Attention all Tennessee hunters, there are a couple of noteworthy changes afoot in your neck of the woods that could impact your next deer-hunting expedition. As detailed in a recent social media dispatch from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), hunters in the Volunteer State are facing fresh regulations on deer baiting and the use of drones for recovering deer. According to TWRA's Facebook post, a new Deer Bait Privilege License is on the horizon, with an effective start date of August 1, 2026, and hunters will need to budget an additional $50 for residents and double that for nonresidents.
The license is specifically earmarked for private lands, and until the law comes into force, baiting for deer remains on the no-fly list unless you’ve got the green light under a wild hog depredation permit. So make a mental bookmark there—and, oh, by the way, if you’re thinking of using a drone to recover that wily wounded deer, lawmakers have given the TWRA a thumbs up to start their rule-making process. However, until the regulations are finalized, drones must stay grounded. The airspace above private property may open up soon, but only after the rules are clear and officially approved.
Now, about the drone rules — they’re only for recovering deer, not for spying or hunting, so don’t get any ideas. It’s a waiting game for the final word from TWRA, which has promised to share updates and full details once the rules are finalized. Hunters should keep an eye on TWRA’s channels for the latest information.
