Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Ed Carter, Executive Director

2012 Youth Waterfowl Hunts

* For youths 6-15 years of age. An adult at least 21 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field and must remain in a position to take control of the hunting device. The adult accompanying the young hunter may not hunt ducks but may participate in other open seasons. Geese, coots, gallinules, moorhens, and ducks, including pintails, may be taken by youths during Youth Waterfowl Season. WMAs with special closing times are open all day, each day of the Youth Waterfowl Season.

2012 Young Sportsmen Spring Turkey Hunt

March 24–25, 2012 (ages 6 through 16)

One (1) bearded turkey which counts toward statewide bag unless taken on a WMA where turkeys are designated as bonus birds. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device, who is not required to have a license.

2011-2012 Young Sportsmen Deer Hunts

Youths 6-16 years of age only. Each young sportsman must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Youths 10 years of age or older must meet Hunter Education requirements. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single non-hunting adult.

New for 2011! Young Sportsmen Bear Hunt

October 29-30, 2011 (ages 6 through 16)

Limit one (1) per year, either sex. Blount, Carter. Cocke, Greene, Jefferson (East of Hwy. 411), Johnson, Monroe, Polk (that portion east of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, & Washington counties. No dogs allowed.

Each young sportsman must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specified for legal hunters. Youths 10 years of age or older must meet Hunter Education requirements. Multiple youths may be accompanied by a single non-hunting adult.

Hunter Education Program

Anyone 10 or older: before you get out there and hunt, you must have a Hunter Education Certificate. There's still time! Check out the current class dates in your area in our Hunter Education Class section.

TWRA First Fish Award

Congratulations, your First Fish! The First Fish Award is designed to commemorate that special moment in every boy's or girl's life-the landing of their first fish. The award recognizes this special moment with a framable certificate identifying the angler, the fish caught, and other details of that moment. Size of the fish and age of the angler have no bearing, only that the fish is their first. You can even fill out the award online, and then print it!

Giles County Youth Programs

Youth programs play an important role in Giles County and also the surrounding counties of Middle Tennessee. These programs allow the children to learn about the world around them in a fun and interesting way.

National Archery In The Schools Program

The National Archery In The Schools Program is a two to eight week archery course designed to teach International Style target archery in 4th –12th grades.  The students shoot at bulls-eye targets placed in front of an arrow resistant net in their gymnasium. The core content covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, mental concentration, core strengthening, physical fitness and self improvement. 

National Fishing In The Schools Program

The National Fishing in the Schools Program is a nationwide, in school program, that teaches the positive lifetime activity of fishing to students in grades 6-12. NFSP teaches students how to cast a fly rod in the school gym while they also learn about fish, insects, aquatic resources, resource stewardship and conservation.

Scholastic Clay Target Program

In Tennessee, the Scholastic Clay Target Program provides Tennessee's youth, grades 5-12, an opportunity to compete in clay target shooting competitions with their peers from across the state.  There are three disciplines: trap, skeet & sporting clays. Each individual participates with a team of shooters. Most teams are recognized as a school endorsed program, local 4-H clubs or other community groups, such as Boy and/ or Girl Scouts or Venture Crews. Apart from being the nation's leader in youth shooting sports programs, the Tennessee SCTP offers an opportunity for Tennessee's young men and women to experience the fun and excitement of competing in one of the fastest growing sports in the country.