First young sportsman hunt of season

The first of two Tennessee young sportsman deer hunts for the 2016-17 season will be held the weekend of Oct. 29-30.

Youth ages 6-16 years of age may participate. Participating youth can use gun, muzzleloader, and archery equipment.

Young sportsmen must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 or older who must remain in position to take immediate control of the hunting device. The adult must also comply with the fluorescent orange regulations as specified for legal hunters. Multiple youth may be accompanied by a single qualifying adult.

Archery season began in the state on Sept. 24 and the first segment ends Oct. 28, the day prior to the opening of the young sportsman hunt. The second segment of archery only season resumes on Monday, Oct. 31.

The TWRA makes the recommendation that all hunters obtain a 2016-17 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. The guide lists license requirements, the counties and bag limits for each of the different deer management units. The guides are available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold and on the TWRA website, www.tnwildlife.org.

In 2015, youth hunters harvested a total of 5,854 deer during the first hunt, similar to the 2014 total of 5,673. All 95 Tennessee counties reported harvests in 2015 with Cumberland County posting the highest two-day total with 160 followed by Giles County with 142, Henry and Montgomery County with 134, and Lawrence County with 129.