August 25, the opening day for the 2007
squirrel-hunting season, has been established as a free hunting day in
Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
This special day offers a chance to introduce
a youth or an adult to squirrel hunting, the species which most of us started
out hunting. It is also a good opportunity for those folks who have not tried
hunting in a while to get back into the woods.
On free hunting day, all hunters, residents
and non-residents, are exempted from hunting licenses and WMA permits
requirements. Not all WMA’s are open to hunting on August 25th. Be sure to
check the information for particular WMA’s in the 2007 Tennessee Hunting and
Trapping Guide. Hunters must have either a hunter education card or the new
apprentice license (if they fall under the age requirements for mandatory
hunter education) on the free hunting day.
In addition to squirrels, those species that
have a year-round season will be open as well. The year-round species are:
armadillo, beaver, coyote, English sparrow, groundhog, nutria, pigeon,
starling, and striped skunk.