Tennessee’s 2020 statewide spring turkey hunting season will be held as scheduled and the state’s lakes and rivers and access areas controlled by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will remain open.
“Governor (Bill) Lee’s Executive Orders 22 and 23 identifies outdoor activity as an essential activity provided that individuals follow Health Guidelines,” said Kurt Holbert, Chairman of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. “I want to assure all sportsmen that Tennessee’s turkey season will open Saturday as scheduled and public lands controlled by the TWRA will remain open. Likewise, lakes and rivers and access areas controlled by the TWRA will remain open to anglers and recreational boaters.”
Tennessee spring hunting turkey annually attracts thousands of Tennesseans to the woods. Chairman Holbert urges hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers, and others who enjoy the outdoors to take necessary precautions.
“This disease is an imminent threat to Tennesseans and should not be taken lightly,” said Chairman Holbert. “The Commission wants to encourage all hunters, anglers, and boaters to follow the Governor’s Executive Orders and to practice social distancing. Go enjoy the outdoors, but please do it in a manner that is smart and safe.”
Turkey Hunters Reminded of New “Tag Before You Drag” As Season Starts
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reminding hunters of a slight change in harvest reporting requirements this year. Beginning with 2020 spring turkey hunting season the “Tag Before You Drag” system is in effect for tagging big game animals in the field prior to moving their harvest.
Hunters will be able to use the TWRA on the Go app to simply E-tag and report their harvest in the field in one easy step, with or without cell phone service prior to moving. If a hunter does not have a phone, attach one of the temporary transportation tags that are printed at the bottom of your license this year. If using a temporary transportation tag, hunters have until midnight on the same day of the harvest to check-in online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com.
Tennessee’s spring turkey hunting season is open for business and runs from April 4 through May 17.
TDEC TO CLOSE ALL 56 TENNESSEE STATE PARKS EFFECTIVE APRIL 4
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced it will close all 56 Tennessee state parks and state-owned state natural areas to the public effective April 4 through April 14, in support of Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order 23. This is a complete closure of facilities and access to all Tennessee State Parks and Designated State Natural Areas.
“We decided to close the parks in support of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 23,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “The health and safety of Tennessee citizens is all of our top priority right now.”
Tennessee State Parks officials will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.tnstateparks.com.
