HUNTING AND TRAPPING SEASONS PREVIEWS TO BE PRESENTED AT MARCH MEETING
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will present its recommendations for the 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons during the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) meeting on March 5-6, 2026, at Buffalo Ridge Refuge in Humphreys County. Committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, with the full Commission proceedings starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 6; both can be viewed live on the TWRA YouTube Channel. Wildlife and Forestry Chief Joe Benedict and Assistant Chief of Game Management Mark McBride will deliver the preview of these hunting and trapping regulations.
The Commission will then vote on final approval of the 2026-27 regulations at its April 16-17 meeting in Knoxville, with the approved rules taking effect on August 1. In addition to the season preview, the Wildlife and Forestry Division will offer an overview of big game harvest data and present proposed clarifications to rules governing hunts, permits, and drawings. The ongoing rulemaking hearing for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will continue from the previous December meeting, following an initial permit preview in October.
The agenda also includes nominations for the 2026 Legacy Award, which recognizes individuals committed to hunting, fishing, and outdoor lifestyles in Tennessee since its establishment in 2021, and the 2026 Wally Childress TWRA R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) Outstanding Leadership Award, named after a former commissioner honored for promoting outdoor opportunities, especially for youth. This meeting will be the first presided over by newly appointed Chairman Greg Davenport of Franklin, alongside Vice Chair Rhonda Moody of Allardt and Secretary Steve Jones of Clinton.
The TWRA remains dedicated to protecting, managing, and conserving Tennessee’s fish and wildlife resources for residents and visitors while ensuring public safety through law enforcement and education on waterways.
