It's hard to think much about hunting when it's summertime
hot. However, the hunt brochures for the refuge are now
available and it's time to start thinking ahead to those
hunting days in the fall. The Tennessee National Wildlife
Refuge provides hunting opportunities on all three of its
units for white-tailed deer, raccoon, wild turkey and
squirrel. Hunt brochures have been distributed to local
sporting good shops and have been sent via mail to those
hunters that applied for the draw last year. Brochures may
also be picked up at the Paris refuge headquarters at 3006
Dinkins Lane or sent to you by calling 731-642-2091.For
the most part the hunts scheduled for the refuge are the
same as last year with four quota hunt weekends for deer
and non-quota hunting available for deer, raccoon,
squirrel and wild turkey. An important change hunters need
to note is the application process for quota hunts. A
separate computer scan form will need to be picked up
along with the hunt brochure for those wanting to apply
for the quota hunts. These application forms will need to
be completed and sent in to the refuge office at 3006
Dinkins Lane, Paris, TN 38242 by August 1.
Youth hunters will need to submit a separate
application form, as the youth hunts will be drawn
separately. Hunters wishing to apply as a party (limit 5
hunters) should send in their applications in the same
envelope. To avoid errors only one computer application
should have the group's Hunt Code choices and Hunt Area
choices marked. Please see the refuge hunt brochure for
instructions on filling out the computer quota hunt
application.
The drawing will be conducted by a random computer
drawing. If drawn the hunter will receive a quota hunt
permit by mail. Rejection notices will be mailed out to
those not successfully drawn. Hunters that do not get
drawn will receive on preference point that will increase
their chances of getting drawn the following year. After a
hunter is drawn for a quota hunt permit, their preference
points will equal zero.
Each quota or non-quota hunter, age 16 and older, must
purchase a Refuge Annual Hunting Permit for a fee of
$12.50. For those hunters drawn for the quota hunts there
is no additional permit fee. Youth hunters under the age
of 16 do not need an Annual Hunting Permit, however the
adult supervising them during the hunt is required to have
one.
Kill tags will again be issued to those drawn for the
quota hunts. Successfully drawn applicants will receive
two kill tags with their quota hunt permit. After harvest,
the hunter should complete the kill tag and attach it to
the deer and turn it in at the checking station. These
kill tags are in addition to the TWRA kill tag and does
not replace it. This information will assist the refuge
staff in an assessment of harvest information.
For more information on the refuge hunt program please
contact the Paris refuge headquarters at 731-642-2091. |
