07/15/2026
New Deer Bait Privilege License available July 22
A new Deer Bait Privilege License will be available beginning July 22. The license was initiated by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee during the 2025 Legislative Session.
Hunters wishing to hunt white-tailed deer over bait are required to purchase this license. It will be available through GoOutdoorsTennessee.com and the TWRA On the Go App for $50 for Tennessee residents and $100 for non-residents.
Important: This license is required for anyone hunting over bait, including lifetime license holders and those otherwise exempt from purchasing a hunting license.
The license is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase and applies only to private property (owned or leased).
Hunting over bait is not allowed on Wildlife Management Areas, within the CWD Management Zone, or in any CWD-positive county.
For complete regulations, including authorized bait types, bait site requirements, and a list of counties where baiting is prohibited, click here: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/hunting/big-game/deer.html
