WHITETAILS :: WILD TURKEY :: FERAL BOAR :: BLACK BEAR :: SMALL GAME :: WATERFOWL :: FISH TN
 


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Boar Hunting Regulations

The following is intended as a quick reference only. These regulations are intended to be accurate, but that accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Please consult the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's Hunting & Trapping Guide before hunting in Tennessee. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please submit it to us via our Question & Answer section and we will find the answer to your question. Thank you.

HUNTER EDUCATION:

    All hunters, resident or nonresident, born on or after January 1, 1969, must possess proof that they have successfully complete a hunter education course to hunt in Tennessee. Hunters under the age of 10 do not have to possess proof of course of completion, but must be accompanied by an adult (age 21 or older) who remains in position to take control of the hunting weapon at all times.

HUNTING ON PRIVATE LAND:

    All hunters who are hunting on private land are required to obtain the permission of the landowner before hunting. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recommends obtaining written permission. TCA 70-4-106 states that if land has been properly posted with signs that include the landowner's name and address plus the wording "hunting by written permission only," and a hunter is hunting the land without written permission, he or she is subject to prosecution.

HUNTING HOURS:

    For boar, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise through one-half hour after sunset.

LEGAL BOAR:

    With the exception of boar on Catoosa WMA and Cherokee WMA, all boar in Tennessee are defined as feral boar. There are established hunting seasons for wild boar. The hunting seasons for feral boar coincide with statewide deer seasons on public land and is year-round on private land. During any open hunting season, there is no limit or sex requirement for boar.

BAITING:

    Supplemental feeding of wildlife is permitted in Tennessee. However, hunting over any site where food has been planted to attract or feed wildlife is prohibited. All food must be removed at least 10 days prior to hunting.

USE OF DOGS:

    It is illegal to use dogs to hunt feral boar in Tennessee. Dogs are permitted for hunting during certain wild boar seasons.

HUNTER ORANGE:

    Hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange, which is visible from the front and back, on the upper part of their body while hunting big game with a gun. A hat and vest fulfills this requirement. Blaze orange camo is legal, but must contain the 500 square inches of fluorescent orange.

CHECKING IN BOAR:

    While boar are considered big game animals, they need not be checked at a big game checking station.

POSSESSION OF LIVE BOAR:

    It is unlawful to possess live boar taken during hunting/trapping seasons.

LEGAL WEAPONRY:
For boar hunting:

  • Shotguns using ammunition loaded with single solid ball or rifle slug. No magazine restrictions.
  • Rifles and handguns (with minimum of 4-inch barrel)using centerfire ammunition.
  • Muzzleloading percussion cap or flintlock rifles, handguns or shotguns of .40 caliber or larger. Muzzleloading firearms are defined as those capable of being loaded by the breech.
  • Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device. (Hunting arrows and bolts must be barbless and sharpened).
  • All weapon sighting devices are legal, except those producing artificial light capable of locating wild game. Night scopes are illegal.

AMMUNITION:
For boar hunting:

  • Possession of ammunition except that is specifically authorized is prohibited on all Wildlife Management Areas, federal refuges and Public Hunting Areas.
  • Possession or use of buckshot is prohibited except in counties where permitted by Private Acts.
  • Possession of shotgun ammunition with more than one solid ball is prohibited.
  • Possession of shot larger than No. 4 is prohibited.

ILLEGAL WEAPONS:
For boar hunting:

  • Shotguns using ammunition loaded with shot larger than No. 4
  • Rifles or handguns loaded with military or other full-metal-jacketed type of ammunition
  • Any weapon with a poisoned or chemically-treated tip or explosive head
  • Weapons capable of fully-automatic fire
  • Weapons with any device utilizing artificial light capable of locating wildlife

PROHIBITED ACTS:
For boar hunting:

  • The use or possession of a pod arrow, any pod-type device for holding drugs or chemicals on an arrow, or any drugs or chemicals used in pod arrows.
  • Transferring quota hunt permits. Anyone hunting with a borrow permit is subject to prosecution for hunting in a closed season.
  • Youths under the age of 18 using a handgun for the purpose of hunting.
  • Hunting over a site where bait has been placed to feed or attract wildlife unless the bait has been removed at least 10 days prior to hunting.
  • Loaded guns being transported on all WMAs and Public Hunting Areas. A muzzleloader is considered unloaded if the cap is removed from the nipple. A crossbow is considered unloaded if the bolt is removed.
  • Hunting on public land within 100 yards of a visible dwelling house.
  • The use of a spotlight or headlight or other artificial light to attempt to locate boar.
  • Hunting from a public road right-of-way, from a motorized vehicle, or shooting over a public road or right-of-way.