The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.
(a) Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, merganser, mourning dove, woodcock, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure) and comply with all permit provisions.
(ii) We allow hunting for duck, goose, coot, and merganser from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 12 p.m. (noon). We allow hunters to access the refuge no more than 2 hours before legal sunrise.
(iii) We close mourning dove, woodcock, and snipe seasons during all youth and muzzleloader hunts, and during the first 4 weeks of firearms deer seasons.
(iv) You may use only portable blinds, and you must remove all boats, blinds, and decoys from the refuge by 1 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, coyote, beaver, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section applies.
(ii) We allow hunters to access the refuge no more than 2 hours before legal sunrise to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset, except that raccoon and opossum hunters may access the refuge from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
(iii) We close squirrel, rabbit, and quail seasons during all youth and muzzleloader hunts, and during the first 4 weeks of firearms deer seasons.
(iv) We close raccoon and opossum seasons on Friday and Saturday nights during all firearms, youth, and muzzleloader deer hunts and seasons, including the Friday night prior to any hunt or season that opens on a Saturday morning.
(v) You may take coyote and beaver incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) and (v) of this section apply.
(ii) You may only participate in the refuge quota hunts with a special quota permit issued through random drawing (electronic form).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing only with pole and line, or rod and reel.
(ii) We allow the use of bow and arrow, or a gig, to take nongame fish on refuge waters.
(iii) We prohibit taking frog or turtle on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(b) Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of Canada goose on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (electronic form) for all hunters age 17 and older. You must carry a valid refuge permit while hunting on the refuge.
(ii) The annual refuge hunting and fishing regulations brochure provides season dates and bag limits.
(iii) We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 meters) of any building, public use road, or boat launching ramp.
(iv) We allow hunters to access the refuge from 2 hours before legal sunrise to 2 hours after legal sunset.
(v) We allow the use of dogs to retrieve geese.
(vi) You may use only portable blinds, and you must remove all boats, blinds, and decoys from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(vii) We allow the take of beaver and coyote incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, beaver, and coyote on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iv) and (vii) of this section apply.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow the hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iv) and (b)(1)(vii) of this section apply.
(ii) We only allow the use of portable blinds and tree stands on the refuge. You must remove blinds, tree stands, and all other personal equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(iii) You may only participate in the refuge quota deer hunts with a special quota permit (electronic form) issued through random drawing.
(iv) Each youth hunter age 16 and younger must remain within sight of and normal voice contact of an adult age 21 or older. One adult hunter may supervise no more than one youth hunter.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing on the refuge pools and reservoirs from March 16 through November 14, from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.
(ii) We prohibit trotlines, limblines, jugs, and slat baskets in refuge pools and impoundments and on Elk Reservoir and South Cross Creeks Reservoir.
(iii) We prohibit taking frog, turtle, and crawfish on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(iv) We allow bow fishing in refuge impoundments and on Barkley Lake.
(c) Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, merganser, mourning dove, woodcock, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure) and comply with all permit provisions.
(ii) We allow hunting for duck, goose, coot, and merganser from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon). We allow hunters to access the refuge no earlier than 2 hours before legal sunrise.
(iii) We close mourning dove, woodcock, and snipe seasons during all quota gun and youth deer gun hunts.
(iv) You may use only portable blinds, and you must remove all boats, blinds, and decoys from the refuge by 1 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, coyote, beaver, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section applies.
(ii) We allow hunters to access the refuge no earlier than 2 hours before legal sunrise to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset, except that raccoon and opossum hunters may access the refuge from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
(iii) We close all small game hunts during the refuge deer quota and youth gun hunts.
(iv) You may take coyote and beaver incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (c)(2)(ii) and (iv) of this section apply.
(ii) You may only participate in the refuge deer quota hunts with a special quota permit (electronic form) issued through random drawing.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing only with pole and line, or rod and reel.
(ii) We allow use of a bow and arrow, or gig, to take nongame fish on refuge waters.
(iii) We prohibit taking frog or turtle on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(iv) We open Oneal Lake for fishing during a restricted season and for authorized special events.
(v) We only allow fishing boats of 18 feet (5.5 meters) or less in length on refuge lakes.
(d) Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge.
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, coyote, beaver, and raccoon on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure) and comply with all permit provisions.
