Quota Hunts

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency realizes that in some areas of Tennessee, the number of hunters needs to be restricted so as not to cause a major impact on the resource. In these areas, the Agency utilizes a quota hunt system. There are bear, deer, elk, sandhill crane, turkey, and waterfowl hunts.

QUOTA HUNT APPLICATIONS can be submitted or viewed in the following ways (applications cannot be accepted by mail)

• On the Internet
• TWRA Licensed Agent locations
• TWRA Regional Offices
• TWRA Mobile App

You can log into the quota hunt module to apply for a quota hunt. You will also be able to edit a quota hunt application that you have submitted up until the deadline for that hunt. You will be able to see members that are in your quota hunt party.

Transaction ID numbers are issued for all transactions that are completed in the REAL system. That number is your assurance that your application has been accepted into the system. If you have a valid email address on your account, an email is sent immediately after your transaction is complete. If you do not have a valid email address, you can screenshot the "CHECKOUT COMPLETE" page to retain your Transaction ID number or you may click the "Print Application" button located in the top, right corner of the page. If you have questions about your quota hunt application, you MUST have your Transaction ID number.

You will also be able to see the results of your quota hunt drawing as soon as we finish the drawing validation process and release the results to the public. ALL from your customer account.

Tennessee has a priority point system in place for several of its quota hunts. An applicant is awarded one point for each year he/she applies and is not drawn. Each point system is unique and separate for the different quota hunts, i.e., WMA Big Game, Spring Turkey, WMA, etc. Applicants with the highest priority are more likely to be drawn first.

PRIORITY FACTS:

• If applicants in a party have varying priority points, the points will be averaged, except for Waterfowl If applicants in a segmented WMA Waterfowl party have varying priority points, the party will assume the point status of the member with the highest priority.
• Each applicant’s priority is individual; it is only in the drawing that an applicant’s party priority is considered. When a party is unsuccessful, each applicant’s actual current priority points balance will increase by one point.
• Priority points only apply to the hunt category in which they were earned, i.e., WMA Big Game, Spring Turkey Waterfowl, etc.
• When a person is drawn for a hunt, their priority points will be reset to “0” the following year.
• Spring Turkey WMA: No limit.
• Youth Spring Turkey WMA: No limit
• Elk and Youth Elk: No priority. An applicant successfully drawn may not reapply for 10 years.
• WMA Big Game: No limit.
• Youth WMA Big Game: No limit.
• Cherokee Bear Party-Dog Hunts: No priority.
• WMA Season Long Waterfowl: No priority.
• WMA Early Season Waterfowl: No limit.
• WMA Mid-Season Waterfowl: No limit.
• WMA Late Season Waterfowl: No limit.
• Sandhill Crane: No limit.
• Bobwhite Quail: No priority.

Cost of Application

A $12 non-refundable application fee is required for each drawing requested, except for individuals possessing a valid Annual, Lifetime, or Senior Sportsman License.

Example: The “Maximum Awarded Permits” for WMA Big Game is two, meaning two drawings are held for the same pool of applicants. You may choose to enter one drawing, where you will only be eligible for one permit that will cost $12.00 plus any applicable fees. If you enter two drawings, you will be eligible for two permits and the cost will be $24.00, plus any fees. You must choose the number of drawings, party information, and hunt choices on one application.

Application Information Needed

• A $12 non-refundable fee is required to submit an application, except for individuals possessing a valid Annual, Lifetime or Senior Sportsman License. Receipt and deposit of application fee(s) does not constitute permission to participate in the hunt.
  
• There is a vendor fee assessed to each application that varies depending on submission method. Application fee(s) are non-refundable.
• Applicants must have the appropriate, valid hunting licenses to submit an application, with the exceptions of the migratory bird permit and the federal duck stamp.
• Applicants must be 16 or older at the time of the hunt to apply.
• Applicants may select up to 48 hunt choices and rank them in order of preference.
• Applicants should review their application prior to submission and verify all information (name, hunt choices, etc.) upon completion to confirm accuracy.
• Ensure that you have a valid, accurate email address on your www.gooutdoorstennessee.com account. A receipt, which serves as proof of application and hunt choices, will be sent to the email address on the applicant’s account.
• Only parties with 4-8 members, at the deadline, will be accepted into the drawing.
• Once your application is complete, you may review your application (including party members) by logging into www.quotahunt.gooutdoorstennessee.com. Applications may be edited until the deadline.
• No applications will be accepted or edited after the deadline.
• No person may apply more than once. Any person violating this rule and regulation is subject to having their permit and/or hunting privileges revoked and may be subject to prosecution.
• Permits are not transferable

Cherokee Bear Party-Dog Hunts

The application period for these hunts will be from June 12 – July 24, 2024.

