TNDEER BLOG

Application Period Deadline May 31 for Tennessee’s Fourth Elk Hunt

From TWRA

  NASHVILLE --- The deadline to apply for participation in Tennessee’s fourth managed elk hunt is approaching. Sportsmen have until midnight (CDT) on May 31 to submit their application to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

  The fourth elk hunt will be held Oct. 15-19, 2012 at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, located off I-75, north of Knoxville. Once again, there will be five Elk Hunting Zones designated at the WMA.

  Persons may apply at any TWRA license agent, TWRA regional office or online at www.tnelkhunt.org.

As in the previous three hunts, five individuals will be selected to participate. Four of the participants will be selected through a computer drawing conducted by the TWRA. Nonresident applicants will be restricted to no greater than 25 percent of the drawn permits. The fifth participant will be the recipient of a permit that is donated to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), which this year is the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation.

In addition, newly-added this year is a Young Sportsman Elk Hunt. After completing the regular elk hunt draw, a special computerized youth drawing will take place for resident applicants who will be between the ages of 13-16 on the opening day of the elk hunt. The lucky recipient will be awarded the special youth elk tag. The dates of the youth hunt will be Oct. 20-21 and the participant would be able to hunt on any of the five elk hunting zones designated at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. A youth entering the draw must designate if he/she would prefer to participate in the youth hunt or regular hunt if drawn.

  There is no application fee for current Tennessee Annual Sportsman License holders, Lifetime Sportsman License holders, or an Annual Senior Citizen Permit (Type 167). All other applicants will be charged a $10 non-refundable permit fee, and an internet usage fee (if applying online or by telephone). For those applying at a license agent, there is a $1 agent fee in addition to the $10 non-refundable permit fee.

  The successful applicants will be announced at the June meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission in Nashville. Successful applicants will not be allowed to reapply for an elk quota hunt permit for 10 years following a successful draw.