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What's New For 2011-2012

Several important changes were made to the hunting and trapping regulations for the 2011–2012 seasons. Several of the primary changes are:

Big Game Hunting

  • There is now one gun season for deer running from the traditional opening date of the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 19, 2011 until Jan. 1, 2012.
  • Added Benton, Hardin, and Perry counties to Unit L for deer hunting.
  • Increased antlerless deer hunting opportunities have been created in Benton, Hamilton, Hardin, Perry and Union counties. (See page 30).
  • WMA quota permits will be reduced from a $20 refundable fee to a $10 non-refundable fee.
  • A new red deer season (Jan. 14-22, 2012) has been created for a section of Claiborne County.
  • There will be a young sportsman hunt for bear, the same weekend of the young sportsman hunt for deer, (Oct. 29-30).
  • Caliber restrictions for muzzleloaders changed from .40 to .36 for big game
  • Fall turkey season has been moved from December to October (15-28), which increases the number of hunting days from 12 to 14.
  • All shotguns gauges are now legal for turkey hunting (fall/spring)

Hog Hunting

  • Wild hogs have been removed as a big game animal and will be allowed to be taken on select WMAs during deer hunts. Wild hogs are now listed in a new non-protected wildlife proclamation.

Small Game Hunting

  • Quail and rabbit season will open the first Saturday in November.
  • Quail season now closes the last day of January.
  • Small game hunters will get almost two straight months (Jan.- Feb.) with no interruption from big game seasons.
  • Chasing of rabbits during night time hours added as a legal training activity.
  • Increased raccoon seasons in South Cherokee (includes Tellico/Ocoee bear reserves).

Miscellaneous

  • The WMA previously known as Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant in Hamilton County is now named Enterprise South Park.
  • Dry Creek WMA in Region I is open to trapping, big game and small game hunting.
  • Two new areas, Allegheny County, Md., and Hardy County, W. Va., have been added to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) importation laws.
  • Hunting arrows and bolts must be equipped with sharpened blades