NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is inviting Tennesseans and visitors to take part in the Agency’s 2026 wild turkey summer observation survey. The survey is open to the public and will continue through Aug 31. Agency staff have conducted this survey annually since the 1980s, with public participation set for its fifth …
Tennesseans will once again have the opportunity to fish license-free across the state during the annual Bobby Wilson Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 6. The event, organized by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, allows both residents and visitors of all ages to fish in Tennessee’s public waters without purchasing a fishing license for the …
Tennessee has already recorded nine boating-related deaths in 2026, putting the state ahead of last year’s pace as officials prepare for the busy summer boating season. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the number of fatalities this year has increased from five deaths reported during the same period in 2025. Officials say the rise …
A Marion County man is officially in the Tennessee record books after landing the largest largemouth bass ever confirmed in the state. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced Monday that Whitwell resident Darren Nunley set a new Tennessee state record for largemouth bass with a fish caught earlier this year on Nickajack Reservoir. According to …
A black bear was recently seen in Fiery Gizzard State Park (Grundy and Marion counties). While bears are uncommon, stay alert and follow these TWRA and park guidelines: keep your distance, don’t follow bears, secure trash and food (including grills and bird feeders), never feed wildlife, leash pets, and remain on marked trails. To avoid …
Tennessee’s statewide spring turkey hunting season opens Saturday, April 11, and will continue through Sunday, May 24. The Young Sportsman Hunt precedes the statewide season the weekend of April 4-5. All 95 counties are open to the spring turkey seasons. However, there are some exceptions on public land (see the WMA section of the Tennessee Wildlife …
Tennessee students may soon have the opportunity to earn academic credit for completing hunter safety education. If approved, new legislation would enable schools to offer hunter education courses to students in grades 5 through 12, integrated within physical education, health, or safety curricula. The proposed bills are pending final approval from Governor Bill Lee. Upon …
The Tennessee State Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources committee voted unanimously to pass a bill designating state money to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. If passed, the TWRA would no longer need to rely solely on money from hunting and fishing licenses. Among those advocating for the bill were former Nashville Predators player Mike …
The deadline to enter the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) 2026-27 photo contest for publication in the Tennessee Wildlife annual calendar is quickly approaching on March 20. All interested photographers are invited to submit up to 10 of their best photos of wildlife species native to the Volunteer State. Hunting, fishing, and boating photos are also welcome. The selected …
A potential new Tennessee state record largemouth bass is currently under official review. Darren Nunley, an angler from Sequatchie County, landed the 15.75-pound bass—measured on certified scales—at Nickajack Lake in Marion County on the morning of February 28, 2026. If ratified, this specimen would surpass Gabe Keen’s standing state record by approximately half a pound. …
