August Velvet Hunt is This Weekend

The three-day August velvet hunt is set for August 26 – 28, 2022. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission voted fours years ago to establish the three-day season to give hunters an opportunity to harvest a buck with velvet-covered antlers.

Some different rules and regulations apply to hunters in Unit CWD, which includes Fayette and Hardeman Counties. You may find all the rules and regulations on the TWRA’s website.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the August Velvet Hunt and the regulations for Unit CWD.

What are the August Velvet Hunt Dates?
August 26, 27 & 28

What counties makeup unit CWD?

• Chester
• Crockett
• Fayette
• Gibson
• Hardeman
• Haywood
• Henderson
• Lauderdale
• Madison
• McNairy
• Shelby
• Tipton

What can I hunt with in Unit CWD?
You may use archery, muzzleloader, or firearms. Remember that 500 square inches of blaze orange is required while hunting. All hunters are required to wear blaze orange unless you meet landowner exemptions.

What public lands are open during the hunt?
The following is a list of WMAs open during the August Velvet hunt:

• Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and State Natural Area
• Eagle Lake Refuge
• Bomprezzi Unit of the Eagle Lake Refuge
• Wolf River WMA Units 1 & 2
• Piperton Wetland
• Chickasaw State Forest WMA
• Gray’s Creek WMA
• Oak Dain Wetland
• Big Hill Pond State Park
• Tull Bottoms WMA
• South Fork Refuge
• Spring Creek WMA
• Colonel Forest V Durand WMA
• Fort Ridge WMA
• Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
• John Tully WMA
• Horns Bluff Refuge
• Maness Swamp Refuge (the portion lying within Gibson County)
• Parker Branch WMA
• Perry Switch WMA
• Beech River WMA (that portion lying within Henderson County)
• Natchez Trace State Forest (that portion lying south of I-40)

What’s the bag limit?
The seasonal bag limit is three (3) antlered deer, not to exceed one (1) per day.

Can I kill all three (3) of my bucks in the August hunt?
Yes, you can kill one per day.

What if the buck is not in velvet? Is it legal?
Yes

Can I earn-a-buck during the August hunt?
No, the August hunt is antlered deer only. Antlerless deer may not be harvested during the August hunt.

What if I harvest a CWD positive antlered deer?
Hunters will receive a replacement buck for harvest if they harvest a CWD-positive antlered deer and the lab result is confirmed by TWRA.
Replacement antlered deer may only be harvested in Unit CWD or in the county where the qualifying CWD-positive antlered deer was harvested.

What licenses do I need?

• youth hunters need a type 002
• archery hunters need a type 01 license and type 10
• muzzleloader hunters need a type 01 license and type 11
• firearms hunters need a type 01 and type 09
• A WMA permit (type 94) if hunting on a WMA or a sportsman license (type 04), lifetime sportsman license, permanent
• senior citizen license (type 166), an annual senior citizen license (type
• 164), annual senior citizen sportsman license (type 167), or any of the permanent disabled licenses (type 168, 169, 189, & 198).

How do I check in my deer?
** Don’t Forget to Tag Before you Drag**
The easiest way to check the deer in is on your phone app. Make sure your app is up to date on your phone. You can also check it in online.

Where do I take my deer to get tested?
Find a location at CWDinTennessee.com

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