Help me understand Tennessee hunting regs

[Darrell]

I moved to TN from WA about three years ago, and I intend to hunt here for the first time this fall. I picked up a copy of the TN hunting regs, but I'm not 100% sure I understand everything. 

I'm 65, so it appears that I can buy a permanent hunting and fishing license for $49. I expect to hunt deer right on my own land, or maybe on a neighbor's. It looks to me like this will be the only license or permit I need to kill a deer on my own acreage. Is that right? I might like to kill a squirrel or two, too.

I share a property line with the Catoosa WMA, and I might want to hunt on that land, too, or at least to use it for non-hunting recreation, specifically I'd like to ride my bicycle out there. It looks like I need to buy a WMA license to be able to do that, right? I was thinking to just buy a type 93 license for $20, just to be able to ride my bike out there even if I'm not hunting. Any insight on that?  And the regs say that bicycle access is allowed only through gate access points. I can ride my bike right off my property onto the Catoosa, but the nearest gated access is miles away. If a guy is just "scouting", with no weapon, would that gated access  rule apply?

Finally, I see NOTHING at all about transport tags, except that tags are required. Does another fee apply for tags? 

Thanks, guys.

[Garufa]

I’d call TWRA and ask them.

https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife-management-areas/cumberland-plateau-r3/catoosa-wma.html

[10-Ring]

If you are hunting on your own land no need to buy a license.  

I couldn't tell you about riding a bicycle on Catoosa.  So long as you aren't riding around during any deer, turkey, bear, or the special pig season, I seriously doubt anyone would care. 

 

[Alleycat72]

Tags are electronic now. It's done on you phone and gps recorded. You can download paper temporary tags, but they are included when get a license on your phone. You just have to print them off. You are required to "tag before you drag" in TN. I very rarely get a license anymore for normal hunting. I usually hunt on my own land, but if you have the smallest possibility of hunting 1 inch off your property, get a license. It's easy to forget and hunt with a buddy one day on his place without a license. 

[Alleycat72]

11 hours ago, Garufa said:

I’d call TWRA and ask them.

https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife-management-areas/cumberland-plateau-r3/catoosa-wma.html

Email them. Keep the email response in your records. That way you don't get into a "The guy on the phone said " argument.

[Darrell]

9 hours ago, Alleycat72 said:

Tags are electronic now. It's done on you phone and gps recorded.

I may be the last American who doesn't carry a phone around with me. When I hunt or fish, I try to forget there IS any civilization. I suppose I'll carry one if there's no alternative, but I'm happier just carrying a paper license and tags.

[10-Ring]

10 hours ago, Alleycat72 said:

Tags are electronic now. It's done on you phone and gps recorded. You can download paper temporary tags, but they are included when get a license on your phone. You just have to print them off. You are required to "tag before you drag" in TN. I very rarely get a license anymore for normal hunting. I usually hunt on my own land, but if you have the smallest possibility of hunting 1 inch off your property, get a license. It's easy to forget and hunt with a buddy one day on his place without a license. 

Do what you want, but take this into consideration.  Turn off the location permissions on your phone before checking game. GPS isn't always exact.  No need for an inaccurate reading to bring unwanted grief.  Basically, I choose not to give TWRA any more information to scrutinize than they absolutely require. 

 

[Alleycat72]

23 minutes ago, 10-Ring said:

Do what you want, but take this into consideration.  Turn off the location permissions on your phone before checking game. GPS isn't always exact.  No need for an inaccurate reading to bring unwanted grief.  Basically, I choose not to give TWRA any more information to scrutinize than they absolutely require. 

 

Oh no...I've got one better. You can spoof your GPS. Shoot a deer in Russia, White house lawn, or 30k feet over the Atlantic Ocean. 

[RED333]

I just might be the last person to carry a flip phone, the apps just wont work on my phone.