The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has just dropped the dates for this year's Elk Quota Hunts. The application window for the exclusive opportunity to bag one of North America's most majestic creatures is slated for February 5 through February 26, as detailed on the TWRA website.
This year's quota includes 17 permits for the taking and an additional one earmarked specially for youth hunters (ages 13-16). In a gesture to support the continued conservation efforts, one more permit is being auctioned, the proceeds of which will bolster TWRA's Elk Program. Individuals can apply on their own, with no party hunts allowed, and select their top four zones from a list of 10. The deadline is midnight (CST) on February 26.
The TWRA is waiving the application fee for those with Annual Sportsman, Lifetime Sportsman, or Annual Senior Citizen licenses. Others will need to pay a $12 fee, plus a $1 agent fee, or a $2 processing fee for online applications. According to the details shared by the TWRA, "When applying at a license agent, hunters must remain at the location while the application is processed."
Tennessee’s elk hunting started in 2009 with only five tags, but the elk population has grown due to effective management and the popularity of the hunt. The designated elk hunting zones are primarily located in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, though hunters with private land access and express permission in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott counties can also get in on the action.
