# Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-107: Hunting and fishing seasons - Bag and creel limits - Nonprotected wildlife > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-107 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 70-4-107 - **Heading:** Hunting and fishing seasons - Bag and creel limits - Nonprotected wildlife - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 70 / Chapter 4 / Section 70-4-107 ## Text (a) There is hereby declared a closed season upon all hunting and fishing in this state upon all wildlife protected by the laws of the state. (b) Whenever the supply of game or fish, or both, existing in any area, lake or stream shall become adequate to allow the taking or hunting, or both, of the game or fish without material danger of extinction or undue depletion of such game or fish, then it is lawful for any person to hunt or fish, or both, in the area, lake or stream within the creel, size, and bag limits, and in the manner and by the means prescribed by the fish and wildlife commission. (c) (1) The fact as to whether or not the supply of game or fish, or both, is at any time adequate to allow the taking of game or fish without the danger of extinction or undue depletion shall be determined by the commission, after a complete survey of the area in question. (2) If the commission finds that the supply of game or fish, or both, is sufficient to allow taking without the danger of extinction or undue depletion, it shall announce such fact by proclamation, in which it shall state the species of the game or fish, or both, that may be taken without the danger as mentioned in this section, and shall likewise ascertain and announce the dates and hours of the day between which such game or fish, or both, may be taken without the dangers set forth. Upon such announcement by the commission, it is lawful for any person within the area so designated by the commission to take game or fish, or both, of the species mentioned by the commission. (3) The proclamations shall become effective thirty (30) days after filing with the secretary of state. During emergency conditions, seasons may be closed, reopened, or extended summarily. A copy of all proclamations issued by the commission shall be immediately filed with the secretary of state and be made available on the Tennessee wildlife resources agency website. (4) The commission shall annually publish a list of such wildlife as are deemed destructive or not to be protected by law, or both. (d) During any such open season as promulgated by the commission, the provisions of all general game and fish laws shall remain in full force and effect with reference to the method and manner of hunting and fishing and all other restrictions and provisions as to the taking of wild animals and fish as now or hereafter appear in the general game and fish laws. (e) [Deleted by 2023 amendment.] (f) (1) The commission may establish open seasons, bag and creel limits for the taking of game and fish on state lands, including lands leased by the state for wildlife management purposes, and may make any regulations it may deem needful to promote the best interest and enforce these provisions by means of rules and directions. (2) A violation of this subsection (f) is a Class B misdemeanor. (g) The commission has exclusive authority over the taking of game and fish, except to the extent such authority involves the regulation of the alteration of aquatic resources or other matters regulated under title 69, chapter 3. In issuing a proclamation under this part, the commission shall: (1) Consider the recommendations of professional fish and wildlife biologists; and (2) Recognize the lawful taking of game, including, but not limited to, hunting, angling, and trapping, as the preferred method of wildlife management and conservation within this state. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 626,s 4, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 61, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 186, s 1, eff. 4/24/2023. Acts 1951, ch. 115, §§ 2-4, 27, 53 (Williams, §§ 5178.31-5178.33, 5178.56, 5178.82, 5178.85); Acts 1953, ch. 255, § 4; 1955, ch. 152, § 1; 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1978, ch. 587, § 2; 1979, ch. 39, § 1; 1982, ch. 738, §§ 13, 14; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 51-408 -- 51-410, 51-413, 51-414; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 981, § 3; 2012 , ch. 993, § 13. by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 186, s 1, eff. 4/24/2023. Acts 1951, ch. 115, §§ 2-4, 27, 53 (Williams, §§ 5178.31-5178.33, 5178.56, 5178.82, 5178.85); Acts 1953, ch. 255, § 4; 1955, ch. 152, § 1; 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1978, ch. 587, § 2; 1979, ch. 39, § 1; 1982, ch. 738, §§ 13, 14; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 51-408 -- 51-410, 51-413, 51-414; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 981, § 3; 2012 , ch. 993, § 13. (a) There is hereby declared a closed season upon all hunting and fishing in this state upon all wildlife protected by the laws of the state. (b) Whenever the supply of game or fish, or both, existing in any area, lake or stream shall become adequate to allow the taking or hunting, or both, of the game or fish without material danger of extinction or undue depletion of such game or fish, then it is lawful for any person to hunt or fish, or both, in the area, lake or stream within the creel, size, and bag limits, and in the manner and by the means prescribed by the fish and wildlife commission. (c) (1) The fact as to whether or not the supply of game or fish, or both, is at any time adequate to allow the taking of game or fish without the danger of extinction or undue depletion shall be determined by the commission, after a complete survey of the