This is a party hunt. In order to be a qualifying party, there must be 50 members in the party before the deadline.

Cherokee Bear Party-Dog hunts can have up to a maximum of 75 permits per party. One party is permitted in each of the following areas: Upper Tellico, Lower Tellico, Upper Bald River, and Lower Bald River.

The bag limit is one bear, either sex

Party-Dog Area closed during scheduled quota party dog hunts.

Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Bear Hunting page.

Bobwhite Quail

The application period for Bobwhite Quail will be from September 4-25, 2024.

Applicants must be at least 6 years of age or older. Applicants can apply individually, or with a party of up to 3 members. There can be no more than 2 youth hunters (16 years of age or younger) per party.

Elk and Youth Elk

The Elk and Youth Elk Draw application period will be February 5-26, 2025.

Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Elk Hunting page.

Landowners are not exempt from this permit requirement and must be drawn for a quota permit to hunt. Nineteen (19) quota permits will be issued. One of the Nineteen (19) permits will be issued to a qualifying non-profit wildlife conservation organization with all proceeds benefiting the TWRA Elk Management Program. Another one of the Nineteen (19) permits will be issued to a resident Young Sportsman who is able to hunt all open elk zones.

Elk permits are valid for designated Elk Hunt Zones (EHZs) on North Cumberland WMA and on private lands in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, and Scott counties. All public land other than North Cumberland WMA is closed to elk hunting.

It is the responsibility of elk permit holders to obtain verbal or written permission to hunt on private property. TWRA does not guarantee hunters access to private lands.

Customers who are interested in applying for both the WMA quota hunt and the Elk quota hunt will have to submit two applications, one for each. The computer drawings will be handled separately. Quota Hunt applications can be conveniently submitted here , TWRA Licensed Agent locations, TWRA Regional Offices , or via the TWRA Mobile App. Applications cannot be accepted by mail.

Sandhill Crane Tag Drawing

The application period for the statewide drawing is September 4 – September 25, 2024. These tags will be valid statewide, including the SE Crane Zone. Only individuals with a Tennessee Sandhill Crane Tag may hunt.

Sandhill Crane Tag Application: Applicants must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to compete in the drawing. Each application must be accompanied by a non-refundable handling fee, except for Sportsman License holders, Lifetime Sportsman License holders, and persons possessing an Annual Senior Citizen Sportsman License. Tags are non-transferable.

Computer Draw: A total of 2,500 tags (2 tags/hunter) will be issued for statewide use through a computerized drawing. The application period for the statewide drawing is Sept. 4 – Sept. 25, 2024. These tags will be valid statewide, including the SE Crane Zone.

Sandhill Crane Identification Test: All sandhill crane hunters must pass an internet-based crane identification test each year before hunting. All tags issued are invalid until the “Sandhill Crane Test” validation code is written on the tag. The purpose of this test is to improve the hunter’s awareness and ability to distinguish between sandhill cranes and other protected species that may be encountered while hunting. The test is available at twra.state.tn.us/SandhillCraneTest.

Be sure the bird you intend to shoot is a sandhill crane. Accidental or intentional shooting of a whooping crane is considered a dual violation and subject to state and federal laws. Don’t shoot unless you’re sure.

Harvest Reporting: Each harvested crane must be accompanied by a completed kill tag (each tag allows harvest of one (1) crane) and be checked in by the end of the calendar day of harvest by any TWRA-approved check-in method. Also, hunters issued sandhill crane tags MUST fill out and submit a post-season survey before Feb. 10, regardless of whether they hunted or harvested a sandhill crane. Failure to submit the post-season survey results in hunters not being eligible to apply for a sandhill crane tag in future draws.

Hunting Hours: Hunting hours for sandhill cranes are from sunrise until 3:00 pm local time.

Federal Regulations: No shotguns larger than 10 gauge or capable of holding over 3 shot shells. Federally approved non-toxic shot is required.

Hunters May Apply:

Find the Season Dates, Zone maps, and Hunt Regulations on our Sandhill Crane Hunting page.