(ii) We allow hunters to access the refuge no earlier than 2 hours before legal sunrise to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset, except that raccoon hunters may access the refuge from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
(iii) You may take coyote and beaver incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow only archery hunting for white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: The conditions set forth at paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We open all waters of Lake Isom to fishing only from March 16 through November 14, and from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(ii) We prohibit taking frog or turtle from refuge waters (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(iii) We allow fishing only with pole and line, or rod and reel.
(iv) We allow use of a bow and arrow, or a gig, to take nongame fish on refuge waters.
(e) Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, merganser, mourning dove, woodcock, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure) and comply with all permit provisions.
(ii) We allow hunting for duck, goose, coot, and merganser from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 12 p.m. (noon). We allow hunters to access the refuge no earlier than 2 hours before legal sunrise.
(iii) We close mourning dove, woodcock, and snipe seasons all youth and muzzleloader hunts, and during the first 4 weeks of firearms deer seasons.
(iv) You may use only portable blinds, and you must remove all boats, blinds, and decoys from the refuge by 1 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, coyote, beaver, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section applies.
(ii) We allow hunters to access the refuge no more than 2 hours before legal sunrise to no more than 2 hours after legal sunset, except that raccoon and opossum hunters may access the refuge from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
(iii) We close squirrel, rabbit, and quail seasons during all youth and muzzleloader hunts, and during the first 4 weeks of firearms deer seasons.
(iv) We close raccoon and opossum seasons on Friday and Saturday nights during all firearms, youth, and muzzleloader deer hunts and seasons, including the Friday night prior to any hunt or season that opens on a Saturday morning.
(v) You may take coyote and beaver incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(2)(ii) and (v) of this section apply.
(ii) You may participate in the refuge quota hunts only with a special quota permit (electronic form) issued through random drawing.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge and the Sunk Lake Public Use Natural Area as governed by State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(ii) We allow fishing only with pole and line, or rod and reel.
(iii) We allow use of a bow and arrow, or a gig, to take nongame fish on refuge waters.
(iv) We prohibit taking frog or turtle on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(f) Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, coyote, beaver, and raccoon on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (signed refuge brochure) and comply with all permit provisions.
(ii) We allow hunters to access the refuge no earlier than 2 hours before legal sunrise to no later than 2 hours after legal sunset, except that raccoon hunters may access the refuge from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
(iii) You may take coyote and beaver incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting for white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section apply.
(ii) You may participate in the refuge firearms deer and turkey quota hunts only with a special quota permit (electronic form) issued through random drawing.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow access to the Long Point Unit (north of Upper Blue Basin) for fishing from March 16 through November 14, and the Grassy Island Unit (south of Upper Blue Basin) for fishing from February 1 through November 14.
(ii) We allow fishing on the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(iii) We prohibit taking of frog or turtle on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(g) Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge -
(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of Canada goose, dove, and crow on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (name and address) for all hunters age 17 and older. You must carry a valid refuge permit while hunting on the refuge.
(ii) The annual refuge hunting and fishing regulations brochure provides season dates and bag limits.
(iii) We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 meters) of any building, public use road, or boat launching ramp.
(iv) We allow hunters to access the refuge from 2 hours before legal sunrise to 2 hours after legal sunset, except as provided under paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section.
(v) Youth hunters age 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or older who has a refuge hunting permit on his or her person. The adult must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.
(vi) We allow the use of dogs for migratory bird, squirrel, raccoon, and opossum hunting.
(vii) You may use only portable blinds, and you must remove all boats, blinds, and decoys from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(viii) We allow the take of beaver and coyote incidental to legal hunting activities with legal methods of take for those hunts.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, coyote, beaver, raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (vi) and (viii) of this section apply.
(ii) We allow hunting for raccoon and opossum from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (v) and (viii) of this section apply.
(ii) You may participate in the refuge quota deer hunts only with a special quota permit (electronic form) issued through random drawing.
(iii) We allow the use of only portable blinds and tree stands on the refuge. You must remove blinds, tree stands, and all other personal equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing in Swamp Creek, Sulphur Well Bay, and Bennetts Creek from March 16 through November 14. We open the remainder of the refuge portion of Kentucky Lake to fishing year-round. We allow bank fishing year-round along Refuge Lane from the New Johnsonville Pump Station.
(ii) We allow fishing on interior refuge impoundments from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset from March 16 to November 14.
(iii) We prohibit taking frog, turtle, and crawfish on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).
(iv) We prohibit trotlines, limblines, jugs, and slat baskets in refuge pools and impoundments.
(v) We allow bow fishing in refuge impoundments and on Kentucky Lake.
[84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54139, Aug. 31, 2020]