area in question. (2) If the commission finds that the supply of game or fish, or both, is sufficient to allow taking without the danger of extinction or undue depletion, it shall announce such fact by proclamation, in which it shall state the species of the game or fish, or both, that may be taken without the danger as mentioned in this section, and shall likewise ascertain and announce the dates and hours of the day between which such game or fish, or both, may be taken without the dangers set forth. Upon such announcement by the commission, it is lawful for any person within the area so designated by the commission to take game or fish, or both, of the species mentioned by the commission. (3) The proclamations shall become effective thirty (30) days after filing with the secretary of state. During emergency conditions, seasons may be closed, reopened, or extended summarily. A copy of all proclamations issued by the commission shall be immediately filed with the secretary of state and be made available on the Tennessee wildlife resources agency website. (4) The commission shall annually publish a list of such wildlife as are deemed destructive or not to be protected by law, or both. (1) The fact as to whether or not the supply of game or fish, or both, is at any time adequate to allow the taking of game or fish without the danger of extinction or undue depletion shall be determined by the commission, after a complete survey of the area in question. (2) If the commission finds that the supply of game or fish, or both, is sufficient to allow taking without the danger of extinction or undue depletion, it shall announce such fact by proclamation, in which it shall state the species of the game or fish, or both, that may be taken without the danger as mentioned in this section, and shall likewise ascertain and announce the dates and hours of the day between which such game or fish, or both, may be taken without the dangers set forth. Upon such announcement by the commission, it is lawful for any person within the area so designated by the commission to take game or fish, or both, of the species mentioned by the commission. (3) The proclamations shall become effective thirty (30) days after filing with the secretary of state. During emergency conditions, seasons may be closed, reopened, or extended summarily. A copy of all proclamations issued by the commission shall be immediately filed with the secretary of state and be made available on the Tennessee wildlife resources agency website. (4) The commission shall annually publish a list of such wildlife as are deemed destructive or not to be protected by law, or both. . During emergency conditions, seasons may be closed, reopened, or extended summarily. A copy of all proclamations issued by the commission shall be immediately filed with the secretary of state and be made available on the Tennessee wildlife resources agency website. (4) The commission shall annually publish a list of such wildlife as are deemed destructive or not to be protected by law, or both. (d) During any such open season as promulgated by the commission, the provisions of all general game and fish laws shall remain in full force and effect with reference to the method and manner of hunting and fishing and all other restrictions and provisions as to the taking of wild animals and fish as now or hereafter appear in the general game and fish laws. (e) [Deleted by 2023 amendment.] (f) (1) The commission may establish open seasons, bag and creel limits for the taking of game and fish on state lands, including lands leased by the state for wildlife management purposes, and may make any regulations it may deem needful to promote the best interest and enforce these provisions by means of rules and directions. (2) A violation of this subsection (f) is a Class B misdemeanor. (1) The commission may establish open seasons, bag and creel limits for the taking of game and fish on state lands, including lands leased by the state for wildlife management purposes, and may make any regulations it may deem needful to promote the best interest and enforce these provisions by means of rules and directions. (2) A violation of this subsection (f) is a Class B misdemeanor. (g) The commission has exclusive authority over the taking of game and fish, except to the extent such authority involves the regulation of the alteration of aquatic resources or other matters regulated under title 69, chapter 3. In issuing a proclamation under this part, the commission shall: (1) Consider the recommendations of professional fish and wildlife biologists; and (2) Recognize the lawful taking of game, including, but not limited to, hunting, angling, and trapping, as the preferred method of wildlife management and conservation within this state. (1) Consider the recommendations of professional fish and wildlife biologists; and (2) Recognize the lawful taking of game, including, but not limited to, hunting, angling, and trapping, as the preferred method of wildlife management and conservation within this state. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 626,s 4, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 61, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 186, s 1, eff. 4/24/2023. Acts 1951, ch. 115, §§ 2-4, 27, 53 (Williams, §§ 5178.31-5178.33, 5178.56, 5178.82, 5178.85); Acts 1953, ch. 255, § 4; 1955, ch. 152, § 1; 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1978, ch. 587, § 2; 1979, ch. 39, § 1; 1982, ch. 738, §§ 13, 14; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 51-408 -- 51-410, 51-413, 51-414; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 981, § 3; 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) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T70_C4_S70-4-107. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.