Chattanooga, TN – The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) approved rule changes during its final 2024 meeting at the Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters, focusing on adjusting license prices and simplifying the licensing structure.
Over 70 percent of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s (TWRA) operating budget is funded through license sales and federal grants tied to state hunting numbers. Inflation, which has increased by 31.6 percent since the last comprehensive license fee hike in 2015, has contributed to an operational deficit for the agency.
Key changes include a 22 percent increase in boating registration fees and a 28 percent increase in most hunting and fishing license prices. Sportsman and Lifetime license fees will rise by 12 percent.
For Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) permits at the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, a three-year phased increase was approved, offering daily, three-day, seven-day, and annual options. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.
The ruling also simplifies the licensing system. Hunting device-specific supplemental licenses (e.g., gun, archery) will transition to species-specific licenses (e.g., deer, elk).
Additionally, the trout supplemental license is now included in the base hunting and fishing combination license, and multiple Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permits have been consolidated into a single permit.
No changes were made to resident disability licenses or fees for TWRA Lakes. A complete list of updated license fees and permits will be available on the TWRA website ahead of the 2025 implementation.