division of forestry, in cooperation with the department of agriculture and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings. (i) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress of the lands being posted, in such manner that the signs are reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or (ii) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress and must be accompanied by fluorescent visual markings, which markings must also be placed at fifty-yard (50 yd) intervals around the perimeter of the lands being posted. Such fluorescent visual markings must be at least one inch (1") wide and four inches (4") long. The division of forestry, in cooperation with the department of agriculture and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings. (C) Any person who posts signs pursuant to this subsection (b) without authorization from the landowner is subject to the penalties imposed by subdivision (b)(2). (2) (A) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (b), the court may revoke the license of the person convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court. (B) This subsection (b) is enforceable and may be prosecuted by all officers of the wildlife resources agency, sheriffs and other peace officers charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. (C) An affidavit from the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands stating that the property on which the violation occurred was properly posted in accordance with this section shall create an inference that such lands were properly posted. (A) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (b), the court may revoke the license of the person convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court. (B) This subsection (b) is enforceable and may be prosecuted by all officers of the wildlife resources agency, sheriffs and other peace officers charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (b), the court may revoke the license of the person convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court. (B) This subsection (b) is enforceable and may be prosecuted by all officers of the wildlife resources agency, sheriffs and other peace officers charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. (C) An affidavit from the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands stating that the property on which the violation occurred was properly posted in accordance with this section shall create an inference that such lands were properly posted. Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 51 (Williams, § 5178.80); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-407; Acts 1988, ch. 542, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 569, §§ 1, 2; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1995, ch. 145, § 1; 2004, ch. 748, § 1; 2010, ch. 1143, § 1. ## 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) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-106. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.