Nashville, TN – A special red deer hunting season is set to be held in Claiborne County on January 14th-22nd. The special red deer hunting season was established last spring in an effort to manage the small population of the exotic deer.
At the December meeting of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission, an amendment to the proclamation allows for an expansion to the original area.
Last spring, in an effort to eliminate a small population of exotic red deer in Claiborne County, a two-week red deer season was established after the white-tailed deer season ends.
The hunting season is open in the portion of Claiborne County east of Highway 25E from the Kentucky state line to the Highway 33/25E intersection in Tazewell and east of Highway 33 from the Highway 33/25E intersection to the Union County line.
Since the proclamation was passed, the area where the red deer are located shifted. The amendment allows for an expanded hunting area in the county.Â
There is no bag limit on red deer and either sex may be harvested by gun, muzzleloader or archery equipment. Hunters must submit red deer harvested for biological sample by taking them to Southern Outdoors, 2809 Hwy 25E in Tazewell. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency personnel will be present to collect samples during specific times. Otherwise, instructions for hunters will be posted at the Southern Outdoors location.
Most of the herd is located on private lands. Hunters are reminded that they must have permission of the landowners to hunt on private lands. State law prohibits hunting from a motorized vehicle and hunting from or across a public road or right-of-way. Â
The TWRA also wishes to make hunters aware that red deer resemble elk in appearance and that anyone convicted of illegally killing a wild elk are subject to up to $2,500 in fines and up to 11 months/29 days in jail.
Please contact the TWRA Region IV office in Morristown at 423.587.7037 or 1.800.332.0900 with any questions.
